Producers Problems

Everybody knows my position on the big meat packers and Texas cattle feeders and how these big guys influence the cattle business. Over at <a href="http://northviewdiary.blogspot.com/"> Northview Diary</a> I found the Dairy producers Take on <a href="http://northviewdiary.blogspot.com/2006/01/on-this-second-day-of-2006-it-is-back.html">big producers</a> and the effect on them.<br />n<br />n<blockquote>However, the free and easy import of Canadian cows is rough for smaller dairy farmers as it facilitates further expansion for the big guys, some of whom import a tractor trailer load of springing heifers every few weeks. This increases the supply of milk and, with that old debbul cause and effect, it also lowers milk prices for everyone.</blockquote><br />n<br />nThe post also explains how the border closure with Canada affected dairy producers and how opening the border up is going to hurt small farmers.<br />n<br />n<blockquote>Then there is the marketing situation. Milk supply in the USA is controlled almost entirely by a few gigantic food companies.</blockquote><br />n<br />nSame thing for beef producers. A few large companies control the processing so they control the market to a large degree.<br />n<br />nBeef producers and Dairy producers are not always on the same page when it comes to what they want in agriculture, but it sure is interesting to read the problems small dairy producers are running into and understand them. Thanks Marianne for the wonderful information. Your a must read for me. I wish there was some advice I could give you that would help. Keep your head up and keep plugging away. Thanks for what you do.<br />n<br />n<b>If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope. Jacques Yves Cousteau </b>