Looking out for the interest of farmers - again ...

[Incognito]

Canadian Wheat Board officials deny accusations by ag. minister on barley program

6 hours ago

WINNIPEG - Officials with the Canadian Wheat Board deny accusations by the federal agriculture minister that they're not listening to producers or the industry after introducing a new program on barley marketing.

Gerry Ritz has called on the board to join a meeting of producers and industry officials in Ottawa Jan. 29, saying there's a "major gap" between what producers and the industry want and where the board is going with its new program.

Deanna Allen, a spokeswoman for the board, calls the blunt tone of a news release by the minister "baffling."

She says it infers the board is stonewalling, makes accusations that the board isn't consulting or listening to industry and is overriding the views of producers.

Allen says all those criticisms are untrue, and points out the board has held extensive consultations with industry officials in recent months to answer their concerns about ensuring stability in barley markets.

She wonders whether Ritz is sending a message about a plan to develop an unregulated North American barley marketing system to board directors, who will meet in Winnipeg Jan. 30 - one day after the meeting in Ottawa.

[wilagro]

Ritz is just trying to throw a monkeywrench into the workings of the CWB. "Monkeying" is the key word here. Intimidation and diversion from the current course is the objective, I am sure.

Duh "Boss" has to look like he is doing his job...typical newbie reaction.

[SASKFARMER3]

wilgrow the end is near and the CWB killed itself.
High paying jobs for its workers and nothing for the Slaves OK farmers. Look at the last five years they got to be fatter pigs and we lost huge dollars. Compare the average US price over the last five years with CWB final. Where is the premium. Their is none you have been told a bunch of lies and believed it.
If the Feds had a majority this thing would be done. Wheat and Barley.
I can lock in prices every day of the year on every crop except my barley and wheat and Durum. Why Because some bureaucrat knows better. Ha.
Yes when Wheat hits $11.00 Ill sell my DPC so that at least I can Average a 9,00 (today's PRO) But is that expert marketing by the Board or my self.
Most farmers in Saskatchewan are starting to ask questions like Why are we not getting a great return from this years crop. And I believe the Manitoba farmer isn't far behind.

[chaffmeister]

wilagro:
do you have any idea of what's going on?
You've got an industry in total disarray for the simple reason that the CWB wants desperately to hang onto the barley single desk and won't listen to anyone.

And guess what? They know they can't do the proper job in barley, so its not barley they're trying to protect.

It's wheat.

They figure if they lose barley, and the open market works well, CWB supporters will logically ask the question "If an open market in barley works, why not in wheat?"

If you play chess you can see what's happening. The CWB is using the whole barley sector as pawns to protect its king and hence its kingdom.

The CWB is acting as if the barley sector is expendable - anything that might happen to it is simply collateral damage in its fight to preserve the wheat desk. How else can you explain the arrogant and irresponsible approach to the CashPlus program - not selling new crop to maltsters unless they sign on to it. Business is being lost; perhaps worse yet, credibility has been absolutely lost. We are the laughing stock of the international barley sector. Trust me - I've heard the comments.

Strong-arm tactics to get their way.
Shameful and embarrassing.

[cropduster]

I like your comments Chaff...Why hasn`t Deanna and Co. trotted out their `success` with oats?????Surely since they don`t handle it any more they should have a good case for getting it back??They only want to be adversarial to change......

[TOM4CWB]

Chaffmeister,

The obvious question must be asked...

Since the CWB is totally out to lunch on barley...

What would possess anyone to think the CWB does any better on wheat or durum?

The CWB deserves a "Darwin Award" for the 2008 CashPLUS barley program!