So now what?

[TOM4CWB]

Rockpile,

What Craig has pointed out... plus, when we started in 2000 the CWB was more flexible.

[charliep]

To pick up on what wd9 said, what are the barley industries targets for the future. I note Canadian Canola Council (an industry organization) has set the target of 15 MMT by 2015 (both production capability and markets). The Canola blew there last target out of the water (7 MMT by 2007). The reality will be 10 MMT in the coming year - 2007 (markets available right now with hopefully a canola crop to meet this challenge).

The CWB grain Grain Trade Forecast highlighted some opportunities with a caveat now 5 years old. Can be found at:

http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/library/publications/popups/pdf/long-term_forcast-2011-12.pdf

It is interesting to compare their forecast to 2006 reality. Page 6 - barley production was forecast to be 14.5 MMT versus a reality of 10.3 MMT. Given current barley economics/market opportunities, is it realistic Canada will produce 15.4 MMT of barley in 2011. Canola was forecast to be 7.2 MMT versus the real number this last year of 9.1 MMT. Page 17 - The CWB forecast western Canada would be doing 1.7 MMT of malt barley exports (not including product) when the reality is that malt barley exports are likely to have difficulty achieving the 5 year average (1997-2001). Under the current circumstances, what is the chance Canada will be exporting 2 MMT of malt barley by 2011?

All this is to highlight the performance of the CWB in the malt market has not been stellar from a competitiveness standpoint. Any barley opportunities have been created by the open market domestic feed industry.

I agree there is a need for vision in the barley. What is this vission? What is needed to move the barley industry ahead and make it a more viable competitive industry. We need to get beyond the CWB debate and start focusing on the opportunities.

[parsley]

Two items to begin with:

1.Contract information is a good start.

Writing customized contracts charliep.

The lawyer in the family writes them...huge deals and little ones..

Farmers need to tarhget and specialize

2. Mindset change. Appreciation of our buyers and recognizing them as partners and not enemies, IS THE MOST ESSENTIAL STEP!

Parsley

[charliep]

The ideas for my posting come from page 4 of the March 29 western producer. Why isn't this type of discussion occuring in the barley industry? Are we doing some of the things Parsley is talking about?

[parsley]

There will be some very positive happenings from the barley industry in the very near future, you can bet.

I find barley growers very proactive, and are well salted with organizational skills.


Parsley

[parsley]

I think calling some of the key players is like introducing yourself, charliep, rather like saying, hey,hi, I've heard of you and I wouldn't mind having coffee with you to exchange ideas!

Industry players are no different than farmers. It's good to build relationships.

Have you ever had a call out of the blue from a farmer, charliep? It would probably leave you speechless, right?

Parsley

[wd9]

So rockpile, what is your vision for the future for barley?