Contracting and Grading of Malt

[wd9]

6) The rotating rail strikes announcement. Sheesh.

[kamichel]

Burbert? Are people not banging on your door for malt contracts this year? They are banging on mine and I keep telling them I am not growing barley this year. Like they don't hear me, I am not growing barley. WD9 lets not just focus on American demand because the american demand is small unless it is 6 row that you grow. Here most grow 2 row and the market is in Asia and should be huge this year. Burburt why should these markets disappear in an open market?

[kamichel]

As for current contracts I see nothing wrong with them. Base prices, plump specs, protein, and germ. IF don't meat them then can go anywhere else with the barley, not tied into delivery of feed at a discount for instance. And still leaves open if one is under spec that can still get sample sellected for malt possible.
I think that on a contract emphasis should be put more on delivery dates also and more storage payments. Current storage is not enough. In my opinion malt must be cooled, turned one month after harvest, make sure cool in the spring. IF this is done then it will keep. The current CWB prices and storage do not pay for the cost of doing this. too much malt these days is going into large piles and left because no incentive to bin it.

[charliep]

Good points.

Still hope an august 1 decision with the opportunity to sell malt barley off the combine/prior to the Aussie crop. The decision won't be any easier mid winter or August 1, 2008 and will get even more blended with other questions like a wheat plebiscite or a federal election.

Also hope for better signals around a street malt program for an export sale and an identity preserved program (storage in the bin and direct delivery to a malt plant with all risk the farmers). They are different. Currently all intertwined in the pooling system (except for the VIP program).

[wedino]

Good points re: contracts with maltsters. I contracted with a malt co. last year, if I didn't meet spec with it, I was out. Contract called for shipping via producer cars (saved me elevator charges). The surprise for me was the $12/MT they charged me to unload the cars. $15.75/ac just to get my barley moved from the producer cars & into their malt house. Make sure you're aware of all the terms of the contract you sign.

[parsley]

Good advice wedino. Mentally walk through every step of loading/unloading and possible expenses. Ask yourself, "Who does this", and ask "Who pays"?

Notate every step. It makes for good business, no surprises and no hard feelings on either side.

The devil is in the details. Memorize that phrase.

Parsley

[Burbert]

The only guys banging on my door (phone calls) have been from clip board agents, claiming to represent private grain companies, looking to make deals, offering low/low prices to pick up grain in our yard and pay the trucking. Cow guys trying to access cheap feed as usual. Malt guys have suggested that we come to them and get contract, business as usual, offering the right of first refusal (wow what a concept), a special deal. Same old, same old, cheat and steal the farmer, after all he has to sell it or smell it right and is very stupid! Wants to dismantle his own marketing system and go it alone, eh? If we all stick together, we'll get it cheap, grain business in action ethics Fu@##@##@#@ all, volume economics, after all Canada is the bread basket of the world, remember that sh@#$##$$.

[AdamSmith]

Burbert,

If you really think it's all that bad, and you're not just trolling here, my advice,

Call Ritchie Brothers,

Then go visit, your nearest RV and marine dealership, get the best deal you can on a Motorhome and boat.

Retire and go fishing.

I think You'd enjoy life much more.

Life is too short to be miserable all the time.

[just_wondering]

AdamSmith
That's not being fair to Burburt there are many other auctioneers who he should call, and maybe he doesn't like fishing.
It would be his choice if he just went out and worked for someone who actually had a plan how to stay in business post Aug. 1/07 Then when he turned off the key at the end of the day he could just walk away.

[parsley]

April 5, 2007

The Canadian Grain Commission on behalf of the Barley Development Council and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas,is pleased to announce a joint conference, The Science and Joy of Canadian Barley and Beer.

It will take place at York the Hotel in Winnipeg from June 25 to 29, 2007.

http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/newsroom/news_releases/2007/2007-04-05-e.htm