$CND at 90 cent USD !

[blackpowder]

I well remember the old CWB telling me to take what I get and like it. They were price takers just like the rest of us. The difference is that now you can see what's going on in the basis.
The coffee row farmers can sit and crow all they like.

[Hopalong]

Do not think farmer owned companies were any better.
When time came to accept buyout offer, most chose to put owner interests ahead of farmers generally.
Growers benefit from those who perform a useful role in getting grain from producers to consumers.
Might be less criticism of grain companies if more had publicly traded shares.

[farmaholic]

Hopalong, like the railways, right?

[Hopalong]

I was one of those critical of railways, thinking that public opinion would pressure governments to force more regulation on them, eventually leading to lower profits and share price.
Not happening so far.

[farmaholic]

Money/profit trumps all, even level of service or fair pricing practices let alone the lowest on the list, public perception. The VAST MAJORITY have no idea what shippers and grain producers are up against. Take your position on the board, you are a pawn and expendible.....

[farmaholic]

The "game" board, that is.......

[sumdumguy]

Farming in land-locked hinterland can have its challenges. We could use a little help from government, but dare I to say, " has anyone actually seen this governmenr?"

[sumdumguy]

Just had to look it up on government website; Lyle Stewart is provincial Minister of Agriculture.

[sk_wheatking]

Sorry to say it guys but western Canadian grain farmers have no relevance in the world markets at all. The input companies along with grain and machinery dealers and everyone else along the way erode all of your profit every year no matter what. Europe and the United States are the same but government subsidies and floor priced grain keeps them viable. You don't have to look far here in Canada for proof of that. Look at the dairy industry in Quebec.

[fjlip]

Found a quote....farmers are the chickens...

What is this free enterprise system? It is the law of the jungle applied to economics. It is the law of every man for himself, as the elephant said when he was dancing among the chickens. That is not a bad philosophy if, like the hon. member for York - Sunbury, you happen to be in the elephant class, but it is likely to be depressing if you are a farmer or worker, and belong in the chicken group. Free enterprise means unrestricted competition; the race to the swift and the battle to the strong; nature red in tooth and claw.

Tommy Douglas: Budget Debate, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, March 22, 1943