Petition ignored
On May 2, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan presented a petition at the (Saskatchewan) Legislature calling on the (Lorne) Calvert government to make an immediate cash investment to Saskatchewan primary producers.
Over the last several weeks, APAS has requested that the provincial government make a strategic investment in agriculture.
An immediate cash investment would generate economic activity and growth in rural and urban Saskatchewan and help create and sustain jobs and businesses in the province. An investment in the agriculture sector is an investment in Saskatchewan’s future. Public support for this initiative has been overwhelming.
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Our petition included signatures from close to 1,200 employers from across the province representing over 26,700 jobs. APAS received signatures of support from small family operated businesses to large international companies. There was support from Saskatchewan labour and business leaders, civic and municipal leaders, and the public at large.
Still, the Calvert government has failed to commit to this urgent plea for assistance to the industry that provides so many jobs.
There is a very real sense of urgency for the provincial government to invest in primary producers this spring. Whether it is through a fuel rebate as APAS recommended, or via another delivery mechanism, this bridge investment is needed in the short-term to secure time to develop long-term solutions.
Our petition provides the justification that is required to make this investment. The Saskatchewan public does appreciate the importance that primary agriculture plays in our province…
It is time for the provincial government to take a leadership role and make agriculture a priority. This government has had agriculture in the cost column of the provincial ledger for far too long. It is time to make an investment in agriculture… an investment in Saskatchewan’s future.
– Terry Hildebrandt,
President, APAS,
Regina, Sask.
Support lauded
The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association would like to extend its appreciation to all Manitobans for their ongoing support during the BSE crisis.
Consumers have shown their confidence by eating beef more often. In fact, Canada became the first country to record an increase in beef consumption after an incident of BSE. This support has been key in helping producers move their product.
Suppliers and financial institutions have been supportive as producers adjusted to the new realities facing the industry.
The media has provided invaluable coverage, increasing awareness of the issue not only with consumers, but also with elected officials and policy makers.
Farm organizations, chambers of commerce and countless other industry stakeholders have complemented the work of government officials during this disaster.
Manitoba’s cattle producers simply have too much invested in the industry to go down without a fight. The resilience and determination they have demonstrated is nothing short of extraordinary.
While reopening the border to live cattle exports remains a priority, the industry will continue exploring all opportunities available to it. This includes expanding domestic slaughter capacity and moving Canadian beef products into the broadest range of markets possible.
The alliances built during this crisis will serve us well for years to come. Together, we will find ways to move our industry forward. Thank you once again for your ongoing support.
– Larry Schweitzer,
President, Manitoba Cattle
Producers Association,
Hamiota, Man.
Beef competition
In response to Barry Wilson’s article on page three of the May 5 Western Producer, I wish to make some comments which are economics theory based.
I agree that the George Morris Centre is not very credible. If we use economic theory to explain the situation in the beef market in Canada since May 20, 2003, there are other theoretical explanations that should be stated as well.
If there is an oversupply of animals, then slaughter plants should be working overtime and new production should be coming on stream to meet the demand of high prices in the stores.
If prices are high in the stores, and packers are making large profits, then they should produce more and supply more to the stores. This is not the case. Nor are new facilities coming on stream. Why is this? Is the meat council controlling the situation?
If real market forces prevail, then new facilities should be coming on board. I’m not aware that anyone has gotten beyond the preliminary discussion stages.
I suggest that the situation is being controlled by the existing big players. They have the Alberta Beef Producers and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association intimidated, whether the beef producers and CCA realize it or not, that this is normal and nothing can be done. Groups like the George Morris Centre are spokesmen.
The primary producer is not being consulted. If he was, the government would hear that the producers have solution suggestions. I think that this competition bureau exercise is useless and avoids taking the initiative necessary to restore the Canadian industry and very importantly, to rectify the reasons that we have this situation at all.
– Jake Drozda,
Valleyview, Alta.
U.S., no thanks
In regards to Mr. Thompson’s letter headed Border placement in the May 5 issue of the Producer, the border closing issue won’t be resolved as long as a few terrorists – R-CALF supporters – can hold the beef industry at ransom for a few extra dollars in their pockets.
This whole issue no longer has anything to do with BSE. It has everything to do with a protectionist attitude for personal financial gain, in spite of jeopardizing jobs in the U.S. packing plants due to a lack of imported beef.
Furthermore, Mr. Thompson has the assumption that we Canadians in the four western provinces are all willing to join the United States of America.
I, for one, am proud to be Canadian and have no desire to be a part of the American head-hunting crusade around the globe.
– Alan M. Akre,
Frontier, Sask.
Horse sense
Thank you for printing John Beckham’s commentary entitled Farmers need power structures. (WP, May 5) He does an excellent job of explaining the grain producers’ economic problems and the reasons for them. He also states how different it was for his father who farmed with horses and made a comfortable living for himself and his family.
I would like to share with you my own experience farming with horses…
During 1944 to 1954, my brothers and I farmed with our father. We worked entirely with horses until 1950, when Dad bought our first tractor and gradually phased out horse power. We seeded and harvested 200 acres a year and had a breeding herd of 35 cows.
In 1950-54 father bought a new tractor and a whole line of new machinery including a threshing machine. We also built a new house and barn, and bought a new car. Not a penny was borrowed to pay for all this. …
Today I farm with two sons. We seed and harvest 1,200 acres and calve out 140 cows. We are into continuous cropping, direct seeding and make full use of commercial fertilizers and the best herbicides. Compared with the horse farming days, we have more than doubled our yield on a per acre basis and increased our productivity on a per person basis by at least 800 percent.
Yet today, we are in a desperate struggle to survive. We have survived by not buying new machinery or spending money on non-absolutes like a new home. If we need a machine, we buy it second hand, a machine that once belonged to someone who went under. … I would like to believe that farmers will get together and form a power structure so that once again farmers will receive justice at the market place.
But in all sincerity, I don’t have much hope that this will happen. We are 20 years too late, the transnationals are too powerful and well protected by the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement and if they need a little help from farmers, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association and the Alberta Barley Growers Commission are always willing to go to bat for them.
– George E. Hickie,
Waldron, Sask.
