One field will make it!

[parsley]

I presume you are pressing that suit with a damp cloth, fran, the one with the one pantleg shorter than the other, made in china? lol

Here's the interesting part of this discussion for me:

According to grepet's poll,(although I don't take stock in it), it says 10% eat organic OFTEN.

So organics stole this group of consumer. Right?

Organics stole them and we sell to them and they like us, and they willingly buy, and they pay a premium!

Yup.

Is that good or bad for all farmers?

Fran wants to race for the low price.

I sure as hell don't.

I want consumers to value food highly.
To look at food carefully.

To eat carefully.

You see, it's good for farmers if they do, because as price grumbling lessens, farm prices rise. And as consumers eat better, via more varied diets, fresher food, etc, they feel better and my health care cost taxes don't go up.

I want higher farmgate returns...the point is , do you?

The bottom line is this folks..

IF FARMERS OURSELVES DON"T VALUE FOOD, WHY SHOULD WE EXPECT THE SHOPPER TO VALUE FOOD THROUGH PAYING HIGHER PRICES?

Pars

[Fransisco]

"Do you follow the same guideline with the suit you buy?"

Yes.

If I find two suits that for all intents and purposes are identical in every way I buy the one that's less expensive.

Same goes for pick-up trucks.

Paying more for something does not automatically mean that it is of better quality or better value.

[Fransisco]

I'm not going to pay more for something than I have to, and I don't expect most of the people I am selling things to will either.

Yes, there is a market for people who will pay more for essentially the same thing. But it's a small market and more importantly it never will be the whole market.

There's room for both.

[gregpet]

Pars, my goal is to grow food that is the most nutritionally beneficial to the end user. I am trying to find the proper technique to grow a high brix level crop. This is something I feel the consumer would be willing to pay a premium for.

I'm afraid it may be proven soon that organically grown crops are not more nutritional than conventional grown crops but even less nutritional. Again, just my personal opinion and what I am trying to accomplish.

[parsley]

If price is your sole determinent, then it is.

But 10% pay more for something some farmers are not able to see, or understand as having more value to them.

Many sellers probably don't understand the 10% segment. Pricing usually takes subtlety into account and one has to be in tune with those subtleties in order to service them.

The tango is a dance and so is the bunnyhop.

The Wheat board is practiced at selling cheap, and some countries are skilled at buying cheap. I understand that market, too.

It is their only criteria. Price.

But I don't want to live on the proceeds.

And I presume you don't either.

So maybe price should not be your only consideration. Pars

[gregpet]

Maximizing my return on investmement is my goal. Grow more nutritional food is a way to achieve my goal. Let the price be whatever it is, I want the largest return on my investment.

[parsley]

gregpet,

Consider this, as I know you're clever X 13.5:

Organic farming is a holistic approach to agricultue.Not perfect for farmers, for sure. But holisitc.

Gene modification is not a holistic approach to nutrition. It's targeted and segmented. And unaware of the effects. Pars

[Hopperbin]

I believe it comes down to the bottom line here on the farm for most of us. We want to make a profit and the chemicals and fertilizers that are legal are making us the most profit in our opinions. Good on Parsley for stating that 10 percent of consumers purchase organic is a high number probably too high but look in the grocery store some organic is not more money. Purhaps some of them don't have a clue what they are buying, don't even use coupons. As far as frans statement I don't think you purchase just on price, your out to lunch. We purchase on taste and healthiness. The local organic growers here dissolved their marketing club because of no grain to sell. I am open to organic if it can give me a decent living so bring on the agronomics.

[parsley]

"hear of 50% dockage. A super B with 500 net bu, because its so bulky."

Absolutely. Sometimes, that's no rumour. lol

Flax @ $50-$60.per bushel, with the leftover dockage sales to boot, headed for organic livestock pellets. And no fertilizer or spray costs.

Yes, it's just too too surreal, isn't it?

You see, we're accustomed to hearing and being taught that only # 1 grade hrs wheat has value, and that garbage and weedseeds and leftovers have no value.

Who, after all wants to trade in "crap"?

Meantime, the smart folks are taking the gold out of the computers you toss in the garbage.

We can always learn new ways, can't we?

Pars

[gregpet]

Holistic or not, this was not part of the discussion. I feel that my bottom line and nutritional content of food is more important. If the food we eat makes us healthier and I can extract a premium for there is not need to be organic. I can keep my yields up and increase my profits

Why change the focal point of the discussion? You can't have it both ways, either you want the highest profit or not. What one chooses to do with it is their own decision. If you extract your premium and decide to put it into iron or more land or the bank or a holiday or etc... I don't spend any time looking at or competing with the neighbors I'm too busy, that's why I don't read or post on here as often as I would like. I do know I enjoy farming the way I do it. It provides a decent living for me and my family.

[Hopperbin]

Sure we can learn so get a god dam organic grain marketing forum on here.
Or an organic farming forum. Take that lightly I hope but I do have a point.

[gregpet]

If I recall correctly they are taking the lead out of the computers and poisining themselves. If those are the smart ones I'll stay stupid for my own health.

[parsley]

Rambling was not a mistep.

I shifted, slightly, because, gregpet, in the long term, and overviewing, holistic is both directly and indirectly tied to profit/money... tied to sustainability and futurial value of family farms. Canadian owned. imho.

But you shpould surely use your thread to write about important things like CWB rain gauges. LOL ....I will hop on the Wheat Board single desk another time, so that your sensibilities are not so pinched by the hitch on my organic bandwagon. lol Pars

[Hopperbin]

Parsley I hope we don't ever develope ill will to each other. I respect you for how you stand up and carry yourself among us conventional farmers when discussing organic and chemical issues.
Hope to some day tour and learn from your families practices.

[parsley]

My sensibilities are not bruised at all. I very much enjoy the different approaches AVers have to farming and to life.

The most astounding moment in my life was when I visited the Museum of Natural History in New york City and saw the progressive stages of the remains of archeological digs of human beings, all lined up in a row, showing how we have evolved. Showing how similar we are. How we are one.

Being human, at that moment, was being so fragile; was lending each observer a moment of appreciation for being a primate.

We're all different, but we are all the same. As are farmers.

And that my friends, really IS something worthwhile to celebrate, but absolutely nothing to be pissy about. Pars