Some things that I have been thinking about. As always, I have more questions than answers. I am writing this as I am thinking about it so I hope it is taken in context. I am not going to proof read it so it stands the test of the ‘little stripped one’ who likes to slice and dice each word & pi$$ all over them.
As far as discussion, from a Canadian point of view. Many were hit hard and lost their farms- ranches. Some are still hanging on by a thread. Their biggest export market was cut off & they want it back. Many need it to survive. How is anyone going to convince them of anything on this forum when everything stated is a threat to their making a living for themselves and their families ?
As far as USA cattlemen, importing beef means they lose money. The USDA’s own study (BAS-welfare) shows that allowing culls from Canada will cost producers here millions of dollars. They claim it will be offset by gains to consumers. Now, why would anyone who make their living raising cattle willingly give up that kind of money if they could do anything to prevent it? “Sorry son, I would like to send you to college or buy you a new pair of shoes but we can’t afford it because I felt the people in another country could use the money”! Who would not fight for their share of the market?
So what is the answer? It has to be exports. If we gained our export markets back to previous levels, these Canadian cattle could be absorbed with a much smaller or very little loss. Even if Canada got the markets we lost, it would mean less cattle coming here. I am not talking the little trickle being thrown around here now but at least to previous levels.
Why wouldn’t we do everything possible to gain these markets back? There has been a discussion on selling hormone 'free'? beef to EU etc. It is what they want!
Some people want kosher beef. Who the hell are we to tell these people that slitting the throat of a cow facing a certain direction is stupid and fraudulent.
If Japan wants their beef tested for bse, termites, and any other damn thing, test them! If you are going to sell anything, you have to give the customer what they want! What is so hard to understand about that?
I have tried to simplify this to the point of probably losing the main thought. I know this post can be cut to ribbons but I am tired of every post deteriorating to the point of Canada or R-Calf being responsible for every problem on this planet!
How about just having a discussion & sharing your thoughts instead of your insults?
(I damn sure am not claiming innocence here!) :lol:
As far as discussion, from a Canadian point of view. Many were hit hard and lost their farms- ranches. Some are still hanging on by a thread. Their biggest export market was cut off & they want it back. Many need it to survive. How is anyone going to convince them of anything on this forum when everything stated is a threat to their making a living for themselves and their families ?
As far as USA cattlemen, importing beef means they lose money. The USDA’s own study (BAS-welfare) shows that allowing culls from Canada will cost producers here millions of dollars. They claim it will be offset by gains to consumers. Now, why would anyone who make their living raising cattle willingly give up that kind of money if they could do anything to prevent it? “Sorry son, I would like to send you to college or buy you a new pair of shoes but we can’t afford it because I felt the people in another country could use the money”! Who would not fight for their share of the market?
So what is the answer? It has to be exports. If we gained our export markets back to previous levels, these Canadian cattle could be absorbed with a much smaller or very little loss. Even if Canada got the markets we lost, it would mean less cattle coming here. I am not talking the little trickle being thrown around here now but at least to previous levels.
Why wouldn’t we do everything possible to gain these markets back? There has been a discussion on selling hormone 'free'? beef to EU etc. It is what they want!
Some people want kosher beef. Who the hell are we to tell these people that slitting the throat of a cow facing a certain direction is stupid and fraudulent.
If Japan wants their beef tested for bse, termites, and any other damn thing, test them! If you are going to sell anything, you have to give the customer what they want! What is so hard to understand about that?
I have tried to simplify this to the point of probably losing the main thought. I know this post can be cut to ribbons but I am tired of every post deteriorating to the point of Canada or R-Calf being responsible for every problem on this planet!
How about just having a discussion & sharing your thoughts instead of your insults?
(I damn sure am not claiming innocence here!) :lol: