Natural Gas and Feed Wheat and Barley

[TOM4CWB]

Chas,

Hey this is fun, and when we are having some fun, maybe our sons and daughters might think it is OK to still be farming!

I think they think I have a really warped sense of fun though!

I beleive the CWB could accomodate and respect us as growers, and some positive things are happeing as we speak!

We cannot give up on doing what is right and honourable, in the end these actions are the ones that make our world a better place!

The challenge will be, if we can get the CWB back on the rails and headed in the right direction, so many people are so mad, can the CWB even be salvaged?

Getting the trust back will really be a difficult challenge!

[chas]

Tom4cwb It is fun in a weird way isn't. Looking forward to the meeting tomorrow night. Chas

[ianben]

Hi all.
I am enjoying participating too. I sure feel a lot better about things myself. A small light at the end of the tunnel??
The weather has improved too!!!!
Started seeding Sat. should be the perfect time.

My children do think I am a bit weird and wish dad would get off the computer so they could play some game.
David 13 did email the local radio station, himself, last week to correct some mis-imformation on foot and mouth.
I was very proud, don't think he would have done it a month ago.

Some of the media is trying to blame f m on intensive farming and likening it to BSE.
As if it the farmers fault no wonder some guys get depressed.

Regards Ian

[rockpile]

To Tom4
Sorry Tom, I didn't get the meaning of your reply. You say yur trucker friend and Cargill do okay. I guess that implies that their certainly are benefits to going through the producer direct sales program, and certain folly in trying to sneak across the 'line'. Sorry Andy lost his farm. But, then that shouldn't surprise anyone, considering how he conducted business.
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

Boy you are feeling bad, arn't you?

My trucker "freind" and Cargill both did not use the Producer Direct buyback, but instead bought the wheat at deep discounts directly from the CWB, then simply hauled it across the border. That the CWB did not let individual farmers keep this profit for their own farms if they were so inclined, is the criminal part, isn't it?

[rockpile]

Cherry-pickers and 'anecdotes'.
Tom, actually I wasn't feeling 'bad' at all, but your observations reveal a lot about you. Your assesment of Cargill and your trucker friend may or may not be accurate, I've heard too many anecdotal stories over the years to really care. The fact is, from a farmer's point of view, you are stuck at looking at the world from your driveway, when in fact, you have to look at the world first, and then back to your farmstead. My point is that you had better be damn sure you know what you are doing before you shut down the CWB, and eliminate the benefits of single-desk selling, into a global market, because once you do, there is no going back. I ask you - is there adequate competition in the international market today to allow you to have a voice in the marketplace, and will you have more or less ten years from now, considering the condition of Canadian owned, or operated, grain companies? How do you envision the impact on your farm gate prices when you take into account that, Cargill, for example, is an active exporter in the five major producing areas of the world? How does this affect price discovery? Remember, this is a recent developement. As a Japanese buyer, can I play off Canadian quality for an Argentinian price, since the salesman I am talking to is only interested in margin, not overall returns? In fact, the lower he can negotiate price, the more volume he can move. In tandem with that, with todays low prices, have you locked up your bins to await a better return down the road? Why not? Finally, what footing will you have in dealing with the world's largest single-desk seller, namely the U.S. Department of Commerce? And their deep pockets?
Guys, I have to admit it has been fun, but it is time to part company. The negative and sometimes vicious attack on the efforts of the CWB are becoming circular. Very little positive is presented in terms of how we would all, and I stress 'all', be better off if you should succeed. My parting comment is to say that your hubris will be your undoing.
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

Sorry you feel we are always negative, but you know if I really love someone, and care about them, if they are bleeding to death and don't realize it, won't I try my hardest to get their attention?

If I didn't care, wouldn't I just take the system and pooling accounts for all I could and pad my bank account?

Would I spend all this time trying to explain that we must change our ways, if I was did not care and want a better system for my childern to farm in in the future?

I sincerely hope you change your mind rockpile, but if you need to get ready for spring seeding and get some work done, I certainly understand!!!

[parsley]

Rockpile,

your statement...." because once you do, there is no going back".....what do you base this little "statement of fact' upon?

Parsley

[rockpile]

One last parting shot,
To Tom4 and Parsley - Tom, you grab the sword and carry on the fight for those bleeding, and attack the monster Wheat Board. But, if you really take note of the bloodletting, look at the dismal returns on non-board grains. What are you doing for us there? Rye used to be a sound part of my rotation, but the grain companies turned it into compost, due to their lack of marketing effort. To Parsley, two obvious facts - 1. Nafta, and 2, the inablilty of some who are wrong to ever have the courage to admit that they made a mistake. Take your pick. Couldn't resist the parting shot. I think we have all over-occupied this forum.
Rockpile

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

I don't blame you for being bitter about the non-board market!

Feed wheat and barley clearly affect the value of rye.

As a whole we do not grow enough rye ot triticale to do anything more than blend it with our wheat.

There are some innovative marketers that are actually selling rye into feed markets this year at barley value.

It can be done if a reasonable volume is avaliable to set up a marketing program.

The bleeding is occuring, but my idea was to sew up the wound and stop the bleeding, not make it worse.

I guess some say it is infected and we need an amputation so as to not have the infection kill the CWB.

Rockpile, I guess it is up to us if we try to save the CWB, or allow it to get sicker and in worse shape.

Would you help me save the patient, or do you just want the CWB to die?

[parsley]

Rockpile, I'll pick NAFTA.

You've been listening to Goodale and the CWB bureaucrats. In our experience, They will give you information that reflects what they want you to believe, but it is not necessarily accurate.

This is an actual quote from NAFTA ..... about monopolies or if you like, state enterprises:

"Article 1503: State Enterprises

1. Nothing in this agreement should be construed to prevent a party from maintaining or establishing a state enterprise."


"Article 1502: Monopolies and State Enterprises

1. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a Party from designating a monopoly."

It's pretty clear, Rockpile.

We are not enemies. Remember, we are both farmers and generally, we both want and need the same things...... Paying bills, educating our children......we need to work to attain those things.... together, Rockpile,... but we have to move forward based on facts, not on propoganda put out by the CWB. They are masters at divide and conquer.

Farming is a wonderful, wonderful life. Let's work to keep it that way
Parsley

[charliep]

Rockpile

I see your comment on rye so I thought I might comment. I would include triticale in this question as well.

The rye market has been dying for a while. The main markets for rye are:

1) Export market with emphasis on Japan. Declining use in this market (replaced by other feed grains)/highly subsidized European supplies have basically taken us out of this market. This is a low price market anyway.

2) Distilling - limited market with my understanding Agricore is the main supplier.

3) Milling rye - again a small market. I do my best to eat rye bread but not a major part of flour market.

4) US market - again a small market with our SK. and MB. neighbors having a major freight advantage. Again, a stable to declining market volume wise.

5) For whatever reason (I will let others comment), our feed industry will only put rye in rations if it is cheap.

6) Blending grain with wheat.

Are there other markets for rye? Ethanol production?

Just to raise your question about grain companies not doing market development on rye. Market development is expensive so grain companies will only get involved if they see profit at the end of the tunnel so to speak. Maybe to ask the question whose responsibility should market development be? What role should farm managers play in this process? Can farm managers grow crops without a clear vision of customer needs/a process to clearly highlight how our products meet these needs?