Viterra / Cargil in Humboldt...

[Klause]

How are they to deal with?

[malta]

I haven't dealt with those two locations specifically. I have a freind who deals with viterra Humbolt and is satisfied. My general experience dealining with several locations is that viterra and cargill run about 2% higher on dockage than Richardson or Dreyfuss. One test I use is to phone with a question, leave a message and see if they call back and how long it takes. My Cargill experience is that they seldom do.

[bucket]

It seems the longer you deal with a grain company, the more they like to try to screw you.

Then you just go somewhere else that is looking for your business.

[Braveheart]

Bucket, for myself I find the opposite. I find my loyalty to one company is rewarded.

I don't take things for granted though. I do ask for incentives from their large car spot to be passed on in trucking premiums. Grades are always negotiable. Farm input prices are not as flexible as I'd like though.

The thing to remember is it takes ten times the resources to get a customer to return as it does to keep a current customer. That alone is a great negotiating motivator.

[wmoebis]

Malta, 2% higher dockage I assume your talking canola.

Where is the extra dockage comming from? Over the round hole, through the slotted, asperation or hand pick. The dockage should be the same everywhere if it is done accurately.

Which one is accurate? The high dockage or the low?

[wilagro]

Dockage is(tookage)and it depends on the use of standard or "enhanced" screens and how you manipulate them. Its just like panning for gold...some have the knack and some don't.

Anyway the grain buyer should always be regarded as your friend/buddy/amigo/brother/father/mother or rich great aunt...treat 'em right and the rewards will be forthcoming. If you don't then their Xmas bonus will be courtesy of YOU.

[wmoebis]

Assessing grade and dockage to me is the same as taking a check to the bank to get it cashed.

It is up to me to make sure that the teller assesses the proper amount that is showen on check and I stand there and make sure they count and double check the value accurately. If they make a mistake I get them to recount and make it right.

I wouldn't leave the counter if they were out 2% when assessing the value or cashing the check.

[grrrr]

I have found my local pioneer to be 1%-2% higher in dockage for canola. I don't go there anymore. As for Viterra in Humboldt, I have had some minor dealings with them and found them fair. However, I don't like how they have a wall to hide behind while they do the grading. They are totally unaccessable and they seem to like it that way.

[Hopperbin]

Gotta admit I have not dealt extensively with Viterra Humboldt but did a large sale there with canola at harvest time and the dockage was very commendable some loads at 1 percent or less. My last sale there I think a little tougher on the dockage. Then again it also has to do with who is taking the dockage at any location. Every location varies in my opinion on who is taking the dockage. One thing I have learned is if having fine canola seeds in the sample then the crusher is best as they typically use a finer screan, or Bunge canola gathering station by Humboldt. Klause, Bunge also still does grade averaging. Something to take into account if pre pricing without knowing green count or heated. I had a 30,000 payment at the end of the year once when delivering green count to Bunge. Something to take into account.

[Hopperbin]

Myself The local now Richardsons is high on Canola dockage but still good at taking malt barley, for malt I would go no where else.

[Klause]

Thanks for all the info guys!



Going to be calling them in the next day or two
here....

Just booked my canola seed (9553) from Viterra
with the free roundup offer... too good to pass
up.... but booked it through my MB rep and just had
him arrange delivery to Humboldt...


Bunge looks like thye just have a loading terminal
there? Not an actual elevator? how's that work with
contracting and such... can you call into that
location for making contracts?

[Wheatking]

All the elevators in the area are pretty good to deal
with, though they all have their quirks.

Viterra is usually pretty quick. Good to deal with. Not
being able to see the grading can kind of be a pain, but
I just walk behind the counter anyways and get some
dirty looks.

Pioneer at dixon is great to deal with, but horrible to
haul too. They have by far the slowest elevator in the
country. Not uncommon for 2-3 hour line ups. Have been
in a line up to the highway there before, 3 hours. Who
builds an elevator without a driveway scale. Slows
everything way down when they have to empty the pit
after each load. They do have some of the best staff
around though.

Cargill. Usually have a competitive canola price and on
farm pick up is nice. Haven't dealt with them other
than canola.

Bunge at dixon. I phone them on occasion but they never
have a decent price. Its been a decade since I last
hauled there. But I am told they are great with off
grade canola's.

ADM in watson. They sometimes have a good price, but
are terribly slow compared to when they first opened.
There price deductions for tough grain are also
horrendous. They also will not blend. If you haul 30
loads of canola testing 6 then haul in one testing 10.1
they will dock you big time. I refuse to haul there
anymore. There staff working there are terribly slow, it
should be by far the fastest place in the country, but
its one of the slowest. Takes along time to get your
chewue from them as well.

I know its a bit of a haul but CMI in spalding I feel
has been by far the best to deal with. Always a good
price and most of the time a good grade. Excellent
staff.

That is the low down of the elevators in the area as
I've seen it. Others experiences may be different. Most
of the elevators are pretty good. good people
everywhere.

On a side note about grading. i feel like i am much
less likely to complain if I can watch and see for
myself the actual dockage and it being graded. I feel
it also gives me a better understanding of the grading
process and the ability to grade it reasonably well
myself. Nothing pissses me off more than hauling in a
load and being told it was downgraded when i see the
scale ticket. it should be an open and transparent
process, and it pisses me off when they take the grain
into another room to grade it,, it should be done where
you can see it. I know they have problems with some
people constantly complaining about grade, but when you
see the process with your own eyes how can you complain.
I always ask for a sample of the dockage for each bin or
field just to see what weed's are in the sample and how
the combine is set etc... You can tell allot by the
dockage I feel.

[Hopperbin]

I have often been asked by the Viterra employees in Humboldt about how they can improve themselves as they probably know they have some sort of problem. After hearing Wheatking, yes you are correct cannot watch the dockage and grading is a big thing, I will mention that to them the next time I get the chance. Ditto on Pioneer for waiting but they do take in a shit load of grain. When they were UGG they were the top performing ellevator in Canada which is why I like them for malt. ADM yes is a bastard if one in one hundred loads is an off. But the grade is done before the unload so you have a choice to unload or not. I typically make a deal that I average a certain grade at ADM on my contract. That I have learned. They will do it no questions asked.

[Hopperbin]

Hey Wheatking we should hit Klause up for a come and go Beer day.

[Hopperbin]

To refresh I have sold to the bunge gathering station at Humboldt and then they later they offered to pick it to go the the crusher for the same price as free trucking. not saying to rely on it but it does happen. Bunge is not competitive lately, seems they have booked a lot ahead to fill up. but for the same price I would deliver to Bunge Humboldt as the dockage is like crusher dockage.