Question for Charlie and other longtime AV'ers

[Guest]

I was sitting here thinking about how effective Agriville could be in uniting farmers. I am fairly new on here ,and my curiousity prompted me to look back to the beginning . I notice that you were one of the first Charlie ,and am just wondering what you think of the general mood of farmers now to then ? Also , you are looking from a different place than most farmers . Have any ideas on Agriville ever came to be? Would appreciate your opinion
Also what do some of you other long timers think ? It's interesting to look at some posts like Tom and the CWB and others who are still here today, also Ken Goudy and his Sabattical . He tried hard to unite farmers . Seems the more things change, the more they stay the same !

[TOM4CWB]

caseih,

We truly may have found a uniting issue... the unsatisfactory transport service CN/CP provide.

Since CN was Privatized in 1990... we have been gradually being sucked into this void of shareholder profit motivated Multinationals... that have one objective; maximize returns; service to the Canadian Economy and public utility... being only a standby consideration. The present Conservatives did NOT privatize CN. Goodale and the Liberals DID.

Now we are subjected to an iron fisted monopoly... directed from Wall Street profit czars.

We have NO CHOICE... but stand against the ravages of this plague that is ripping our farms apart!

Thanks for the question... Agriville is a great forum to work through these opportunities!!!

[charliep]

I have been on Agriville almost since it inception in 1998 - about 17 years.

I don't know if farmers are any better or worst mood. Agriville has always been a place where farmers discusses issues openly and with passion. The survival time in a fast changing world says that Agriville is meeting a need for farmers to express themselves for those that post or having elements of their frustrations expressed for them.

Has Agriville discussion resulted in positive changes? That is tougher question. I would highlight that Agriville is a place of discussion where - not action. It is indeed a coffee shop where people openly express their feeling and develop strategies. It is not a place of action where stuff get dealt with and resolved at least on the policy side.

One of my frustrations (17 years) has always been why there haven't been more marketing and management stuff discussed. Kind of a simple guy but I often look for discussion on the day to day marketing decisions you guys make with some questions, ideas, strategies. Everyday stuff that is within your control versus stuff that changes the system/out of your control.

[SASKFARMER3]

Always try to show stuff that's working and not working! I look at the bigger picture not just my farm but all farmers in my area!
I would love if farmers could all stick together but that's not going to happen!
It's a good place that gets people to think about different issues!
One common problem is rail!
Elevators grading factors!
Producer cars!
Gov programs'
Crop insurance!
Etc etc!
12000 to 15000 view agriville every month that's a few!
My crop report was started because the bull shit reporting we use to get in Sask that everything was a ok so the city guys could be happy!
Ah farming the more it changes the more some things stay the same!

[vvalk]

Actually Tom it's not about profits at all! If it was they would be investing in infrastructure and engines to run more capacity. Profit comes from more engines, rail cars and quick turn around times? What really drives CP and CN is all about certain ratios that's drive share price. If they spent money like BNSF does now since it went truly private, the share price would get hammered.

[cottonpicken]

You can type a key word into the site search option at the top of the page and all the history(most some of mine got trashed) and you can go back in time.

[TOM4CWB]

vvalk,

If we sell capital assets... and return leased equipment... and lay off a big chunk of the workers we employ... run at 110 percent of capacity instead of having backup capacity/60 to 70 percent... when the going gets hard... there will problems... but in a captive utility... there will absolutely be more profit.

Hunter is forcing more western grain into containers... and profit into his operating accounts... as global customers are sick and tired of never knowing when our grain will arrive... and how much demurrage and frustration will encountered.

What Hunter is doing... is training us... we are slow learners:

There is NO backup for any hiccup... or bad weather... the folks who need the transport services will just have to lump it. And if more oil comes along... stick your grain in your ear... oil is first.

Until we object... and articulate our grievances as grain growers... Profits and share holder value will depreciate a vast part of our grain produced each year.

If CN and CP are allowed to get away with this... they will walk all over anyone who would cause waves in their pond.

[MBgrower]

Whats wrong with an efficiently run company? Hunter is there to show profits, not to favour farmers, or other shippers. Maybe containers are they way to go. Tom, why dont you load some and send to Vancouver, klause has been experimenting with new ways of doing business, maybe you should to.

[bucket]

Wait a second. So if I dropped one combine and ran twice the acres thru one I would be more efficient?

Might not get my crop off but I guess that don't matter. That's what cp is doing.

[farmaholic]

But you'll get paid twice as much for what you do get and only have done half the work.....

[bucket]

Farmaholic

Can't argue your logic. Lol.

And apparently neither can any regulator or politician in canada.

It's easier to **** up an economy than make it better.

[bucket]

Farmaholic

Can't argue your logic. Lol.

And apparently neither can any regulator or politician in canada.

It's easier to **** up an economy than make it better.

[bucket]

Farmaholic

Can't argue your logic. Lol.

And apparently neither can any regulator or politician in canada.

It's easier to **** up an economy than make it better.

[bucket]

Farmaholic

Can't argue your logic. Lol.

And apparently neither can any regulator or politician in canada.

It's easier to **** up an economy than make it better.

[Oliver88]

When you have a duopoly environment cutting pulling power increases the demand for your service.....which drives rates upward.