Speaking of the CWB

[TOM4CWB]

Cpt,

"The CWB was a single desk marketer. To have it in any other form is not to have it at all."

I see prices rise close to a dollar a bushel in October. Good quality wheat is moving... along with Canola, and Peas. Now the CWB can market Canola and Peas as well... and does... providing needed competition. Not having the CWB weigh down wheat prices with a single desk 'mandatory pool' (which was the warped opinion of management.., not the Law of Canada) forced on growers;
who the vast majority of times during the harvest season only saw prices drop...

If that was your vision of utopia marketing.... I am truly happy YOUR single desk CWB is gone... for it was abusive, deceptive, and warped.

Too bad competition would not become the new 'single desk' at the new CWB... instead of bricks and mortar deceptions. There are many independents that the CWB could facilitate competition through...
I await the time the CWB steps into this needed marketing role.

[CptnObvious]

TOM, to quote Shakespeare, you are too cunning to be understood.

[farmaholic]

Tom, that comment about the CWB relying on their competition to help them do business is too funny. You know better than that.

"abusive, deceptive and warped....." a perfect description of the current system. But people in denial would never notice. Don't get me wrong, the old system was far from perfect and so is the new system. Not enough "I"s dotted and "t"s crossed way too much haste in "implementing" the open market. Actually was there even a rule book/contractual obligations of the players set out? ****ing free for all..... but that's what everyone wanted, right? Wild West lawless land. No accountability. And then you're blacklisted for voicing displeasure and mentioning uncomfortable truths......

[bucket]

I have mentioned to MPs in Ottawa about the current pricing system about the hiding( read stealing) of foreign exchange.

One got it right away and the staffer asked " ... is that legal..."

The other said he would look into it.

The railways get fined basically a buck a tonne. We are currently at 28 a tonne on basis theft. Zero basis is zero fx taken into account.

Here another one for you guys that have your head up Ritz's ass ( read TOM ). The fact that CN missed their targets for 5 weeks and pushed moving the grain into the new crop year with a CTA rubber stamped increase in freight rates means that farmers are paying the railway fines through increased freight rates.

At the very least there should be a credit on the grain that was to move on the old rate. Plus a fine.

Won't happen. TOM is happy to be at the table with Ritz and rah rah his incompetence.

Instead marketing gurus say do your homework don't look at published prices and basis, then why say its a zero basis, Its misleading. But everyone does it. Why be transparent.

The new system was implemented poorly and the govenment and industry players are in no hurry to change it. Farmers can't and government won't.

Good thing we have a minister that says " this government is standing up for farmers...." BULLSHIT.

Something simple as taking a moisture test that is to be done clean of dockage can't be enforced by a farmer.

[mustardman]

Good post Bucket

[jamesb]

If a group of farmers believe that marketing their grain collectively to obtain what they feel is the highest price, they should and can do so. As an individual farmer I and many other farmers do not want to be included in any mandatory marketing scheme (single desk CWB ). Those days are gone. I admit the current CWB needs years to develop into a viable and competitive outfit. I may choose to participate on a yearly basis with the new CWB but you pro single desk folks have to realize that we don't ever want to go back to the government controlling our property. Its folly to continue down this single desk mind set.

[bucket]

Fair comments but you are fooling yourself if you believe we have a open market in Canada.

It's controlled by families.

It's not even transparent for market prices.

Example. Graincos use mpls Dec at 5.50.

They have a zero basis and the price is cdn 5.50. No foreign exchange. 75 cents a bushel out of your pocket into thin air.

[CptnObvious]

A noble sentiment jamesb, and to my mind the only real argument against the Board. Even if 80% of farmers wanted to keep the monopoly, as was demonstrated by BOD election after election, there is technically such a thing as 'tyranny of the majority.' However: one could always speculate and trade as much wheat as one wanted, one could even sell his own physical product to whomever he wanted( unless it was for less than the pooled price) with a direct sale contract, and whereas the great stinkin' mess we have now clearly illustrates the benefits of orderly marketing, I would hardly call the old Board tyranny.

[jamesb]

the main thing for me was that up until the early 90's when we grew mostly wheat on our farm I was content to let the CWB do the marketing for me. As we and other farmers like me diversified into other crops like lentils, specialty canola, soybeans, peas, etc and they all being cash crops the percentage of my income marketed through the CWB gradually tapered off. I figured what the heck, why not have HRS as a cash crop as well and make my own choices for marketing it like my other crops. I must say I am satisfied with the current situation in that its my responsibility to grow the crops for the market demand and sell at the right time. I don't miss the single desk. I remember my time years ago as secretary of the local SWP committee and we where always feed the advantages of the single desk. I believed it then but I don't now. I have teenage sons that are contemplating farming and its imperative that they learn the marketing skills that will help them navigate the realties of todays markets. Our parents didn't need the skills because the CWB was there. Time have changed. Cheers.