Grading, protein, falling numbers

[ColevilleH2S]

Why do none of the zillion commodity check-off groups we have nowadays offer any kind of grain grading education to the producers of their crops?

Knowledge is power, and in this case, I wonder if the few who have it don't want to complicate their world by spreading it around.

[farmaholic]

Not being argumentative Braveheart but want to point out that I did say on here in the past, at what point do we become or get the reputation of "being hard to deal with". If we stand up for ourselves or call their bullshit it that a character flaw for me? Sad if we have to ***** ourselves out to make everyone else happy.
I am simply trying to make everyone aware of the pitfalls and maybe they should walk where they step. Especially the new to industry producers. This is not to bash the people we do business with but in time the gig will be over.

[wmoebis]

The late "Paul Beingessner" had it right:
This is the recommendation by Compas to eliminate the positions of Assistant Commissioners to the CGC and replace them with a separate Office of Grain Farmer Advocacy. Compas described the mandate of this Office as being to "ensure that farmers understand their rights under the Actand to advocate for them in disputes with handlers, the CGC, or other stakeholders."

The six Assistant Commissioners have a unique role. Though part of the CGC, they are appointed by the government of the day. They report to the CGC Commissioners, but can't be hired or fired by CGC brass. This unique position gives them a great deal of freedom in how they carry out their jobs. Farmers who feel mistreated by the grain companies have been the most common users of their services, and while most farmers may never have cause to appeal to their Assistant Commissioner, I know many who would attest to the value of the help they've received.

Farmers often feel powerless in dealing with grain companies. Many times they don't know their rights, and are at a loss to protect themselves. Assistant Commissioners play the role of evening out the power imbalance that exists between farmers and grain companies. Compas appeared to recognize the need for this role, though it's recommendations in this regard were not perfect.

The Minister of Agriculture, on the other hand, appears oblivious to the value of the Assistant Commissioners. He has refused to fill vacancies in this role, and seems confused about the value of the "Office of Grain Farmer Advocacy" as recommended by Compas and supported by the Standing Committee. His reply to the Committee was that it was "unclear how a government-funded advocacy office would co-exist with existing general farm organizations that advocate on behalf of grain and other farmers."

It is unclear, I think, only to the Minister and those who advise him. If it is to be of any use, the Office of Grain Farmer Advocacy envisioned by the Standing Committee and Compas would have a role similar to the Assistant Commissioners. That is, it would have the power to investigate disputes between farmers and grain companies, and to access the data and information required to force the parties to meet their obligations under the Act. This has nothing to do with the type of advocacy and policy work done by farm organizations, which rarely comment on specific complaints and have no powers to access CGC data and reports.

The Minister's failure to understand the need for this role is a larger failing than you might think. It means he doesn't appreciate that farmers lack the resources and power to confront the grain companies, which in a dispute often bully the farmer who can't adequately defend himself. It also means he does not understand the nature of business relationships where one party has vastly more knowledge and power than another. In short, he doesn't understand the grain industry and the very reasons the CGC was created in the first place.

© Paul Beingessner

[farmaholic]

correction: "watch where they step"

[Hopalong]

Also agree with those who to say to arm yourself with knowledge.
Know the quality and specs of your grain.
Know how contract and futures marketing work.
Know your own limitations and where to go for advice.
We continue to evolve from strong backs and weak minds.

[mcfarms]

if you have the time and have not been get your name on a spot to the cigi combine to customer course was very valuable time spent a number of years ago.

[Choice2U]

Understanding the system and knowing what you got is a little bit of BS. I couldn't take better samples of each bin. I take the samples to the elevator and get them graded. Then every load is graded separately when delivered and rarely meets my sample pail. Protein is usually lower or the same but never higher.

Problem is that we get paid a premium for protein but then everything else is a discount that varies per load.

Unless one takes a video of one sampling a load as it goes into the truck and then tests the sample, you get what they say it is.

Please educate me on falling # as I have never been paid a premium or discount for that number. I suspect that if one had a producer car loading site and was able to send a sample of a 90/100 mt bin prior to the car being loaded and then sent to a specific buyer, the falling # would be relevant.

[farmaholic]

On a year with alot of weather damaged/sprouted grain, you bet that falling number matters. There is definitely a discount for sprouted grain(lower grades) but hopefully the "good" grain in the higher grades sees the premium in those years. Built in? Ask the end user if it matters....

[Braveheart]

Farmaholic, from earlier, yes, farmers should stand up for themselves, absolutely. But always approaching every transaction with an elevator company?

I have said before, amid howls of wtf, that I consider the grain handlers partners as we are all dependent on one another through the chain. If a "partner" doesn't hold up their end, I look for a different partner.

As with most things I find grain is personality driven. Different management/labour at the same elevator point can change everything. I change as well. As such I stay flexible.

[Braveheart]

Paul Beingessner? Really? He was in it for the money. Very articulate, but for the money. He was paid for his opinion. That opinion, wrong 99% of the time, was always well put.

[Braveheart]

Should have read always approaching every transaction with distrust.

[farmaholic]

Being adversarial all the time or coming out of your corner swinging only gets other people's defenses up. But I think it is important that everyone know we're not door mats or we have to live up to the old moniker, dumb farmer.