Ok I'll take a stand! The 2014 crop is no 2013!

[bucket]

If the ROI on checkoffs were 20:1, they shouldn't have to keep taking the checkoff.

It should be self sustaining.

I might have to call bullshit on that line of thinking.

[ward.toma]

Most of the check-off organizations have a set time period after the end of the collection period to return the refunds. For Alberta Canola it is 90 days after the end of the period. Growers should check with the appropriate organization for the correct time frame. If you have question about an Alberta Canola refund please call toll free 1-800-551-6652.

With regards to the return on breeding; while I am not familiar with the 20:1 fugure, the estimates of ROI on breeding/research are always calculated with the return being to the farmer that paid the check-off, not the organization.

Ward Toma
General Manager
Alberta Canola

[ColeChristensen]

Hi there,

Related to this discussion, if you have a question regarding your refund with Alberta Barley, please do not hesitate to call our office at 403-291-9111.

For all of your reference, Alberta Barley refunds our check-off within 120 days from the date the refund request was received.

Cole Christensen
Communications Manager
403-219-6253

[ward.toma]

Many of the Commissions started as member organizations funded by voluntary, up front membership fees. They never had the finaicial ability to fund the work the farmers wanted to do.

[wmoebis]

That would be interesting. The seed Co's share of cost and ROI compared to farmers share and ROI. And the break down on how that is arrived at.

[fjlip]

The whole supply chain profits and we all know MORE than farmers that take the RISKS, we should NOT have check offs! Let the rest fund research that makes them more money, I get SFA ROI.

[bucket]

Automatic check offs from a producer grain cheque but 120 days after the producer requests it back.

I wish all these groups would ask for the money and wait 120 days for the request to be processed at my farm.

For instance the wgrf received 70 million from a freight adjustment a few years ago. With a 20:1 roi that would be a 1.5 billion return to the farmers.

In 2010 the unseeded benefit only cost all levels of government a billion dollars to keep farmers in business for another year due to excess rain.

Just some perspective on the value of money.

[dave4441]

Give me a break.

[bucket]

I don't think the big farms benefit either. They probably buy seed and dedicate land to grow seed to make the change.

They to have to be careful, changing to an unproven seed could be a disaster.

[CptnObvious]

I agree that a 20:1 ROI seems a tad optimistic. That is the number arrived at by Ag Ec prof Dr Richard Grey, U of S. It reflects increased yield, disease resistance, lower agronomic costs, greater value( protein, flour yield) to the buyer, etc.
fjlip made a very valid point that the benefit does not always come back to we farmers. I would press all commissions and depts. of ag to make sure to opt for public plant breeding. It is far better that farmers own the new varieties and control the direction of research than for corporations to do so. The federal plan seems to be to move to completely private funding and control. If that happens we will not be able to plant a registered variety that does not have a corporate patent on it or isn't linked to a patented herbicide.

[wmoebis]

Does your daily bids show prot spreads? Do you get one from every elevator and every company in your area?

This is a general question not just for you SF3.

[bucket]

Another instance where the ball was dropped. Premiums or discounts should be stated at the time of contract signing.

There is so much the government could have done to make the open market transparent and accountable for all participants.

Instead they chose to make it dysfunctional.

To the detriment of many average farmers. Maybe losing the training ground for the next generation doesn't matter now, but it will.

[SASKFARMER3]

I get a end emAil from three of my four once a week. My point you spent money on Fert snd produced it, so get paid for it!

[wmoebis]

are the prot spreads listed by 1% or .1% or .5% or how? And what do they generally range.

[sumdumguy]

Are there any farmers advising the government? Man, there is just no direction -none. Not a word, not a boo. If we keep letting them get away with it, our industry will look like Mexico's, a sad state of affairs. Now the CWB may be bought out by National Farmers. I'm sure they will have the farmers' best interest at heart / or most likely the profit motive will prevail.