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<blockquote data-quote="Bez+" data-source="post: 693666" data-attributes="member: 6797"><p>Most folks can survive a drought.</p><p></p><p>From what I am reading here there are many down south that have little to no idea about how it really works up here.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately drought is not the killer in many parts of Canada.</p><p></p><p>It is the COMBINED EFFECTS of drought AND low prices PLUS high costs.</p><p></p><p>Hauling hay for two bucks a mile? Try three or better - if you can get someone to haul for two you are related, extremely lucky or a bullschitter.</p><p></p><p>Fuel on average is about 20% higher in most places than that south of the border - despite Canada being a net exporter of gas and oil.</p><p></p><p>Taxes - personal and business are easily 20 - 30% higher than down south of the border - so we all grin when we hear you guys complain about taxes. We wish it was as good up here.</p><p></p><p>Regulations are expensive - and we are now required to bear the expenses of ID and records. Feed records are also a nightmare.</p><p></p><p>Free trade has not benefited the ag producer - it may have benefited the ag industry - but the primary producer still pays prices that would make the average Yank shudder - take Ivomec as a small comparison. You buy it far cheaper - cannot remember the numbers but I remember the percentages - same product and same volume - it was 23% higher in Canada than down south - that was brought up again last week as my wife is the Prez of the local cattle association. </p><p></p><p>My parts are higher. One single starter for our tractor up here was near 900 bucks new at the Case dealership - I bought it in the US for less than half price and lied through my teeth to get it home. </p><p></p><p>Deads cannot be hauled to the back and dumped - although many still do - they must be "disposed of" and you bear that cost as well. Get caught dumping and you pay a stiff environmental fine.</p><p></p><p>Ontario and provinces east are going to mandatory set backs from water - meaning you let an animal walk in a creek you will be heavily fined. And you will be required to put up a fence that passes inspection - or it will be done for you and you are billed. Blame Department of Oceans and Fisheries for this one and it has already hit the more easily accessed areas and the populated areas - as the profile is a lot higher.</p><p></p><p>SPCA now pretty much has coast to coast rights of access. So - hate your neighbour? Call in an anonymous complaint. SPCA shows up - no warrant required. Police escort ALWAYS.</p><p></p><p>Last week a 73 year old man was placed in hand cuffs and arrested within a few miles of our home. His crime? No one knows - no charges laid - but he spent the night in jail for PEACEFULLY - in front of witnesses - protesting the visit. Made it into several papers. </p><p></p><p>By the way - SPCA is required by law to keep complaint origin confidential - so you can have a ball with a lot of neighbours of you really want to.</p><p></p><p>Then - the distances required to haul to market - I am always astounded when I see someone telling me they have more than 10 sale barns within two hours drive.</p><p></p><p>Try one place to haul to within 8 hours - not uncommon. I have one within 2 hours. One more if I drive nearly 4 hours and one more if I go about 6 hours. </p><p></p><p>As I have stated in the past - if Canadians had even a pinch of the assistance provided by federal and state agencies south of the border it might be the saviour. We do not have a fraction of your assistance. I have posted a web site on this site that shows how much money each US farmer / rancher receives in cash grants and subsidies if they participate in programs. I can tell you that all the subsidy money I received during BSE did not fill my truck with fuel once the government tax man, the accountants and the lawyers were done helping us out.</p><p></p><p>I am not saying everyone down south gets the cash - but if you participate in the programs you do - we do not have those programs.</p><p></p><p>The feds are planning to provide loan guarantees - if you want more debt. But you still need to pay it back or sell your assets if you cannot. All the guarantee does is get you the money - you still bear all the risk. The agriculture safety program has failed to the point that a large majority of operators do not even qualify - I know - we are one of those. </p><p></p><p>In fact this program is now reviewing its books and attempting to RECOVER monies paid out about three years ago - my neighbour is on his way to court over this - it may mean foreclosure of his operation and forced sale. Hard to believe, but true.</p><p></p><p>So - Alberta farmer is quitting. He is only one of literally hundreds if not thousands. </p><p></p><p>I hear folks say it should be a labour of love or get the helll out of the business and stop bittching about how tough it is.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately the reason folks are getting out is all of the above plus pricing control of major packers - most of whom are closing plants for reasons of centralization - so we haul even farther.</p><p></p><p>No one really gives a schitte about food until it is gone.</p><p></p><p>Perfect storm is driving many out right across the country. </p><p></p><p>I only wish it was drought alone.</p><p></p><p>Bez+</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bez+, post: 693666, member: 6797"] Most folks can survive a drought. From what I am reading here there are many down south that have little to no idea about how it really works up here. Unfortunately drought is not the killer in many parts of Canada. It is the COMBINED EFFECTS of drought AND low prices PLUS high costs. Hauling hay for two bucks a mile? Try three or better - if you can get someone to haul for two you are related, extremely lucky or a bullschitter. Fuel on average is about 20% higher in most places than that south of the border - despite Canada being a net exporter of gas and oil. Taxes - personal and business are easily 20 - 30% higher than down south of the border - so we all grin when we hear you guys complain about taxes. We wish it was as good up here. Regulations are expensive - and we are now required to bear the expenses of ID and records. Feed records are also a nightmare. Free trade has not benefited the ag producer - it may have benefited the ag industry - but the primary producer still pays prices that would make the average Yank shudder - take Ivomec as a small comparison. You buy it far cheaper - cannot remember the numbers but I remember the percentages - same product and same volume - it was 23% higher in Canada than down south - that was brought up again last week as my wife is the Prez of the local cattle association. My parts are higher. One single starter for our tractor up here was near 900 bucks new at the Case dealership - I bought it in the US for less than half price and lied through my teeth to get it home. Deads cannot be hauled to the back and dumped - although many still do - they must be "disposed of" and you bear that cost as well. Get caught dumping and you pay a stiff environmental fine. Ontario and provinces east are going to mandatory set backs from water - meaning you let an animal walk in a creek you will be heavily fined. And you will be required to put up a fence that passes inspection - or it will be done for you and you are billed. Blame Department of Oceans and Fisheries for this one and it has already hit the more easily accessed areas and the populated areas - as the profile is a lot higher. SPCA now pretty much has coast to coast rights of access. So - hate your neighbour? Call in an anonymous complaint. SPCA shows up - no warrant required. Police escort ALWAYS. Last week a 73 year old man was placed in hand cuffs and arrested within a few miles of our home. His crime? No one knows - no charges laid - but he spent the night in jail for PEACEFULLY - in front of witnesses - protesting the visit. Made it into several papers. By the way - SPCA is required by law to keep complaint origin confidential - so you can have a ball with a lot of neighbours of you really want to. Then - the distances required to haul to market - I am always astounded when I see someone telling me they have more than 10 sale barns within two hours drive. Try one place to haul to within 8 hours - not uncommon. I have one within 2 hours. One more if I drive nearly 4 hours and one more if I go about 6 hours. As I have stated in the past - if Canadians had even a pinch of the assistance provided by federal and state agencies south of the border it might be the saviour. We do not have a fraction of your assistance. I have posted a web site on this site that shows how much money each US farmer / rancher receives in cash grants and subsidies if they participate in programs. I can tell you that all the subsidy money I received during BSE did not fill my truck with fuel once the government tax man, the accountants and the lawyers were done helping us out. I am not saying everyone down south gets the cash - but if you participate in the programs you do - we do not have those programs. The feds are planning to provide loan guarantees - if you want more debt. But you still need to pay it back or sell your assets if you cannot. All the guarantee does is get you the money - you still bear all the risk. The agriculture safety program has failed to the point that a large majority of operators do not even qualify - I know - we are one of those. In fact this program is now reviewing its books and attempting to RECOVER monies paid out about three years ago - my neighbour is on his way to court over this - it may mean foreclosure of his operation and forced sale. Hard to believe, but true. So - Alberta farmer is quitting. He is only one of literally hundreds if not thousands. I hear folks say it should be a labour of love or get the helll out of the business and stop bittching about how tough it is. Unfortunately the reason folks are getting out is all of the above plus pricing control of major packers - most of whom are closing plants for reasons of centralization - so we haul even farther. No one really gives a schitte about food until it is gone. Perfect storm is driving many out right across the country. I only wish it was drought alone. Bez+ [/QUOTE]
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