Railways cutting shipping rates 25% for oil !

[bucket]

Westernvicki

Why did you not run as an independent against ritz and defeat him?

At least you are thinking it thru.

Well said.

[westernvicki]

Actually my husband wanted me to run.

Having treaded on the edge of politics all of my life, I prefer busines, and my farm life.

Thanks for thinking of me.

[TOM4CWB]

Western Canadian cost to grain growers... to go to port... is the cheapest per tonne mile on the planet.

Just go across the US border... do the US/CD $ conversion... and see this is a fact. The US has a huge internal demand... and laws preventing CDN grain going into the export flow... which allow grain co's to make good money on CDN grain. We are incremental extra cash to them... if they can fit us in.

A conspiracy between me and the CNCP group? That tops them. I envelop Foil on you! Since MB hates this...

[TOM4CWB]

And you lefties actually think the Liberals will do something about this RR Problem with shipping???

That is funny. Ritz/Harper will do much more. Show me in the Liberal and ND policy info that they will resolve this.

What a joke, Legalize Pot... Back room deals with Oilco's already done by head liberals... and you guys think Justin is ready???

JUSTIN
JUST LIKE the CANOLA we were combining last Night... Immature... and too green... tough and needs to cure out some more!

[wmoebis]

What has Ritz and Harper said they will do to fix the problem?
Other than saying it has cost farmers nothing.

[TOM4CWB]

Wm,

The CTA review will cause the gov. to implement the recommendations... David Emerson is a good negotiator and leader. Good move on PM Harper's part.

[westernvicki]

The US farmer depends upon the local market for a larger % of the revenue on their operations. The combined total cost to market for Canadian farmers, depends to a larger degree on rail and port logistics elevating the importance of an efficient reliable system.

The cost of shipping is one factor. The cost of inefficiencies is another.

It is fair to say Ritz was strategic in implementing the review and the legislation. He deserves great credit for this. Reactive indeed,as the system had evidence of failure long before the meltdown, which did cost farmers significant cash loss and injured our international reputation as reliable suppliers, however was teh catalyst of necessity which enabled action. Indeed better rail service is the result. What we do not know is if this report due in November will gather dust like many before, or provide the building blocks for a long term more efficient reliable system.

I make the case that measuring "Cost to market" as a provision to measure our competitive advantage or disadvantage globally, in production and shipping costs, is a tool that could enable policy and insure the Canadian system is driven by the same efficiencies forced on our farms today.

Is anyone in farm politics today even asking for this?

[wmoebis]

I agree Vicki with the point of gathering review dust.
Just like the Compas review (2006) of the CGC where it was recommended that a total independent Office of Grain Farmers Advocate office be set up to protect the interests of producers. Much like the Ass't Commissioners used to do. What did we get? Neither the Ass't Commissioner chairs were never filled and we got no Advocate Office.

Not much use in wasting money on Gov't ordered reviews if the Gov't doesn't implement recommendations and does what they want anyways.

[westernvicki]

Indeed, many astute recommendations go unfilled, but the question remains what is the role of farm organizations in their ability to enable some of this work: millions of farmers dollars are collected, should some be directed to doing the proper work where gaps exists.

IE; WGRF could do a competitiveness monitor and present the data to industry and governement.

A great example is the most recent AGRIVILLE POST by TOM, this was work begun by PULSE CANADA who recognized that monitoring service levels was a piece of the puzzle where this data recorded actual level of service (pulse industry reporting level of service on a weekly basis, would tell the story of operations for pulse industry facilities. The resulting data is amazing and your Pulse grower levy dollars are key to this organization.

We filled the gap. The data became evidence of service levels and railway performance. Hard facts to ignore. When the rail service collapsed their was ample evidence of failure to serve by railways. It was DATA.

My point is: farmers need to protect themselves and get the hard facts on global competitiveness. As these facts feed into a ag policy. MY point is: If we do not fill gaps, we lose. IF we do not even see the gaps that need to be filled and do the necessary then we are the loosers.