CWB Director Henry Vos -Why we need CWB election reform

[ado089]

Anyone too busy to market their grain isn't a farmer. Grain marketing should be priority one. It's one of the places in a farming operation where you can significantly impact your bottom line. Spending your time trying to get an extra $10/mt on your grain has much more of an impact on your bottom line than even saving $100/mt on your fert. I'm sick of having people who aren't fit to manage a hot dog stand never mind a farm holding me hostage because they are too lazy, stupid or preoccupied to market their own grain. If we're going to stick with the current system let's at least make sure that the people actualling producing the grain are represented. At least then the valuse and priciples of successful farmer will engrain themselves in the system and there will be accountability built back into the system.

[parsley]

#1 "I don't think it should be the
CWB's responsibility to give out export licenses."

Parleament decided they would get the job.


#2. "Also why should they be free?"
(And a hell of a good question on your part)

The CWB is written as an import /export tarrif. {as inserted in 14(b)/46(d)ans actaully called a "tarrif" in the old ATI Papers.}, So whenever you have a tarrif, the Government has to pay the operating/tranactional costs of taxation

I was gone all day.Sorry I'm late

Pars

[GrainBeetle]

Fransico (and your alter-ego Chaff): How are your non-board, free-market pig prices doing these days? There isnt any single-desk Canadian Pig Board to blame for the low prices and increased trade barriers to Canadian pigs.

Perhaps if you spent more time marketing your stinky pigs instead of wasting your time on the internet all day, you wouldn't require any taxpayer money to support your industry.

[Hopperbin]

Grainbeetle that was pretty low, your about as low as anyone can get. What the hell would a single desk pig board do for prices right now anyway? Answer that one, asshole.

[Fransisco]

I'll take free market hogs and the swine flu over the wheat board any day of the week beetle.

And thank-you so very much for your heartfelt concern for a fellow producer during these difficult days. Your sincerity really is touching. But you'll be happy to know that the taxpayers money can go where its needed most (GM, Chrysler and flying bananas). As alas, I have adequately covered myself in the hog department for the next little while and did quite well this past year with the non-board crops.

Now that all the personal niceties are out of the way I think that we can get back to the topic at hand and all agree that, as Henry Vos has so aptly put it, the wheat board does not have a mandate from farmers. Yes?

[Fransisco]

But before we do I'd like to point out that December hog futures have for the past two days now closed higher than they did the friday before the so-called 'swine flu' was found.

http://futuresource.quote.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=LH%20Z9&o=&a=D&z=610x300&d=LOW&b=BAR& st=

You were doing so good in the home work department on the other thread when it came to Warren Buffet beetle. Oh well, better luck next time.

[Fransisco]

Why don't you pick up where stubble left off beetle? Lets see some reasoning and facts when it comes to director elections.

[charliep]

The article is in this week's western producer (editorial page). Should create some interesting letters to the editor (hopefully some of the participants here).

Also note the CWB producer survey will be out in June (hopefully with the interview schedule). This answers a lot questions about permit book holder demographics.

[wd9]

Odd that Henry would have an article like this. Board speaks with one voice, and primarily by the chair in a normal business like board.

Oops, forgot they are neither normal or business like, or even a business for that matter.

[charliep]

wd9

Wondering the same thing. Maybe is a trial balloon by the CWB B of D but
they don't want the chairman speaking to the issue directly. This would be a
way of generating discussion/gathering input.

[Jeff Nielsen]

Good morning, and to start a warm happy Mother's day for all our moms !
As district 2 CWB director, I fully support what Henry has written and has brought to light. Perhaps I will post this as a new topic as well. I have read the comments and have only read a few ideas on how to provide sound basis for reforming the CWB director elections.
Clearly changes must be made, and it would be a lot better if they are done now, rather than just prior to the 2010 odd number district elections. We have seen the government try to make changes just prior to an election and not succeed. By delaying any changes once more, we will no doubt, be faced with the same inadequate process we have now in 2010.
Mr Vos points out how the current system disenfranchises producers of feed grains, pulses and canola, and forces them to sell those commodities to generate cash flow, usually at times of the year when prices may not be best. This ultimately shows the control the CWB has on wheat, durum and malt barley, and how it affects a producers ability to market his/hers other crops.
So my questions to you agri-viller's :
1 - Who should be eligible to vote? what is the minimum requirement? (gross sales? dyed fuel? crop insurance?)
2 - Should there be caps on election spending? be it by the candidate or a third party?
3 - How can the CWB adapt to create and add value to western Canadian agriculture and our producers?
I'll keep it short for now, I know there are many more questions we could ask. If I may, I'd like to see as many as possible responses. Be it for change and support of the current system. And if possible, limit your responses to one each. That way we can get more ideas and move forward, it is our CWB, its our chance to provide direction on how we as producers want the CWB director elections to operate and ultimately how the CWB operates with a strong board of directors.
Thanks Henry for getting the ball rolling!
Jeff

[wd9]

Jeff, isn't this a board discussion? When you have a plan, the CEO enacts it, with the chair potentially announcing future vision for the organization.But when its board policy!!

Vewy Stwange.