Viterra Sustainability Program change

[ColevilleH2S]

I was chatting it up with the local Viterra grain buyer today, and he asked me if there were oil leases on the land I farm. Odd question, so I asked why he wanted to know. It turns out Viterra is concerned about oil wells on farmland disqualifing that land from EU sustainability labeling schemes. He said there is nothing specifically saying oil wells are not allowed in the documentation, but Viterra has decided to cover their butt for liability purposes in case someone in Europe wants to cause a stink. So from now on they are not going to buy Sustainable Program grain from such land anymore.

[farmaholic]

The world is full of hypocrites, how does the grain get to Europe? In the holds of sail boats?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Also known as Non-tariff trade barriers.

[macdon02]

Provide proof on a bamboo shit ticket. China wants documents that proves grain is "covid free"

[woodland]

Provide proof on a bamboo shit ticket. China wants documents that proves grain is "covid free"

Hmmm ..........
Doesn’t that seem more than a little ironic 😉

[woodland]

I was chatting it up with the local Viterra grain buyer today, and he asked me if there were oil leases on the land I farm. Odd question, so I asked why he wanted to know. It turns out Viterra is concerned about oil wells on farmland disqualifing that land from EU sustainability labeling schemes. He said there is nothing specifically saying oil wells are not allowed in the documentation, but Viterra has decided to cover their butt for liability purposes in case someone in Europe wants to cause a stink. So from now on they are not going to buy Sustainable Program grain from such land anymore.

I guess I’m double disqualified now. Something about clearing trees now isn’t kosher but if it was done 10 or 100 years ago it’s all good.

Now oil wells (most quarters have one or more) ....... wait till they find out coal is under every inch of this place. Dad was even digging some up last week doing some trenching

I guess our grain is sticking close to home.............

[GDR]

I guess I’m double disqualified now. Something about clearing trees now isn’t kosher but if it was done 10 or 100 years ago it’s all good.

Now oil wells (most quarters have one or more) ....... wait till they find out coal is under every inch of this place. Dad was even digging some up last week doing some trenching

I guess our grain is sticking close to home.............

Off topic I know but does the coal affect you in any way? Wondered about water infiltration? Or soil ph?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Off topic I know but does the coal affect you in any way? Wondered about water infiltration? Or soil ph?

My relatives farmed north of Delburne beside the Red Deer river. Their neighbor used to have some serious effects from coal, occasionally an old (horizontal) coal mine would collapse and create a giant hole on the surface. If memory serves, I think some were caused by the equipment driving over top. That would be hard on the nerves. More like equipment infiltration than water infiltration...

[ajl]

This is yet more evidence that so called sustainability need to be shoved where the sun don't shine. How much grain is actually getting into europe anyway? This is just another non tariff barrier as they don't import unless they absolutely have to, sustainability or not, and then they got a tool with which to beat you up on price after the fact. I have not and will not pay these emails from Viterra regarding this program any heed.

[woodland]

Off topic I know but does the coal affect you in any way? Wondered about water infiltration? Or soil ph?

All our well water comes from the coal seams actually. The one well pumps flakes of it into the waterers occasionally. Usually 60-220 feet below ground but some pockets are at the surface. There used to be some old mines in the riverbank south of us but those have been abandoned and gravel is the hot commodity to dig out now. PH of water and ground seem normal to me although it must have something in it to make us want to stay in these hills and sticks..............