SASKATOON – John Clair wishes other farmers could have the great learning opportunity he has had.
The farmer from Radisson, Sask., has attended meetings in Winnipeg with the Canadian Wheat Board minister, listened to port concerns in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, and compared notes with U.S. farmers at the National Association of Wheat Growers’ annual meeting in Reno.
He helped advise the wheat board on an acreage-based system for delivery and spoke out on the U.S. Export Enhancement Program.
He shared his views during the tumultuous times when exclusive rights to selling barley were first removed, and then returned, to the CWB. When the board’s existence was most under attack, Clair became a stronger believer.
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He, and representatives of 10 other districts on the Prairies, are nearing the end of their four-year terms on the advisory committee to the Canadian Wheat Board.
This week, when he wasn’t busy harvesting, Clair was completing his nomination form to apply for a second term on the committee. Deadline for applications is Sept. 16.
“It’s a great learning experience, an eye-opener to the world,” Clair said.
For example, without his term on the committee, Clair said he never would have believed in the importance of market development in selling grain to 60 countries.
Weather, market prices and other factors play their roles, and even getting foreign countries to use a new kind of Canadian grain requires work and expense, he said: “I wish farmers would have this opportunity that I have to understand why we need single-desk selling … and how tough it is to market the grain. I was a strong Board supporter four years ago. It’s stronger now.”
