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Let's make a dealBy Holly Martin The packer ownership provision is rearing its ugly head again in the Senate version of the farm bill. There's been a lot of talk about restricting the way cattlemen can market their cattle, but I've heard very little about controlling when a business may make purchases. No, the provision does not control how and when cattlemen may make purchases, but if Congress decides that it can control a packer's checkbook, why not yours and mine? So for the sake of illustration, why don't we make a deal? If the packers should be restricted on how and when they can buy their inputs, so should it be for the cattleman. Think about how it might be should Congress decide to control a cattleman's purchases. What if they said we could not buy inputs prior to 14 days before they are used, to protect the free market? For instance, cattlemen will not be allowed to purchase any feedstuffs except for what they can feed in 14 days. They must buy their corn, silage, and everything else on the market--every day, regardless of price. "But corn is $4 today and I could have bought it in October for $3.30," you say. I understand, but those are the new rules. We will not be able to raise our own corn, hay or any other feedstuffs, because that would be an unfair advantage. A free market is needed for grain and hay producers. And feeders may not purchase stockers to run on wheat ground in the winter before they come to the feedlot because that would be owning the cattle prior to the 14 day window of the law. No segment of the industry may overlap into the next. Surely you understand that I offer this scenario only as food for thought. I do not want the government telling me how and when I can buy or sell cattle, feed or anything else. I want the choice to be able to buy a year's worth of hay or buy it a bale at a time. I want the choice to be able to sell a load of heifers at the salebarn, on video auction, off the farm, or retain ownership at the feedlot. Perhaps instead of spending so much time and energy trying to control what other segments of the business do, we should focus our efforts on controlling our own portion of the business. Don't like the price? Take your cattle out of the commodity market, improve the quality and sell based on merit instead of pounds alone. That way, you have more of the power and aren't forfeiting control to the government. That's a much better deal in my book. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. 12/10/07 Date: 12/5/07
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