Massive CWB rally in Ottawa

[parsley]

sb: 423 Main. But I have a question: does any
AV farmer grow figs? Museum staff may need
to source a fig leaf, for decorum, should the
occassion rise. Pars

[wd9]

Not in this weather Parsely! I do have parsely in my aerogarden tho.

Straight from Wikipedia, never looked there before:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Wheat_Board

The Canadian Wheat Board (French: Commission canadienne du blé) was established by the Parliament of Canada on 5 July 1935[1] as a mandatory producer marketing system for wheat and barley in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small part of British Columbia. Although it is often called a monopoly, it is actually instead a monopsony since it is the only buyer of wheat and barley.

[wd9]

BTW, the museum post is freaking awesome. Suppose someone were to copy that and post it on steamroller. Would you mind?

[charliep]

grasshopper

So you are saying the CWB is the only marketer of wheat in the world?

You can make arguements about the CWB representing western Canadian farmers in their wheat dealing and the value this brings. At the end of the day, Canada is only about 15 % of world wheat trade. Durum is more like about 2/3 of the market but factors that drive price move beyond the ability to control market availability - Mother nature and ability to substitute other wheats are more important factors.

Actually, you can not use the word monopoly in reference to the relationship between the CWB as a single desk buyer of wheat and barley from the many western Canadian farmers. The domestic feed market competes for CWB deliveries in an open market. The price of domestic feed wheat in Alberta today is higher the PRO for low protein 1/2CWRS. Perhaps even more perplexing is the relationship between US durum prices ($10/bu), the current PRO forecast ($9/bu) and the fixed price contract ($7.50/bu).

I always find it interesting the arguments are about collective farmer/the pooling system from single desk representative of western Canada but not about the benefits to an individual farmer.

[charliep]

Actually need to correct myself. From the CWB own statistical tables, Canada is just under 50 % of world durum exports and about 12.5 % of world durum production.

[URL="http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/about/investor/annual/pdf/09-10/stats_english2009-10.pdf"]table 31 to 33[/URL]

sorry to confuse a political arguement with facts/numbers/prices.

[parsley]

It's public, wd, do what tickles your fancy. Pars

[wd9]

Thanks Pars Only 1000 characters allowed so shortened.

Posted in Agriville by a passionate organic farmer.

"The liberals established a Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, perhaps the Government could purchase 413 Main, money in the pooling accounts, then donate as the museum home.
The building is symbolic of 70 years of ag economic human rights abuses, and an authentic icon representing legislative expropriation of grain marketing.
The action, may ...prompt a segue for the gov to initiate vigorous property rights initiatives. On the main floor foyer a jail cell with a
wax Andy shackled and chained,; a commentary video of the single desk worth, playing quotes and news clips by it's fanatical adherents.
Top floor would discreetly house 'The Emporer has no Clothes' exhibit highlighting a wax plump Ralph, nude, with his disciples, Nettie front and centre, chanting ' Jail farmers who sell their wheat' on a lightening bolt lighted colored
video. The emporer wielding a light sabre of course. " Petroselinum hortense

[grassfarmer]

Oh yeah W9 if it's on Wikipedia it must be true....sheesh.

Pearson, what a dumb argument to suggest that the CWB would have to be the only marketer of wheat in the world to be a monopoly when the same logic would also have to apply to anyone choosing to call it a monopsony - is it the only buyer of wheat in the world?

I don't expect anything else from the AB Government and it's employees - facts are negotiable as long as the ideology stands.
All the bitching about how much money the CWB spends on this that or the next thing - how about telling us how much money the AB Government has spent in the last decade trying to destroy the CWB with their extensive adverts and ongoing political mischieve making?

[parsley]

Passionate? Me?Ha! More like a humdrum
dullard who spent three solid hours signing &
initialing contracts today. Pars

[parsley]

Grassy, are you continuing to work on property
rights issues for farmers? Pars

[parsley]

If you are grassy, could we skeleton the CWB
issue in the closet, buy a six pak and work on
property rights together this winter?

[charliep]

Not suggesting anything of the sort. Likely agreeing with you. The CWB is not a monopoly in any shape of the form. Go back to your economics 101 texts.

A monopoly has exclusive control over production and therefore supply - that's what would give it power. The CWB is not an exclusive seller of wheat or barley no does it control production.

Not a monopsony either (exclusive buyer) - the CWB competes with the domestic market - particularly in a year like the current one. Wheat also competes with other crops for acres on returns.

Will leave the rest go. The train has left the station.