CWB basis, what happened...

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie,

Study of the Basis on the CWB PPO contracts shows that for 2 months (May and June) in a row, the basis on CWRS was $.67 over Minneapolis. Now it is $.06 over Dec, just before they stopped allowing cash pricing...

Where is this basis money coming or going to? Since the CWB used the 67 cent over Minneapolis, for two months straight, doesn't that mean it was not a mistake... but that it was a fair and realistic basis?

Doesn't this really mean if the CWB hadn't hedged so much 2002-03 wheat, that the PRO would be 61 cents per bushel higher than it is now, or in other words, $250/t instead of $228?

Isn't the PRO and CWB sales program now infact a program to reduce income for "designated area" grain producers, not maximise our grain income, but to keep domestic prices low for millers and not export wheat and barley to the highest return possible?

[TOM4CWB]

Chaffmeister and Parsley,

My dear wife brought to my attention, that the designed original purpose of the monopoly, was to keep domestic grain prices down,

Isn't this in fact what the CWB appears to be doing as we speak?

If I take domestic feed wheat prices in Alberta, and add back the $20/t CWB spread between #1 and #3CWRS 13.5, plus the $42/t to get it into position in Vancouver, presto... we are back at about $250/t for a #1CWRS 13.5?

And on top the CWB's export offering price is about at this level isn't it?

I checked the buy-back price for yesterday, and it was just over $242.00/t

All situations point to a PRO that is still way under market price today, and a PPO system that is adding significant revenue to CWB coffers, at the expence of "designated area" grain producers, not only in the value of the CWB exported grain but somewhat on domestically consumed grain as well...

If the CWB had not gone out and sold signicficant volumes of wheat to North American Millers in June, and they were forced to pay up for the wheat they will use next year, wouldn't the price be even higher than it is now?

As it sits now, the Millers have an assured supply, and BIG profits, with farmers growing 10-20bu/ac going bankrupt, how can anyone say this is fair?

The government forced this situation on us, isn't, this just a scheme to destroy western Canadian grain producers?

[TOM4CWB]

Thalpenny,

In the "Open letter to Western Canadian Farmers" the CWB says;

"Regardless of where you, as an individual farmer, stand on the issue, there are certain aspects of the debate that need to be clearly outlined:
The only people who really have a say on this issue are the farmers of Western Canada. The Standing Committee of the House of Commons cannot decide the future of how your wheat and barley is sold."

In a parliamentary democracy, how can the CWB say this, when their very power and existance came from parliament.

When did Western Farmers ever vote, in 1943 when the CWB monopoly was created, to give the CWB monopoly powers with the right in law to hold DOWN our grain prices, like what is happening right now!!!

I see the CWB St Lawerence Vancouver asking price at $265.41 this week and 270.91 last week for a #1 CWRS 13.5!!!

And you offer us $225/t flat price and $228 PRO as what our price should be???

How can the CWB possibly take the stand that it is in reality extracting a premium, and returning it to "designated area" grain producers when the facts show the opposite???

How can the CWB be so arrogant to tell the Parliament of Canada to bug off, when it is obvious Parliament had valid and good reasons to make a reasonable request of you to allow some freedom?

Is this not the CWB itself resquesting parliament to end and desolve the CWB?

How can the CWB directors and staff, be possibly be doing things in the best interests of the CWB, by inviting disolution by the contempt you have shown to the Parliament of Canada?

[TOM4CWB]

Thalpenny,

I understand the CWB was polling grain producers last week on the performance of the CWB and whether Parliament has the right to make the judgement they did in the Agriculture Standing Committee on CWB Marketing Choice...

Are we farmers who paid for this survey going to be able to access the questions and answers to this poll?