Alaska Ag.....That's Gonna Hurt

In what is sure to be viewed by local smaller producers as "dirty business", MMM&S has published online their current rates:

Posted October 10th, the above entry elicited a number of comments asking for clarity.  A person would have to call the plant themselves for more information as Mr Mobley's remarks were made in response to a number of individual comments.

What showed up on Craigslist was slightly different:

So there you have it, MMM&S has established a baseline price structure that basically takes local competitors off at the knees.  MMM&S and Mike's Meats have already muddied the "Alaska Grown" designation, with misleading advertising....but readers may recall that MMM&S now imports Canadian cattle direct to the slaughter plant.  In addition, Mike's Meats/Rocket Ranch, bring in hundreds of weaner pigs from Canada each year. 

They either presume they will capture the lion's share of the market and intend on being that lion, or they've seriously miscalculated the economy, the market, and/or their investment and are pushed to increase sales. Or something else entirely, one can only speculate. 

Smaller producers, and those who raise bred and born in Alaska livestock, grown on Alaskan feed, cannot come close to matching the above advertised prices.  Especially not with cut and wrap included, never mind the other fees. 

However, many people ascribe to the saying: 

Know your farmer, know your food!  

Next up:  Food "trigger" words.....stay tuned!

Alaska Ag....hiatus is over

A few new items of note:

Prop 64, Board of Game  

Yes, the Alaska chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation has renewed its efforts to outlaw ownership and possession of domestic sheep and goats in the state. This proposition is fiercely opposed by nearly everyone who learns of the matter. Prop 64 is crafted to address a supposed disease issue that does not exist here.  However, the State of Alaska, Board of Game, has the legal authority to remove domestic sheep and goats from the "clean list".  Should this proposition pass, it will seriously harm Alaska's food security-now and in the future. You can learn about the consequences by joining Alaska Goat Talk, or any other local farm Facebook group and asking (Check the blog for previous entries on this subject)  Please click the link below, to enter your comments before the October 27th deadline for comments for the November 10th meeting:

Comment Form for Alaska Board of Game

Please consider a copy paste to the offices of the Governor, and Lt. Governor as well:

Email the Governor 

And don't forget your representative and senator, they should know your stance on Prop 64.

$88.87 an hour!

That's the fee quoted for a recent FOIA request to the Division of Agriculture.  Oh, and after that's paid, then they'll check to see if there are any relevant documents or records that fit the request.  If it wasn't so blatant, it'd be amusing-the request would take only seconds for most of us, on our email accounts.  *Cough cough*  That's what is costs to drain the swamp in Alaska!

Side note: Were you aware that the State of Alaska has a "State Security Office"?  Surprise to us, too. Poke around on the State website, see what you can find.

Fall Harvest

After a number of warm and sunny growing seasons, Alaska returned to the cooler, wetter summers it is well known for.  What does this mean for Ag?  It meant a great growing year for hays and most forages. Unfortunately, it also meant that getting that crop dry was a serious, if not impossible challenge, for most.  For this reason, there are quite a lot of wrapped round bales around, if that is what you can feed. Dry, small squares? Not so much.  Many livestock owners will be burdened with purchasing from feed stores and importers this winter, adding to an already exorbitant feed bill. In previous years, widespread hay shortages caused a state of emergency of sorts, where import fees for Canadian hay was waived. With the steep decline across all sectors of the state economy, and an increase in feed costs, it stands to reason that some livestock will suffer over the course of the winter. It's a long time until next July, after all. 

Rumor Mill

Rumors persist that things are not going particularly smoothly at MMM&S. No word on the specific cause, but it may be related to our collapsing economy, or the (reportedly) abrasive nature of new ownership. Whatever the case may be, here's hoping they can weather the downturn and subsequent crunch, the same as his customers.