CWB MONOPOLY...Barley prices in Chaos

[TOM4CWB]

Boone;

I didn't ever say the CWB should be disposed of or wound down.

I am simply asking why the CWB does not operate within the CWB Act... a fair question I hope.

My biggest problem is that the lack of accountability created by the present operational CWB system... is unfair for anyone to operate under...

When a CWB sales person... has authority to sell at a deep discount price... and/or give "special" deals on the buy-back system (as this was what they offered me)... then IMHO the system is not sustainable.

I do understand the risk on the basis... however Mr. Earl Geddes showed us Monday, the tendering bonanza has shrunk by almost half in the last year...

I understand the fairness of the CWB charging a reasonable basis... I have no problem with this...

Now, my concern is, that unless the CWB changes to more of an operation much like the Ontario Wheat Board... only for the time being without a marketing exemption outside the CWB... the transparency this would create would reduce 95% of the building pressure to remove the monopoly.

If the CWB refuses to allow minimum price contracts, reasonable basis contracts and DDC's... but most important of all... a cash price with open transparent bidding for our grain like Ontario and Australia do now... the CWB will create so much pressure within the "designated area" that it will totally explode then implode.

Farmer Trust is the key to the survival of the CWB... and unfortunately the CWB has given me alomost every reason possible to exclaim... I have been dealt with unfairly... from being denied access to the CWB Library... to being asked to swear a false statutory declaration by CWB sales staff... to being promised an export license... then denying it at the worst possible time...

If the CWB is to continue buying grain in western Canada... it must do this responsibly, with integrety... while respecting my property.

THe CWB you seem to claim exists... is a CWB that facilitates your marketing needs on your farm...

Sadly my experence... and the experence of many previous CWB supporters who have been jilted by the CWB... and are now furious with them will tell you...

THe CWB space shuttle had better check the heat sheilding tiles... cause a design flaw... plus many years of neglecting integrety when dealing with farmers... has left the CWB in re-entry mode... at full speed... about to burn to a crisp.

I can say this 12,000 times... and it won't possibly change your mind...

BUT when it is gone... I will be no more happy than you... because I will have obviously failed to prevent the disaster!

And that makes my heart heavy and sad... cause many good people with good intentions will be destroyed and/or wounded for the rest of their lives

[TOM4CWB]

Will this thread ever end.

I would like to say here and now that there would be no harm in the present system if we allow the farmers of Alberta to participate as a test market area for if nothing else than a benchmarking process.

Lets not be afraid of the dark as there is a glimmer of hope in the distant. Thanks to the Alberta free entreprising attitude.

[boone]

kernel/Tom4cwb, The line "Children go Where Angels Fear To Tread" comes to mind here but I understand what you are asking for, and once we have a better understanding of a fail safe clause within NAFTA to back up if need be, it may proceed. Your Ag minister (Ab.) is certainly working hard for these changes, and even as she comes across as naive, I believe her heart is with the Pro Dual Market, even if she has no way of understanding the ramifications. In her position that is allowed, at least for now. (review line one). As for changing my opinion. I'll eat no matter what is in place, believe me. I have no belicose agenda.
Boone

[henbent]

TOM4CWB, kernel, parsley, So finally the light comes on, if we are all to be treated like Ontario, the waters will be calmed. It turns out that the cultural, intellectuals in central Canada are doing it right after all. AB becomes a clone of Ontario, now correct me if I'm wrong here!! I thought that most folks out west were jealous of ON, and now it seems that in reality it was ENVY the whole time. Tnx guys for setting me straight on this aspect of things!!

[henbent]

Now I see why we have the CWB. Its for marketing challenged farm boys who are mentally challenged as well and were uncapable of getting as they say a real job in town. We will leave the CWB in place for the people who need protection from places where angels don't go. But we will free up the rest of the industry who want to manage their business without a whole lot a government interference and pooling price discounts.

[TOM4CWB]

Henbent;

You do have the democratic right... to look and feel the way you do...

I would respectfully suggest that progress is painful for many... and a challenge that creates opportunity for many others.

4 years ago the Ontario Wheat Board operated much like the CWB does today... so this is not a historical issue... that comes out of envy... rather it is a true matter of innovation and strong leadership by and for the wheat farmers in Ontario...

I suspect that I am a little jealous that Ontario farmers were constructive enough to face reality... and construct a more efficient marketing system... that meets marketing needs of the commercial farmer in the 21st century!

PLEASE forgive me for this jealousy...

[henbent]

kernel, TOM4CWB, When I said we all want to be administered by the Ont Wheat Board, I meant it. Buyback would not be a concern, hauling to the US and getting world class pricing, generally cutting all the red tape and tossing the CWB conspirators and their families would be a thrill indeed! Finally points that we can agree on TOM4CWB. Have we come full circle yet?

kernel, you know I don't like calling you that, you seem more like a corporal. But then again Hitl-r was a little corporal before becoming chancellor of the Fatherland, shouting,ranting,name calling, pointing to the inferior lazy people and burning books. Pretty insightful comparison being that I'm a mentally challenged lazy farm boy, ever read Mein Kamfe or Kamphe, sorry I don't spell so good either.

Sure hope I can get the CWB Spring Cash Advance this year so we can keep going. But maybe that is a bad program too, after all they do charge interest on outstanding balances, that aren't paid back on time.

[Darrell]

Boone and Henbent-Tom4cwb: It is interesting to watch how many of the small farms and family farms have lost hope under our existing CWB operating mandate. Through the last few years, low profit farms can exist if cashflow comes in the right times. CWB Advances even help but in ways are bandaids to cover up cashflow troubles. It becomes almost impossible for smaller operations and young farmers to exist under our existing CWB marketing system. Without a teachable attitude, it seams to me that whether I am the CWB or a farm, I have not much hope of suviving. With a few changes like Tom4cwb has suggested the cwb could be so helpful to operations. Instead, We watch as more and more of our young neighbors look elsewhere besides the farm to exist in small comunities. Two or three jobs for small farm families don't make for best family relationships. Instead of coming up with helpful cash flow tools, they continue to pat themselves on the back and on the other hand tear down assets of the farmers they are supposed to help. Will the next Winnipeg CWB marketing invention cost me an additional $18000 victim fee or is it possible for users to sit down with CWB staff and design systems that cover risks on all counts? Will we keep our next generation farming or continue to be like the last generation, going down slowly? As many ignore the crying of thousands of wives, children and men across the years, they forget just how much the world has changed since the CWB world of the 40's. Is it possible for CWB to have permanent offices throughout the prairies instead of a Winnipeg solution for all things? Does one Bandaid fit all? Our local Rep's could facilitate area by area solutions for the many situations that arise across provinces. Could a new age CWB help facilitate new business ideas and give our next generation farms the same support they give other business in other countries and existing Food companies? I enjoyed my CWB tour a few years ago and have thought many times, if only people could get a glimpse of what is done in other areas and countries could we change our focus? Could we free ourselves up from the jails we have been in. Would a new age CWB sit down with producers and help them build business plans that meet today's and tomorrows needs? Could that same tenacity and cunningness of our CWB protect new Value added solutions instead of always protecting shipment of raw product. Would that free us all from Jail?

[boone]

DARREL, you make some good points, that permanent residence for CWB area reps may be good. Maybe set up in a different REDA office each week. As far as whose swimming and sinking, when I look around my extended communities it is old money first typically spending (and saving) part of grandpas endowment, they are usually in the strongest position. 60 years will do that. Next are the farms that expanded early 70's great years, gobs of equity built. Next group built in early 80's fought like hell, adapted, built up equity in NISA, good coverage in Crop Ins. low rates, built cushioning. Weakest group had all the benefits of high land prices in early 80's high interest rates, little real equity in machinery or land, emptied every program as it came available. But you know what appears to be their biggest sin. Not getting large enough to buy the advice of a large accounting service to show them how to trigger AIDA, CSAP,CFIP,NISA. And we have the situation where those that got get, and those that don't, move to ALBERTA. And as sometimes happens some of the old guard, holds the purse strings at the local Credit Union, and or is privy to who is not keeping the taxes paid on which quarter, because someone in the established families are sitting on council. So if the rest of the natural disasters don't beat them down, they loose the stomach to be part of the whole seedy mess. But then again maybe they're just poor managers.
Boone

[henbent]

Darrell, boone, Yes interesting thoughts indeed, don't you think that the addition of farm directors at the CWB is/has paid any dividends to date? I wonder if the directors find upon arriving at the CWB, that their tasks are a bit overwhelming and like politicians, probably spend the 1st term learning their jobs. Those returning to posts have insight into everday operations and must lead/spearhead new ideas to become reality. At the same time, these people are running their own operation at home struggling on the farm. Somehow I just can not buy into the idea that they have time to conspire against us all and keep us in the dark ages. Policy and changes are occurring, albeit not fast and furiously for some. Farms in AB, Sask, BC and MB are in this together and need a strong voice to remain viable. Slash and burn everyman for himself won't work. I believe that US farmers envy our system, probably about as much as we envy their government direct cash support.