Interesting to see how the rest of the industry is already starting to react.
From Agrisuccess newsletter
5. Western Grains Research Foundation explores new check-off options
by Kevin Hursh
The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is evaluating options for broadening its research check-off on wheat and barley.
"At present, we're stretching the check-off dollars collected on export grains to fund research for domestic industrial uses such as ethanol, as well as for our livestock industries," explains Lanette Kuchenski, WGRF executive director. "To fund plant breeding for those uses, we need to capture the check-off on those uses."
Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the WGRF check-off has been deducted from final payments issued by the Canadian Wheat Board for wheat (including durum) and barley. Alberta barley is not covered by the WGRF check-off, but it's covered by a separate check-off administered by the Alberta Barley Commission.
The WGRF check-off is $0.30 per tonne of wheat (less than one cent per bushel) and $0.50 per tonne of barley (just over one cent per bushel). The money collected is allocated to research institutions for use in wheat and barley breeding programs.
The producer money invested by WGRF draws additional provincial and federal contributions to plant breeding. One of the goals of the WGRF is to have wide producer access to publicly funded varieties.
"Broadening our check-off collection mechanism would substantially increase the research funds available," notes Kuchenski. "We would anticipate a proportional increase in matching funds from government."
For 2007, the WGRF check-off on wheat is expected to collect approximately $4.3 million. If non-CWB sales were included, estimates point to an additional $1.2 million that could be collected.
The 2007 check-off for barley is expected to collect about $830,000, while missing an estimated $1.1 million from domestic sales.
While deducting the check-off from Canadian Wheat Board final payments has been a simple and efficient collection mechanism for export wheat and barley, changes in the single desk mandate of the CWB are being debated. Changes at the CWB might also necessitate different mechanisms for check-off collection.
Representatives of 18 different farm organizations from across Western Canada govern the activities of the WGRF. Although many of these organizations have a policy position on the Canadian Wheat Board, the WGRF is neutral.
The WGRF is working to have proposals available by next summer for how the check-off collection could be broadened and the legislative changes that would be required.
From Agrisuccess newsletter
5. Western Grains Research Foundation explores new check-off options
by Kevin Hursh
The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is evaluating options for broadening its research check-off on wheat and barley.
"At present, we're stretching the check-off dollars collected on export grains to fund research for domestic industrial uses such as ethanol, as well as for our livestock industries," explains Lanette Kuchenski, WGRF executive director. "To fund plant breeding for those uses, we need to capture the check-off on those uses."
Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the WGRF check-off has been deducted from final payments issued by the Canadian Wheat Board for wheat (including durum) and barley. Alberta barley is not covered by the WGRF check-off, but it's covered by a separate check-off administered by the Alberta Barley Commission.
The WGRF check-off is $0.30 per tonne of wheat (less than one cent per bushel) and $0.50 per tonne of barley (just over one cent per bushel). The money collected is allocated to research institutions for use in wheat and barley breeding programs.
The producer money invested by WGRF draws additional provincial and federal contributions to plant breeding. One of the goals of the WGRF is to have wide producer access to publicly funded varieties.
"Broadening our check-off collection mechanism would substantially increase the research funds available," notes Kuchenski. "We would anticipate a proportional increase in matching funds from government."
For 2007, the WGRF check-off on wheat is expected to collect approximately $4.3 million. If non-CWB sales were included, estimates point to an additional $1.2 million that could be collected.
The 2007 check-off for barley is expected to collect about $830,000, while missing an estimated $1.1 million from domestic sales.
While deducting the check-off from Canadian Wheat Board final payments has been a simple and efficient collection mechanism for export wheat and barley, changes in the single desk mandate of the CWB are being debated. Changes at the CWB might also necessitate different mechanisms for check-off collection.
Representatives of 18 different farm organizations from across Western Canada govern the activities of the WGRF. Although many of these organizations have a policy position on the Canadian Wheat Board, the WGRF is neutral.
The WGRF is working to have proposals available by next summer for how the check-off collection could be broadened and the legislative changes that would be required.
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