parsley is so right in saying we do not want to see the Government as a player in the food chain. BUT ... Go figure To late!!! As our national representatives and the ones that set import export rules we need to understand the program and get with it. Government is a player like it or not, if they want out and we want them out then we better make this a goal and build a strategy that will get them out, frankly the way it is working now, I would like to see a lot less government Ag-employees and those funds going into agriculture in other ways!
Our goal in my opinion is to make the industry as viable as possible, this means visiting some of the issues and making some changes where we can.
Let's just assume for a moment we all agree that the system is not working out there. What do we do. Well I can tell you one thing I see producers that are giving up the farm (six I know of off the top) Why is this, well the banks want to go farming I guess (or is it the Government since the are government backed loans) When the offer was made to visit agri-loans to see if we could jointly come up with some solutions or alternatives the bank just flat out is not interested. Seems to me an agri-financial service that actually kept in touch with the front line issues and was focused on solutions rather then "The BIG BANK thought process" may be more useful.
The government needs to work directly with the innovators to help us move through the system in alignment with the system, addressing industry challenges as we move forward. As producers we are willing to share the risks, pay the price and work our tails off, but to do this and feel every step of the way your government is trying to cut your throat, pull the rug out and put road blocks in place .. well this just doesn't make sense.
Please don't get me wrong here. I do believe there are good people in government, I believe we have a future in the industry, I just think the government has to open there eyes be leaders for a change instead of politicians and help us make changes that address todays issues and todays challenges.
You want Canada and Alberta to be agriculture leaders well we will be, But as Government Lead, Follow or get out of the way!
Our goal in my opinion is to make the industry as viable as possible, this means visiting some of the issues and making some changes where we can.
Let's just assume for a moment we all agree that the system is not working out there. What do we do. Well I can tell you one thing I see producers that are giving up the farm (six I know of off the top) Why is this, well the banks want to go farming I guess (or is it the Government since the are government backed loans) When the offer was made to visit agri-loans to see if we could jointly come up with some solutions or alternatives the bank just flat out is not interested. Seems to me an agri-financial service that actually kept in touch with the front line issues and was focused on solutions rather then "The BIG BANK thought process" may be more useful.
The government needs to work directly with the innovators to help us move through the system in alignment with the system, addressing industry challenges as we move forward. As producers we are willing to share the risks, pay the price and work our tails off, but to do this and feel every step of the way your government is trying to cut your throat, pull the rug out and put road blocks in place .. well this just doesn't make sense.
Please don't get me wrong here. I do believe there are good people in government, I believe we have a future in the industry, I just think the government has to open there eyes be leaders for a change instead of politicians and help us make changes that address todays issues and todays challenges.
You want Canada and Alberta to be agriculture leaders well we will be, But as Government Lead, Follow or get out of the way!
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