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14 The Manitoba Co-operator | July 12, 2012 Views divided on outcome of open market Open-market supporter Rick Swenson says the lack of a plan will hurt thousands of farmers By Allan Dawson co-operator staff / moose jaw Aprominent open-market supporter is warning that as many as one-third of Prairie grain farmers could be pushed out of business within five years because the ending of the CWB monopoly was pushed through too quickly. “In my view ideology never pays bills and it never puts food on the table without a good business plan,” said Rick Swenson, a Moose Jaw farmer, former Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, and one-time Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association director. “And I don’t care if you’re a socialist or a free enterpriser, if you don’t have a good business plan you’re not going to be successful.” A range of issues, including railway market power, grain company access to port terminals, and the viability of producer cars should have been addressed before the federal government imposed an open market, Swenson told the 19th annual Farm for Profit conference. Swenson said elevator and freight charges are his biggest expenses, and the board was the only agency trying to rein in those costs. “A grain producer — and I don’t care how big your air seeder is — is not going to get into that queue with any amount of commercial viability unless you are, in my view, having some way to work SMALLTOWNFRIENDLY BIGTOWNFUN Whether you’re in town shopping, visiting family & friends or checking out a fabulous restaurant, be sure to take in these great upcoming events in Winnipeg! 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He also predicted the CWB won’t survive in any form. “Any time you have a forced ending to anything it is an ugly experience for individuals,” he said. “Good business plans never require force.” Given more time, a “voluntary wheat board” would have evolved, but it won’t happen now unless farmers “get off our duffs” and make that happen, he said. Swenson’s view was echoed by Swift Current farmer Stewart Wells, a former CWB director and high-profile board supporter. He call the change one of the biggest in Western Canadian agriculture since Confederation and likened the new CWB to the 1968 horror film Rosemary’s Baby, where the devil impregnates an unsuspecting woman. “What we’ve got here right now is (Agriculture Minister) Gerry Ritz’s baby and everybody knows that it’s problematic and it’s sort of a monster, but nobody really knows what to do with it,” said Wells. More optimistic Other speakers predicted things will work out fine. Moose Jaw farmer Vaughn Cone said he welcomes the open market because he can forward sell crops to cover his production costs. Former Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association president Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel also supports BIRDS IN FLIGHT SHOW Four shows daily 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm & 4 pm *Shows start May 19th www.assiniboineparkzoo.ca SUMMER SAVINGS Mention The Visitors Guide and save 15% www.innforks.com 1-877-377-4100 Some restrictions apply. Expires September 3rd, 2012 “In my view ideology never pays bills and it never puts food on the table without a good business plan. And I don’t care if you’re a socialist or a free enterpriser, if you don’t have a good business plan you’re not going to be successful.” RICK SWENSON the change, saying it will make her farm more profitable. Moreover, farmers can now put the divisive debate to bed and co-operate on other policy issues, she said. But not everyone is at that point yet. Farmer support for the CWB had increased since farmers were put in charge of its operations starting in 1998 and they should have been given 100-per-cent control, said former board director and Bladworth, Sask. farmer Ian McCreary. University of Manitoba agricultural economist Brian Oleson decried board opponents who “tried to revise history” and downplay its accomplishments. University of Saskatchewan professor Gary Storey reminded the audi- Farmer Rick Swenson supports an open market but says its being imposed too quickly and without a business plan, which, according to him, will hurt many farmers photo allan dawson ence that the board was created to give farmers market power against railways and grain companies. “It turns out those companies were colluding,” he said. “They were fixing the price among themselves. We’ve thrown that out and we’re back to where we were about a hundred years ago or a little longer. “I hope things work out well, but I’m a little suspicious that history repeats itself.” ICE futures on ice? University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist Ken Rosaasen said the new ICE futures market for wheat, durum and barley fails to provide risk protection or price discovery because there’s so little trade. 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There’s a risk the so-called “Great Grain Robbery,” which occurred in the U.S. in 1972, could be repeated here, Rosaasen warned. allan@fbcpublishing.com Guided Walking Tour of Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg’s French Quarter $ 2 OFF ADULT FEE FOR ONE PERSON (REGULAR PRICE $7) 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily (Duration 1.5 hours) Tours depart from Old St. Boniface City Hall, 219 Provencher Boulevard www.tourismeriel.com | 233-8343. Offer valid through 03.09.2012 WINNIPEG SOUTH 1330 PEMBINA HWY. 1-800-423-1337 WINNIPEG AIRPORT WEST 2520 PORTAGE AVE. 1-800-665-0352 1.855.PEG.CITY (734.2389) VisitWinnipeg TourismWPG
The Manitoba Co-operator | July 12, 2012 15 Canada at TPP table By Alex Binkley CO-OPERATOR CONTRIBUTOR / OTTAWA After months of concerted lobbying, Canada has won a seat at the negotiating table for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Although the trade talks have yet to produce specific deals, they are viewed as a gateway to Asia-Pacific markets and the federal government was anxious to gain membership. The group now consists of the U.S., Australia, Mexico, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Many expect Japan and China will eventually join. “Considering the economic growth rate in Asia-Pacific, TPP membership is an important strategic decision for our country’s long-term economic growth and prosperity,” said Ron Bonnett, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Thanks to persistent lobbying by New Zealand, Canada’s participation in the talks has always been cast in terms of ending dairy and poultry supply management. The government has always said it won’t sacrifice supply management and the subject wasn’t mentioned by Prime Minister Stephen Harper when the deal was announced. Dairy Farmers of Canada said it expects Ottawa to continue “to defend supply management in all international forums and bilateral trade negotiations.” Other groups are keen to see other tariff walls come down. The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association wants all TPP countries to eliminate import tariffs on live cattle, bovine genetics, beef and beef products. Of particular interest are the elimination of Japan’s 38.5-per-cent and Vietnam’s 20-per-cent tariffs on beef. A Pacific trade deal would boost the prospects of Canadian hog producers, said Canadian Pork Council chair Jean-Guy Vincent. “Many of Canada fastest growing pork export markets are in this region and pork exports to its top ten Pacific Asian markets, in addition to Japan, have quadrupled over the past 10 years to now exceed $600 million on an annual basis,” he said. “In the absence of Canadian membership in these critical negotiations, Canadian meat exports would have become progressively disadvantaged in the dynamic and growing trans-Pacific marketplace,” added Jim Laws, executive director of the Canadian Meat Council. MOSQUITO CATCHERS EMERGE Many species of this colourful insect breed in Manitoba’s wetlands. PHOTO: GRACIE CRAYSTON www.farm-king.com Crucial details connecting your combine to the market Grain Vac - PTO Model Grain Vac - Diesel Model Backsaver Auger - Feterl Original 12/14 Backsaver Auger - Feterl Original 12 Drive-over Hopper On-Farm Grain Storage Utility Auger / Unloading Auger Rollermill / Hammermill Higher input costs and tighter margins require a complete grain management system to make your operation as profitable as possible. The complete line of Farm King grain handling equipment ensures you get top dollar for your crop. With decades of grain handling experience, Farm King offers everything you need to get your grain to market after it leaves the combine. Backsaver Auger 10/13/16 Conventional Auger Conventional Auger - Feterl Original Grain Cleaner Visit www.farm-king.com to find a dealer near you. ©2012 Buhler Trading Inc. | 888.524.1004 | info@buhler.com | www.farm-king.com
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