Cereal seed business

[FarmRanger]

So, you want Commissions to replace WGRF? I'm not sure how that changes things much from the way things are run right now?

Or are you suggesting that AAFC give their germplasm away to Commissions for free? Do we also inherit all the infrasture and personnel as well? The feds might have some objections if our business model depends on the government giving us 100s of millions of dollars in infrastructure. Even if they did, would the new entity break even, or would it require constant infusions of farmers money to stay afloat? Would you be happy if another buck a tonne was added to your checkoff for variety development especially if you still had to pay for any certified seed that came out of the new company? What the risk if a big life science company creates some new wheat that every farmer wants to buy and we all abandon the varieties offered by our own company?

I'm not saying it can't be done, but these are questions that would have to be answered satisfactorially before commissions could ever consider owning a breeding company.

Recent beefed up UPOV91 legislation enshrines farmer rights to saved seed and is a red herring to this discussion.

[tweety]

So how does Kansas do it? I heard from a friend down there they have an extremely functional farmer directed system in place that owns most of the newer varieties. He knew a bit about it but not too much.

Don't they work with the gov and university? Why is it impossible here?

[FarmRanger]

I don't know how Kansas does it, but they should be definitely one of the places that are looked at to see if their model could work up here.

[tweety]

Well, get er done! You sound like you are in the position to make decisions. Here in sask where i farm it may just slip away while discussing and discussing.