Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

TIME TO RALLY

After hearing that both levels of government want to do more meetings and discuss the future of agriculture in Canada I wonder if it is time to bring all non supply managed farmers and their elected officials together for a major rally to get the point accross that wait and see is not an answer and we need results now. Is this a good idea and if so how do we get the ball rolling.

Views: 588

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by bert on March 9, 2010 at 1:22am
Tom Murray said:
JoAnne Caughill said:
I agree with John that it is the Provincial Government that needs to help us out right away to save this Industry. However I would not let the Federal Government off the hook so quickly. They have AgriStability which (even though Gerry thinks it does) IS NOT working for producers. His 80% satisfaction rating has to be many years old. They need to fix this program. Sheila Frasier, Auditor General has spoke severely against this program and it's ability to work as it should as outlined in the Farm Income Protection Act. We need to take Gerry to task on this program and make it stand up to their (Government's) own test of FIPA.

I think we need a MAJOR protest - and yes as pointed out in another email - it would be great if all Provinces could agree to protest together on the same dates. Anyone interested in this from other provinces can contact me through this chat forum. Let's work together.
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on March 19, 2010 at 5:06am
To pull off a major rally, there needs to be more than a grass roots revolt....there needs to be organization and lots of communication...where are ofa and cfa on this? they have the time and ability...do we need to push them into action?
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 19, 2010 at 6:30am
It is not wether we need to push them but how we push them. I do not think they are listening and understanding how bad things really are or they would be organizing something already.
Permalink Reply by John Gillespie on March 20, 2010 at 2:59am
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 20, 2010 at 9:52am
Do you think that there might be to many orginizations. I belong to several and the same message is being put out but like you say not enough people coming forward at each groups meetings. Maybe we need less groups working for us in order to have a united voice. I wonder if one orginization stepped up and really started to push how many people would come out. I feel most people do not bother because they see it is a slow process and of little value. One load group seems to work in places in Europe as well as in Quebec.

John Gillespie said:
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by linda Hancock on March 20, 2010 at 10:15am
I have to agree with both Tom and roadrunner. Like who is the Bruce county federation of agriculture. When I start looking around there are way to many groups all trying to work towards helping agriculture but not unified enough with each other to make a difference. I have not been to my own cattlemens meeting for 15 years or more mainly to busy but I am going this year because everyones voice is important and now is the time to stand up or soon there will be nothing to stand up for.

Tom Murray said:
Do you think that there might be to many orginizations. I belong to several and the same message is being put out but like you say not enough people coming forward at each groups meetings. Maybe we need less groups working for us in order to have a united voice. I wonder if one orginization stepped up and really started to push how many people would come out. I feel most people do not bother because they see it is a slow process and of little value. One load group seems to work in places in Europe as well as in Quebec.

John Gillespie said:
RoadRunner

I see you asking where the OFA is and why they have not been organizing rallies. As a vice president in the Bruce County federation of Agriculture I am going to turn the question around and ask where have the members been? OFA has been asking for the RMP and other programs and changes. We have not been getting much response from Government to our requests. We know things have to change BUT we are not seeing much from our members. Last fall at our county annual meeting ( with almost 1400 members in the county) we had 70 people out, about 1/2 were directors and spouses, plus media and politicians, hardly any regular members. There were NO resolutions presented for us to do anything different and I think the hog and beef sectors were in trouble last fall too. We always make our monthly board meetings open to members, and we never have any come. If you want to push OFA to do more you have to show up. Go to your county meeting and ask them to do more. Better yet take 25 of your neighbours with you. If 5 or 6 regional directors go to the next OFA board meeting and say they each had 50 or 100 members out to the last county board meetings demanding rallies/protests etc then more is likely to happen.

The leadership of OFA can't do everything for the members without some help. Our county can't even fill all the township director chairs, and most of us have off farm work besides, so we need more help. If you want to provide it, we will accept.
Permalink Reply by John Gillespie on March 20, 2010 at 2:57pm
Well the BCFA is the local level of OFA. We deal with local issues, and act as a voice for members to interact with the provincial OFA.

I do agree there are too many groups, and that the Quebec model works much better, getting there is going to be an interesting process but some parts are starting (Grain Farmers).

The real question is if we do decide to become more active, (and rallies are just one option, a very concentrated lobby on MP/MPP's may be just as effective, if say every MP/MPP had a personal visit every day, and a call and fax every 15 minutes for 2 or 3 weeks) how many people are going to support us, and how many have just given up?
Permalink Reply by Tom Murray on March 22, 2010 at 2:27am
The real point is one of our leadership has to step up and tell us what needs to be done and tell it so that we get a huge majority on board. If not we might as well quit right now. I will support anything that is seen as helping the cause but I am sick of going to meetings that do not accomplish anything. The farm can no longer support my family so my wife and myself ( just like many others ) have found it necessary to work full time jobs and run the farm, how much time do we have to attend meetings that appear to be going no where......none

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

SaskCrops has sent in their submission for the Federal pre-budget consultations

SaskCrops sent in their annual submission last week for Finance Canada’s federal pre-budget consultations. SaskCrops represents the vast majority of grain and oilseed producers in Saskatchewan through the participating growers' associations - SaskBarley, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Sask Wheat. The groups note that research funding remains a key advocacy priority for SaskCrops and want to see significant, predictable, and sustained investment in research from the government. Here is a list of recommendations the group would like to see included in the next budget and implemented. - Recommendation 1: That the government provides continued, stable, and enhanced investments in crop plant genetic research. - Recommendation 2: That the government invests in regional agronomic research to identify best management practices that capture increased yield potential from enhanced genetic innovations across diverse agroecological landscapes. - Recommend

Sask Barley joins Western Crop Innovations

Western Crop Innovations continues to grow. The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission has joined Western Crop Innovations (WCI) as a voting member. Sask Barley has committed $50,000 in core funding as a transitional grant for the current fiscal year. Western Crop Innovations (WCI) work focuses on developing feed and forage barley, malting barley, and triticale varieties specifically tailored for the Western Prairies. The newly formed organization - formerly known as the Field Crop Development Centre - was founded earlier this year. WCI's Interim Executive Director Mark Olson says SaskBarley's endorsement is important adding there is a reason we named our organization WESTERN Crop Innovations - the work we do is intended to benefit farmers from Manitoba to BC. Sask Barley's Executive Director Jill McDonald says joining WCI as a Tier 1 member allows us to collaborate more closely on projects that will directly benefit our growers, and we’re excited to contribute to shaping

The deadline for the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors is Friday

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are looking to fill three positions on their Board of Directors.  Nominations are now being accepted for the three-year term positions.  SPG sees particular value in candidates with the following characteristics and experience:  Active role in the farm operation and its decision-making  Pulses are an important part of the operation of the farm  Interested in soybeans, faba beans, and chickpeas  Interested in learning more about joining the SPG Board from current Directors? SPG’s Nominations Committee would be interested in discussing the opportunity with you – feel free to reach out to the committee members below:  Trent Richards – Assiniboia, SK (306-640-7995)  Brad Blackwell – Dinsmore, SK (306-846-7091)  If you are a registered pulse producer (i.e. you have sold a pulse crop and paid levy to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers anytime since September 1, 2021), and are interested in taking an active role on the board you'll find the 2024-2025 SPG Board of Di

Trade War Looming Between Canada And China

The last time China took revenge on Canada, our canola industry suffered between 1.5 and 2.3 billion dollars in sales. That was the Huawei incident, when a top executive with the Beijing based company was taken into custody at the Vancouver airport at the request of the US government. China quickly retaliated by halting shipments of canola from Canada, claiming some of the shipments contained debris and was contaminated. No proof was ever given and none was offered. The Chinese government knows, when you want to get our government’s attention, go after canola, one of our most lucrative exports to that country. This week, in clear retaliation for Ottawa’s decision to tack on 100 percent tariffs to any Chinese built electric vehicle coming here, Beijing said it plans to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada. It’s not cutting off trade in the oilseed, at least not yet, perhaps using it as a warning for the Trudeau government to rethink its decision on Chine

Ag Barometer: Sentiment improves despite concerns

All three broad-based measures of farmer sentiment improved in July. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 8 points to 113. At the same time, the Index of Current Conditions increased by 10 points to 100, and the Index of Future Expectations at 119 was 7 points higher than a month earlier. July’s sentiment improvement occurred even though prices for both corn and soybeans declined from the time survey responses were collected in June to July, according to a university news release. For example, Eastern Corn Belt cash prices for corn and soybeans declined 11% and 5%, respectively, from mid-June to mid-July. Responses to the individual questions used to calculate the indices indicated the sentiment shift was primarily attributable to fewer respondents saying conditions were worse than a year earlier and fewer saying they expect bad times in the future. Data collection for the July survey took place from July 15-19, which coincided with the dates for the Repu

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service