Railways cutting shipping rates 25% for oil !

[farmaholic]

Well of course they can drop the rates for oil, look how cheap diesel has become since the collapse in oil prices, it's a direct correlation....

Sarcasm fully Intended.

[westernvicki]

The problem with farmers is we have no negotiating power with our grain: we pay the bill via the industry.

We do pay for inefficiencies demurrage, on railcars, containers an ships costs which are not even monitored by the CTA. Costs which are a measure of efficiency as increased demurrage is indeed a refection of systems inefficiencies. The cost to market for Canadian grain is some of the highest in the world, if not the highest, regrettably we do not even know this, because again; we chose not to monitor cost to market relative to other suppliers, a number I would argue important to monitor from a land locked production base perspective.

We need to be competitive. Transporation is a major input cost in Canada, we should gauge it.

The CTA panel review will wrap up in November, will an instituted efficiency report card this will even get a line on the report. I doubt it.

Do we know our competitive cost to market? Not that I am aware of.

Millions of dollars in WGRF maybe they could do this for us, from the largess of rail revenue.

Go think.

[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.