Democracy/free press

[grassfarmer]

Citing my remarks re the throwing insults is rather sanctimonious given that you and your ABP buddies do it all the time. In this thread alone you have claimed that the NFUs only interest in the livestock industry is the levy money and that their cattle crisis document was crap. I was recognising that Kato had a valid point about organisations and throwing insults and accepting that I am guilty of that too. I guess it doesn't apply to you high and mighty ABP types.

[coppertop]

I agree with Kato. The ability to disagree
respectfully vs name calling and ridicule
is a sign of leadership. It would go a long
way to forging alliances that are necessary
if our industry is to survive the
challenges we all face if all
orgnanizations who are supposed to be
working in the best interest of producers,
would actually work together vs being
polarized.

[kato]

We can be pretty much assured that the government is not going to go out of it's way to help out a bunch of people who can't even agree on what their problems are, let alone how to solve them.

If all the organizations that say they represent cattle producers would just get past their prejudices and come up with some sort of plan, I would bet it would get attention.

It's time for some minds to open up to other points of view, and for the pi*&^ing contests to end for the sake of all of us.

Otherwise we're on our own.

[grassfarmer]

Thinking a bit more on the issue you ladies have raised has caused me to question your idea. I agree working together is a good thing but there must always be room for freedom of expression and differing ideas. As an example some producer groups currently support captive supply practices by the packers while others are determined to end this practice. What common ground/approach can they reach? They would seem to be fundamentally opposed in their beliefs and I don't think that is wrong. In many of these issues there is no right or wrong, just differing opinions and that is as it should be in a democracy.
As far as it stifling our influence with politicians because we don't all share the same ideas I don't think this is a situation unique to the beef sector or to agriculture. Plenty other industries/ groups lobby the government with different viewpoints within their own sectors.
Turning the issue around you could argue that politicians should all start agreeing, all be members of the one party then the electorate would listen to them, believe them and vote for them with a 100% majority.
I agreed with the original point re trading insults needlessly but to extend it to saying we will never get anywhere until we all decide on the one outcome and agree on a common approach is probably wrong thinking as well as something that obviously won't happen.

[smcgrath76]

I think it is important that politicians
listen to more than one side and that
they can publicly discuss and explain
their decisions (even if they come down
on one side vs. the other). I have very
little regard for voting the party line
based on someone else's thought process
and advice (particularly bureaucratic
advice).
There are some issues that are probably
not possible to tackle with one voice as
producers, however there are others that
certainly are that way. Right now I
think a lot of farm organizations are
"voting the party line" on some issues
just because their position has to be
the opposite of someone else's or they
are trying to garner favours.

[Sawbones]

Border Beef is hosting a 2 day seminar where 12 different organizations will give their views on the industry as well as their vision of the future. There will also be an opportunity for opinion from the floor. I would love to hear from Grassfarmer and Farmer's Son or anyone else on this blog. The date is July 22-23 at the Lloydminster Exhibition grounds. For more information contact Gary Etherington at 780-847-2445

[kato]

That's a good idea! It's exactly the kind of thing that needs to happen. There should be more meetings just like it. That's the only way answers will be found.

If anyone attends, please post what you find out so the rest of us out of the province types can know what happened.

[grassfarmer]

Sawbones, it is an innovative event that Border Beef are organizing. I'm pleased that the organizers cast the net wide and included speakers from as many organizations as they did. I plan to attend on the first day but can't attend both days. What to I have to do to attend? is there a sign up deadline?