PALE - we're agreed on how hard it is for farmers. It'sa bit rich to hear you say my efforts are shameful, when every single one of your posts says "against intensive animal industries."

How do you think this makes the farmers depending on these businesses to support their families feel?

I'm living in the country, where it is so hard - and I live among those whose livelihood depends on intensive farming.

You speak of a grain farmer - a great deal of grain goes toward these feedlots.

By all means, post the poem for others to consider - but be aware that your stance on removing intensive animal industries would threaten livelihoods.

Pointing out that you're a) asking farmers to remove their intensive industries b) suggesting organic farming as an alternative while c) pointing out how hard it is to make a living using standard farming practices, is rather difficult to countenance.

PALE

Thanks for sharing the poem with us all and it is great to see that is strikes a cord with both urban and rural dwellers.

I do however have to share TurnRightTurnLeft sentiments with the possible conflict between trying to help farmers and yet taking away one of the only resources available to them during drought and declining rates of profitability.

Feedlots, for example, provide bulk rates and quantities for cultivation crops and then set margins for cattle producers to finish their stock.

I currently live and work in South West Queensland. It makes it hard when it doesnt rain, but even harder if it doesnt rain for 6 years!

In my area we have had one of the best seasons over the past decade. Grass, in part has responded, and people are contemplating re-stocking. Added to this, the Channel regions of Queensland are bursting with grass, cattle and wild life. Our Northern friends are complaining of too much rain! While it may be dry in some areas- other areas are absorbing great conditions. The old adage- as long as it is raining somewhere- the market will stay up.

In my line of business as an agribusiness advisor we deal with suicidal and very depressed clients every day. While I sympathise with them and recognise the signs when people are in real trouble, my aim is to provide them with objective solutions to their problems. It is amazing when people sit down and calmly go through a business plan and budget and you put up straight forward and practical decisions how the "weight of the world" can be lifted. The decisions are not always easy- sell more stock, sell a property, refinance a loan, - but being equipped with the best possible information and advice takes the pressure off the decision making process.

While I was moved by the romantic image of the poem and the "bush spirit" it invokes- we must not loose sight of the need for practical and objective solutions which farmers require.

Like or not- it involves intensive agriculture.

rightwrong

The poem was Posted to tell what people living on farms are going through.

Keeping poultry, pigs, cattle in areas so small they cant spread their wings or turn around, walk, stand up or have any natural life is not exceptable.

You are shameful to try to take this thread away from the REAL FARMERS and what they are going through.


I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy
Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city
Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all.

And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet.

I often go to bed in the wee hours of the morning in tears weeping for these people who have weeped for their no crops and starving animals.

One bloke I spoke to couldnt even afford bulltes to put the out of misery.

Surley you have watched the news and seen the farmers screaming about their water supplies being re-diverted from to citys.

And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet.

And the hurrying people daunt me, and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy, and their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste.

And I somehow fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy,
Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal -
But I doubt he'd suit the office, Clancy, of "The Overflow".

A.B. 'Banjo' Paterso

This poem by 'Muzza' Hartin (read in bush poetry style) was written at the request of the Salvation Army to bring public awareness to the plight of the rural farmer, and has been publicised by the ABC since February. It is a fictional piece but no doubt reflects tough country life - many people, bush and city (I hope) empathise with it. Indeed, rural suicide rates are climbing disproportionately across the nation - a fact.

I have this poem read when I give talks and presentations about global warming. I do this in the context that we all know there are changes in the wind, that something is not quite right - you know it. The poem epitomises anecdotal evidence of climate change. So then I talk about the real overwhelming scientific evidence of global warming.

PM Howard wants us to pray for rain for all farmers of the Murray Darling Basin, because of the serious water problems.

The agenda for this thread should be about pushing for action on government "climate change" policies.

I just cannot believe a federal coalition government who says they have known about global warming for the past 10 years has now resorted to praying for rain. Where have they been, what planet are they living on?

The issues should be about how we adapt to and mitigate against, climate change. Inherent in the answers is government policy. Policies that really tackle all impacts of climate change on society, including an important food bowl of the nation . Why? Because make no mistake, global warming is going to effect everyone, somehow, somewhere, sometime - and it will cost.

How much? It depends on what we are prepared to pay.

Howard is now a climate change believer? I hope not for political expediency. Unfortunately, some with vested interests in "business as usual" think they will have too much to lose. So be it, they will end up losing. The smart ones are taking up the challenge, the wary ones are hedging their bets and the dumbnuts are living in the dark ages.

What do you think?

Davsav
What Do I think. Methinks your right but you should open a thread on global warming.

I would be "really happy" to post on it.

The farmer who sent the poem to me is just one of many.

The only thing a farmer will say to you he needs is water and tucker.

The Aussie Helpers for example do not take one cent out of donations and all their helpers work without pay.

There are a couple of churches that have broken trend and work with them.

You have the lady who suggested that each school adopt a farm and farm animals to sponser.

Sadly the Salvation Army have written to say they can not assist with water or stock feed from public donations.

So I guess because of that we must try to do what the farmers have asked and get as much 'practicle' help out to farmers as possible.


Dont reckon Clancy would figure too much on prayers instead of produce me self but I guess he was just someone who told it like it was without the bull.

I think Clancy might have been right pleased if you did that.

Davsav it might be a good start to you global warming thread too.
http://www.themeatrix.com/

Remember there are little things which are big things each and everyone of us can do.
When you get up in the morning ladies and gentleman of Australia please put out a bowl of water for our birds and wild life [ some place up high] and keep it filled.
Then perhaps make it your mishion to contact one farmer each month to say- Goday mate Can I do anything for ya? Of course he will so no mate shes right.
Thats when you know to get in your car and drive out a leave hay money for water or cash in the old mail box or milk can.

Yeh i reckon old Clancy might of liked that idea.


I am sure they are capable of whispering a word of prayer to God in private some time later.
Thats What methinks.

PALE - why don't you post as a real person? It may help your cause.

This thread is dead - do you understand why?

Others (if your still looking) - ALL farmers are suffering - you may well pay the price.

What are YOU going to do about it? Are you willing to support them, help pay the price?

Our leaders have failed us, regardless of the spin they put on it.

Now is the time for action, in your minds you know you have to do the right thing - JUST DO IT.