In Canada we are lazy as farmers!!!!!!!

[SASKFARMER3]

The one profs comments in town to a
group of us was simple. Were all lazy we
should be seeding every square inch of
our farm. The Valley should be terraced
and seeded. Drain every single slough.
Have no lawns, Seed right up to bins.
We all listened, then he left.
Well see here in canada we have some
rules. Not like where this guy came
from.
1. drainage is a option if the
neighbours work together. AH starting to
drain into neighbors will get your ass
sued in canada.
2. Having lawns is pride thing it looks
nice, not like death.
3. Spraying out yard to seed. DAh its
canada now how do you get to your shed
bins etc. in spring, frost, or rain
event etc.
4.Seeding valley hills great but seems
some city people would be very pst about
view etc.
5.If cant expand will purchase some 50
miles away and work both farms, AH so
when you move their and it rains will
you travel 50 back only to have it rain
their.
6. Bring family over to work and run
farm. Yea we have labor laws. Cant do
like back home.
He might have more education than me,
but he is missing street smarts.
So it seems a Communist is going to have
some issues when the state is not their
to help him.

[SASKFARMER3]

I guess the whole situation is like the
guy who won lotto 6/49 and was going to
show every one how to do things.
Yea he works at a gas station now!

[ASRG]

In Havana Cuba they grow 50% of the food needed for the population right within the city. No lawns, former parks are all in vegetables (by the way all organic and beautiful produce).
If they came here and saw nothing but lawns and grass covered boulevards in our cities, I am sure they would think we must be crazy?

[oneoff]

When the question is asked and answered

"Does/should any farmer deserve/need/require, 50/100/all quarters of land?"


......then there will be some serious decisions for the Saskfarmers/all farmers/government/society to answer.

How's that for being concise. Too bad it can't be understood.

[blackpowder]

Some people mistrust/fear that which they dont understand.
Some mistrust anything/one bigger.
Someone pee in your pool today???

[oneoff]

The point is that the pond is only so big; and there is always a bigger fish out there. If the forty to fifty plus quarter guys can't look after themselves; I say lets concentrate our thoughts on the real problems of the majority who don't even fathom that there are also lots of sharks picking them off.
Some of the sharks are the saskfarmers.

[SASKFARMER3]

I'm not a shark boys, quit thinking this isn't a
problem. It is and it will get you. We have rules in
Canada the last time I checked.

[blackpowder]

Aw heck SK3 I agree with you.
Just not sure what you can do to slow it down. Eventually won't matter. Start by thanking any previous policy that kept SK land priced too cheap.
When I talk to all my peers, I can think of only 1 that somewhat understands the Chinese.
Their are some things that can only be understood by seeing for oneself.
Welcome to the 21st century.
Yes, we might be selling ourselves out. Although certainly not new events to mankind. I'd like to slow it down too.

[fjlip]

If the pond is full of only BIG fish after all us little fish are gone, guess what, they will EAT each other.
The biggest fish, "China", just swam into the pond.
We all know they are hungry for big fish.

[oneoff]

We were headed for mega farms anyway. Not many seemed concerned when it recently spiralled out of control.
I predict a day when a garden, some animals and milk, a potato patch, enough grain and staples to stave off hunger and some survival instincts and abilities will come in handy.
When you walk into the Walmart store and see the shelves partially unstocked, not a banana in the place etc; it gives one reason to suspect that given the right conditions; and some bad luck; it could just look like some of the Russian food store pictures of the recent past.
And whether it is the inability to hire workers to stock the shelves, or an actual shortage, it is only a matter of time until our "monopolies" let us down and this does happen. Everything seeems to be put in one basket; with just in time delivery and no backup evident.
How many are prepared; how many could function without the cell phone, facebook and texting; how many could even cook a meal?

[freewheat]

It would be right up my alley, oneoff.
Right up my alley. But your right, even
the farm folks these days are too busy,
too urbanized to grow a garden, raise a
beef, have some hens, utilize wild game,
etc. The ten minutes to feed the hens
and collect the eggs is time wasted for
fishing. And who will feed them when
they go to the latest warm destination
for a few weeks each winter?

Some still do these things, but most
think it is a waste of time. More acres
is where it is at for them. Well, more
acres and bigger, newer iron. And
perfect gravelled yards for all their
fancy depreciable liabilities. They grab
all the land they can, and wonder why
farming has gone how it has...

I do sometimes wonder what they will eat
when all hell truly breaks loose. They
don't even have game to hunt, for they
drain it all, push every last twig over
to make way for 80 foot drills, which
are the most important things in their
minds that they own. Then they come to
me begging to hunt on my land. I don't
think so... lol

I love my life. I have had a heck of a
struggle financially the last several
years, unlike most on here, but I really
feel I have a contentedness regardless,
that many seem to find so elusive...

Farming is a train wreck of a vicious
circle. The latest and greatest toys are
needed to justify more acres, more acres
are needed to then justify the next
batch of latest and greatest toys. And
then picking up another couple thousand
acres is a given, as they now have the
machinery to operate these acres. And
then.... Well, I think you get the
picture.

If we farmers would collectively just
relax, smell the roses, and not be so
dam competetive with our neighbors, we
may actually find that elusive
contentment. I see so little contentment
now a days....

[Len730]

You hit the nail on the head one viscous circle

[oneoff]

I see your point of view saskfarmer3. I don't sympathize.

You have only made it easier for the next stage. You were a relatively small player in this big game. Your part was accumulating a few quarters here and there. You now witness the next step of being gobbled yourself.
The only efficiency gained was eliminating the need for so much on farm labor. My guess is that the weight of iron increased by the "square"; and energy savings from fuel were offset by energy and transportation of refined chemicals and various gadgets now relied upon and seen as crucial parts of the farm economy.
This was also done at the expense of the fabric of rural farm life. I could give some examples; but just look at the local loss of your farm neighbours.
The replacements are and will be more correctly called acreages.

[SASKFARMER3]

Our area has lots of section or two quarter
farmers so no it's not me. Problem it's china
taking over stupid Canadians who are to blind to
see.

[blackpowder]

Agree that contentment is the secret to life.
Agree that we need to own up to our sovereignty. Stop being quite so 'nice'.
Voicing these opinions outside angriville earns the label of redneck, rural, western, podunk, and 'uncanadian'. Love that last one. Yes i've been called all these.
For different reasons I agree with Nicholsons' famous lines in A Few Good Men.
The rest of you are just navel gazing.
http://dotsub.com/media/b5ee5ada-5b37-4b0b-9916-e0896337ec4b/e/m