drought 1988 and 2015

[bucket]

It seems that the grow forward 2 program has been a free for all money handout to middlemen with the clause that this new announcement will help farmers bottom lines.

I haven't seen a payback from the industry. And how is it that one company worth SFA can get millions in funding.

I don't remember off the top of my head some examples but there seems to be alot of money that should be going to the primary producer going elsewhere under the disguise of helping the primary producer.

[farmaholic]

I bet the Gov would claim there is as much money being spent on ag as ever, and there may well be. But funneling money away from Producers after years of floods and now a dry spell doesn't help them pay their bills when the money was spent on "Science and Innovation" Companies.

[bucket]

We were not growing canola in 1988 but by 2003 I remember canola seed at about 1.99 a pound and a 15 buck an acre Tua.

Crops didn't look as bad as today with what is claimed to be the best genetics.

Does any one actually look or monitor where this science and innovation and research and development really gains producers anything at all?

Is there audits done to verify it's been money well spent?

Sure makes a guy wonder when you know your neighbor growing canola is under water a minimum 150 an acre compared to 12 years ago where they might only be 40 bucks into a crop that looked and yielded better.

[farmaholic]

I bet the Gov would claim there is as much money being spent on ag as ever, and there may well be. But funneling money away from Producers after years of floods and now a dry spell doesn't help them pay their bills when the money was spent on "Science and Innovation" Companies.

[sumdumguy]

Gotta wonder Bucket. Farmers are the guinea pigs. Old genetics probably good enough.

[Hopalong]

Crop insurance is about the only program with no cap or limit based on farm size.
Others have an element of vote buying.
Whole farming career have seen opposition from many to larger sized farms and support for restrictions on them.

[bucket]

Anyone considering seeding dates 1988 vs 2015 and then look at crop development.

We are ****ed.

[farmaholic]

vvalk. Who were you representing during GF2 negotiations. Did the "status quo" groups actually get/gain anything at the table or was the whole process only window dressing. What were you asking for?

I was in a claim position once in 2004, got a payment, and even had to send some back!!!! Nothing since then and this is a year I could sure use the "security" of the old program back. Had decent margins and never cheated or farmed for the programs.

[freewheat]

So as a business person, what you do is look at Crop insurance, and recognize what you are covered for. Then you tighten the bloody wallet and don't be stupid with spending habits. Do we really think good fortune in weather is a given, a constant?

Do none of the Aid needers have crop Insurance? I mean really?

We should be planning for terrible years, no? This includes not overspending, and not buying land at STUPID prices, renting land at STUPID prices, buying iron at STUPID prices, all on a hope and a prayer!

And then begging for aid. Makes my stomach ache. Makes me sick.

When will we farmers get a grip, and recognize the field we are in, is not balanced, fair, risk free, or anything other than our choice?

I have been through absolute crap for poor years. While many rode the gravy train. What did y'all do with the windfall? Well, y'all bid up land, bought new iron, peed it down the drain, and now y'all need a bailout? Boo Hoo! Weather is not perfect, this western Canadian land is not worth the STUPID values, and we do not HAVE to have every new shiny thing that comes out of a factory to farm effectively.

But I do think many of us need a course in how to plan for bad years, or how to not spend every dollar we can so that Fred doesn't get all the land.

But no, we need to maintain affluence at all costs, even if we dig the hole ourselves.

We don't need no stinking aid! Seriously, what has happened here in a week?

Seriously, I of all people on here, could use a boost, use a handout. But I do not want aid. I want to do it on my own. If this means because of the intense risks in grain, that I do not expand at all costs, use a 20 year old drill, forgo a holiday or three to some warm clime, so be it, I wanna make it work out.

[bucket]

Yes I see what you are saying freewheat.

But here us the kicker and I may have mentioned it before.

Then why the **** is the province putting money into a stadium I doubt I will ever sit my ass in?

Why does evraz get a tax break?

Why do potash companies get restructured royalties. ?

Why was the auto industry bailed out and bombardier on a steady drip of funding?

Why was potash Corp protected as a strategic resource?

What the **** are farmers?

.....discuss........