Agricore Posted malt prices

[charliep]

If Agricore United prices are inaccurate, can you identify a source of accurate prices.

The CWB should publish port prices so you can review and make marketing decisions. Interesting enough, the CWB does send out prices for insurance purpures in the document "Instructions to the Trade" Will have to find a recent one in my pile of paper at work.

[IAMTHEMOLE]

I have no doubts it is accurate. But it is for limited tonnage to a premium market. But if Agricore has you guys believing the export is going to be any better long term than the domestic, you better get building bins, because you will wait a long time to get the movement on export feed barley that you can at your local feedlot. These grand export numbers are not always available and last time I checked, Cor Van Raay alone feeds near 250000 mt to 300,000mt a year. As large as any of our largest international customers. Just like our domestic customers, your international buyers won't pay a penny more than they have to, and if you think they are the holy grail to higher prices for barley just check out the export wheat market.

[Burbert]

FACTS OF LIFE MY SON Every year we produce grain and market forces come in to play. Our crops are good/bad/fair, same with quality, we've never produced a winner. Marketing begins, we take samples to various places and find out what is wrong with the grain we have produced. Sorry to bad, we can't give you the best price cause its wet/dry/ weight isn't right, too much commodity available, CWB to blame, your neighbours have under cut the market, we are selling our cows, don't need the feed, you combined the hell out of this grain, the dockage is horrible on and on and on. Oh by the way, years ago the grain was subject to shinkage as well. What a crock of crapola. In the past, we've been forced to clean grain prior to sale, put it through local seed cleaning plant. Guess what, apparently there is still dockage in it. My point is, we are being CHEATED all the time! Never once have I sold grain and been told by the buyer, this is EXACTLY what we are looking for and are glad to pay for it. When grain is in short supply, they call us Sir at the elevator, when grain is abundant, most employees will grunt when we walk in. I for one am not about to give up any of the clout that the CWB gives me while I sell my lousy crop, into the international market place, I don't care what assurances the Gov't of Alberta are giving out, privatization s-cks at the best of times. Let the fox in the henhouse and see what will happen! Call it down home wisdom, whatever, my 2 cents worth blah, blah, blah....

[charliep]

IAMTHEMOLE

I agree that Japanese (and for that matter Saudi business) will only relevant a small amount of the time. The domestic market will normally be the best customer. When the opportunities present themselves to sell feed into international markets, farmers should get this signal directly.

I will note the CWB innovations on wheat contract. Except for guaranteed delivery contracts and 6 months pools, none of this innovation has been made available to feed barley when it is the crop that needs it the most to be competive with the domestic market.

[charliep]

On the limited volume front, Japanese would buy a boat load (25,000 tonnes) at a time. Would every kernel get sold for this price - not likely but would be close. Volume wise, would be an all or none sale unless they did an extra berth/loaded a hold or two in Portland (lots of extra costs).

[craig]

Burbert
I take issue with who thinks farmers are stupid. After the CWB rips both Agricore and winnipeg Commodity Exchange for there posted prices and how they are not realistic, the board turns around and tells us that malt barley Pro's are likely going to be $25.00 tonne higher when the February Pro's are announced in three weeks. Isn't it amazing how when the pressure is on we can just manufacture $25.00 per tonne. If we are just going to make up numbers would it not have made more sense to do it when producers were trying to get out of there malt contracts. I have been fed a steady diet of excuses and questionable numbers from the CWB for a long time. The reality is that we are getting smarter and are now being able to access imformation that means it is no longer easy for the board to pull the wool over our eyes. I think a more serious issue is that many producers are prepared to just believe what they are being told by the CWB. Everyone's numbers should be up for debate including the CWB's.

[parsley]

Burbert,

You want the CWB.

For years, the rest of us have worked within this single-desk system you have promoted, endorsed, argued for, defended, gone to bat for, debated, treasured, valued, and held up as a shining example.

But you are very disgruntled with the present accredited agencies of the CWB.

You claim you are cheated under the present single desk system.

Yet, and I want to get this right from a hen still in the henhouse, you will be voting for more of the same, is that correct?

Parsley

[charliep]

craig

Won't ask where you saw because I have also seen the same quote. Why isn't this an official press release? PRO was done less than a week ago so why not the change then? The CWB can go with between official PRO date forescasts - has happened in the past.

All that is being talked about here is consistent price signals that reflect the value of barley and can be used to compare to the domestic feed price. The request will be the same regardless of the results of the plebescite.

[parsley]

Timing, timing, timing, boys...stir up an election stew set at the right temperature to bubble just when the farmer sits down at the table to vote in a few weeks..

[wedino]

craig/charlie, Where did you see the "quote"?