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U.S. adds packing plant capacity
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

U.S. adds packing plant capacity

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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Recently, I tried a package of Wagyu pre-made ground beef patties. They were priced right so I grilled them up. They were very good. Where did I get them? At Walmart. It wasn’t many years ago one could only buy Select grade beef at Walmart. Reflecting demand for higher-quality beef from customers, now they carry […] Read more
Politicians and bureaucrats talk about making the supply chain “resilient.” What they mean is, they want the industry to be able to continue no matter what happens. This could be accomplished, but it come at a huge cost.
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Dittmer: Congressional hearings reveal little and much

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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With the Biden administration drowning in bad poll results from bad policies, this is a bad time to be in its crosshairs. Both the House and Senate held beef industry hearings in April. The Senate “examined” the Fischer-Grassley bill seeking to mandate regional minimums on negotiated cash trade. They also referenced another bill calling for […] Read more
File photo of the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Free Market Reflections

Dittmer: Marketing and production challenges

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I understand there has been talk of interprovincial inspection and beef sales in Canada. There has been talk and legislation introduced to allow interstate meat sales down here but nothing has happened legislatively from that angle. However, USDA does now have a program to assist existing smaller plants to upgrade facilities from state regulatory standards […] Read more
Dittmer: Toxic brews of do-gooders, politicians and bureaucrats
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Dittmer: Toxic brews of do-gooders, politicians and bureaucrats

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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The problem with politics is that relative conservatives just want to be left alone to do things without unnecessary interference. Leftist activists want to save the world — or your world — by coercing behaviour. Which is why leftist ag groups and their enablers — leftist, big-government politicians and bureaucrats — keep trying to force […] Read more
Even a non-farming Californian ought to question why less “cruelty” should produce fewer baby pigs and more dead sows. – Steve Dittmer.
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Looking forward at progress

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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Sometimes in crazy times, it’s good to back up and look at the cards showing and your hole cards. Economically speaking, inflation is one key factor. A key inflation driver is fossil fuel costs. It enters in every phase of beef production beyond our magic photosynthesis machine — the cow. As both major producers and […] Read more
U.S. proposes marketing “fixes”
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

U.S. proposes marketing “fixes”

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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Several factors may improve the beef business in Canada soon. As we’ve noted, China has been aggressive in driving the global beef market. The delivery of Meng Wanzhou back to China and the release of the Canadians should ease that cloud over relations. The U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel were dropped at the recent […] Read more
Taxes, trade and tortured “logic”
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Taxes, trade and tortured “logic”

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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Regarding the export market, Japan has a new prime minister but nothing has indicated that will appreciably affect their economy. China is reining in tech firms, the property market and other industries. We hope that doesn’t have major impacts on their demand for fed beef but it needs monitoring, given their importance in global beef […] Read more
California restauranteurs are concerned that a meat staple of many dishes such as the one seen here is going to be gutted from their menus come January.
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Disappearing bacon — what’s next?

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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Reality can bite for voters ruled by emotion rather than informed decision-making. But this time, it could take away something to bite into. Restauranteurs in California are getting very concerned that a meat staple of many dishes, especially in breakfast-centred restaurants, is going to be gutted from their menus in January. Beginning then, much of […] Read more
Negotiated cash report, packer struggles
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Negotiated cash report, packer struggles

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reported on the first quarter of monitoring the share of U.S. cattle bought through negotiated cash vs. other procurement methods. Not too surprisingly, there was good news and bad news, for those favouring more negotiated cash sales. The regions that customarily sell more finished cattle through negotiated cash sales […] Read more
The more government piles on regulations, the bigger the advantage for bigger operators with deeper pockets leaving smaller operators disadvantaged or driven out of business.
Comment/Columns, Free Market Reflections

Are we headed for government-run packers?

Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer

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You folks up north might remember when President Obama and the labour unions took over General Motors. People started referring to GM as Government Motors. Well, we’ve got folks who want to turn our packers into quasi-government packing companies. After all, if the government is going to tell packers how to buy cattle, how many […] Read more

Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field

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