checkoffs opt out question?

[charliep]

Here is information on the Austalia's GRDC levy. They also pay end use levy's on seed.

<a href="http://www.grdc.com.au/director/about/levyandfunding">GRDC levy</a>

[parsley]

"Nobody knows your situation but you if you can face your neighbours thats all I need"

Need? LOL So glad you have an approval system in place. LOL

Can't you just hear gusty gauging: LOL:

"How much did freewheat give to the Cemetary fund in memory of old Joe?"

"Forty-dollars"

"Well, I guess I'll let it pass this time, but I'll mark it on the chart."


The Applied Benevolence 120 class has been the best part of my mornin' LOLOLOLOLOLOL Pars

[parsley]

"you think people are into Ag policy for the Money, the term delusional comes to mind"

Tut tut, don't stamp your feet in indignant self-indulgence, gusty, actaully some farmers restrained themselves from doing so when you called them a bunch of them cheapskates.

As for your tantrum, it should actually read like this:

"you think people AREN'T into Ag policy for the Money, the term 'slow' comes to mind"

You see, gusty, ag policy decides where the money goes. Who gets a piece of the money pie.

Why gusty, there are even ag policy directors/reps/intersests/associations/corps who think ag policy is so important, they hire fulltime LOBBYISYS to deal with AG POLICY. Yup.

Google it. Lobbyist. LOL

I shouldn't actually be posting but sometimes I just gotta chase the rabbit, just like I can't resist driving the hell out of the Rhino. The devil makes me do it. LOLOL
Pars.

[parsley]

If any one of these farmers below were in favor of mandatory checkoffs, (seeingst they are sitting on the Western Grains Research Foundation representing the CWB as your elected farmer directors,) well, if it was the good old days, they's be dragged through spring sloughs on a stoneboat to clear the Ontario cabbages growing solidly out of their ears. All three would already be aware that CIGI money is heading East to compete with the CWB.

Taking more yet Western money through force would be more dirt in the ear, wouldn't it.

Here's 3 CWB fellows who would be sitting with you gusty. All farmers:


**Western Grains Research Foundation Board Member Cam Goff

**Western Grains Research Foundation Member, Wheat Advisory Committee Bill Woods

**Western Grains Research Foundation Member, Barley Advisory Committee Kyle

[hlg]

Fuel for the fire, why should our check-off dollars be used by companies that patent the seed. Is there one web site that lists who gets check-off dollars,should`nt be that big of expense.

[neveragain]

Always was a supporter of many associations when they had to work to earn my respect and my dollars.

Not a big fan of checkoffs, after the stunt the National Sunflower Association of Canada pulled off.

Before they could spend more money on staff and fancier offices they had to increase my checkoff by 12x. It is amazing that they took 3 tries at a vote to get the Province of Manitoba to allow them to get their hands in my pockets, but at a very poorly attended general meeting they unilaterally removed the cap and doubled the amount of the checkoff.

Never explained why they needed the money, just took it.

<a href="http://www.sunflowercheckoff.com">SunflowerCheckoff.Com</a>

What really took the cake was the Prairie Oat Growers Association after having the producer vote go against them several times talked the Manitoba government into giving them a checkoff even though they didn't have the producers support.

Interesting how the Oat industry flourished when it was released from the ultimate bureaucracy of the CWB, and then these wanna be somebodies think they need an association and that farmers should pay for it as always.

And to think KAP Keystone Ag Producers wants my checkoff so they can continue to lobby to support the CWB.

We made it a company policy to request ALL checkoff dollars to be returned and we invest those dollars into RESP's for the kids on the farm.

That will give us a much better long term return on investment for our limited dollars.

Dwayne MB

[parsley]

Well, dwayne, you twigged my memory to when I was sliding through CIGI's audited report yesterday and my woman's curiosity had saved a thumbnail of CIGI's 'furniture' style.

Louis the IVth?


Furniture expenses from 2006- 2009 don't lie. I quit as I thought you'd get the drift.


1. From CIGI 2008-2009 Audit Statement

2009 Office furniture $ Cost 389,911
Accumulated Ammortization $278,536
Net Book Value $111,375

2008
Net Book Value $124,195
Term 10 years

2. From CIGI 2007-2008 Audit Statement

2008 Office furniture Cost $375,086
Accumulated Ammortization $250,891
Net Book Value $124,195

2007
Net Book Value $132,468
Term 10 years

3. From CIGI 2006-2007 Audit Statement

2007 Office furniture Cost $ 355,637
Accumulated Ammortization $ 223,169
Net Book Value $132,468

Net Book Value $159,414
Term 10 years


4. From CIGI 2005-2006 Audit Statement

2006 Office furniture Cost $ 358,824
Accumulated Ammortization $196,410
Net Book Value $159,414

Net Book Value $172,079
Term 10 years

Yes, well.

Responsibility is absent. Shame is absent. Accountability by representatives is absent.

Keep working you stupid bloody overalls on the farm. CIGI needs more furniture. Pars

[parsley]

You might be asking, well who cares about CIGI?

The CWB pours cash into CIGI:


CIGI’s eligible operating expenses are partially funded by Ag and Agri-Food (up to 60 percent of the first $4,166,666 of eligible expenses and up to 50 percent of eligible expenses in excess of this amount) under the Canadian Agriculture and Food International (CAFI)
program to a maximum of $4,000,000.

The Canadian Wheat Board has committed to provide a .....MINIMUM, yes, MINIMUM , yes read it again, MINIMUM annual level of funding equal to 40
percent of the first $4,166,666 of eligible expenses.

In 2007-08, the Canadian Wheat Board agreed to contribute $1,966,667 in order to fund an increase in their market development activities.

Additional funds and support are provided by other sectors of the agriculture industry.

Go read the Shaun Haney thread for "other funders."

Your money.

Gusty, CWB money is taken by force. You want the Western grains to take money by force.

Surely you can see what will happen.

Pars

[per]

I suspect if the refunder names were published it would trigger more refunds as people could then be assured they were not alone in thinking the tax (check off) was being wasted. So make the list and see how it goes for you.

[checking]

A piddily little list as a deterrence! Go national, and use your ill gotten resources on large bill boards showing our farming faces. I'll send you my photo because if there is one checkoff - freight overcharge gathering board I'd like to look down on, it's WGRF!!

[gustgd]

I guess I am guilty of thinking other people thought as I do. There's a term for that but I can't think of it. I'll explain: I go to many farm meetings, more than most. Never once have I heard someone brag that they got back a big cheque because they opted out of research. I then inferred that
A: They were happy with the work done on their behalf. Or at least satisfied enough that they never complained to someone who might be able to influence change.
B: They were taking the money back but did not want to defend their actions.

What gets me is people who say "Research does not doing anything for me." All the while using modern farming techniques and the newest in genetics. There's a word for that as well.
For those that opt out I would say don't seed new varieties. Logistically this would be a nightmare. Nobody wants to have seed police tramping around the country side.
This idea would probably cost $1000 to administer and maybe help cut out the free riders. It accomplishes the goal of providing money for research, yet giving people an out.
I was following the axiom that you don't go to people with a problem unless you have a solution.

Voluntary organizations can work. The WCWGA have proven that for 40 years now.

By the way parsley LOL lots of love to you too.

[gustgd]

Per
You say the checkoff is being wasted at WGRF?
Where?
What would you like to see the money spent on?
How can the situation be made better?

Not trying to put you on the spot but if you or anyone have any ideas on how to make WGRF better,drop me a line
gustgd@sasktel.net
or post it here