Ritz just told all us flooded farmers to F&@k Off!

[Braveheart]

Sawfly, I was a registered lobbyist in Ottawa. Got to know the personalities well. In the Ag Ministry right now, the civil service is driving the bus. That's why it's in the ditch.

Sure, the minister doesn't have to take their policy changes, but, often Ritz does. That's why the PFRA was gutted. That's why Ag Stability margin calcs were changed. That's why Agri Recovery isn't triggered.

[hobbyfrmr]

Bgmb , It has nothing to do with size of farm, it has to do with profitability. I just get a kick out how some posters know everything about everyone, complain relentlessly about everything and everyone and then regard others as shitty farmers.
It's quite fascinating how highly farmers think of themselves, and regard others as shitty farmers, but then, expect government money to help them out.

[agchat]

As Lucy on Big Bang would say "Not that anyone cares", but I will say it anyway. Yes lots of rain, but the flooding was not a nature disaster, it is definately a man made disaster.Farmers have totally caused flooding, were as fifty sixty years ago these rains would of not been so devastating. Also in oil country leases have also been a factor in the change of water flow. You can defend yourself all you want but you drain your a prick. The ocean is to far away to think your not hurting anyone.

[SASKFARMER3]

Tom by your comments on this it proves you don't care if your fellow farmer gets crushed by natural disasters just as long it's not you!
Wow if you were a neighbor of mine with a attitude like that I would never buy seed etc from you.
Farmers who were screwed by a foot of water and you laugh and think it's funny. Spouting idiotic comparisons with super subsidized USA farmers.
Wow some farmer you are.

[Braveheart]

You can call Tom all the names you like. When I used to be in his company more frequently he wore a leather jacket to, in his words, "protect me from someone trying to put a knife in me ". I'm sure it sheds harsh words as well.

Tom believes in personal responsibility. He sticks to his principles better than anyone I know.

If you knew him personally you know he's full of compassion for his neighbours, and charitable as well.

I'll remind you SF3 that many times in the past you have made comparisons to US farmers, including relatives you have there. Do you choose so only when it suits you?

[SASKFARMER3]

He believes in personal responsibility. So so I but when 8 year of floods and then again a foot of rain in three days, it kind of takes you and knocks the wind out.

[Braveheart]

SF3, it does knock you. We've felt it here in the past. I know exactly how you feel. We're a small farm. I can only imagine the impact on farm of your size.

What should Ritz have done?

[SASKFARMER3]

The changes to the AgriStability program will only hurt us.
But his lack of what's happened, he gets paid to be a ag minister, see the devastation, lip service is still better than ignoring.
Traveling the world looking for sales for our product is a nice holiday for him, but if we don't grow it all the markets in the world don't help.
Then throw more salt on the wound with no rail service all winter and he didn't know.
Just really frustrated how we get screwed and no real leadership, just a check and title agminister.

[Braveheart]

I remember the flood and muck in 1999. Van cliff stepped out of a helicopter near Melita and went to his ankles in mud and said, "so what's the problem?" Sheesh. It's Ottawa. It's FUBAR.

I can't really comment on Ag Stability. We have cattle and even through the lean years it never triggered. Accountants did real well though.

[rockpile]

Braveheart, I've crossed paths with Tom Jackson as well and I guess we met two different people. Loud boisterous, wouldn't let anyone finish a sentence, ill prepared for the topic and an ego as big as the western sky. He farms in a very fortunate part of Alberta where Mother nature seldom takes a crap. Enough about Tom.
SF3 - I feel your pain. Over my 35 year career Mother Nature pissed in my coke more times than she ever helped me. Sometimes I wonder how I got to where I am, considering. I just hope you have enough crop left to get you through to next year so you can jump back into the squirrel cage.
After reading through this thread I came to the conclusion that we have a serious problem in Western Canada. Instead of all the ideological banter and treating these folks in Manitoba and Eastern Sask like failures and victims of crime, we should all be united in support of the attention they NEED because in the end, it effects us all. Western Canada is the only jurisdiction I'm aware of where farmers feed on their own. Everywhere else, they work together.

[SASKFARMER3]

Good point rock pile!

[farmaholic]

Rockpile, .....qualities fitting or unbefitting a person seeking a seat on the BOD or political office? Culling can be cruel but necessary at times...;-)

[farmaholic]

Family wiener roast night. Parents, siblings and spouses and kids (some not kids anymore). Enjoy your breaks before the harvest gongshow starts. I realize there are some upset people but lets remember to be grateful for what we do have, health and family. Take care.......

[Braveheart]

Some see rudeness where others see passion.

[sawfly]

brave heart come on
you say the civil service is driving the bus.
so everything wrong is their fault.

the bus driver is Harper,

he won't even let scientists do their science .
He knows better (chosen ones ,
second coming,all that )

i hardly think he would leave ag in the hands of civil servants.

that is the lamest excuse i have ever heard.

I am sure Ritz is not allowed to do anything
but read what some one tells him to.

about all he is capable of.

which is exactly what Harper wanted in all his ministers.

why is it we get the Sarah Palins
and George bush's of politics to be ag ministers .
between Van Cleif and Ritz put together, maybe they could tie a shoe.

you voted for em , your responsible,

rail fiasco , Basis screw job,
your majority govt.
either support them.
or tune your guys in.

if the civil service is running you.
your not fit to govern.