Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Video: Ethanol Mandate is Killing the Cattle and Hog Industry - Kevin Grier - George Morris Centre

Views: 61

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on May 31, 2011 at 3:38am

I wonder if Grier's point about the ethanol industry driving pork and beef producers out of business is accurate?

 

In Canada, I suspect the run up in the value of the Canadian dollar has been as damaging, I know Kevin said it has only had a little impact...$.63 to $1.03 is a big jump...

 

He also did not discuss that alot of this is being driven by $100 per barrel oil.

 

I liked his response to the GFO study:  "How is it going so far?"  

 

What do other cash and livestock producers think?

 

I think the disagreement will follow the sector lines.

 

Joe

Permalink Reply by John Schwartzentruber on May 31, 2011 at 6:49am

Of course there will be a division between the industries! I estiamte that ethanol production cost me aproximately $75 to $90/ hd. on the short yearlings I sold this spring. But that's O.K. - clearly Suncor and Greenfield need the money worse than just a disposable cow/calf guy. And the distillers return so much to our local economy - not.

 

Where is the justice in one feed grain user receiving a subsidy while another independent and more diversified user (who is traditionally the biggest and steadiest user) is forced to compete against a subsidized buyer?

 

And not to mention the fact that the unfair competition for grains is hitting the beef and pork sectors at just about the worst time imaginable with both meat sectors coming out of some of their worst financial years ever.

 

But there are other factors to consider. How about looking at how well the ethanol industry would be doing if all government subsidies were removed?

 

And what if we were to look at the true economy of ethanol from a comparitive fuel mileage perspective? Reports indicate that fuel economy is as much as 20% poorer - the higher the level of ethanol, the worse the mileage.

 

We have no true market test of what the product is worth. Until there is, it is nothing but another corporate welfare system.

 

It is way past time that the governments of this country get away from meddling in the market place and stay with their intended mandate of  maintaining law and order. Because when outside money comes into play, all objectivity becomes skewed and affected parties begin to produce according to government policy rather than market realities.

 

 

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

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

Market Movers to Watch for the Week of April 6

Key reports that farmers should watch which could have significant impacts on commodity markets the week of April 6th, 2025

MU Extension holds short-term operating plan workshops

If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue? University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected. “Farmers can be sidelined by health concerns, cognitive issues, accidents and injuries, family caretaker duties, military deployment or anything else that inhibits their ability to make decisions and operate their farm,” Amie Breshears, MU Extension agricultural business specialist, said in a news release. A short-term operating plan provides essential information and structure to keep the farm running until the key decision-maker is ready to resume their role, she said. Participants will leave the series with knowledge of components of short-term operating plans, Breshears said. The program is designed for female lan

Farmers deeply concerned about ag trade

Weaker expectations for the future led to a decline in farmer sentiment in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index decreased 12 points to a reading of 140, a decrease from 152 a month earlier. The farmer view of the future was decidedly less optimistic in March than in February, as the Index of Future Expectations dipped to 144, which was 15 points less than in February. A weaker Current Conditions Index, which decreased 5 points in March to 132, also contributed to the weakening in farmer sentiment. Reductions in key crop prices since mid-February, combined with concerns about the future of agricultural trade and farm policy, were important factors behind the sentiment shift. Even with the decline in expectations for the future, farmers were still more optimistic about the future than the current situation. The Future Expectations Index remained 12 points more than the Current Conditions Index. The March barometer survey took place March 10-14. Coinciding

Research farm seeks more farmer input

Staff at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm are trying to rouse up more attention and input from regional producers. ISU Extension staff and Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association officers reminded members at a recent annual meeting about the importance of their input for upcoming seasonal activities at the research farm, which is also home to the Borlaug Learning Center outside of Nashua in Chickasaw County, Iowa. “We are the best-kept secret in northeast Iowa,” Tim Burrack, president of the NIAEA, said to about 50 members filling a classroom on the farm. “We need to remind people this research farm is here for them.” The farm will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. The NIAEA owns the 260-acre research and demonstration farm. Iowa State and the association partnered to open the Borlaug Learning Center in 2009. The center includes Extension and research farm offices, rural development office space and meeting rooms.

Manitoba Government Providing $150 Million for Agricultural Producers

The Manitoba government will provide farmers and producers with more than $150 million in supports, including $10 million to match federal AgriStability funding, Premier Wab Kinew announced today. “We’re standing up for Westman and Western Canada, and protecting your jobs,” said Kinew. “With $150 million in supports for agriculture, we’re making sure that farmers and producers can weather the economic uncertainty we’re facing and protecting jobs in the agriculture industry.” The Manitoba government will provide $10 million in additional matching funds for the AgriStability program, as well as $140.8 million for business risk management programming including AgriInsurance, Wildlife Damage Compensation and AgriInvest. The premier noted the province is also working with farmers, producers and businesses to protect jobs, strengthen Manitoba’s economy and respond to tariffs from China and the United States, in addition to working with Keystone Agricultural Producers toward a number of sh

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service