Gravelbourg & District Tribune

It will get better. I mean the weather. As Shakespeare would say: To snow or not to snow: That is the question? Whether it is nobler to suffer the cold and snow of April or take arms against a low-pressure system and by opposing end it?

 

Moisture is good. Especially in our region because we’ve come to realize that once the tap is shut off it tends to stay off for way too long.

 

Monette Farms has filed for bankruptcy. Should we be surprised? Could we see it coming? It seems that every 10 years or so some banking outfit will back a fast talking wheeler-dealer. Just put up the cash and this will be a no brainer claims the Monette’s of the world. Then later it’s, give me another couple million and I’ll be able to service that debt. Let me smooze you and give you a ride in my private jet to show you the beautiful acres and my grandiose plans. Yeah. Right.

 

The Monette style of farming is destructive. It forces the new generation of young farmers to walk away because they can’t compete. Why? Because banks turn their back on the very people who are interested in agriculture as an important industry that feeds people and provides employment and vitality for rural communities. They seem to hate the words family farm. It has be run like a business. But how? Grain producers are price takers. It’s pretty hard to run a business that way. But many have a passion for the family farm and they keep trying.

 

Should we shed a tear for Monette Farms? No.

 

I’m sure the main players have hidden away plenty of cash.

 

Just saying…