able to predict price changes in many commodities like beef, pork, wheat, corn, canola, soybeans, and dairy products for months or in some cases years in advance.

Last week, the tenth largest dairy plant in the US closed its doors putting dozens out of work. They cited a lack of milk which used to be produced close by. The same week, the US announced that farm bankruptcies were up 243 per cent over the previous year.

To be price competitive with our neighbours and producers in other countries, many farmers use weed killers which are less expensive and save trips over the field which compact the soil and burn even more expensive fuel. All these chemicals are approved by our agricultural agencies and health departments and come with very explicit information about the correct way to use them.

Some of the animals farmed to produce our meat are fed hormones to allow the birds or animals to produce leaner and more meat when processed compared to animals and birds which didn’t receive the hormone. For most farmers, this little bit extra can mean the difference in profit or loss for their farm. Needless to say, the companies that produce these chemicals, hormones, drugs, etc., make a profit selling them.

We have received many stories about the 5G network and the cell phones and other computer devices that will operate on that system. There are also some North American vehicles that will use the 5G system to give you more convenient features. Most new vehicles now provide a Bluetooth connection to allow hands free cell phone use. I wonder how much information can be collected from that?

What has silicon valley been up to lately? For decades it has been suspected by people much smarter than I, that some very profitable corporations like chemical, big pharma, oil, auto, etc. have a revolving door policy with government in hiring, promoting, and electing very informed and influential people.

Since 2017, it has been admitted that China has taken the number one spot in agricultural research. Have they also claimed the number one spot in artificial intelligence and health research? Remember that our largest expense is health!

Many years ago while I talked to a World War II veteran, he told me that for his first few battles, their platoon would lose many fine young men. The generals and commanders then were selected from aristocracy and were not necessarily the most suited people to lead troops into battle. Their group of fighters decided that the one that called the shots should also lead. After the next encounter with the enemy, their leader did not return. From then on, until the war was over, casualties in their group which fought all over Europe were greatly reduced.

Our brave and fearless soldiers fought and thousands gave their lives for our freedom, our future and hopefully our health.

Who’s running the ship?

Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon on land that has been in his family for generations.

gladcrest@gmail.com

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