Pulse elections

[northfarmer]

GMO pulses are already well advanced in development in South America, India and China. In Canada we have done nothing on this front and are leaning heavily and almost exclusively on the fine efforts and success of CDC's conventional breeding programs.

We have grown to be the world's largest exporter of pulse crops and it is no secret that the countries that import these crops would rather grow more themselves.

Will we be able to maintain our competitive position globally in Pulse production by maintaining the status quo? That is the billion dollar question for the future of pulse production in Canada.

[gustgd]

Had the same question myself when the ballots came out. So after a few calls e-mails and face to faces, this is what I have pieced together.

All is just opinion and rumour, I don't know if some or any is true. So take these thoughts for what you paid for them.

Something happened this summer where The Chair Purcell and exec director Patterson were forced out. All I can get out of anyone is "bad governance" Which I take to mean internal fight

Something about Sask Pulse wanting more seats at table of Pulse Canada.

One faction wants to move Pulse Canada to Saskatoon. because Sk. has by far the most dollars in. I'm not even sure which faction.

One faction wants to spend more on varieties and farm traits, one faction on end users and consumers.

Big division over # of processors on board v a farmer run funded board.

Agree with thoughts above about Vandenburg. Guy is a genius and great breeder, would probably be in conflict over half the time so why take a spot? maybe be an advisor? They could use a guy with his mental horsepower, but don't give him a vote.

My votes will go to Burr, Moehn and the lady from Nokomis.

www.pulseelection.com

I hope to call those running and see if they can tell me anything not in Bios

Hope all this helps, The real story should come out at pulse days in Saskatoon this Jan. those paying the bills should get the real story.

additional disclaimer. All the above is rumour and all or none may not be true

[bluefargo]

gustgd

Thanks for the info. Always appreciate your sensible posts.
I too have reservations about having Bert on the board
He's a brilliant guy but it doesn't make sense to me that he should be on the board as a board member.Some boards, the Seed Growers for example, have advisors from the Crop Developement Centre and the provincial government who are at all meetings except for in camera sessions. Maybe Bert already sits in at board meetings.
Right now , unless I am convinced otherwise, I probably won't vote for Bert.
I am not as optimistic as you about the real story coming out at Crop Production Week. It's been pretty hush hush to date. If the issues are the ones you mentioned above then I think they are issues worth discussing in the larger forum.

[dave4441]

Gust-you are partially correct, but those that want a strong viable bredding program (our number one priority and number one investment) also want a strong federal organization in Pulse Canada. For some reason, and it is never been talked about at SPG board table, the gang of 3 think SPG directors want to stop breeding. This is rediculous. In the 6 years i have been on the board we have supported the CDC fully in every single request they have made in 6 years. We built facilities (the Pulse Lab), purchased land for their use, purchased equipment for their use AND funded the breeding program. Now they want a seat at the table for more control??? Totally insane and Bert will have so many conflict of interest issues in any research investment that it does not make sense.

We need new blood on the board not some old guard who thinks they are somehow more qualified, after years of being off the board, to run the organization then the very qualified exsisting board. The budget has doubled since Moen and Buhr left the board.

I can not say enough about the Pulse Canada. SPG invests about 1 million dollars in PC each year. SPG is about 30% of the investment and is second largest contibuter AFTER the federal government. WE are the largest non govt contributer at 66% in the last audited statements. Yes we are the largest, but we have to realize this is a federal organization and we have to give and take to other orgs so we can go to Ottawa unified. The amount of funds that the team at PC is able to leverage from the feds is unreal. We are small orgs in the big picture and must leverage every dollar we can and ensure it is invested soundly. The gang of 3 want to move it to Saskatoon, and have stated publicly. When questioned they do not have a response and feel it is "better". IN a process such as that you will lose the bulk of your staff and rip the organization apart. For what? So they can tell their cronies they moved it? Organizations such as PC, involved in global affairs need to be in an international airport. They need to be close to the head of the grain industry, and as much as we do not like it, Winnipeg is still the major grain center. They are able to network with export oriented people. Saskatoon is a science center, not policy, which is the bulk of PC work.

I am making a single vote and ask others to vote for only Cynthia Edwards. By default, 2 of the gang of 3 will get elected. But ensureing Cynthia is elected we have the opportunity to have someone new and young at the table.

Dave

[dave4441]

Incedently, there is a movement to reform the constition of PC to increase the number of SPG seats at the table and we basically will have control of the board. As the largest funder we have control anyway irregardless of the number of seats. Sometimes being the largest in a industry requires one to eat a little himble pie and work with others to acheive your goals.

RR Peas have been discussed all along and if markets accept them it can be done. Genome Mapping is being considered as a close option for improved bredding.

[parsley]

http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.jsp?
p=board

Has this Federal Board put more money into the
producers' pockets? Pars

[parsley]

Will a federal Pulse Board serve the ordinary
producer the same way the federal Flax Council
does? And how do you like it?

How well do/will either federal orgs, their chairs
filled with govt and industry, add to farmers'
bottom lines significantly, considering the amount
of money deducted via checkoffs?

I rather like this thread Pars

[grower99]

The fact that the previous chair of SPG resigned and the Executive Director, Garth Patterson, left SPG tells me that there is a problem at the board level in our multi million dollar farmer funded organization. The fact that a Manitoba firm was hired by SPG to find a replacement for Garth Patterson and no advertising for this position was done at the U of S or U of R or in Saskatchewan major provincial newspapers tells me that something is amiss at the board level. Are there no capable replacements in Saskatchewan? The fact that SPG was asked by the AgriFood Council (the provincial overseeing body) to explain some of their actions (the first time ever in the hisory of the board) makes me, as a farmer, ask what the SPG strategic plan is. The fact that we are losing other staff members at SPG also raises my level of concern. It is my understanding that SPG supplies about 69% of Pulse Canada's core funding which then is used to help access federal dollars. SPG gets two seats at the Pulse Canada Board table. Manitoba and Alberta account for about 16% of the funding and receive one seat each at the table. Ontario accounts for about 1% of Pulse Canada funding and is entitled to one seat at the table. Canadian Special Crops Association receives two seats for approximately 14% of Pulse Canada's core revenue. These percentages are approximate but the number of seats at the table tells me that Saskatchewan pulse growers and their views are not being well represented at Pulse Canada. I don't know many people who would supply the majority of funding for an organization and have so little representation. This is not to say that Pulse Canada does not do valuable work for the pulse industry but the above shows that the governance model has to change. Possibly a return on investment study for SPG's dollars going to Pulse Canada could be done at the U of S. This study would be similar to the one done several years ago by the U of S relating to SPG's research expenditures. I am supporting Shawn, Jim and Bert because of their proven expertise and transparency. All three of them have the best interests of Saskatchewan growers at heart. To say otherwise is a misrepresentation of the truth. I am sure that Cynthia also wants what is best for Saskatchewan growers but at this critical time, experience counts. The current SPG Board of Directors will also benefit from the executive knowledge of Shawn, Jim and Bert to better enhance the pulse industry. I look forward to your comments.

[LEP]

Grower99 sounds like Shawn to me.

Anyway, I don't think it is as big a deal as it is made out to be regarding Pulse Canada. I believe that Pulse Canada should be in Winnipeg not Saskatoon as nothing that happens in the trade occurs here. In my opinion Pulse Canada works because of Gord Bacon and his team. So if they want to have Pulse Canada in Ottawa, you let them.

I believe that SPG and Pulse Canada have been working on increasing the seats on the board.

SPG funds Pulse Canada to the level they do, because everytime they work through an issue it benefits almost exclusively Saskatchewan producers.

I still have a HUGE problems with Bert running for the board. As the face of CDC, the largest recipient of SPG research dollars, he shouldn't be steering the "ship". It is just one continual conflict of interest.

The three Amigos are sure spending the money to get elected. Are there any rules about this? Hope per diem rates don't jump after they get in.