What is everybody so scared about..CWB be gone

[farmaholic]

Re: Small grain farms.

We only have about 2500 acres and are probably better positioned to weather adversity than most large scale farms. Our balance sheet is very strong. Very current line of machinery. Little debt. Good cash position. I don't want to enslave my family(anymore than they are) to feed my ego. If they want more they should take it on. Oh yea, this was accomplished by simply farming the land, no dairy or oilfield money or off farm job paid for it. I am comfortable where I'm at, to each their own.

[bucket]

Actually the small farms become more relevant in a post cwb environment. They good quality grain, always have, always will. They will extract the premium finally.

The BTOs will have the volume but the quality may be required from the 5000 or smaller farms, to make the grade at the elevator or port.

In the cwb world today, they penalize quality and pay the premiums to the fusarium program. That is how they gain support. Special deals.

[blackpowder]

Dogpatch
It is quite clear to me that of the 9 farm families with my surname actively farming one generation ago, my generation has 1. And I will be the last. There will be some who own land and farm on paper but none that have a single income.
I can't blame the board for this evolution. I can't see how anyone else can either!
Actually it might be easier for the smaller ops. to grow niche grains.
I can think of several scenarios that were quashed in the past.
Of course you're entitled to your world view, however I am very glad I'm no longer your business partner by force!

[TOM4CWB]

Farmaholic,

I was not saying at all that a farm had to be 5000ac... just that the efficiencies are often better found in larger volumes... so working together with others... can mean better returns for all.

Volume buying of inputs... and selling by quality... carefully segregated and sampled... can all bring increased bottom line returns.

Cooperation and hard work made western Canada the great land it is today... and I do not see that changing no matter what happens to the CWB! It is part of our heritage!

[farmaholic]

Tom4cwb:

I can't argue with that logic. Unfortunately the cost/size of machinery almost dictates the "increments" of farm size. Being over equiped costs money, it would be nice but it comes at a cost.

[wakopa]

i farm 1000 acres // i will make it// farming is very cheap for me //bought a very good 7200 drill last year for 3 thosand// i compete in sports not new machinery

[farmaholic]

Wakopa: with that attitude, mentality and determination you will succeed!!(if you haven't already)

[freewheat]

I take a bit of offense to Toms comment
as well. I farm 1600 acres. I have had a
struggle lately due to weather. I
actually am from a region where there
are VERY few 5000 acre farmers. The only
way here to become a farmer that large,
is to either marry in, inherit, or hope
a neighbor with a couple thousand acres
dies. There are many young farmers out
here.

Yes I do it all myself. I have two young
sons, who I hope will help someday. I
certainly will not hire help at this
point. I have no wage expense, few
machinery payments, and am sure the
supposed volume discounts the biggest
farmer around here supposedly gets,
(though he disputes he gets any!) are
more than made up by no 40 000 dollar
salary, no multi-million dollar
machinery lineup etc.

Remember, we all start with a different
spoon in our mouths when we take on
farming. I have a neighbor or two with
silverware so far down their throats
they walk with a limp. I personally
started with a rusty old bayonet from
1941. Guess which farm "looks" more
successful?

Tom, I agree with almost all you say,
but I disagree on the 5000 acre or your
not much of a farmer attitude. It is WAY
too prevalent out there.

I hate the CWB, and I am a small farmer.
I appreciate all your posts Tom, but
this one was offensive to me.

[btjadenlepp]

what an awesome bunch of encouraging
posts. reflects my experience exactly.
there is no correlation between size and
success of farms on the prairies.

hear hear!

www.farmlinksolutions.ca

[DogPatch]

EBay.....

Who pays the freight, who arranges delivery, How do you take advantage of overseas markets? Where there is a will there is a way, but Ebay?

There was a fellow a few years ago in MB that tried to sell his seed production on EBay. I wonder how they made out. He was from the Russell area I think.