"A" series CWB Contracts.

[mcfarms]

Similar to what I said in another thread the "a" series contract should be earlier in the fall maybe looking at Oct 15, with adding another series later, D? We need earlier quality and quantity info to the marketers if thats the system we are working in. 2002's prices wreck to me can be somewhat blamed on the boards extension of the deadlines and lack of early pricing of a "a" series contract. If producers concerned about the Western Standards meeting date which is later this year than normal and the grades that it will set being established there why has there been no farmers calling the producer reps. on the standards committee to ask if they could do what they could to see that the meeting be held earlier or at least in the same date range as usual. I have a friend who is one of the producer members of the committee and he mentioned to me that he has had only three or four producers seek him out in the three years he has been there to ask him to bring forward grading issues to the committee they are there for the farmers yet the issues he said are mostly brought forward by a few "interested" groups.

[TOM4CWB]

MCFARMS;

For variety specific IP CWB programs... with no call but being forced to haul all the contract at once... without any 20-40% call and haul... the present system leaves the farmer REALLY EXPOSED!

Samples are fine... but grades standards change over the months... when a farmer is stuck with a CWB feed wheat contract... it is not funny any way anyone can look at it!

[mcfarms]

Tom:
The largest problem seems to be the need under the present system of the standards changing post harvest often after grade deals have been made or contracts need to be filled. Rather than complaining about the problems and blaming the "system" try offering concrete and positive ideas.
I looked at your posts and thought of two options. # 1 ask the Canadian Grain commission to implement a policy that all grains delivered up to and on the rail during a set period following the fall standards meeting be graded under the previous years specs.
Or #2 Move the crop year start from August 1 to sept 1 or 15th that way grades and quality is better known and the market can better adjust for what is out there.
Signing a contract that has quality parameters in this province is a risky thing and its something as a farmer we have to weigh before we sign and accept, ask the guys who have the nexera how they feel. I've got burnt in the past by doing it too and the weather cost me alot this year on some weahter damage on some IP things I was doing here.

[mcfarms]

PS Tom
I agree with you that falling numbers and other parameters of the grain should begin to become grading and selling components. Its something I have talked to industry reps. about for a long time.

[TOM4CWB]

MCFARMS;

A Nexera contract is far ahead of CWB IP contracts... at least competition forces them to treat us half way fair.

The CWB especially this fall... has no competition at all. Even last year CWB IP contracts were awful.

IP CWRW and CPS are really getting a bad deal. CWRS wins hands down.