Triffid and The Flax Council of Canada Edicts

[cottonpicken]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dJznTAwLSY

[oneoff]

There's a very important flax growing area on both sides of the Manitoba-Sask borders; and north of the US border.
At least one of the Cargill inland terminals in the center of that area has totally withdrawn from
purchasing in the flax market "until the Triffid mess settles down"
Apparently; the Triffid testing craze that farmers have willingly lined up for; paid whatever was asked; bought into and become liable for; hasn't done the trick with Europe (or maybe anyone else). After all the Triffid gene can not be eradicated from this planet. Prove me wrong!!!!
What have we accomplished? Well farmers have proved they will acquiese; do as told; shell out any amount and be liable for costly tests. They will not demand accountability or confront their friendly grain buyers; and their headquarters. Farmers have shown that doubling the cost of those tests in the near future is accepted as a part of the new reality in the flax market. They are next to powerless; except for coffee shop gossip.
To be honest; quite a few farmers may have indeed have said to themselves that growing flax isn't worth the hassle. Seeding time weather may indeed not be totally responsible for what could well be low flax seeded acres.
Flax growers have demonstrated that tests are pretty easily forced on them; and that the tests are meaningless; wasted efforts that could and will be demanded of other crops in the future. There was no incentive to scrap this test until another company breaks ranks and takes some customers away. That is happening; and should be seen by every farmer as the opportunity to escalate the breakdown of this industry test requirement.
Don't look at it from the viewpoint "I had to pay for tests; so why shouldn't you". Only collaborators and "brain dead souls" can't see what is good for others is bound to rub off to some degree as a benefit for themselves as well.
I'm sad to report that I was mislead by two Viterra employees yesterday. Dropping the Triffid test is not yet an across the board change for Viterra; but currently applies to specific train shipments only. It's a change but doesn't go nearly far enough. Who will be the second and third producers to speak up? You know; this is the ripe time to put on the pressure with all companies involved; and to reward and remember those companies who first show the courage to break ranks with the tyrants who dreamt up this horrible action plan.

[oneoff]

Are there not some more interested parties? Surely this topic deserves more comment than has been forthcoming so far. And it isn't just a flax issue.

[parsley]

I ranted about Triffid for so long oneoff, and most farmers got that glazed pen look, forked out the testing money,and asked what else they could pick up the tabs for, so I just assumed they must get some sort of erotic pleasure from being both fleeced and duped. Pars

[oneoff]

Parsley: I know what you say is true. Yours was a good solid rant with extremely powerful arguments that still remain unchallenged. To me that means they remain valid arguments....... but equally interesting is your points about why many more affected farmers won't join forces to see how far and hard the fight can be taken. Perhaps its apathy but with a big measure of fear of repercussions and offending some supposedly powerful organizations and companies. As for tyrants; I say the bigger they are; the harder they fall.

[parsley]

I was out in the rain tonight, setting mole traps, got another big fat one today, incidentally, and the humidity and the warmth in the air made the farm feel almost magical. It's so lush and green, and there are birds everwhere, and it sort of takes your breath away, so beautiful;lucky we are.

I agree some farmers are cautious about brewing a bad relationship with companies they deal with.

But farmers need to do the right thing, the decent thing, which doesn't always mean it's the popular or the easy thing. Doing right wins in the end, though. Doing right elevates the industry. Doing right can also give us that "moment", as does trapping moles in the rain. Pars

[parsley]

"And it isn't just a flax issue. "

If farmers took tha long view, it provides so many reasons why young people won't farm.

What is coming down the road for farmers will hit them like a truck.

In every crop. Pars

[oneoff]

And in every sector of farming; and every piece of that bell curve. And without some peer support and power that comes from numbers; you'll have the same influence on those forced changes and demands that the smug have been able to adapt to (so far).

[oneoff]

boarderbloke : and just how does anyone know that any flax is Triffid free. It can't be done and the proof is the Pioneer shipment that was rejected about last November-December. Further there is't any doubt whatsoever that the Triffid gene in flax is with us for eternity. Which means that farmers will be paying for tests on everything forever. Until this common sense sinks in there will never be any progress as we bog down making stupid statements about ovious givens. Sorry for the short temper.

Remember "E pleuribus non-carborundum" which is a Latin phase loosely translated as "Don't let the bastards wear you down"

[oneoff]

boarderbloke : and just how does anyone know that any flax is Triffid free. It can't be done and the proof is the Pioneer shipment that was rejected about last November-December. Further there is't any doubt whatsoever that the Triffid gene in flax is with us for eternity. Which means that farmers will be paying for tests on everything forever. Until this common sense sinks in there will never be any progress as we bog down making stupid statements about ovious givens. Sorry for the short temper.

Remember "E pleuribus non-carborundum" which is a Latin phase loosely translated as "Don't let the bastards wear you down"