Jim Haberman was shocked to learn how little farmers receive for the wheat that goes into a loaf of bread.
“They’re not getting a fair share,” the Regina resident said. “I’m surprised at what it costs to produce grain, too.”
Haberman was among about 100 people who turned out in front of the Saskatchewan Legislature April 5 to buy bread for six cents a loaf – the farmer’s share.
They also got a little information to chew on.
The event was designed by the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan to educate urban residents about the farm income crisis and the small returns farmers earn. It was held to show support for the rally going on at the same time on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
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APAS representatives sold 1,000 loaves baked at Regina’s Cathedral Bakery. Each bag held a sticker outlining the farmer’s costs and returns on the wheat used to make the flour, and calling for government help.
APAS vice-president Kerry Holderness said farmers actually lose two cents on each loaf because it costs eight cents to grow the wheat.
He said Canadian farmers have experienced the three worst years in farming while their American counterparts have had their three best. American wheat growers get a three-cent subsidy, which allows them to at least make one cent on the same loaf of bread.
“It’s time for our government to take up the fight,” Holderness said.
Haberman said he could understand why farmers are looking to alternative crops and new uses for traditional crops.
Losing money
In addition to the wheat example, APAS noted that a Canadian farmer loses one-tenth of a cent on the barley in a bottle of beer. It costs nine-tenths of a cent to produce the barley and the return is 0.81 cents.
Saskatchewan agriculture minister Mark Wartman told the crowd that demonstrations like this one are essential to drive home the point.
“We need some kind of regulatory changes that will allow farmers to get the return that they should for the product that they’re growing, that they invest (in) so heavily,” he said.
Wartman said farmers would have to look to Ottawa for the kind of help they need.
“I’m not passing the buck here. What I’m saying is we will work with them … to try to get the changes made that are needed.”
Wartman said one possibility is to parallel the U.S. farm bill.
“They’re our major competitor and if we have an exact parallel plan, then I’m sure our farmers would be competitive.”
