Barley Question/Voter Criteria

[JD4ME]

and Silverback I will be voting , thanks for the advice though, nice to see you are at your usual high level of tolerance for rational discussion today.

[JD4ME]

Thanks Wilagro, and you may not agree with how I'm voting but at least you and I understand what were voting for and I think deep down inside everyone else does too.

[silverback]

Please don't preach to me about tolerance JD!!!

How many times did you, Vader, Agstar and others tell us that if we don't like the board just stop growing wheat!!!!

Well, how does it feel now?

You have no tolerance for my right to do what I want with my own property.

I, and many others have been way, way too tolerant in allowing you and other supporters of the status quo, to survive on the backs of your neighbors.

All you have to do is mark the ballot for what you would like to see in the barley market.

Is that too tough? You seem willing to express yourself on this web site, what is so scary about marking it on a ballot?

[cowman]

Hey wait a minute:
Go up a few posts and see what Chuck Strahl says?
He says basically one way or the other there is going to be a CWB?
The only question is a monopoly or a choice? Those are the only two options? The CWB is NOT going to cease to exist the day after the plebicite?
Now Mr. Ritter might say "The CWB will cease to exist" the day the monopoly ends...but who is he? Is he the government? Is he the Queen?
Strahl says very clearly "THE CWB WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST"? What part of that is so hard to understand? If you choose to sell to them...that is your choice?...Hmmm... shades of the original CWB?

[charliep]

Perhaps in a perverse way, the vote for status quo/CWB as it exists today is really a vote for an open market. The indication is that if farmers had choice, they would go directly to the market/avoid selling through the CWB. This includes single desk supporters.

A vote for choice means you will consider all alternatives for marketing barley (malt and feed) and pick the best one for your business on the day you make that decision. The question then becomes what products and services you would expect from the CWB to get your business/delivery commitment.

No mention is ever made of your customers up the supply and what their preferences are. It may be some customers prefer to work with the CWB in sourcing their needs. Again, a different way of looking at the world.

[cropduster]

I just want to know if JD and Willy are going to have kids,or, is their relationship so `special` that they`ll have to adopt and include a third person in their relationship!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JD4ME]

You're a funny funny man Silverback, you go back through this marketing section and you cut and paste where I've taken a position one way or the other on the CWB. You're so blinded by your feelings on this issue that you attack anyone who would even dare question the process. You think anyone who dares challenge the decision to have three questions is against you.

If I've challenged you in the past it hasn't been about what you have said ,it's been because of how you go about saying it.
I've never said on here whether I want change or staus quo, why? because it's a waste of time to talk reason to either side of the debate on this site. Everyone is ,was and will be entrenched in what they believe. Me I've always believed the CWB is a zero sum entity there are times it works and times it doesn't. Keep it or get rid of it frankly it's really not a big deal I've adapted.

On our operation we've done well under the old system, if things change I believe based on what we've worked towards in our business plan we'll continue to do well,
That silverback is what a business man does, they look at the environment they are in and they adapt to the situation, and make contingencies in case of changes. They don't hate everyone and everything in the system and go out and yell at the wind they deal with it. Understand Silverback that whether the CWB is here or gone the same people who were kicking your ass all the years the board was here will be the same people who are kicking it afterit's gone. Not much will change.
Because the good business people have adapted and will again.
Our operation will get 4 ballots for the vote but there's only 3 of us here is that fair? not really

Is it a perfect thing? no.
Will I vote of course.
Will I vote the same way you do?
Maybe.

But the bottom line to what I posted earlier is still the same all I said is that Strahl is having a 3 choice question designed to reach a desired conclusion, it's the truth deal with it.
Did I ever say I didn't want that conclusion, nope.

[JD4ME]

And cropduster your comment isn't worth even replying to ,grow up.

[Jman]

Parsley: If professors are, as you stated, "ballet instructors and drag queens, or botanists studying June grubs", what does that make organic farmers? Most would assume them to be lazy, pot smoking hippies, that cant afford intensive crop production practices". That they become "organic" not by choice, but as a neccessity (cant afford the inputs). Did you notice that nobody responded to you and t4cwb's most recent new posts, I wonder why that is?

You don't mind if the professors are subsidized via scholarships, bursuries, or contract work, but you cannot seem to stand another farmer giving or getting value.

What are you really saying?

Parsley

[parsley]

Read again Jman.

I did not say professors are ballet instructors or drag queens, or botanists.

I simply commented that Strahl chose a farmer INSTEAD of one of the above.

I also observed that you resented this farmer getting paid for contracted work, while in the same breath,I did not sense you resented the two professors getting paid for contract work. That was the point, right there.

You have certainly articulated your hostility towards the Manitoba farmer,and then, all of a sudden, towards another group of farmers(yeeks, another one a-bubbling?), so the best suggestion I can think of is that you compose a list of all the farmers and farm groups you are so angry with, and send it along to

http://namass.org/

Parsley

[just_wondering]

http://www.barleyvote.ca/studies.html

A REALER voice for choice
Chaffmeister thanks!
Could you explain the replacement cost of grain and the American trade challanges.
As well I'm unsure about arbitage( is that even the right term) that there will not be floods of trucks crossing the boarder as prices are the same around the world with the difference of freight/basis
Anybody know if grain will now start to move south for just based on freight to the gulf coast? Will we finally have some railroad competition

Cotton I have no illusions of my marketing ability I just want the ability to pick my dance partner. If they happen to make a little profit I hope my stocks go up.
Any predictions on share prices of our multi-nationals?

I hope the Directors of the CWB have their liability insurance paid up after how they have handled the Monopoly since 98. I'm sure they have done worse before but I have only been making real decisions since then.

[nashty]

Keep a eye on the PRO release Thursday Jan 25. If the CWB spin doctors want to "enhance" support for their cause it would be the appropriate time to do so. No sense leaving any bullets in their pistolas, it would be much more interesting to go down in the proverbial "blaze of glory" (how much cash is in the contingency fund?)

[joedales]

Alberta Barley Commission praises government for upcoming plebiscite question


News Release

Jan. 22, 2007 (Red Deer, Alberta) - The Alberta Barley Commission praised the federal government today for its question in an upcoming plebiscite on barley marketing in Western Canada and the criteria for voter eligibility.

“The question truly and fairly represents the viable possibilities open to Alberta barley producers in today’s global marketplace,” said Terry Young, the Commission’s chairman and a Lacombe barley farmer. “Since the plebiscite was announced this past fall, we have encouraged the government to develop a question that would be clear, concise and represent all Prairie barley producers. It has listened well to those involved.”

Speaking in Red Deer, Alberta, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, said the question on the plebiscite ballot will be:
- The Canadian Wheat Board should retain the single desk
for the marketing of barley in domestic human consumption
and export markets.
- I would like the option to market my barley to the
Canadian Wheat Board or any other domestic or foreign
buyer.
- The Canadian Wheat Board should not have a role in the
marketing of barley.

“We have long supported an environment that would give our producers as many options for marketing as possible. Many want the ability to sell directly to export and domestic customers and markets. Others could well continue to sell through the CWB, which is recognized worldwide for its market intelligence and knowledge,” said Mike Leslie, the Commission’s general manager.

Young and Leslie also praised Strahl for the voter eligibility criteria: primarily, active farmers must have grown barley in at least one of the past five years (2002 to 2005). Extenuating circumstances will be considered and those who do not receive a ballot by Feb. 8, 2007, can request one along with a declaration form from the election coordinator, KPMG (1-888-3BARLEY).

“We congratulate the federal and provincial governments for their collaborative and cooperative efforts to compile a voter list,” said Young. “Both levels of government have been committed to seeing all active barley producers participate in this important vote. Now it’s time for farmers to make their voice heard.”

Since its inception in 1991, the Commission has supported market choice as a means of giving producers more control over their businesses and cash flow. Market choice would also allow Alberta producers to decide when and where they sell their barley and at what price. As well, it would give producers more options on crop production and opportunities to invest in long-term client relationships, new technology, production methods and value chains.
The Alberta Barley Commission (www.albertabarley.com) is a not-for-profit corporation organized, funded, directed and controlled by the province’s 17,500 barley producers. The Commission coordinates and sponsors research, market development and policy development on behalf of its producers.

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For more information contact:

Terry Young, Chairman
Alberta Barley Commission
(403) 391-2408

Mike Leslie, General Manager
Alberta Barley Commission
(403) 281-4802