Alberta Grain Commission "Name Change"

[Burbert]

Wow the new Ag Minister, has already put his stamp on Gag in Alberta. The Alberta Grain Commission is now, wait for it, hold your breath.... The Mighty ALBERTA GRAINS COUNCIL. Goals are the same however, sellin grain and trashing the CWB. Another mighty leap for mankind in Alberta. Wit a guy like this at the steerin whel, changin names and all, the open market will probably become the, wait for it, the OPENNER MARKET, no end in site methinks. The wonder of a cabinet shuffle will continue to amaze no doubt.

[Hopperbin]

Oh come on Burbert some of your inferior Alberta grain gets shipped to Sask. through the CWB as higher value. screw your dam CWB.

[rockpile]

Burby is 'kind of right' on this one. Very few people
even know that the AGC exists, what its' purpose is
or what if any value it provides. I've never witnessed
any value. In truth, it is just a parking lot for good
PC supporters to pick up a little reward for their
long time support. There is far better value from
producer groups and farm organizations than
anything AGC ever did. On top of that just so
everyone understands, the Deputy Minister of Ag is
the Chairman and all members are appointed by the
Minister. It is funded by the Dept of Ag. Sounds like
another organization many dislike. And mostly all
they do is repackage yesterdays news. Anyway, like
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young said, my comments
are 'for all its worth'.
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

While there is some 'truth' to what you say... as normal there is much more than meets the eye of the detractor you tend to be.

Believe it or not... there are grain/seed crops in Alberta that have no commodity organisation specifically to represent their issues/needs.

Flax is a crop that immediately comes to mind.

I have spent dozens of hours in the past 6 months... trying to put together a rational plan for Alberta grain growers.

We have some hard decisions to make.

Do we in Alberta get rid of the triffid GM event... or crush the flax and send the oil out without the GM event to the global marketplace.

To remove the GM event... will take many years (at least 5)... delaration of it being a 'pest' just like fusarium... and growers implementing an 'extreme' cleansing program for contaminated seed and land.

I understand Russia has triffid contamination... I am told they 'brown bagged' Ca. flax seed... but who knows they could have gotten background levels of this GM event from pedigreed seed and imported it.

All I know is... we have just been smashed... across the head with a 2by4... our reputation in the seed industry globally is mud. This isn't just a black eye for us. With some pedigreed varieties testing 50% contaminated... there must be a moritorium on all international flax exports.

The Alberta Grain Council is the best and most equiped to take the lead on this issue... lets hold their feet to the fire and implement logical common sense solutions for Alberta farmers that build a better province and agricultural industry!

[Burbert]

WOOOOOOOW, Lets hold their feet to the fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is going to be very, very, very interestin, er is it? I doubt that anythin is gonna happen, at all, since only dumb farmers are involved in the flax issue. Bet they'll employ the old wait and see, after a while, hopefully the issue will die a natural death or simply go away. Gov't work at its very, very, very best, after all who really gives a f--k as long as there are corn flakes on the table at breakfast........ Really, hold their feet to the fire, yeah right.

[wd9]

The AGC has a one and only purpose. Advise the minister.

[TOM4CWB]

Alberta Grains Council:

"Who we are:
We are a provincial government agency within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), comprised of ten Alberta Grains Council (AGC) members appointed by the Minister of ARD (eight farmers, and two government employees). A small staff supports the AGC members. This body advises and makes recommendations to the Minister of ARD on current and emerging issues and trends in the grain industry.

Mandate:

Examine all facets of the grain industry (cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and specialty crops) from producer to end user;
Make policy recommendations to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on any matters pertaining to the grain industry;
Maintain liaison with other governments, groups, or boards within or outside Alberta;
Carry such other assignments related to the matters above, and as may be specified by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Mission:
"Provide advice to the Minister and appropriate groups to enable a prosperous, sustainable, and market driven farm and agri-sector."

Burbert:

Is it better the Ag minister not be informed... and not consult with grain producers about government policy?

Rockpile:

Are you saying you have not received any benefit from Alberta Agriculture in the time you farmed? Does this mean you do not farm any longer... or it is a hobby with insignificant financial value to you?

If you were required to send back all money that they sent or spent on you or your family over the years... pay for the research and beneficial innovation they helped us implement... that you could honestly deny that a good chunk of your prosperity comes from the people & Province of Alberta?

Perhaps you should think about what it would be like spending the rest of your life is Russia... or was like for thousands of farmers who came from a heritage that saw their friends, neighbours and family wiped out physically of economically by Stalin, Hitler, or some other event or global circumstance?

Name one place on this planet... where you would rather farm.

[rockpile]

Tom, you took a quantum leap if ever there was
one. To answer your questions - yes, retired but
still own land. Hobby farm, hardly - 2 4wd's and 2
combines, decide for yourself. You bet I benefitted
from Alberta Ag and have been a strong supporter
of the research centres and places like the Ag
colleges. I was very upset when they shut down the
DA's offices because they were of huge local
advantage. And I'll be the 1st to say that I
benefitted from Ag support programs, loan options,
courses sponsored by AB Ag, etc. But for you to
even suggest that the AGC was responsible for all
the good things relating to grain farming in AB is
way out there!!! I suggest that if the Minister wants
advice and guidance from the Ag Sector, he get off
his duff once in a while and meet directly with
grassroots farmers in their own communities.
As for farming anywhere else in the world, I don't
know, everything is relative, but I am open minded
enough to suggest that farming in the US,
Argentina, Australia, etc. might have been an
adventure all in itself, don't cha think?
Rockpile

[rockpile]

Tom, you took a quantum leap if ever there was
one. To answer your questions - yes, retired but
still own land. Hobby farm, hardly - 2 4wd's and 2
combines, decide for yourself. You bet I benefitted
from Alberta Ag and have been a strong supporter
of the research centres and places like the Ag
colleges. I was very upset when they shut down the
DA's offices because they were of huge local
advantage. And I'll be the 1st to say that I
benefitted from Ag support programs, loan options,
courses sponsored by AB Ag, etc. But for you to
even suggest that the AGC was responsible for all
the good things relating to grain farming in AB is
way out there!!! I suggest that if the Minister wants
advice and guidance from the Ag Sector, he get off
his duff once in a while and meet directly with
grassroots farmers in their own communities.
As for farming anywhere else in the world, I don't
know, everything is relative, but I am open minded
enough to suggest that farming in the US,
Argentina, Australia, etc. might have been an
adventure all in itself, don't cha think?
Rockpile

[rockpile]

Where did the echo come from, weird?
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile_

"But for you to
even suggest that the AGC was responsible for all
the good things relating to grain farming in AB is
way out there!!!"

If we choose to say the Minister of Ag... is responsible for AB Ag programs... it is hard to argue your favorite programs and benefits were from other than AG dept work and advice... which includes AGC work.

Owning 2-4wds and 2 combines means what? How much income do these produce each year... hours in the field?

Is your income from you actually growing and selling the grain you grew on your farm each year?

How exactly could a DA help more than the AB Ag call centre... I have found them to be very helpful... less insulting... and much more business oriented than the DA's were.

Specialists in AB Ag have done an excellent job assistance... and were a large step forward. People like Charlie have given endlessly and encouraged innovation and productivity cultures that clearly provided prosperity for those who would listen.

Trashing... one of the best Ag support systems in the universe... annoys me.

Go live/farm any where else... (you will find none better than what we are blessed with) then come back and suggest serious helpful improvements!

[Burbert]

4 Tom, Wow tommy, your true colors are coming through, mean spirited and name calling doesn't cut it. I may be ok fer the albertie pc's to follow such an m.o., butt fer you to start cuttin a rockpile to shreds, cause he's only got 2 4 x4 tracters and 2 combeans workin his dirt, and he's not a farmer, then he is running a heck of a hobbie farm, don't cha think? Or is it your way or the highway, sounds like yer echoin the Groaner, whoos now way back on they back benches........

[TOM4CWB]

Burbert;

'mean spirited and name calling doesn't cut it."

You just got caught.

[rockpile]

T4, BB, Stop the name calling! Yes T4, what do you
want, my tax returns? Damn rights my income was
(and is) from grain farming, plus off-farm work to
support the habit. From your aggressive and nasty
responses Tom, it hit me that you have to be one of
the 'chosen few' and were (is) on the AGC! And
don't slam my DA - he was good - maybe you had
a scud. Why was he better? He knew the area, the
soils, the climate, the most likely diseases in the
region, bugs, fertility, marketing, etc. etc and - he
used to come out to my farm, look around, assess
things, give advice and sometimes accolades. In
short, he was interested in what I was doing on a
personal level. Oooh, type that into the FAQ's.
By the way, T4, when are you going to burn your PC
membership card and come to grips with the reality
that political dynamics are changing in Alberta?
Will you eventually go ND, Lib or WA? Surely you
won't cling to the Titanic?
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

"off-farm work to
support the habit"

Glad you said it.

Now... doesn't that feel better!?

Good to see you diversify your politics... by adding the 'WA' to the list!

Hmmmm... what might their stand be on the CWB?

So being thankful for the good work done by many... and not trashing them.... out of hand without real constructive reasons... makes me evil?

Hmmmm... It is easy for you and BB to be hiding behind an alias... while obviously everyone knows who I am!

There is a real and important principal behind being 'positive' and seeking constructive improvements. Some of us actually would like better opportunities for our sons and daughters who will/are farmers in ALberta!