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[TOM4CWB]

Dear:

Agstar77,
Wilagro,
Burbert,
Stubblejumper;

It has been nearly 12 years since the Western Grain Marketing Panel Report (Recommended in an Industry wide consensus) Commissioned by the Honourable Ralph Goodale recommended: Marketing Choice for Barley.

In 2002 the Federal Parliamentary all Party Committee recommended Marketing Choice be given an opportunity to work.

It is now 2008, and we are no closer to meeting these 'Market Choice' objectives than we were in 1996.

Growers working for 'Market Choice' have been patient. We have paid a price at the farm gate in reduced returns... because some farmers like you... feel it is your place to micro-manage our families businesses.

What is the compromise here?

Will the CWB EVER provide transparent market driven daily cash prices that reflect world demand for wheat of barley?

Daily Price Contracts and Fixed Price Contracts have not provided this transparency. Further, these PPO contracts have been a major source of frustration as they cross subsidise the Pool accounts and fail to meet the objectives they were supposed to resolve.

So do you expect of us... :

Must we all buy the same brand of farm equipment at the same time... so you can get a better deal?

Must we all buy our farm inputs together... so you can reduce the cost of growing your farm?

It would be logical that we could work together and do things like these... on a voluntary basis.

The same standards should apply to our marketing services and risk management tools! We need a competitive voluntary marketing system... and the CWB system could flourish and grow... if folks with vision and determination were to lead forward!

Minister Ritz, is simply trying to nudge us into doing the right thing!

[agstar77]

Nudge! More like bulldoze us over the cliff!

[Kodiak]

Agstar,

Just a simple question. I need to understand your mindset.

When it comes to doing business as a farmer, specifically when it comes to buying our inputs or selling our production through a cooperative approach, do you believe in:

A. Voluntary participation
B. Forced participation

If you would care to, briefly elaborate on your answer. If you can give proven examples of where it has worked better (than the alternative) for everyone in the cooperative, that would be helpful.

[TOM4CWB]

Agstar77

The CWB Directors have had 10 years to provide transparent cash pricing options... and every year since they have been introduced... the Fixed Price Contracts are more frustrating and distorted by CWB Pooling.

AND now;

The CWB has lost about $10m the last year... and $40m in 06-07.

It is like it was intentional. The Contingency fund could provide the base for a voluntary CWB... which the majority of directors do not want... trash the contingency fund.

It is VERY frustrating to see the CWB crash and burn... instead of having responsible managers/directors that build good will and a stong leader.

[stubblejumper]

Tom just wondering where you get your numbers that you say the cwb lost. did Mr's Ritz and Anderson tell you or are you making the numbers up by yourself.

[wilagro]

chaffmeister did it again with those lllllooooonnnngggg sentences...screwing up the view of the screen.
Gawd, I wish that he would refrain from doing that.

[TOM4CWB]

Subblejumper,

Please check out page 73 of the 2006-07 CWB Annual Report.

Check it out on the CWB Web site.

The exact number quoted for the loss of the contingency fund this year, is $40,626,000.00. The Number shown is $40,626 and the Financials are all quoted in "000" as indicated at the tops of each page.

[charliep]

stubblejumper.

you can also check out page 58. You can get to both the 2006/07 and 05/07 CWB annual reports from this site.

http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/about/investor/annual/

If you can't get the annual report off the internet, phone 1 800 ASK 4CWB (1 800 235 4292) or email the CWB (questions@cwb.ca). If you are there early, they are also available at the
cwb district meetings.

[stubblejumper]

the contingency fund is working the way it was set up to work as you well know. An easy fix would be to discontinue the EPO programs.

[agstar77]

The large grain companies also have contingency funds ,set up with your money and be rest assured they won't be the ones to lose when you book a futures prices and they won't disclose what they lose for you . So why don't you complain about that. You want a service then be prepared to pay for it.