FARGO, N.D. – Jim Diepolder typified an underlying mood at the Northern Plains Producer Conference.
The cereals and oilseeds grower from Willow City, North Dakota, said farmers in Canada and the United States share the problem of poor commodity prices and should lobby together to better their lot.
“We’re not satisfied with the lowest possible price for producers on both sides of the border,” said Diepolder.
Similar sentiments were shared throughout the conference held here Nov. 15-17 and attended by farm groups and legislators from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and three northern states.
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The farm groups talked of the need for more open access and co-operation across the border. They identified ways to make that happen, including new generation co-operatives and the standardization of regulations for farm chemicals.
But beneath the surface was an undercurrent of protectionism, surrounded by questions and frustrations about subsidies and other mechanisms that guard market share.
Diepolder was willing to voice that frustration, despite the overlying mood of goodwill and diplomacy that encircled the conference.
“We’re not going to stand to be dumped on anymore,” he said, expressing his aggravation with what he considers unfair trade practices on Canada’s part.
“If you guys don’t put a stop to the territorial pricing, we’re going to shut off the shipments of raw product (into the United States).”
Another American producer asked the question lingering in the minds of many conference participants: What good would come from the conference?
“Every issue here is the same as it was in 1987,” said North Dakota livestock producer Wade Moser.
Moser sat in on talks 12 years ago meant to reduce barriers to cross-border trade of livestock. But those talks failed to bring action.
“What happens is they go back to Washington and Ottawa and find ways to make it not work.”
