Letters to the editor

Genetics issue

This letter is in regards to the article “New genetic defects identified in cattle,” (Western Producer, July 20), and the clarification to that article printed in the July 27 edition.

On behalf of the Canadian Maine-Anjou Association, I was concerned when the original article came out, as it did not completely represent the facts of the situation. We thank the Producer for printing the clarification, and wish to clarify the association’s position on the subject.

First, Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca (PHA) is a lethal autosomal recessive disorder of cattle that results in massive fluid accumulation (anasarca) and small lungs (pulmonary hypoplasia.) To date PHA has been identified in Maine-Anjou, Shorthorn cattle registered with the American Chianina and composite cattle. In all cases to date, PHA traces to Maine-Anjou bloodlines.

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Although pedigree analysis does strongly suggest that the bulls Stinger and Draft Pick are carriers of PHA, this has not been verified by DNA testing, as no DNA test for PHA is presently available.

Further, it is important to point out that although it appears PHA traces through the named bulls, evidence also indicates that it does not trace solely to these bulls, in that the PHA appears to occur further back in their ancestry. The named bulls do not appear to be the ground zero animals, nor are they the cause of the abnormality.

The CMAA was made aware of the PHA situation earlier this year by the American Maine-Anjou Association. To date, we have no reported cases of PHA or TH in the CMAA.

Nevertheless, we have instituted a policy and procedure to deal with genetic defects/abnormalities that was detailed in the summer issue of our publication, The Maine Mail. We encourage and expect full disclosure and reporting from members if they encounter any abnormal animals, as that will allow us to research and manage the issue in the most responsible manner possible.

We look forward to the successful discovery of a genetic test for PHA as it will clear up any doubts about which animals are carriers, and allow for further options in managing the situation.

– Sid Wilkinson,

President,

Canadian Maine-Anjou Association,

Ridgeville, Man.

Lentil lesson

In today’s world we have avenues of information transfer, e-mail, newspapers, radio, television and good old-fashioned mail.

There is no excuse for lack of communication, which is why I am so annoyed at the lack of communication given to farmers on the moisture standard for red lentils.

Many farmers were and are unaware of the moisture change for red lentils.

I have spoken to farmers with grain in the bin, harvested, who had not even heard of the moisture standard change. Indeed the most well-informed farmers were amazed they did not know.

I ask for a review of the process of advising growers of this change and to be advised of the process that was taken. It is fine for the industry to decide a standard is necessary to enable better export sales. It is then necessary to advise the producers of the commodity so they can comply.

This has been, by the fact that most of the growers I am speaking to do not know, poorly managed.

Many reds are harvested and in the bin with growers being totally unaware of the change in moisture to 13 percent.

It would be advisable to review this process to ensure that next time the process is better managed.

– Vicki Dutton,

North Battleford, Sask.

It’s not help

Once again the Conservative party is out to prove that they care very little for the opinion and the welfare of the voters that helped to elect them to power.

(Federal) agriculture minister Chuck Strahl, backed by the Conservative party, is bound and determined to bring about the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board even if they have to trample the rights of Canadian farmers to do it.

The Canadian Wheat Board has been run democratically with one farmer, one book, one vote and these very farmers that Mr. Strahl is supposed to protect and serve have voted against having a dual market.

In fact, the only backers of dual marketing seem to be the very people who stand to gain from lower prices if we were to lose our single desk monopoly.

If a single desk marketing system is not good for our farm economy then why is it that our competitors want it dismantled?

Our farm economy is stressed bad enough these days what with lower commodity prices and rising input costs.

If our government is truly concerned, why do they not let the people actually affected – western Canadian farmers – be the ones to decide the fate of the CWB and not the paid lobbyists who seem to have the government’s ear?

If the Conservative government really wants to help the farm economy, they should come up with a fair and workable way of stabilizing the farm income so that our western Canadian farmers can survive in today’s economy.

– Robert Schultz,

Choiceland, Sask.

Small but serious

I was disappointed at how quickly small farmers with under $50,000 income were discounted as not being serious farmers and worthy of support as in the Options program.

We have seen many of our towns and rural communities devastated because of farms becoming larger. Now we think it is all right to get rid of the remaining small farmers since they are inefficient?

Not every beginning farmer inherits a million-dollar farm. Some have chosen to start small, building up a farm over a generation. If we look into the next 20 years of who will be farming, it seems foolish to discount these beginning farmers.

Most disturbing is the question (of whether) the corporate world dictated this $50,000 exemption. With the pyramid structure of international corporations, more and more power is being concentrated in fewer and fewer interests.

Imagine the nightmare you will have when the total food supply is owned and controlled from the soil to the dinner plate by a few people.

– Laverne Isaac,

Medstead, Sask.

Mulroney cloned?

The (Stephen) Harper government is intent on forming government policy on its ideology. Common sense is not prevalent. Democracy (is) not an issue.

Their intent to destroy the Canadian Wheat Board pays no mind to the fact that farmers pay for the organization, support single desk selling and pooling. No vote for farmers. They are not intelligent enough to make these decisions. They may have a point, as so many voted Conservative. But (they) did not vote to destroy the CWB.

Harper is relying on those with his ideology, such as the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association and multinational grain companies, who will benefit most from no CWB. The grain companies help finance the WCWGA and the Conservative party. Guess it is payback time.

This same group worked for Brian Mulroney. We lost the Crow, which according to this crew, would provide more opportunity for cattle producers and a market to grain farmers. None of which has happened. But these are the smart guys.

Now to add insult, (federal agriculture minister Chuck) Strahl and (parliamentary secretary David) Anderson arrange a meeting with this knowledgeable crew to devise a plan on destroying the CWB. (Their) transportation, lodging, etc. (was) paid for by the government.

On the other side of the street, a group of some 250 farmers meet in support of the CWB at their own expense. Their experience and knowledge is of no consequence to the government and its ideology.

Anyone get the feeling that Mulroney has been cloned? The same arrogance, same disregard for democracy. Even some of the present day Conservatives could not take him. And this a minority Government. God help us if they get a majority.

Bring on an election. Choose a leader that respects Canadians.

Allow farmers a democratic vote on the CWB. What are they afraid of?

Develop our own policies, not mouth (U.S. president George) Bush. Bring our men and women home from Afghanistan and not in coffins.