Your Daily look at the CFA Semi Annual Meeting
as it happens (from July 30, 2009)
Thursday - Live Blog
Thursday morning's agenda kicked off at 8:30 am with a topic that is vitally important to Canadian farmers - most importantly to those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba - "Competitive Pricing and Mergers".
Roger Larson of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute outlined the various issues affecting supply and demand for a variety of fertlizer products. Roger's key message was that economic changes over the last few months have driven prices down somewhat from the unprecendented levels reached last year. But he sounded the fertilizer industry's latest warning bell that Canadian farmers could face unprecendented challenges accessing enough fertilizer in the next crop cycle unless they purchase it immediately.
Some delegates expressed thier dismay with recent public comments about people starving because farmers have reduced the fertilzer being used due to continued high prices. They also questioned the price Canadian farmers pay compared to the prices received by India and China for potash products produced in Saskatchewan. Executive and staff from KAP and APAS have been working diligently on this topic for some time now, so Prairie Farm Leaders were especially attentive this morning.
At 9:30, Mayor Basil Stewart, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalties presented on the federal role in ensuring rural sustainability. Mayor Stewart committed his organization to working closely with the CFA to educate government and urban voters regarding the importance of rural Canada to Canada's continued prosperity.
With the meeting running just slightly behind schedule, CFA moved directly into the Policy Committee report at 10:30 am. Committee Chairs presented the reports for approval by the plenary. Specific details of each report will be available when CFA distributes the approved printed reports to members next week.
At 11:10 am, Larry Rudd, President & CEO of One Earth Farms was invited to address the delegates. Mr Rudd, currently a Director with Viterra, outlined One Earth's executive experience , corporate structure and strategic business plan and answered concerns that were voiced from the membership.
CFA President Laurent Pellerin was committed to a conference call at noon, so the membership used the short lull to review and clean up unfinished business regarding upcoming events, schedules and other organizational business.
At 12:15 the acting chair offered all member organizations an opportunity to bring up concerns, topics or issues that were not covered sufficiently in the past two days.
Unfortunately, Minister Stockwell Day was unable to attend the meeting, so the meeting was adjourned at 1 pm, followed by lunch and a chance for the delegates to relax by the pool or take in a wine tour or tasting during the afternoon.
Mayor Basil Stewart addresses the delegates about the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
A slide from Roger Larsen's presentation on global fertilizer supply and demand
Larry Rudd, CEO and President of One Earth Farms Ltd explains the dynamics behind the strategic development of One Earth Farms.