Grading, protein, falling numbers

[Braveheart]

Testing for protein is an inexact science. The same bin will test different on different days.

If most posters on here are this distrustful of their grain handlers, or suppliers, they either need to take a good look at themselves or get a different career.

This doesn't mean you don't pay attention to your products or protect your property's value. But, if you don't trust the people you partner with to move your product to end users you have big problems.

[farmaholic]

Braveheart: if you're insinuating those that don't trust can't be trusted you are oh so wrong when it comes to me. My frustration is I think everyone runs on the same set of morals and beliefs as me and I get pissed when I get ****ed over. NO, I don't trust them..... end of story!!!

[SASKFARMER3]

I priced a foston or foster years ago same as the elevators have from Texas. It was $34,000.00 ah decided to use theirs.

[Braveheart]

So every day you haul grain to town, you're anxious, uptight, blood pressure up?

If that's the case then I'm not insinuating, I'm stating, you have a problem.

[bucket]

Braveheart

I hope your comments are not pointed at me.

I watch them test my grain and once it's in the machine I rub it like a slot machine for better results.

What else can you do. 3 different results just means it's all a crap shoot.

I don't know where .1 increments came from. They don't sell grain like that or bin it that way either.

[farmaholic]

cause and effect....

[farmaholic]

...but the problem isn't that I can't be trusted...

[Braveheart]

My comments are general.

Know what you have. If experienced, you can get a pretty good handle on grade. Protein WILL vary month to month, machine to machine. It's just the way it is. WATCH your sample tested. It's your right. If you disagree get a third (official) grade.

But, distrusting everyone out there is just going to leave you personally hollow and set up up as an individual businesses would really rather not see.

We have an individual in our community who has this reputation and he is now running out of anyone to do business with. Machine dealers don't want him. Elevators cringe when he comes in. A landlord wouldn't allow him to use bins in a yard and he had to pile grain in the field. He's putting himself out of business.

[Hopalong]

Have my own complaints and stories about being hard done by the system.
Have also done some questionable things (when I was younger) in dealing with grain companies.
Looking for solutions, don't think farmer ownership or government regulation is the answer.
Owning and using our own testing equipment would help when practical, just as moisture testing has changed from days when we had to go to elevator.
Suggest that farms of the future will continue to become more business oriented and supportive of industry type associations.

[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.