New trade agreement

[freewheat]

I heard that it is a low percent, like 10 max., of import relaxing to dairy products. I have no idea what the impact would be, but I doubt it would be the devastation some think? Maybe I am wrong on this?

[FarmRanger]

Of course the dairy industry works well, it receives billions of dollars worth of consumer subsidies every year, with the ability to increase the subsidy whenever they feel like it.

How about we leave those dollars in the hands of consumers to spend on other things, and also have the added bonus of avoiding having the rest of our exports being shut out of trade agreements like the TPP.

[riders2010]

Once you open the door there is no going back and it won't be just 10%. That's not a high price for milk. When everything else that's imported is a stupid price.

So the cheapest producer of grain or the most subsidized grain will prevail right.

And is there any reason why there are so few details about this right in the middle of an election.
Getting to be stooping pretty low.

[Jay-mo]

The way I understand SM in dairy, it's a government backed milk cartel?
Nobody can decide to start a dairy without paying a fortune for a "quota" and getting the nod from the godfather.
My observation is that the quota is worth more then actually running a dairy causing almost all small operators to just sell out because expansion is so cost prohibitive and they can retire millionaires on a small quota sale.
Doesn't really seem to be that great for those even in the business. More of an irrational fear mongering similar to the cwb fanatics predicting doom and gloom at the demise of the monopoly.

[riders2010]

Ok well I can't say I know all those details but why are all those farmers against it then?

[perfecho]

I will agree with a problem with price of milk quota, not allowing entries into the market, however why not fix that problem and move forward...instead of throwing the baby out with the bathtub.
Us uses BGH in their milk production...I don't want that.. I will pay a bit more to keep Canada's producers going. I don't want my mild to come from a major producer...I would like to see a number of families making a living.
This "bigger" will bite us, one day...

[wmoebis]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the gov't doesn't set or have anything to do with the price of quota. That is something that producers have started and agreed to among themselves.
No different than me contracting canola then not wanting to fill it so I sell or give it to another producer to fill.

[foragefarmer]

I get a kick out posters on here, a few envious grain farmers(not all) trying to show concern for what consumers are paying for dairy products. I call B.S.

You guys could only wish you were as organized as the dairy industry, running ads on TV about their products, setting up protests in Ottawa in a matter of days.

Like a few stated on here it's only 10% now, but just wait. I have no problem with what dairy farmers are making and say good for them! Maybe they saw how disorganized grain movement has become in Western Canada in the past few years.

[TOM4CWB]

Jay-mo is basically correct.

$ Millions have been made on the backs of consumers and many present milk producers... by Dairy farmers who sold out the Milk Quota....

The problem is really how to unwind the bank loans used to buy the Milk Quota... and not bankrupt present Milk farmers. Egg producers are in the same quandary. I believe there is close to $20B in Dairy Quota book value here in Canada.

[foragefarmer]

Tom4cwb

"$ Millions have been made on the backs of consumers and many present milk producers... by Dairy farmers who sold out the Milk Quota.... "

Where else are dairy farms suppose to make their money, if not from consumers?What happens when a grain farmer sells out, doesn't he/she make the money off the buyer? Tom, I guest you like it better when Grain Companies make their money off the backs of grain farmers, and that dairy farmers should be the same way!

Tom, you just don't like other farming enterprises making money, do you? You should be thankful for what you have not what others have, it's bad for the soul!!! Have a great day!!!