WCWGA Convention in EDM...Our 'Board' grain markets... after the 'single desk'

[TOM4CWB]

Dear Charlie et al;,

We were treated to a first class 'Freedom Classic' Wheat
Growers Convention in Edmonton

It is fascinating to see where market forces have
'pulled' our western CDN wheat this crop year!

Our best of friends to the south...(USA).. are our best
market...

Truly is Hard to argue that 'single desk' restrictions
were positive or that US border problems have
restricted integration of North American wheat
markets. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!!!

"The U.S. was the largest single importer of Canadian
non-durum wheat in the crop year to Nov. 30 at
498,000 tonnes, compared to 72,000 a year ago.
Exports by destination, thousand tonnes (year-earlier):
Non-durum wheat: Japan 474 (323); Mexico 311 (576);
Indonesia 280 (182); Sri Lanka 222 (135). Durum
wheat: Morocco 385 (70); Algeria 311 (156); Italy 269
(387); Belgium 241 (68). Oats: U.S.A. 460 (537);
Ecuador 4 (0). Barley: Japan 248 (94); Saudi Arabia 109
(118); U.S.A. 109 (85); UAE 38 (0). Flax: U.S.A. 29 (33);
China 19 (28). Canola: China 976 (708); Japan 862
(785); Mexico 628 (596); UAE 185 (138); U.S. 96 (177).
Peas: India 388 (444); China 213 (245); Spain 33 (0);
Bangla- desh 30 (119)." Agriweek Jan 21/13 issue

Paul Penner 2VP of NAWG was at the Wheat Grower
Convention. We have much to be thankful for in
working with outstanding folks who think and grow
wheat... for the exact same reasons growers in western
Canada do... to supply the best possible wheat to a
hungry world.

It is truly heartening to have friends Like Paul and
President Alan Tracy of US Wheat. I am very blessed...
as are all wheat growers in Canada... to have great
friends and brothers... like these folks!! We had a great
time at our convention.... it was the best WCWGA
convention ever in Edmonton... in my opinion!

'Paul Penner joined KAWG because he wanted to help
set the direction of the organization. He has served all
of the offices and now holds the past-president seat,
representing District 5 in central Kansas. Paul lives
with his wife, Deborah and they grow wheat, grain
sorghum, soybeans, corn and grass hay near Hillsboro.
They have three children; Ben and his wife Anna;
Jessica and her husband Thomas, and David. Paul and
Deborah also have twin graddaughters with whom Paul
enjoys spending time. Paul’s hobbies include
photography and writing; he writes an opinion column
for a local newspaper and for the Kansas Farmer.'
http://www.kswheat.com/boardmembers-kawg.php

[farmboy4]

"The U.S. was the largest single importer
of Canadian non-durum wheat in the crop
year to Nov. 30 at 498,000 tonnes,
compared to 72,000 a year ago."

That should be 472,000 not 72,000 a year
ago.

[Burbert]

Thought u was on vacation in Hawaii or
Cuba toomie. Never herd nothing about a
Wheatie bored convention. Butt it
probably was an exclusive event, open only
to friends and suc ups with a like mind.
Whats with the fn wheat checkoffs anyway,
when the f did legislation drop on that
bs? Is they refundable er knot?

[wd9]

So what is WCWGA up to now? What is their
purpose?

[gustgd]

Good question WD-9 thanks for asking.

The Wheat Growers have been busy setting up
the provincial commision's across the prairies,
making sure that good rules are set up so that
commercial wheat farmers are well represented. It
will take these new commision's years to get their
feet under them. And I suspect almost a decade
before they get bold enough to take the necessary
policy positions that might be advocated by the
WCWGA.

As well we have been busy working on rail
legislation and the implications of changes to the
Canadian transportation act.

International trade is another big issue for the
WG. We have been very supportive of the TPP
and CETA.

Research is a personal file of mine I've been
sitting around the WGRF board table and working
towards a new model of Wheat varietal
development. Whether that be as part of the
Alberta seed growers initiative, a private local or
multi-national or some combination of private
public partnership. All of this will require some sort
of value capture model. What we have now in
Canada is insufficient. The WG will work on a new
model.

There's more but I can let others contribute. As
always if people support the positions taken by
the WG, we are always looking for new members.
Coming soon we will have online memberships
and a updated website at www.wheatgrowers.ca

Tom I would have said last year in Moose Jaw
was a better convention than Edmonton. Although
none will be as good as Ottawa in 2014

[blackpowder]

looking forward to it.

[TOM4CWB]

G,

With Aug 1/12 under our belts... and the supreme
court ruling not to allow 'leave to appeal', I am now
able to feel confident that we can breathe easy for a
couple of years. We need 2 terms of majority
Conservative Party administrations... to entrench
freedom of grain marketing into the social fabric in
western Canada.
The likes of Burb and Willy are still vocal and a threat
to our families farm today.

This is one good reason to have an organisation like
the Wheat Growers working on policy to build
prosperity and private property rights.

Thanks for the good work the Wheat Growers are
doing. We are stronger together... the Left is not going
away any time soon.

Cheers!

[wilagro]

"The likes of Burb and Willy are still vocal and a threat to our families farm today." ...Tom Jackson

Tom: That has got to be one of the most stupid postings that you have ever made and you've made lots.

[TOM4CWB]

Willy,

"We need 2 terms of majority
Conservative Party administrations... to entrench
freedom of grain marketing into the social fabric in
western Canada.
The likes of Burb and Willy are still vocal and a threat
to our families farm today."

Speaking of Marketing Freedom.... in context.... this is
true unless you are willing to retract your past CWB
single desk bias.

Have a great day!

Cheers!

[wd9]

So what you're saying Gust is the future
of WCWG is much like SCGA was?
Eventually the canola commission got
tired of funding and duplicating what
they should have been doing themselves?

Years to get commissions up? Um, I sure
hope not. Recycled directors know what
needs to be done and with millions in
levy, it won't take long.

Can't help but think WCWGA days are
numbered.

sorry bout the not beat around the bush
question. But gotta ask.

[gustgd]

Wd9 the commission will be up and at it by June
in Saskatchewan if Minister Stewart and the
Agrifood council agree with the implementation
plan as proposed. What might take years is bold
policy initiatives.
It sees to me that once these "recycled directors
have been around a bit they moderate their
positions too much and bend sometimes to the
point of breaking.
You would know better than I how long it took
Sask Canola Development to merge with the
Growers policy group. What was it, 20 years?

Not saying the Wheat Growers will be around
forever. We'll be here as long as farmer members
support us. If farmers are here industry will also
come along. That is the difference between the
WG and Sk Canola. They needed commision
dollars where we have operated for more than 40
years paying for both sides of the discussion.

It was mentioned by some that we should just be
the Western Growers Association, and look at
commercial farmers policies for all crops. I argued
capacity issues. Not so much need. We talked
with a Kansas farmer Paul Penner of NAWG. He
mentioned that down south their are firewalls that
prevent levy dollars from being used for policy
advocacy. They have to use dues for policy.

I know many, but not all the arguments and
modify my positions as more facts are known.

Look forward to the discussions.

[notaredneck]

WCWGA days are numbered. what a waste of money. Get rid of them too!!!!

[wd9]

One common thread of effective lobbying
is.... money.

How much effective lobbying can you
(WCWGA) do if you don't have the
hundreds of thousands of dollars it
takes to do effective lobbying?

Why try to duplicate Grain Growers of
Canada when you say WCWGA will do
lobbying? Issues such as CTA, Intl Trade
etc affect all commodities, they just
need money to be effective. That money
will come from levies of provincial
commissions. How can an organization
like WCWGA with limited resources
actually contribute?

I believe the issue you write of was
unique to Sask and how those commissions
were formed, but those issues no longer
exist as evidenced by SCDC's involvement
in political lobbying. There was also
the fear of levy refunds if involved in
lobbying, but those fears have not
materialized either. Why should cereals
be any different?

[TOM4CWB]

WD9,

Western Barley Growers worked well for many years.

Good people... ~giving~ time for a ~noble~ purpose...
can NOT be duplicated.

Fighting against the 'hand that feeds you'... ~the
provincial gov's~... is a tough sell... politically correct
leadership is far too often the result.

Leadership at its best... is freedom of choice to
dream... and then following through to make those
dreams come true.

You support AWC Wd9... be my guest... they are
politically correct X2.

Cheers

[bucket]

What i read from gust's posts are that the member are enuring they have another meeting to go to, to collect some per diems.

A sask wheat commission - to collect dues? WTF?

Why not just ask the minister of ag to get some of the overpayments of freight sent to the commission - get a huge surplus - and then budget it like an annuity to run the commision.

We don't get our money back in reduced freight rates, instead the overpayment goes to the WGRF. Get some of that money apportioned to you for the wheat commission dinner fund.