Drought

[checking]

Your source of information that you were "checking" into was wrong.

Born in Sask, raised in Sask, lived all my life here.

Just received the letter of entitlement for the century farm award...

Why is it so hard to believe that many do well in the business of farming.

We should be trying to learn from others rather than trying cut them down or cast the "curse" onto them.

For those that have posted the thoughts of budha, thank you, it was greatly appreciated.

[checking]

Here's an over production problem for you to help cipher, Mr. Hockey.

In late August, a wild female cat showed up in the yard. Approach range was 50 feet, but she was intent on staying. In the space of a few minutes she was seen with a fresh mouse in her jaws, three times. Cool - this yard will be out of the over production of mice in no time.

October rolled around. Remember October! Cool turned to cold. The gophers had holed up, the mice were scarse, and the worker cat deserved to be fed for the winter for a job well done. She tamed down fast on crumbles from off the step.

The nice days of November arrived. Dang, so did five, 1/3 grown, hungry, wild kittens. Well, sort of! Their approach range was 100 feet, but they soon learned what crumbles were.

Today, they are full sized. Approach zone, 50 feet, and a bat out of hell speed comes to mind. The mother cat is in the family way, and at least two of the five offspring were knocked up by a frequenting neighbour's tom, yesterday.

Since you're familiar with grain over production, 99, what would you do?

[checking]

First, my management style would have been to fend off the problem before it occurs by either disposing of the cat in a hamane fashion or catching the cat and spaying.

I hear what you are saying, over production is not a good thing and maybe you are right.

On the other hand, look at it from our point of view:

Production is how we make money. Generating as most production through as efficient means is our advantage and how we remain profitable. We don't push excessive amounts of inputs into the land, its more a reasonable approach. We are not trying to take over the world but if land comes up or we are offered, we are interested. We don't buy equipment for tax reasons and we pay more tax per month in corp tax instalments than the above average worker earns in 6. We don't look for the government support to cover our declines in income however participate in 80% crop insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest programs to our full entitilement. We have a very strong Agristability reference margin on a per acre basis going into 2010's crop and I know that others don't have. I can't change the fact that the program is not working for others.

If you want to lobby for support, complain to the Cargil's, ADM's, Viterra's and Richardson Pioneers Exec's. They are the ones that are raping the industry of farmer profits, they are the ones that are setting their prices at level's high enough to pad their pockets. Its the same issue in the cattle industry, the packers and the retailers are taking the profits, leaving little to the farmer.

[checking]

Okay.

I have a markedly different approach on both subjects. First, I don't begrudge the cat its litter, or its winter grub. It came wild, did what a cat does, used its skills to both our benefits, and deserved its winter support. Dispatching it humanely wouldn't have meant the same for the unknown kittens. It has scratched our back, although I don't believe I'd try scratching its, even though it no longer runs with a door opening! It can return to the wild over the warm period from where it came, and if it and its wild batch survives the coyotes to fall, chooses not to move on, well the co-op has lots of dry cat food. Also, I'm glad I'm not a cat in your yard!!!

Note your "entitlement", twice. Hope (your word, not mine, mine was, "looking forward to", in both the next sign and drought) you don't mean that. Plaque or custom made sign? 121 years and counting out here.

Charlie, on a different post, indicates that with at least canola that price and production don't necessarily lockstep one another. My suspicion is that that is entirely true on the large portion of the first marketed, under produced, product. However, squeezing the remainder out of hands that don't like the first price, and don't need to sell to stay afloat is a different matter that I'll need convincing on.

On the second matter, don't ever believe I'm complaining. Your method works. Ours works as well with a lot less clutter than works for you. This is a non production year - just like a drought, only with 11 months off!!!!

[TOM4CWB]

Saskfarmer99,

Your attacks on the grainco's are boring.

If they are half as profitable as you claim... buy grain and do what they do... if the streets they walk on are paved with gold!

These folks ( real people work there too) work each day... provide services... and you don't have to go near them if you don't like what they provide your farm. I for one am happy when new business provides options... stop complaining and be part of the solution... if you have it all figured out!

[Hopperbin]

About this Budda thing, how about we just hope we all have a disaster one out of 4 years sorta like we all just take our turns. Oh dear that would mean my time is up. :-((

[Hopperbin]

Tom not sure complaining would do any good. Seems every other business these days are merging, and making all these fancy cooperative business deals. Maybe we should all be given CEO training if there is such a thing. Take note I say given LOL.

[cottonpicken]

Doesnt really have much to do with budda.

[wd9]

Do you mean "budda boom" or buddha?