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    WBGA

    The Western Barley Growers' Association has truly come of age.

    If you attended the conference in Calgary, you would understand why I make this comment

    1. WBGA have adopted a global point of view. Their conference was about IDEAS. Not about people. That's grown-up stuff.

    2. WBGA provided a forum for researchers to compare their efforts WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF HOW IT WOULD IMPACT ON FARMERS, and then comtemplate collaboration! Not smart guys sitting in a lab, in isolation, but sharing with farmers and each other!

    3. Making a place at the WBGA table where ALL farmers/participants are comfortable.


    Speaker Tim Stonehouse wrote to me and said it well:

    "Well, from the beginning at the airport, being met by Doug, all I experienced was of being welcomed and a good feeling. I thank you so much for the invitation and this opportunity to come to Calgary to meet so many friendly, and good people.

    4. WBGA hve not forgotten thier purpose. They are are working hard for FARMERS. The clearing house, the barley research, are done to make barley production more profitable for farmers.

    5. The Alberta Government has been an ideal climate in which a barley association can grow and thrive. The Alberta Government does not crave to be the star; rather,they trust in their people enough to realize there can be countless stars, as long as they give up the limelight, and let their people bloom.

    6. The WBGA has not forgotten their past. Lionel Bird and Gordon Reid were both honored for ploughing those tough outside rows. They honor their pioneer thinkers.


    So how did this maturity ripen so quickly?

    Two prime reasons come to mind:


    Doug McBain, from Cremona, Alberta has dedicated incalcuable time and effort towards maturing the organization into a classy, but comfortable venue.

    He has worked closely with Government and farm organizations and researchers and farmers, maintaining that McBain harmony within all camps.

    When Dougie goes Mc'Baining, no one can refuse.

    After Jeff Neilsen succeeded Doug as President, he also works tirelessly, thoroughly learning the issues, staying on track. Tough. Driving. Persistent. Who could help but like Neilsen?

    Between the two of these barley growers, the 2008 WBGA Convention gave up, and yielded to complete success.


    Between the two of them, agriculture will be forever changed.

    Parsley

    #2
    Plus the drivers behind the clearinghouse concept of security.

    Solutions, not whining is what seperates a good organization from, ummm, well let me just say, the NFU type of organization.

    Speaking of that, picture this, Bill C33 on renewable fuels debate at the ag standing committee on inclusion of a mandate for biofuels. CCGA, CRFA, GGC and the NFU testifying. Question (paraphrased) by MP's to the the NFU after they were bashing biofuels and using incorrect and non scientific outdated data: Since biofuels is a great benefit to farmers, exactly who are you representing? And all the Western Seducer reports is how the poor NFU wasn't heard. Freedom of speech I guess it is called. Sheesh.

    Yup, solutions. Key to a successful organization.

    Comment


      #3
      Anyone ever wonder what would happen if the railroads said to hell with hauling grains? Anyone know what we would do?

      Comment


        #4
        Speaking about WBGA, the clearinghouse project and the Western Producer, I encourage every to read the insert in this week's addition. A good explanation of the clearinghouse. Agri-ville is a good place to ask questions and/or raise concerns about the clearinghouse.

        Comment


          #5
          Sing me this one.

          I enjoy yout tunes.

          Parsley

          Comment


            #6
            Sing the Bill C33, wd9.

            Not u, charliep.

            LOL

            Parsley

            Comment


              #7
              I agree with your comments on the WBG convention Parsley!!! Probably just a little biased, but, the meaning of your comments is what counts here!There are unsung behind the scenes contributors TOO !I spoke to the GM of ABP after the food -fuel debate and even he agreed his organization(or at least their representative in the debate)needed a BROADER vision!It is/was/continues to be that producers flock to `hands on` types of gatherings (farmtech,1500 registrants)but are unwilling to expose themselves to anything more than that! WBGA ROCKS!!!

              Comment


                #8
                This special environment was established by the WBGA, so welcoming even the foreigners noticed it, that a producer and a maltster and a brewer could sit together with organizational heads, and chatter to their heart's content. Even the weak-hearted. lol, cropduster.

                Working together. Playing together.
                Team.
                Listening.
                Sharing ideas.


                Works every time.

                Parsley

                Comment


                  #9
                  charliep,

                  I think the clearing house would be a terrific venue for organics.

                  Upside?
                  Downside?

                  Parsley

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Upside organics.

                    - Ability to deal with customers that may be new to you and are unsure of their ability to perform on the contract.

                    - Clearly defined contracts and a mechanism for third party dispute resolution. Some of this may already be a part of the organic process so less benefit than regular grain.

                    - Improved security for banks. You can take a firm contract to a bank with a backstop to ensure performance.

                    - Improved price discovery. Side benefit but will add visibility to pricing. May apply less to organics although to understand more about price discovery/information sharing in the organic supply chain.

                    Downside

                    - Farmers have to use it all the time from your best customer to your customer that gives you the most angst.

                    - Some cost (likely to be small).

                    - Margining. Both sides will have to put up good faith money. Can be a cashflow issue.

                    Comment

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