The CWB is searching for additional supplies of durum from producers who have fulfilled their delivery comitments. There are some supplies that aren't under any hold or contract to anyone; but why wouldn't a producer at least pause to reflect that you stand to net only about 40% of this durum's current value everywhere else in the world . I don't know any businessman who would jump at that kind of offer.
Most of us remain without any options. Perhaps the CWB could contact all organic and seed growers who strongly support the CWB. I'm sure certified seed and cleaned organic grain would blend in with CWB shipments. This gesture would show a genuine commitment to professed CWB support.
How many of you have heard of the CWB "alkaline noodle project"? About January, the CWB solicited samples from a small number of producers who might have some older poorer grade durum for a small scale milling run. I hand delivered the requested sample and less than a month ago was told it was exactly what they wanted. The details were spelled out in a phone call from Winipeg. Payment was $700; it would be picked up; and a 1.5 tonne mini bulk bag of this durum was the next step. Fine; that was their offer; but in a case like this a producer has the rare opportunity to negotiate.
In a rare moment of quick thinking I concluded this is the perfect opportunity to go for a once in a lifetime deal. Who else would be able to say that the CWB paid the US price for at least 54 bushels of durum; and further it isn't being selfish or greedy to the point of extortion. The request was a complete nuisance to me; having to move and start a grain auger in potentially cold weather, weighing the grain etc. etc all for free....... So I asked for 20.50 US/ bushel which was the actual US elevator price (and not even an elevator known for having the highest price). I was informed that the CWB would have to check with Mr. Klippenstein; to see if they could pay more than what they had planned.
Silence speaks volumns; and I now publically announce that I have withdrawn my counter offer. As expected; I am now content to say that the CWB will not even pay something approaching a fair price for durum that was needed, not widely available and by their own admission was exactly what they wanted.
Just like the loss of the "Crow Rate"; the demise of the CWB surely won't correct all of agricultures' problems. On the other hand similar current CWB services could be and are provided by all sorts consultants, brokers and businessmen.
It will now take more than rhetoric to convince me the CWB should have any relevance to WHEAT, DURUM WHEAT or BARLEY.
I encourage the Feeral government to make sweeping legislation so that we won't have to again go through the same process of political and self interest turmoil.
Most of us remain without any options. Perhaps the CWB could contact all organic and seed growers who strongly support the CWB. I'm sure certified seed and cleaned organic grain would blend in with CWB shipments. This gesture would show a genuine commitment to professed CWB support.
How many of you have heard of the CWB "alkaline noodle project"? About January, the CWB solicited samples from a small number of producers who might have some older poorer grade durum for a small scale milling run. I hand delivered the requested sample and less than a month ago was told it was exactly what they wanted. The details were spelled out in a phone call from Winipeg. Payment was $700; it would be picked up; and a 1.5 tonne mini bulk bag of this durum was the next step. Fine; that was their offer; but in a case like this a producer has the rare opportunity to negotiate.
In a rare moment of quick thinking I concluded this is the perfect opportunity to go for a once in a lifetime deal. Who else would be able to say that the CWB paid the US price for at least 54 bushels of durum; and further it isn't being selfish or greedy to the point of extortion. The request was a complete nuisance to me; having to move and start a grain auger in potentially cold weather, weighing the grain etc. etc all for free....... So I asked for 20.50 US/ bushel which was the actual US elevator price (and not even an elevator known for having the highest price). I was informed that the CWB would have to check with Mr. Klippenstein; to see if they could pay more than what they had planned.
Silence speaks volumns; and I now publically announce that I have withdrawn my counter offer. As expected; I am now content to say that the CWB will not even pay something approaching a fair price for durum that was needed, not widely available and by their own admission was exactly what they wanted.
Just like the loss of the "Crow Rate"; the demise of the CWB surely won't correct all of agricultures' problems. On the other hand similar current CWB services could be and are provided by all sorts consultants, brokers and businessmen.
It will now take more than rhetoric to convince me the CWB should have any relevance to WHEAT, DURUM WHEAT or BARLEY.
I encourage the Feeral government to make sweeping legislation so that we won't have to again go through the same process of political and self interest turmoil.
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