Econ, I certainly do not have the time or the will to get into it the way you an SH do from time to time, but I'll give my humble opinion of the 'state of the union' in agriculture. (Where's rkaiser when he could be of some use, eh?) I agree that more Canadians should do something. But Canadians in general are far too passive and find it very easy to go with the flow as long as their mortgage is paid and the groceries are on the table. Myself, I've a bit more of a redneck side when ya get me agitated. I write letters to my MLA, MP, Premier Klein and even the Prime Minister's office, usually one or two a month, depending on who ruffles my feathers. I always end them with, "...please do not reply with the same old 'Thank you for your concerns...'blah, blah, blah." But that's what I always get, and no real reaction or response to make me believe my voice fell on listening ears.
My point is, our government does little or nothing for grassroots agriculture producers. Our producer groups that supposedly represent us seem to do little for the sake of change in any direction, let alone a positive one. So, as far as I'm concerned, I'm lookin' out for number one. The 'market power' as you call it is so dominating here, it makes me sick. I refuse to sell through auction barns anymore, b/c I know where the majority of their sales go. The last thing I want is the reassurance that my calves are lining the pockets of Cargill or Tyson.
I've gotten involved with a niche market that sells Galloway and Highland beef to restaurants and hotels in Calgary. We've also got product in a meat shop there, and hopefully will open our own in the coming year. It's a premium for our product, and it's basically local. But the founder has always maintained one key point to keep in mind - if we get too big, the big boys will shut us down. They have the means and the resources to do it.
Your statement that more Canadians should be willing to take on tough issues to solve these problems, is a little bit of a dream to me though. If there was ever a statement that falls under the category of 'Easier Said than Done', you just said it. But yes, alot more should be done. But saying it, and coming up with resolutions or a plan, are two totally different things. Not every Canadian small family farm can do what we're doing, or sell boxed beef out of a reefer truck in the parking lots of gas stations. And since we in this country - and yours - have given almost all control to large corporations, including control over our figure-head governments, just what exactly should be our plan of attack?
I admittedly do not have ONE cure-all pill of an answer for you. But, I sure as hell will not go with the flow, keeping my mouth shut until I'm shovelled another scoop of this dictatorships' $h!t. I'll find ways to pay the bills without 'bail-out' aid packages, CAIS programs and such. We'll do whatever we can to make this ranch profitable, help others in our community be profitable, and whatever we can to make changes in our industry.
As for R-CALF, I believe they were just in their intent to fight for their own interests. But to criticize, insult and disrespect Canadian producers and what we do to better their own interests was just wrong.
I'll add too, that our 'Prime' Minister, is an absolute moron, maybe one generation from walking upright, for insulting YOUR government and doing more to erode the relationship between us. Western Separation looks better all the time.