Bill C-18

[BTO_farmalll]

RichieBros Auctions - 1-800-211-3983

Kramer Auctions - 1-306-445-2377

Hodgins Auctions - 1-306-752-2075

[GOODRUM]

Getting a busy signal.

[Guest]

yes , and when all comes to pass , all these people and "farm interest groups ? " that supported it, or were completely quiet on the issue, will forget that they were part of it . and it sickens my stomach to know that we helped support it with our check off dollars

[TOM4CWB]

I like the irony of your smile BTO... you are a crafty guy!!!

[grower99]

Part of an omnibus bill. So transparent. What farm groups supported it? The same ones that supported UPOV91 initially? In other words very,very few.Remember this in October.

[MBgrower]

BTO is bang on. This will be the driving force to persuade the next generation to stay away from farming.
Good luck Tom selling your certified seed to 250k acre farming operations that will be working directly for the seedcos, who by then will also own the graincos. full integration will have occured.

[tstep]

Sad day for producers. Big business is smiling big time. Thank you mr ritz for ****ing it up even more.

[rockpile]

C-18 is just the latest nail in the coffin but the real death blow against the family farm and the individual's farm business began in the 70's when the terms consolidation and scales of efficiency crept into the discussion. Thinking back, in the 80's, between the weather and the Export Enhancement Program, the only thing that kept us afloat were Govt. subsidies. But by the mid 90's, those were weaned out too. So by 1995, I began my exit strategy - freedom 55! I exited at the ripe old age of 53 and have never looked back but I do patiently sit and listen to the endless bitching and groaning from my friends and neighbours who are still in the squirrel cage and think they are owed a living, if for no other reason than because growing food for the masses is holier than thou! Well, the land will always be farmed, but the traditional farmer is now a Model T.
If you are serious about exiting or you're getting long in the tooth with no family members willing to pick up where you are leaving off, then get some good accounting, tax and financial advice. It will take at least 2 years to put together a successful tax efficient exit plan. If you have a spouse or partner, make sure they are on your land titles to take advantage of the 1.6 million dollar tax exemption. Your grain inventory can be sold over time. But, when you sell your equipment, tools, shop supplies, etc, that will be added to income of the year of the sale. And in the end, don't fear capital gains - do the math - it's less than you think. Actually, I paid zero. And one final thing. If you can keep your land, which is about the highest return investment out there these days, then by all means do so. Also, you can use your new found time to earn other sources of income if you chose. Or donate your time and skills. Farming is a great life choice, and has huge benefits raising a family, something that should be enjoyed to the fullest. But it's not a life sentence to keep you unhappy or a slave to all of your off farm partners.

[TOM4CWB]

MBgrower...

"Good luck Tom selling your certified seed to 250k acre farming operations that will be working directly for the seedcos, who by then will also own the graincos. full integration will have occured."

Your friends said this would happen back in the 1970's.

Your 'dream' grain farm... is no closer reality than it was in 1970. IE Broadacre, One Earth...

Cereal/Pulse/Flax Pedigreed Seed in western Canada is not a big profit centre... the major people doing the production are small to mid sized family farms.

Large Commercial farms... are largely absent in our seed industry... even the Canola production system uses our smaller locals doing the same seed production system.

I know of no 250K farm. I know of no Hutterite producers of pedigreed seed for sale to the general grain farming community.

[fjlip]

Excellent advice rockpile, taxes are a major concern. Good for you, enjoy!

[wmoebis]

Thank you, rockpile best reading on this site that I have read.

[MBgrower]

Ok tom, some will be 50k, some will be larger, whatsthe difference.

Utimately, grain production, will be fully controlled by a few vertically integrated multinationals, they will dictate production and pricing. The farmers of the future will just be labourers, earning a wage. Much like the hog industry now.

Secan doesnt stand a chance. Secans strength is healthy independent farms. UPOV91 will destroy your little seed coop.