Predictions and Observations

[errolanderson]

Vicki, major meltdown in Hang Seng and China stock markets overnight. Asian fallout could topple North American equities. We may all know soon.

This situation very bearish crude oil. Now a huge challenge for OPEC cartel to keep its glue together. U.S. oil exports feasting . . . .

[furrowtickler]

I have that tune in my head:

"all good things must come to an end, it was the same for the wildwood weed..."

Been a wonderful boom, time now to know your numbers and have some off farm balance for fun!

The course is changing, it always does.

Control the things we can and ask for more accountability of farm organizations who will need to represent us better in ag. policy.

Was a wonderful boom for those that had good crops yup

[bucket]

I have that tune in my head:

"all good things must come to an end, it was the same for the wildwood weed..."

Been a wonderful boom, time now to know your numbers and have some off farm balance for fun!

The course is changing, it always does.

Control the things we can and ask for more accountability of farm organizations who will need to represent us better in ag. policy.

Still no request to any government from farm groups for an export sales report or some compensation for farmers contribution of carbon sequestering.

Farm groups are full of guys that like selfies , patting themselves on the back , and in general terms thinking they did it on their own, forgetting previous generations efforts.

[consuelo]

hey westernvicki. there still are too many that are still sittin' on that sack of seeds...

[blackpowder]

Re-evaluating my stance on farm groups annually. I have no desire to sit on a board. Staying at the table during endless discussion with bureaucrats a thankless yet necessary job. Do most of the delegates have the skill set?

A reality check for me occured yesterday. Tongue in cheek, I was bemoaning not buying a condo in Hawaii 20 years ago. (As if I could have - not.) Other fellow said, "that's if you can afford the plane ticket now".
Point is, we get insulated in our thinking and forget the basics. Endless meetings with peers eliminates a frank recheck of goals.
Basics are ignored as unnecessary. We are told irrefutable policy is coming, so we attempt to mold it rather than disagree with it.
The first explains timely sales reporting. The second, codes of practice and fertilizer reduction.
(I'm a little disgusted)
LBJ said better to be in the tent peeing out than outside peeing in.
Fair enough, but I hear nothing from our groups about policy so flawed, rejection necessary.
Write our own strategy, not debate the tactics of a flawed one.
I confess to malaise after reading glossy articles on the same subjects all of my career. Thinking I may still request a refund. Open to ideas.

[TOM4CWB]

Blackpowder:
Interesting paradox… as I am an advisor for Alberta Pulse… we wrestle at every meeting… especially obvious and encouraged at our local zone meetings, to bring forward resolutions… expressing exactly what you have stated above.

Being that Canadian Farmers are about 2% of the Canadian Population… the art of negotiation of the possible… becomes our realistic end objective…Remembering…Shock value… only goes so far…

Farmers are stronger together obviously… if the 2% of us are fractured…. We become static on the government and power broker’s agendas.

30 years of trials and passion… friends and disappointments…

Better to have tried… offended some folks who have political motivations…and who are less foresighted …

Than to fail to, in good faith , report… …be honestly able to testify …that your kinds of perspectives were and are honestly being brought forward… whether the negative offensives are encountered… or not .

Many Blessings!
All the Best in 2024!

[blackpowder]

Thank you Tom for all your work and understanding.
I understand the need for negotiation of the possible. Well said. I also understand the current limitations of our Westminster system. As well, that a govt idea today is a law in 20 years.
Negotiation of a completely wrong proposal doesn't make any of it right.
The fert reduction proposal as published (last I heard) is foundationally wrong. It doesn't matter the quality of masonry on The Tower of Pisa or the joinery on the Vasa.

[foragefarmer]

Vicki, major meltdown in Hang Seng and China stock markets overnight. Asian fallout could topple North American equities. We may all know soon.

This situation very bearish crude oil. Now a huge challenge for OPEC cartel to keep its glue together. U.S. oil exports feasting . . . .

NA equities didn't follow the rest, and did pretty well in fact.

Sun will rise again in the morning Errol.

Not so good for oil today.

Gas at .99/ litre at the pumps in some locations here in Mb. since Wab drop the prov. sales tax on fuel by .15/litre as of Jan 1/2024.

I'm sure he'll get it back later, one way or another.

Just wondering is all, anything like this happen in Sk or Ab

[bucket]

Re-evaluating my stance on farm groups annually. I have no desire to sit on a board. Staying at the table during endless discussion with bureaucrats a thankless yet necessary job. Do most of the delegates have the skill set?

A reality check for me occured yesterday. Tongue in cheek, I was bemoaning not buying a condo in Hawaii 20 years ago. (As if I could have - not.) Other fellow said, "that's if you can afford the plane ticket now".
Point is, we get insulated in our thinking and forget the basics. Endless meetings with peers eliminates a frank recheck of goals.
Basics are ignored as unnecessary. We are told irrefutable policy is coming, so we attempt to mold it rather than disagree with it.
The first explains timely sales reporting. The second, codes of practice and fertilizer reduction.
(I'm a little disgusted)
LBJ said better to be in the tent peeing out than outside peeing in.
Fair enough, but I hear nothing from our groups about policy so flawed, rejection necessary.
Write our own strategy, not debate the tactics of a flawed one.
I confess to malaise after reading glossy articles on the same subjects all of my career. Thinking I may still request a refund. Open to ideas.

When a person takes the time to run and represent farmers, does it not make sense they listen to those that put forward resolutions that pass at AGMs? That should become their marching orders if the system is actually working. Its not. I see resolutions come and get ignored. Others get studied to reflect the boards opinion. ( example with saskpulse completely ignoring a resolution to make checkoffs refundable - had survey to support not doing it . Every survey is biased to results the payer wants)

Farmers need a voice / an omdudsman with teeth for everything from farm machinery complaints to SCIC bullshit etc. That was voted down in an agm . But the farm groups are not accomplishing anything but a precursor to a political career for those with the golden ticket occasionally.

[blackpowder]

To be fair, I think the business of politics is the same no matter size.
Everyone wants to be in the tent.
No one outside the tent is listened to.
Leading to the conundrum.
On my fantasy list is 2 elected senators per province that can be successfully lobbied. There's your pull ropes on the tent poles.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

To be fair, I think the business of politics is the same no matter size.
Everyone wants to be in the tent.
No one outside the tent is listened to.
Leading to the conundrum.
On my fantasy list is 2 elected senators per province that can be successfully lobbied. There's your pull ropes on the tent poles.

Then the Maritime's have 8 senators, and the prairies have 6. Are we any better off?

[blackpowder]

Remember R Calf?