Western Feedlots shutting down feeding operations

[SASKFARMER3]

This is Political and Sask should get on board and get them to move here.

NDP definition is Disaster! Look it up its in the Oxford dictionary.

Picture of Allen Tommy and Roy!

[boarderbloke]

forage, who's Neil Young ?

[SASKFARMER3]

Follow the money lots of Investors were Oil guys and when your not making money on oil you don't need cattle to offset that profit.

Always follow the money.

[grassfarmer]

Western had 7% of AB/SK feedlot capacity so not sure how big an impact this will have. The Canadian herd has shrunk @25% from its post BSE peak so its likely a necessary realignment.

[SASKFARMER3]

No I disagree.

Oil guys liked cattle as a right off.

Oil guys hate NDP and Your princess.

Oil guys don't need right off.

Oil guys shut it down.

Its politics.

NDP is a disaster for farmers.

Real simple.

NDP spells disaster. Just look at Alberta.

[ajl]

Likely record losses on feeding cattle in a down cycle and now quitting before the up part of the cycle was a biggest actual factor. The very real threat of carbon taxes coming for the large feedlots was likely a factor. However, it does appear the investors think land speculation is the game as 'farming' will continue. I think that ship has sailed but it is possible AB farmland get bid up like Vancouver as more Chinese money is going to flee China in the next 5 years. The resale value of a used feedlot is $0.

[perfecho]

SF#...take both hands and push real hard....maybe you can get your head out of your ass. The reason we are in this mess is from the Cons mismanagement....not that the ND's are going to be much better, but a changes was needed and another one will be needed soon. Had an long term cons MP for a visit, and even he agreed. He was in Federal politics during the Klein time, and could point to the mismanagement. Had we had a real government for the past 20 years, we would not be operating a deficit....and the Bill 6, carbon tax, etc., were already on the table, just a matter of time. Had the wildrose gotten in, Alberta would be in an even rougher position...many more laid off.
Although I think the shoe hasn't really hit yet, many sectors are actually doing OK. Friend has an offer on her house at what I think is a ridiculously high price...friends selling new development houses on south side of Edmonton, having some of their busiest times. I don't get it, but the world hasn't stopped out here.
You are likely right on oil field money at Western...and they spent too much and now the gov likely won't help them out....not like the previous government, who would have helped....if you were their friends.

[blackpowder]

Intersting how over half the comments after the article in The Herald are anti meat, business, modern ag.

[wmoebis]

See lots of small feedlots sitting empty. Operators said it was because they couldn't compete with big lots.
See lots of feed grain that maybe a hard/slow/low valued sale.

Is there an opportunity to get small feeders back into business and market some of this low quality grain through there own or joint venture cattle.

So what if feed conversion rate is slow we aren't going to market all this feed grain in one year anyways.

[perfecho]

Our game plan is likely changed for this year. Considering keeping calves and putting the barley through them, then sell. We are small operators....much smaller since BSE...but the local market thing seems to be growing by leaps and bounds...do a little already, so might see if can expand that. Living near Edmonton gives a pretty big customer base. Sell purebred cattle as well, but think that market is going to be off somewhat as well.