Subsidies For Agriculture

[Muttley]

In many of the discussions I hear the comments that we wish gov't would leave us alone.
I'm not so sure of this, not that I don't want it to happen but that without some sort of gov't help many may not be able to keep farming. Right now in my area many are wanting assistance for water or to have the gov't toughen up on the fertilizer and chemical companies on what they charge.

It's nice to say we will sell our product at the door, or farmer to consumer but face facts that if we all do it the market is flooded and then what do we do?

I am tired of off farm work all day and farming at night. I am tired of diversifying and then watching my neighbors grow the same thing. At what point do we say enough is enough and leave what we love(farming) to move on?

If you were to look at my town alone there is many farmers holding jobs that should be held by somebody else. We are doing this to keep our farms instead of our farms keeping us like it used to be.

[jensco]

What you say is true. The change in product etc and then someone else picking it up can happen in any business.

Our government does not have a positive look on agriculture. Also, many have no experience with it. Thus, the programs are designed by the ignorant to help the perceived ignorant so that the truly ignorant (urbanites with regard to agriculture)can get a cheap Big Mac. The result is making a bigger mess. The blanket statement of having the government butt out is not a valid solution, however, drastic changes are required at this level if appropriate progress can be made in helping the "farmer" - in my opinion!

[countryguy]

Muttley,I think what we have to do as farmers is for all of us to band together and eliminate the middle men that are robbing our profits from us.Why can't we have large farmer owned processors and retailers?If we had farmer owned grocery chains and provided the same foods or better at the same prices consumers are paying now,why wouldn't they buy from us.Instead of them dishing out their tax dollars as subsidies they would be supporting us at the level we are supposed to be supported at.It's a win win situation for everyone,except the ones that are robbing us now.Hope your calving is going good if your into it now.

[Muttley]

I agree having a farmer owned business would be great. What bothers me is look at the Sk. Wheat Pool. That was farmer owned and the big wigs in head office put it on the stock market and it has went right down the tubes eversince.
I was on the local pool board when they approached us about selling shares, many were against it as we felt we would loose control. We later found out the decision to sell had been made already.

[cowman]

Sask.Wheat Pool got old and lazy just like any bureaucracy! It all came down to the per diems and perks for the top cats, and they forgot why they were there! They have done some truly bizarre things on their way to oblivion! Buy up assets and run them into the ground and then sell them at bargain basement prices. My local auction mart was bought by Sask. Pool. Within a year they had taken it from one of the top auctions to one of the worst!!!! Of course once they had ruined it, they sold it to Neilson Bros who have pretty well got it back on track. Smart move be Neilson Bros. dumb move by Sask. Pool!!! Well run it is a gold mine!!!

[ianben]

Personally I think most farmer run organisations will flounder because we are farmers not millers or auctioneers.
Why is taking over these businesses different from the job in town. Someone is already doing a good job they buy our goods at the best price for them,just like we buy our imputs etc as cheap as we can, if someone would sell fert at $20 I would buy it,so why blame them.
Everyone except farmers has a bottom line you don't see our suppliers with a day job.
It is our fault for not having the confidence and organisation to hold for realistic prices.
Governments try to help but confidence does not come in cans and we seem incapable of trusting one another. So we are just left with a natural disaster to reduce supplies and create a shortage.
Till then dont give up the day job

[Muttley]

I agree it can take a natural disaster to bring up prices. What do we do when the drought is over and the prices fall again?

[ianben]

Yeah. Of course the disaster is better somwhere else and even then they dont seem to bring prices up like they old days. This global stuff always seems to find a bonanza some place to make up the shortage.

[ianben]

Sorry I did not read your reply properly
I thought you wrote "when the drought is over here"
Your question is crystal ball stuff and I cant tell the future.
However there isn't too much food just a shortage of people who can aford to buy it.
I also think most of the ones who can afford it, our countrymen, are paying too little. The percentage of their income spent on food is getting close to immoral.
Governments could tax food and pay subsidies but that seems unfashonable today with "free trade"
Then just look at steel!! 30% tarrif(a tax) to import into US.
Will NAFTA save Canada from this?
Figures I saw said you where biggest importer.

[cowman]

Canada and Mexico were excempt from the duty even though Canada outrageously subsidizes its steel industry. You see over here our government has no problem with subsidies...just as long as the industry is in Quebec or a Liberal cabinet ministers riding! I don't suppose you see any of that sort of thing in Britain, do you?

[pandiana]

Ianben: I agree 100% with your last posting. What to do about it? I would love to get into it further when I have more time.
Cowman: When do you sleep?

[cowman]

I sleep when I can! I'm up a lot at night as the calves are coming hot and heavy and the weather is slightly cool!
I'm one of those types who needs only about 5 hrs. sleep per day and I can fall asleep for 15 minutes whenever I choose. Also have never had an alarm clock...just think to myself how long I'll sleep and presto I'm awake! Too many years in the oil patch I guess chasing that elusive dollar!!