
Tag Archives politics

Disappearing bacon — what’s next?
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
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

Dittmer: Senate hearing elicits critical facts and logic
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
A Senate hearing on your industry is always dangerous. It’s especially dangerous now for the U.S. cattle industry. Two Senate bills would mandate that each major packing plant procure 50 per cent of its cattle weekly by negotiated cash. The furor in the industry about such a drastic move, the remembered pandemic spectre of empty […] Read more

U.S. to expand cattle sales data after complaints from ranchers, Congress
Reuters – The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Thursday it will begin releasing two new reports on cattle sales next week, after ranchers and members of Congress raised concerns about possible anti-competitive behaviour in the market. The reports follow a July executive order from President Joe Biden that calls for the federal government to promote competition […] Read more

The beef industry’s voice in Ottawa
In representing producers on the national and global stage, Fawn Jackson has blended her passion for agriculture and politics into a rewarding career. She credits mentorship for a big part of her success
Fawn Jackson knows firsthand the power of mentorship in helping youth in agriculture succeed. She speaks warmly of the people who made a difference along her career path, and she’s an advocate for taking advantage of opportunities to learn from others at every stage of the game. “For me, mentorship has been such a key […] Read more

Negotiated cash report, packer struggles
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
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

Are we headed for government-run packers?
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
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

The Chinese situation: Questions but few new answers
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
The new administration down here started off with a rush. Incoming President Biden early issued a record number of executive orders (50+), nominated and got confirmed a few top officials and then everything else stalled while Congress wrangled over a $1.9 trillion (yes, that’s a T) supposed COVID-relief bill that mostly wasn’t. Clear messages were […] Read more

Dittmer: New sheriff leans way left
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
As you’ve heard, there’s a new sheriff in town down here. The political, economic and regulatory direction has been turned 180 degrees overnight. Unfortunately, Canada was one of the very first victims of President Biden’s wrath of the leftists. A sorry occurrence for you and for us. The only people likely to be happy that […] Read more
Comment: Still America first
Updated March 11 Depending on your political persuasion, you likely watched President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January with relief, worry or some mix of the two. Will we see a more protectionist U.S. government? Will Biden restore capacity at the World Trade Organization (WTO)? What will the mood be of our largest trading partner and […] Read more

Dittmer: U.S. political outlook for 2021
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
Government bureaucrats and politicians tend to interfere with our lives when it is not necessary, harming our livelihoods, and then refuse to get involved when we need them, to defend our rights, uphold the law or make hard decisions. A long held conservative principle is that the government closest to the people governs best, e.g. […] Read more