Don't count on Agristability

[LEP]

I just went through and did the calculations to see
the how much the changes for 2013 will impact my
reference margin and support level.

The big change was the new reference margin being
calculated on the lesser of gross margin or eligible
expenses.

So going forward the side by side numbers old
program to new program drops support level to
almost exactly one half.

I hope none of these farmers paying high rents
were expecting to be backstopped by this program.

But then I learned a long time ago not to rely on the
government to keep farming.

[T.N.T.]

Government should just stay out of agriculture all together,they do us more harm then good.I hope there isn't any payments for agristability this year.If people are already looking for the government to bail them out this year because of bad marketing skills,it's just a matter of time before the farm will be up for sale anyways!!

[ajl]

EVERYBODY is counting on agri stability in 2014. Right now the 1980's are
looking good. I agree that it will not be there for them but if agri
stability did not exist all landlord would be getting there land back for
14 but that does not seem to be happening.

[checking]

You are a puzzle.

You participate in government programs, say you don't count on them, and then spent your time running the calculations to see if you will receive a government cheque.

The real puzzle part, that you are not alone in, is that you blame the present agricultural situation on landlords squeezing their tenants. What a crock!

[T.N.T.]

Sorry not everyone is counting on agri stability to farm.We never have been enrolled in it,and our farm will never be! I don't need the goverment sticking there nose in to my business,and i sure don't need a bail out from them,to be able to farm.

[wheatking16]

Every Saskatchewan farmer that farmed prior to 2005
can thank the Saskatchewan Taxpayer for their
business survival. If you don't know what this is
about, ask your daddy.

Tough talk is cheap.

[T.N.T.]

Prior to 2005 doesn't even come close to what we lost in 10 years from depressed cattle prices because of bse.Thanks to all the government support!!

[wheatking16]

T.N.T., Did you come up that on your own?

[bucket]

When the cpp investment board buys land
at a premium to compete against farmers
in this country, I for one have no
problem taking a goverment cheque.

[15444]

Last year was our last year in AgriStability. Useless program just in place to say they are doing something. I also would like to see all government programs removed and leveling the entire playing field.

[oneoff]

Its possible to rationalize being totally dependent on taxpayer dollars for your farms survival.

But in the end; if the government gets tough (and they are; and they will continue to do so) you're going to be forced out with the withdrawal of those brown envelopes.

That will leave a class of "landed gentry"; CPP and pension plan type investers; speculators and a small fraction of current farmers who don't always reject "gifts" like purple fuel exeptions and the very odd blanket payent for prairie wide disasters such as flooding and unseeded acreage payouts. As foor the other governent schemes; that rare class of farmer does not bother with the paperwork.

To say that absolutely every farmer seeks out every last taxpayer dime is not at all correct. There are very rare examples to prove differently.

Its might just be that in your circle of friends; that you have never met that person; or it could be that the minority farmer is smart enough to realize that you would not feel comfortable discussing your latest taxpayer subsidy in their identified presence.

[bucket]

Too many farmers look at things the
wrong way.

If you are paying income tax and making
cpp deductions, you are technically
farming against yourself. Take any
government money you can.

The goverment just bailed out the
investors in assiniboa farmland with a
healthy return to boot.

If you think you are above bailouts,
think again. The wealthiest people live
on them.

[ajl]

That the trouble with the 1% today is that most of them are either crony
capitalists or senior bureaucrats that have feathered their own nest. They
are not rags to riches entrepreneurs like they used to be in the old days.

[fjlip]

Agree Agristability is useless and window dressing. We opted out and see no possible payments on 2013 or 2014.
Crop Ins is the main focus for Gov support, should be FREE, to guarantee farmers keep feeding the 98% cheap food at nearly our cost.

[ado089]

Why should the government be
responsible for keeping your
business afloat? After 5 years
of great prices and good
yields by and large most
people should have checks
deffered out to 2015 by now.
If anyone felt the need to
participate in running the
price of land up 300%
machinery 200% and canola seed
400% you deserve what you have
coming in my opinion. I mean
how many of you bought into
the "new normal" BS? The same
as this is not the new normal
we're just at a different part
of the curve, curve being the
key word.