The challenges facing Manitoba farmers this year going into the winter are much different from the challenges they faced last year. In 2005, many farmers had empty bins from the year before, and had little or no crop, going into the second year with empty bins. One farmer told me last year, farming used to be fun, but going into the second winter with empty bins, made that a stretch. I met him hauling beans this year, and I actually detected a slight smile on his face.
While 2004 was tough, it wasn’t near as tough as 2005. For most farmers they’re playing catch up making that challenge number 1. However, playing catch up with full bins makes life a little easier. The second challenge is the restructuring by Maple Leaf Foods that has many hog producers uneasy going into the winter. While affecting hog producers primarily, it will reach back further into the pockets of grain farmers too. Combine that with ethanol and biofuel debates and the grain and hog producers will have more quandaries to face.
A third challenge affects cattle producers, many who were shipping calves south are facing challenges from American processors who keep threatening, some have actually banning Canadian calves because the Japanese are refusing to buy American cattle from plants processing Canadian cattle. Now to me that’s a stretch, but the consumer and the do-gooders keep forcing the issue in Japan. We need to find alternate markets and maybe even alternate methods of selling those calves and cattle. At this point it doesn’t appear that Ranchers Choice Beef is an alternate method.
Fourthly, the Canadian Wheat Board challenge has the grain industry up in arms. Those who want the status quo and a 19th century marketing system [as one person put it] pulling out all stops to save the jobs in Winnipeg and keep farmers who want freedom of choice, from having that choice. I see a real big challenge for Wheat Board Minister Strahl, but he seems to be up to it. How far the Conservatives will take that challenges will depend on time left in their government’s mandate. They seem determined, but will they be determined enough, is my question.
These are some of the challenges facing farmers in Manitoba, the political scene as it pertains to grain and livestock farmers. However, these challenges dim by comparison those faced by producers without crops last year. Yes, the commodity prices leave something to be desired, but maybe that will change too, often at the peril of someone else.