The Alberta Advantage?

[cowman]

I like that idea of getting the wealthy to invest as a tax dodge. Which just goes to show you that the Canadian farmer can always come up with a solution. Despite our governments best attempts to get rid of us we can just continue to hang in there.
Our federal government would like to see about half the farmers disappear, that way they believe it won't cost them any money. It is a totally stupid concept but then they aren't exactly rocket scientists are they? They don't seem to understand that primary industries and small business are what the whole rotten house of cards are built on and if you destroy it the whole thing comes tumbling down! They seem to have taken the corporate approach...never consider anything longer than six months! But then why not? By the time the country goes belly up they can be sitting on the beach in the Caymans with all the other little tinpot dictators!!

[nakodo]

Interesting to follow the dialogue, I am a little concerned that all of the arguements are tangled up...... but follow the pattern, ie too much government in Sk has drastically affected the economy chasing farmers to Ab where..... the farmers are asking the govt to get more involved in farming ie. subsidies, price supports, border closings etc. etc., so they can re-enact the previous 10 years?

When will we realize the world has moved on, things have changed, some farmers are making money and others are not... just like other businesses...no one guaranteed anyone an income (except maybe the SK and BC govts???). Lets figure out who is making money off the land and how and start to emulate them?!

[cowman]

Actually Europe and America have moved on...to more support for their farmers. I guess the question is does Canada want to grow grain or not? I don't think we can all grow saskatoons and organic chickens.

[ianben]

Cowman there you go again. Low prices hurt us all with or without subsidies.
Nobodies getting rich while consumers pay less and less for food. If they get a fraction of the organic food we all seemed urged to produce the premiums will vanish.Organic looks an easy solution to a politician.
Are you still dry?
Sad as it seems my best chance of a better year lies with you staying dry not help from EU.

[cowman]

ianben: In a large part of the prairies it is still very dry with little snow cover. Where I am it is not too bad as we have quite a bit of snow. The type of spring we have will tell the story. I think you overestimate Canadas' influence on world grain markets as we have become a fairly minor player in the export market. Just about all of our barley goes to the local feeding industry as well as a large portion of the wheat. High freight rates and elevation charges as well as a really bad marketing board have made export cereal production pretty shaky.

[bombay_43]

The unfortunate reality of this whole topic is, the only farmers really making money in farming, are the well established ones. Where are our beginning farmers? Who will take over the family farms that still exist? Our average age of the Canadian Farmer is somewhere around 60! We need to take a closer look at Quebec, who has an average age of 35 for their farmers, thanks to a program called ASURE. It guarantees them their "COST OF PRODUCTION". It is a voluntary program, but over 90% of the provinces farmers are in it, and it has been in existence for some 23 years! Why are our grain prices still the same as 25 years ago? Our expenses have certainly risen. Our Canadian Consumer, does not wish to pay higher prices for food, and we can not maintain this low cost food policy in Canada, unless we can keep our input cost down as well. The alternative? Government Subsidies.

[cowman]

bombay 43: You are exactly right when you ask where are the next generation of farmers going to come from? That is a good question!!! I look around my area and I see hardly anyone under 40...and damned few of those!! Just about all the established farmers are not encouraging their children to go farming.
Quite frankly why would a young person want to farm? Why go into an industry that has no future?

[jensco]

I think agriculture has a future in this country - but it is far different than what you guys have seen.

We fit the average age 35 category but with a large difference. One of us works off the farm as well. We don't farm a large section. We could never afford to farm like what you guys are doing for all the reasons you mentioned. The costs to get going are too high. The low commodity prices don't even come close to the costs, so, we have to stay small.

When the majority of farmers "retire" and there is no one or too few to take their place, Canadians may end up having to pay more for their food. However, how bad will it get before this happens?

Always interesting to read and comment!

[bombay_43]

So you enjoy the farm life and the tax benefits that this type of operation affords to you when you work out. Tell me, do you not believe that you work very hard on your farm, or invest probably most of the income that you make off the farm, into the farm, just to make it keep revolving?

Why should a farmer not have the same living standard as anyone else in this country? Because we are ONLY farmers?

Our family is starting to leave the nest, and let me tell you, our farm can not compete with the wages that our kids can make else where. My kids learned how to work growing up on the farm, and many places of employment prefer farm raised workers. So far only one of my four boys has expressed an interest in farming. He is wise enough to understand that it will be many years before he can quit his job and actually live off of farming. If ever. I find that sad.

Next time you are in a grocery store, take a hard look at what you are putting into your cart. Then add up only the actual agriculture products. Not the soaps, chips, fast foods, chocolate bars, you get the picture. Meat, vegetables, fruit, grain products, and dairy. It really does not add up to much, and it is time that the consumer be made aware of that fact! Until then, the family farm as we know it, will continue to struggle, and die.

[cakadu]

Lately I've been wondering about what we are truly competitive at in this province. Do we have any idea?

What about growing higher value cash crops such as peas, lentils, caroway etc.? I am wondering about micro-climates within Alberta and being able to grow some of these crops here. Does anyone have any ideas as to what prevents us from growing these crops?