The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission will be handing out fewer cheques in the upcoming crop year.
Beginning in 2014-15, producers applying for a refund of their flax levy will see the funds returned annually rather than twice a year, similar to the canola levy.
Members approved the motion Jan. 15 at the organization’s annual general meeting, which was held in conjunction with the CropSphere show in Saskatoon.
The levy remains unchanged at $2.36 per tonne of seed and 50 cents per tonne of straw.
Producers previously had two windows in which to submit requests for refunds, which saw cheques delivered by April 30 and Oct. 31.
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Producers will now have only the Aug. 31 deadline to make requests for payment that year. Refunds will be issued by the end of October.
Officials said the move will reduce paper work and administration costs.
Refunds issued by the commission for the 2013-14 crop year totalled $12,519 as of the end of October.
“Even though it seems like a smaller dollar amount, it is time consuming,” said board member Erwin Hanley.
Commission members also approved an increase in remuneration for its chair and directors.
Commission officials said the organization will begin succession planning this year because executive director Linda Braun is stepping down at the end of July.
