dual system debate 101

[TOM4CWB]

Vader;

We had a great ABC convention; many good discussions on these very issues.

Another Monopoly really got the big slam... the CGC and grading inconsistancy/lack of integrety of Certificate Final of a boat load... as it seems the CGC will not stand behind Certificate Finals all the time.

CWB in handling/transportation to port logistics got the big work over...

Third party interference(the CWB) doen't make for a good coordination between railway and handlers on some days!

I note Vader:

That the near monopoly situation on buying entities has come more BECAUSE of the CWB... Grain CO.'s must deal with this "single desk" and need to create a force close to the one they deal with... which invites concentration of our industry!

Play with fire... and others learn to fight fire with fire!

We had a Very good presentations by Mr. Len Penner of President of Cargill and Mr. Brant Randles President and CEO of Louis Dreyfus Canada.

You should have been there!

Mr. Penner discussed "What does it take to be in the Agri-food Industry"

Mr. Randles took a run at suggesting... How we could improve marketing and Transportation Logistics to improve our western Canadian bulk grain handling system.

[Vader]

Tom, it is quite amazing how you can blame everyting on the CWB, including corporate concentration. Do you really think that the existence of the CWB has anything to do with the size of Cargill, ADM, Bunge, and Drefuss in the whole wide world, and the pace at which they are buying out their competition? Do you dream in technicolor?

[agstar77]

Just when you think you have heard it all!! Tsk Tsk T4.

[TOM4CWB]

Vader;

Economics 101.

Economic reality is what it is... not something I create out of thin air.

WD9 I believe stated the 4 producer theory... somewhat in jest... but reality in economics none the less.

You must admit that power and wealth in one group will tend to align others to balance the other side...

To deal with the first group's market power and wealth effectively...

Equilibrium, the pendulum swings back and forth... common economics well known.

The EU gathers strength... to balance the US...

Brazil, S. A./Asian economies band together against the US/EU in the WTO.

THe Alliances grow... gain; power, influence...

Why do nation states and Corp's do what we do?

Survival/Strength from the worldly perspective is actually quite simple isn't it?

[Vader]

Sorry Tom, I totally disagree with your contention that the multi-nationals grew in power to offset the power of the CWB. Totally ridiculous. Someone who has a solid economics background told me that you can actually quantify market power. He said that the amount of market power that the CWB has is insignificant compared to the multinationals. Just look at the corporate earnings of Cargill, ADM, Bunge, Dreyfuss and ConAgra. Together they control around 80% of the world trade in grain. In wheat alone that is 100 million tonnes. The cwb's share of wheat trade is about 20 million tonnes per year and the cwb does not trade in corn, soybeans rice, sugar etc, etc, etc. How can you say that the CWB has concentracted market power and is to blame for the concentration of the grain traders?

Tom you are totally unbeliveable.

Now where I do agree with you is that the pendulum needs to swing. Farmers around the world need to "band together" to balance the power of the multinationals. Let us simply divide up the world markets and prorate the production amongst the farmers. Let us assume that we actually have supply management on a global scale. Then let us set the price so that farmers can make a living. Just like General Motors. Let's base ag products on the cost of production.

What is the alternative. Farmers will all but disappear. Just go to any large farm meeting. Have a look at all the grey heads. Who are we kidding? Agriculture will have a rough go if we keep doing what we are doing. Or are you the future of agriculture Tom? Can you show us the way? What is your plan? Divide and conquer? Whose plan is that?

[Vader]

Tom, I am sure that you and Len Penner get along very well. You probably suit his plan perfectly.

[silverback]

You should know whose plan is "Divide and Conquer" very well Vader.

It has been the policy of your Liberal masters for years - with great success!

Sometimes it is better to learn from the successful.

[TOM4CWB]

What a plan Vader;

Let us reset the clock to 1929... and play it again!

Can farmers change currency?

The biggest factor in the loss of value of our grain today vs. 3 years ago!

The biggest challenge in the future for CDN farmers to remain viable... CDN $ relative to the US $.

AND the CWB risk management plan?

1929 technology... do nothing and burry our collective heads in the gravel...

What are those 6" by 8" by 8ft long toothpicks that hold up our 2 handrails to oblivion Vader?

Hmmm... I hear a rumble


ASK Mr. Penner what he thinks of me Vader... see what he replies!

I certainly would be interested to know!

In 2006, to make a farm sustainable... a WRITTEN PLAN will be necessary for a profitable outcome to this growing season.

What is the CWB Marketing plan Vader?

What was this I read about management by accident?

Please sh

[wedino]

Vader, Quote "Farmers around the world need to "band together" to balance the power of the multinationals. Let us simply divide up the world markets and prorate the production amongst the farmers."

How do you decide who gets to produce? Will they be penalized if they produce too much? How do you explain to starving people when the chosen few(those that actually get to produce) have a crop failure?

Each year there are 100's of thousands of people that die due to starvation. Wouldn't we be better off if we could figure a way to feed these people?

[Vader]

Cry me a river Wedino. I have heard enough about starving people all over the world. For the most part it is their own govenments fault. Is wheat at $1.75 not cheap enough for the starving people of the world? Should we produce even more for even less? You sound just like T4. What about my starving family because I am selling at below my cost of production.