commissions and assosiations

[danpenner]

in regards to the formation of new commisions for wht bly winter cereals for all individual provinces,
isnt it time that we stop thinking we live in a time that wheat in manitoba or saskatchewan is different from wheat in alberta, thoughts amongst some producers are that we need to form one commision that can encompass wheat in all provinces and stop fragmenting the checkoff dollars that are being collected, wouldnt it make sence to have canadian cereal commision? and a canadian pulse growers association? and a canadian oilseeds association? is it neccesary to do broad spectrum research within one province and then possibly duplicate the same research in another province, or couldnt our money be better spent by funding larger grower organizations and commisions that could then belong to a canadian farmer controlled organization that could manage funds through a reasearch commitee, a policy commitee, a market development commitee....and have representation by those commisions and assosiations on it.
organizing acriculture in such a manner would surely prove benificial to make our dollars go farther!

[bucket]

You are going to have a barley council chaired by Brian Otto, ( he is a good guy and has spent alot of time on barley issues unfortunately when he ran for the cwb, his incumbent opponents forgot to tell that they were going to spend money on ships. I think he would have been a shoe in)

Then you will have a barley commission for each province.

Same thing will happen to wheat.

And as I have said before " who thinks this shit up" other than guys that think making per diems is profitable.

If anyone had any vision we would be looking for a North American solution to commissions, councils, freight, grading, etc to make the whole north american grain industry more efficient.

I hate reading stories that an american farmer can't deliver his durum to a canadian point because someone can't grade it. They have the same characteristics, use the same chemicals. And more than likely the only reason he wants to deliver is because he is closer to a delivery point. I doubt you would deliver from south dakota to weyburn because it would make no economic sense. Much like I wouldn't send my wheat to south dakota because freight would eat up the cost.

But vision is like the bogey man and there are too many scared of it.

[danpenner]

vission is key, were moving to a point in canadian agriculture very soon where there will be no more public plant breeding, if we dont get organized properly and eficiently and start funeling our money into an organization that can take ownership of the intelectual propery that is going to come available, food production will become completely controled by life science companys,
on the other note about north american association, great vission, lets try to get canada on the same page first

[bucket]

True, but all I know is a commission in each province for wheat and barley plus a council is just too repetitive.

Too much administration.

I don't know why people that have the ear of government officials and the government officials themselves can't figure this out.

Lack of vision for one.

The other is, I honestly believe there are people that enjoy meetings and doing the same shit over and over again.


Why else would you have a barley council and an Alberta barley commission with basically the same mandate?

[FarmRanger]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the
Barley commission is made up of just farmers and the council is farmers and industry. 2 different focuses...or visions if you like. I would assume that different provincial commissions will work together on projects that have common application to all of the Canadian prairies?

Just because I don't know what the vision is, doesn't mean there isn't one.

[Burbert]

Lets reinvent the Comedian Wheat Bored
agin, er maybe stare at the fuzz in our
navels. I vote for, stare at the fuzz in
our navels, true Comedian spirit, eh Heil
Harper, f ritz.....

[gustgd]

Just so I don't throw the glyphosate thread off topic to far I'll respond here.

I agree that having a commission for every crop is wrong. Others did not.

Did anyone with "commission fatigue" send a submission to the Agri-food council? Not to say what would have happened, but that was a place to make changes. Maybe you could lobby the Ag Minister. Lyle Stewart is a very good guy.

Bucket mentioned the Barley Council of Canada. The only way farmers can be at the table is with dollars.

Voluntary groups like the WCWGA or WBGA can help with voluntary directors, but our time is precious and we simply don't have the resources to tackle all issues with the thoroughness required to make informed decisions. Even our one staff member Blair Rutter can only do so much.

In my opinion this is why we need some commissions. Some of these issues require staff to go to meetings to help follow through on the wishes of farmer directors.

In my opinion that is a strength of the WGRF. It is across Western Canada. Focuses on Varietal development, research and agronomy.
It's the best model I know to make Universities Ag Canada and provinces across the West work together.

Everyone in the farm community is trying to build a model that they think will work in the best interests of farmers if you have any ideas let them know.

I think Mr. Penner is on the right track, yet to get the proper flow through of dollars provincial commissions are legislatively necessary.

I see consolidation happening within provinces. Probably a 5-10 year time frame. Lots of personalities to get around.

Sorry for rambling note.

[danpenner]

the interesting thing is that if pulses were in the same situation as the cereal induustry is now we would have ended up with a pea, lentil chickpea pinto bean black bean navybean.... etc all being seperate commisions in each province,
couldnt we have one ceral grain commision
one pulse growers association and one oil seeds association in canada
with regional or provincial commitees to deal with regional trials and crop ins issues?
and otherwise let the larger associations and commisions deal with the big picture issues with larger dollars and less overhead

[gustgd]

Dan your absolutely right when using the pulse
example as a model where cereals need to go.
Other than the non refundable part.

A good question to ask the leadership of Oats,
Barley, Winter Cereals and soon to be Corn is
why they don't want to combine resources? I
know you've sent your letter around the industry.
What response did you get?

I have an idea of the reasons, partially agree with
some, but logistics of the real world negate some
of those benefits. Agree provinces can change the
rules but its a long term project.


Bucket I'll answer some of your questions. I know
you and you can handle your self.

Just because you see how "obvious" it is that
there should be one massive cross country
cereals commission, doesn't mean that's an easy
thing to set up.

Definitions as I see it

Commissions are farmer dollars unding farmer
priorities. Legally have to have a noard of
directors to be accountable for $$$.

Councils think of entire value chain. Farmers are
one segment. Eg Canola Council of Canada
farmers have I think 4 of 17 seats around the
table
http://www.canolacouncil.org/what-we-do/board-
of-directors/.

I've explained before about the significance of
having to have single province commissions. It's
the only way to to collect the dollars from the
farm. You might not see the work done or the
need for it to continue. Doesn't mean your right.

Yesterday on Gormley's talk radio show. A farmer
was complaining about the price differential on a
chemical between USA and Canada. He was
traveling to Montana, because he could buy it
cheaper down there and still be money ahead
after travel and expenses.
Where do you think a council would help on such
an issue? That's why you need commissions
representing farmer issues only.

As for questioning my motives. It's a hobby. I am
a full time farmer that rather than do some other
things I've chosen to take some time to devote to
the industry where my family has worked for a
hundred years. I've met some great people and
some jerks. I've been fortunate to be in leadership
positions in a time where there has been
generational changes in agriculture. Many people
have been smashed against the wall that was the
Monopoly.
If you want to see things done different.
Step up there's lots of room, and many issues
that need someone's attention.
In my experience everyone got involved because
they saw something that needed changing.

[bucket]

As I have said before if you want
checkoffs get the people who want them
to sign up.

Don't make checkoffs mandatory then have
the people that don't want them beg for
their money back.

In other words don't make me do more
work. I have better hobbies than having
circle jerk meetings patting myself on
the back and justifying it by saying it
is for the better of farmers interest.
Bullshit.

[vvalk]

Bucket. I've met your type many times. Want all
your money back so others can pay for all the
research and advancements we see. It won't
make any difference if you just pull your money
out will it? Why not get the benefits for free? So
you think all these organizations are doing nothing
with your money? Endingthe monopoly, working
on trade issues, safety nets, not tariff barriers like
china closing imports down over blackleg or the
triffid in flax issues. How about low level presence
or chemical residues that may shut down exports
to different countries making sure new GMO traits
are excepted in countries that buy all our canola.
New traits in cereals that will help battles new
diseases etc. No that doesn't effect your farm at
all. I could go on and on to the benefits but why
bother, if you think all we do its have a circle jerk.
Your obviously so closed minded why bother
wasting the time your cheap ass

[FarmRanger]

Bucket, I understand that you think commissions
don't do anything to further your business. I also
know you're wrong, and that when you ask for
your checkoff back you get the benefit anyway
while paying none of the costs. If you really think
that commissions are a "circle jerk", why don't you
get on one and change it for the better, rather
than just pi$$ing and moaning about it on Agri-
ville?

Is going through a little bit of paperwork to get
your checkoff back really that big of a burden
compared to freeloading off your neighbour's
contributions to the furthering of farmers interests
in the industry?

Personally I'm glad that there are folks like gustgd
and Brian Otto that step up to look out for our
interests, rather than just letting industry dictate to
us what our role will be.

[craig]

The reason we haven't seen prairie wide commissions are that farmers are their own worst enemies.I have been involved with numerous commissions and there have been numerous times when the Provincial commissions can not agree. Sask pulse is a prime example of where there is only one way to run the pulse industry and that's their way. The old WGRF also brought some baggage with it. There are opportunities to provide efficiency on a national scale( central checkoff agencies) yet retain some provincial automony. Most of the new commissions will have national councils with in due time. In the mean time there is a need to make sure dollars are spent wisely and without duplication.

[bucket]

Vvalk

**** off. I haven't requested one
****ing nickel back from the many
checkoffs I pay into.

How about a maximum of 1000 bucks and a
farm quits paying into the checkoffs.

If your offended by my opinion too
****ing bad.

Mandatory checkoffs are as bad as the
cwb.

Its always better to be asked than be
told.

So, would you kindly ****off?

[bucket]

Vvalk


If you want to discuss triffid. Great.

It was the breeders and seedgrowers
fault. Period. It was never commercially
available to farmers. The flax council
and saskflax just gave the exact same
people that wouldn't accept
responsiblity for the mess, the
responsibilty to create new seed.

And the saskflax board is making sure
they benefit from it.

I have suggested the seed grower
exchange flax for new seed as part of
their responsibility to the industry.

I will bet they refuse to lose a nickel
on 2014 seed.

And the council and commissions are full
of self serving *****, hence the phrase
circle jerk.

Besides I feel that a good idea can come
from an interested farmer and still be
acted on.