RE: RE: Culbert's Meeting Zep...good summary and concur from what I heard (albeit I did not hear the entire webcast). The $50 million subsidy request caught me by surprise given economic conditions and the post from arch the other day re "budget cuts". What Corp posted was at least a figure that may have been palatable ($10 mil.) although I am not sure a "trial" is the right strategy either.
Having said the above hopefully McRae knows something we don't. To have all ones eggs in the getting approval from strictly the Growing Forward 2 policy basket (to be implemented April 1-13) seems like far too big of a gamble for any CEO to take to get the VMC up and running in the second half of '12. I will give McRae more credit than that. Possibly he knows something happening behind closed doors in Ottawa or something else ready to be announced.
The one "very good fit" that I hope Rick Culbert has also pursued is targeting Angus cattle in Canada (already have a relationship in Australia). Premium priced (from great steaks down to great hamburger) and a few more pennies means nothing to the purchase decision. And, of course they have Angus cattle in the USA if USDA approval should ever happen. A targeted, niche market that makes sense and would certainly result in meaningful production for Econiche.
I am sure there must be other opportunities like this and hence not overly concerned. And, the Canadian Gov't is the VMC's landlord of sorts (hopefully responsible how it uses taxpayer's $s).
Leaving tomoro for some needed r&r and sun. All the best, rg