More than 30,000 farmers are eligible to cast ballots in the Canadian Wheat Board’s 2008 director elections.
They will be electing directors in the board’s five even-numbered districts through a mail-in vote.
To help farmers make an informed decision, Western Producer reporter Adrian Ewins spoke to all the candidates.
Each was asked for information about his farm and business operation, personal background, skills or abilities he possesses that would help him fulfill the role of a director and why he is running for election.
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Candidates were also asked to respond to four questions relating to the CWB’s activities, operations and future.
They were invited to comment on other issues they felt farmers should consider as they cast their ballots.
- marketing system
Should the CWB retain its single desk marketing authority, or should an open market be implemented?
- who decides?
Who should make decisions about the future of the CWB: farmers, the board of directors or the federal government? What should be the process?
- government and CWB
What should be the relationship between the federal government and the CWB?
- cwb future
If an open market is implemented, can the CWB survive? Does the federal government have a responsibility to ensure the board remains viable?
More information about the candidates can be found on the CWB election website at www.cwbelection.com. Ballots are to be returned by Nov. 28, with results announced Dec. 7, barring a recount.
District two
JEFF NIELSEN
R.R. 1, Site 12, Box 8, Olds, Alta.
P4H 1P2,
403-556-0408,
Farms 1,350 acres, growing various grains and oilseeds. Age 46.
In 1999 was elected to the board of United Grain Growers and in 2005 to the board of Agricore United. Received a certificate as a chartered director from Degroote school of business and McMaster University in 2007.
In the past two years, represented several Alberta groups and the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance on trade missions to World Trade Organization talks in Geneva. President of the Western Barley Growers Association.
He says his experience working on corporate boards and his communication skills will serve him well as a CWB director.
He is running to bring about marketing choice, under which farmers could sell their wheat and barley through the board or on the open market.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Farmers have made it clear in the barley plebiscite and opinion surveys that they want marketing freedom. The single desk should be dismantled and farmers given the choice to sell their wheat and barley either through the board or on the open market.
WHO DECIDES? The federal government has the right and authority under the CWB Act to end the monopoly and should do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal. Directors should respect the government’s right to implement change.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The board and the government need to work together and abide by the CWB Act, which gives the government significant power to oversee the agency. Because of its financial guarantees, the government should be represented on the board of directors and have a say in major decisions.
CWB’S FUTURE: The board will survive in an open market environment because of its marketing experience, relationship with farmers and contacts with customers. It’s too early to say how the new board would be structured and what, if anything, the government should do to ensure an orderly and successful transition.
OTHER COMMENTS: He says he will work to strengthen the relationship between farmers and local end-users and buyers.
GERALD PILGER
R.R. 1, Ohaton, Alta.,
T0B 3P0,
780-672-4394, cell 780-679-7939,
Has operated since 1980 a mixed grain and dairy family farm near Camrose, Alta. Age 53.
Has a degree in agricultural economics from University of Alberta, worked as a district agriculturalist for Alberta Agriculture in High River and Drumheller. Writes for a number of farm publications in Western Canada, along with government and industry groups.
Has been a 4-H leader for 11 years, and travelled to Chile with a Rotary Club study group.
He is running because he believes the CWB, while not perfect, is the single most valuable economic tool for all grain farmers in Western Canada. If elected he would work to preserve and improve the agency.
MARKETING SYSTEM: The single desk system provides economic value for farmers and the board would not be able to function effectively without it. The CWB returns full value from sales to farmers rather than shareholders and plays a vital role in representing farmers’ interests in transportation issues.
WHO DECIDES?: Farmers, not government, must decide the future of the CWB, through a fair and honest two-question plebiscite, allowing all producers to express their opinion. The government must follow the terms of the CWB Act. If farmers decide they don’t want the single desk, he will respect that decision.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The government should stay out of the day-to-day operations of the CWB, although its financial guarantees give it the right to have input into some decisions. The government should appoint directors from a list of candidates supplied by the board.
CWB’S FUTURE: The board would not survive if it was stripped of the single desk and forced to compete in an open market. It has no facilities to handle grain and would have to rely on its competitors to handle and ship grain. The single desk enables it to compete successfully against giant multinational corporations.
OTHER COMMENTS: Grain farmers can see the value of the CWB by looking at the cattle industry, where producers are at the mercy of two big multinationals. The industry makes record profits while cattle producers struggle.
District four
SAM MAGNUS
Box 203, Luseland, Sask.,
S0L 2A0,
306-372-4615, cell 306-834-7619,
Farms 4,000 acres, continuous cropping canola, barley, hard red spring wheat, durum and soft wheat. Age 60.
Has been involved in community activities all his adult life, including fundraising, minor hockey and local school board. Was a founding director and promoter of North West Terminal and served on the board of Briercrest Bible College. Was a member on the national council of the Reform and Alliance parties and is on the national council of the federal Conservative party.
He is running to bring common sense to the board table and ensure the board focuses all its energy on marketing grain rather than policy debates and court cases. Will bring mediation and conciliation skills to the board and represent the views of all constituents.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Favours marketing choice for farmers. The wheat board has its place for farmers who want to use it, but those who don’t should be free to use the open market as a basic democratic right. Doesn’t believe the single desk provides farmers with more revenue.
WHO DECIDES?: Producers, the board and the government must work together to determine the board’s future. The barley plebiscite showed farmers want choice. The government has the ultimate say because the CWB was created by Parliament.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The two are close to equal partners when it comes to controlling the board and must work together. The confrontational relationship of the past two years serves nobody’s interests and must be resolved.
CWB’S FUTURE: If the CWB is doing half as good a job as it says, it will have no problem thriving in an open market. The board has a loyal group of farm supporters and has marketing expertise and contacts with customers. The government may have to provide financial or logistical assistance in the transition period.
OTHER COMMENTS: Doesn’t believe the board provides value to farmers in grain transportation. Would like to see the CWB and open market players work together on the movement of grain.
WALTER SUNTJENS
R.R. 1 Hanna, Alta.,
T0J 1P0,
403-779-2212, cell 403-854-6351,
Operates a 10,000 acre farm and ranch on land homesteaded by his grandfather in 1909, growing wheat and oats and raising 380 head of cattle. Age 57.
Worked in the oil and gas industry in the Arctic as a young adult, returning to farm in the summer. Has served on numerous boards, and is chair of the Chinook Applied Research Association. He is an elected delegate for Alberta Beef Producers and works on its governmental affairs subcommittees and has been director of a local seed plant for 29 years.
He says he has always aggressively pursued new, innovative ideas, and would take that same approach as a CWB director.
He is running for election in order to end the single desk and bring in a dual market and increase accountability at the marketing agency.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Believes dual marketing would bring more added value industries to the Prairies. Says the CWB should remain an option for farmers who want to pool their grain, but those who don’t should be free to sell directly to buyers and end-users.
WHO DECIDES?: The only way change can be made is if farmers elect a majority of directors who favour the dual market. The barley plebiscite made it clear farmers want choice. A similar plebiscite should be held on wheat as soon as possible.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Thinks the CWB Act should be scrapped and new legislation brought in that would give the prairie provincial governments a role in running the CWB. He supports the federal government’s actions with respect to the CWB over the past year.
CWB’S FUTURE: If the board is as efficient at marketing grain as it says, it should have no trouble surviving in an open market environment. Says he has no desire to dismantle the board and respects the wishes of farmers who want to pool their grain.
OTHER COMMENTS: If only one farmer chooses to freely market his or her grain, no other farmers or corporation has the right to stand in the way.
BILL WOODS
Box 876, Eston, Sask.,
S0L 1A0,
306-460-9599, cell 306-962-4477,
Grows cereals, including durum and barley, and canaryseed on his 1,000 acre farm. Bought land from father in 1974, worked as a teacher for 20 years and became a full-time farmer in 1993. Age 61.
He was involved in the creation of West Central Road and Rail, which has evolved into a major shipper of producer cars and a lobby group for better rail transportation. Was once a member of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association but left the organization after it sided with the railways during the Kroeger-Estey transportation review in the late 1990s.
Is running to ensure the CWB remains the single desk seller of wheat and barley. He will bring expertise in transportation to the board and will use his public speaking and communications skills to work for farmers.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Is a strong supporter of the single desk, which he says provides farmers with market power and additional revenue. Individual farmers would be at the mercy of grain companies in an open market.
WHO DECIDES?: Farmers should determine the board’s future through a fair and legitimate plebiscite that provides a clear choice between the single desk and the open market. If a majority of the board of directors favoured an open market, it could initiate such a vote. The government should not interfere.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The board of directors should run the agency without interference from Ottawa. The government’s financial guarantees entitle it to appoint one director, but other appointed directors should be selected by the elected directors to provide expertise in specific areas.
CWB’S FUTURE: In an open market the board would quickly become an insignificant player unable to compete with multinational grain companies. The agency would be dependent on private grain companies to handle grain, and those companies would have no interest in making the board a success.
OTHER COMMENTS: His experience with WCRR gives him an understanding of how important a role the CWB plays in representing farmers on grain transportation issues. Without the single desk, producer cars would disappear.
District six
WAYNE BACON
Box 667, Kinistino, Sask.,
S0J 1H0,
306-864-3278, cell 306-921-8988,
Operates a 4,000 acre family farm, growing wheat, canola, barley, oats and pulses. Also has 300 head of cattle. Age 42.
Has agriculture diploma from University of Saskatchewan. Involved in community groups such as service clubs, church and sports groups. Served as president of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association and the Canadian Canola Growers Association. Was a director on the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and Western Grains Research Foundation, and member of advisory groups to the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture.
His experience on boards of directors, his understanding of what farmers need and his ability to find middle ground on issues will serve him well as director.
He is running because he believes that while the single desk should be ended, it’s important to ensure that a viable CWB remains in business.
MARKETING SYSTEM: The single desk should be eliminated and farmers should have the right to choose whether to sell through the wheat board or on the open market. At the same time, there are benefits to marketing grain co-operatively and he would work hard to ensure that pooling through the CWB remains a viable option for farmers. The board should work to capture the top 20 percent of the market price.
WHO DECIDES?: The barley plebiscite was a fair test of farmer opinion and the federal government should move quickly to bring in choice for barley. That can serve as a test before making any moves on wheat.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The two must work together to enable the CWB to survive and compete in an open market. The government’s role, including financial guarantees, should be reduced over time and turned over to farmers.
CWB’S FUTURE: The new board of directors must ensure the CWB stays in business and is a viable option for farmers who want to market their grain through a pooling system. The CWB can remain the best option for farmers in an open market. Farmers wouldn’t be allowed to jump in and out of the pool, and the board should be allowed to own grain handling facilities.
OTHER COMMENTS: The CWB should work to ensure farmers aren’t saddled with all the costs of maintaining a safe food supply and to minimize farmers’ rail costs.
CAM GOFF
Box 205, Hanley, Sask.,
S0G 2E0,
306-544-2526,
Farms 5,000 acres with two brothers and mother, growing wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, lentils, chickpeas and winter wheat. Age 53.
Has been a full-time farmer since 1975. Opened a service station-farm supply centre in 2002. Attended a Canadian International Grains Institute grain industry course in 2000 and took course for agri-business entrepreneurs through the University of Saskatchewan in 2002. Has also worked on the local water board.
Believes his business background, combined with farming, will serve him well on the CWB board of directors.
Is running because he wants to preserve the single desk and defend the agency against government attack. Says the single desk is a valuable tool for farmers and extracts the most money possible from the market.
MARKETING SYSTEM: The single desk enables the board to capture premium prices. If the single desk is eliminated, it will be gone forever. The federal government is the biggest threat to the board’s future.
WHO DECIDES?: It’s up to the board of directors, not the government, to take the initiative to change the agency’s marketing structure. If a majority of directors wish to eliminate the single desk, it should hold a plebiscite of producers with a clear two-option question. He rejects the results of the barley plebiscite, which posed an unfair manipulative question.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Under the previous government there was a spirit of partnership and co-operation between the government and the board. That has disappeared with the current government. The board should be fully independent of the government, including in the area of appointing directors and financing.
CWB’S FUTURE: Any suggestion that the board could survive as a voluntary marketing agency in an open market is a red herring. The board couldn’t compete with giant multinational grain firms, would be unable to offer the benefits it does with a single desk and would soon disappear.
OTHER COMMENTS: The endless fighting over the grain marketing system is sapping the energy of the industry and farmers and must be brought to a halt. Farmers of Western Canada should make a final decision about the future of the board.
GERRID GUST
Box 692, Davidson, Sask.,
S0G 1A0,
306-567-2152,
Operates a mixed farm near Davidson with his father and brother, growing durum, wheat, barley, red lentils, yellow peas and canola and running a cow-calf operation. Declined to say how many acres. Age 32.
He obtained a diploma in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 1998. He has managed family businesses and been involved in a number of local community organizations, including the credit union. Is currently a director and secretary-treasurer of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
Says he would bring a business perspective to the role of CWB director, based on his experiences running small businesses as well as his farm. He has experience serving as a director and is interested in improving governance at the CWB.
He is running to end the single desk and bring in marketing choice. He also thinks directors are too involved in the day-to-day operations of the board, and the number of elected directors should be reduced.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Wants to eliminate the single desk, which he says prevents individual producers from maximizing their income and creates divisions in the farm community. Wants to build a voluntary farmer-owned CWB that can earn farmers’ business in a competitive market. Farmers would make an annual binding commitment to market their grain either through the CWB or on the open market.
WHO DECIDES?: The CWB is a creature of the federal government and so the government has the responsibility to determine the agency’s future, based on feedback from farmers. In an open market every farmer would be able to decide how to market his grain.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The government shouldn’t be involved in the board’s day-to-day operations but because of its financial guarantees it does have a right to oversee the agency.
CWB’S FUTURE: The board could survive and prosper as a voluntary agency in an open market if it is managed properly. For example, it could sell farm inputs and manage farmers’ market accounts.
OTHER COMMENTS: The board should stick to marketing grain and stay out of policy debates. He supported the gag order imposed on the board by Ottawa in 2006.
DOYLE WIEBE
Box 680, Langham, Sask.,
S0K 2L0,
306-283-4340, cell 306-222-0170,
Operates a 5,000-acre grain farm, growing canola, wheat, barley and hay as a cash crop. Age 54.
Obtained a degree in agricultural economics from University of Saskatchewan in 1976. Has done consulting work outside the farm in the areas of computers, financial management, computer instruction and software supply and ran a fertilizer distribution business. Worked with a charitable agency in Bangladesh for three years in the early 1990s and has been involved in various church groups.
Has experience working on boards of directors and has expertise in finance and economics. Helped set up a local marketing club in the mid-1990s.
Is running because he believes his skills and experience provide him with the tools to be a director and will benefit the board.
MARKETING SYSTEM: He wants to retain the single desk and does not believe a voluntary CWB can be successful. The single desk and pooling have served farmers well and provide a marketing advantage and premium price. Pricing options introduced in recent years are valuable tools for farmers. Small grain companies and producer car shippers benefit from the CWB.
WHO DECIDES?: The CWB Act makes it clear farmers get to decide the future of the board through a vote. The federal government decides if a vote is required, but should not be involved in determining the question. The barley plebiscite was not a fair question.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: There should be a greater separation between the government and the board. Would like to see the board gain financial independence from the government, and take over initial payments and other guarantees.
CWB’S FUTURE: The question is not whether the board could survive in an altered form, but whether a restructured CWB would provide benefit to farmers. The value of the board lies in the single desk and price pooling.
OTHER COMMENTS: The board has done a good job of providing pricing alternatives, but needs to be even more flexible in the future and he wants to be part of that process. For example, the board could get involved in marketing niche grain and providing assistance to farm businesses.
District eight
PAUL BEINGESSNER
Box 74, Truax, Sask.,
S0H 4A0,
306-868-4734, cell 306-868-7783,
Farms 2,000 acres, seeding durum, feed grain and lentils, and rotating about 800 acres in grass. Also has a cow-calf operation and raises sheep. Age 54.
Worked as general manager of Southern Rails Co-operative for five years, was a former delegate to Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, has been involved in other farm groups including the Farmer Rail Car Coalition and does consulting on transportation and other issues. Is an honorary life member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. Writes a column on agricultural issues for weekly newspapers in Western Canada.
Would bring to the board an expertise in transportation issues. His background in communications would also serve him well as a director in keeping farmers informed about CWB activities.
Is running to bring transportation expertise to the board of directors and to promote retention of the single desk.
MARKETING SYSTEM: The single desk provides significant value to farmers. The system proved its worth in 2007-08, when the board’s disciplined selling approach provided significant premiums for Canadian durum producers compared to what their U.S. counterparts received. The single desk is particularly valuable during a period of market volatility.
WHO DECIDES?: Farmers have the right to decide the CWB’s future and the federal government must respect that. Even if a majority of directors favours the open market, there still must be extensive consultations with farmers, including a fairly worded plebiscite.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Government should be limited to one appointed director at most to represent its financial interest in the board’s operations. The elected directors should appoint other directors as needed to provide expertise. The board and the government should dis-cuss ending government guarantees, with Ottawa providing the board with a contingency fund to back up initial payments and borrowing.
CWB’S FUTURE: Without the single desk the board could not be an effective, competitive player in the world grain market. If an open market is implemented, the government must provide significant financial and logistical guarantees to enable the board to operate.
OTHER COMMENTS: The board is important in representing farmers’ interests in grain transportation and keeping the pressure on railways to provide adequate service and ensuring the availability of producer cars.
ROD FLAMAN
Box 10, Edenwold, Sask.,
S0G 1K0,
306-771-2823,
Farms 3,000 acres of crops, with his son, including wheat, barley, oats, flaxseed, canola and lentils. Grows organic and conventional crops. Age 57.
Has served two terms as CWB director for District 8, and has represented the board on grain industry committees and on trips to the United States. Has a degree in mechanical engineering and worked in that field for 10 years before becoming a full-time farmer in 1982. Was a director of Terminal 22 at Balcarres, Sask., and the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers Association.
His experience as a director has given him insight into board operations. He says he can see both sides of an issue and is good at developing consensus.
He is running because there are serious issues to be addressed about the board’s future and some aspectsof the agency that need to be changed to keep in line with farmers’ wishes. With three incumbent directors leaving the board, continuity is important.
MARKETING SYSTEM: The single desk is the board’s most important asset and adds significant value to farmers. The board would not be able to provide that value without the single desk and would not survive for long. The CWB without the single desk would be a grain company of no significance.
WHO DECIDES?: According to the CWB Act, any change to the board must be done by government, but only after receiving approval from farmers voting in a clearly-worded, yes-no vote. The board, and not the government, should draft the question.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The government has made it clear it wants to dismantle the CWB and has acted contrary to the CWB Act. Both government and the board must work in the best interests of farmers. The government has too much influence on the board of directors and should be able to appoint only one or two directors.
CWB’S FUTURE: If the single desk was eliminated, some sort of organization could continue to function but it would not resemble the CWB as it exists today and would be of little value to farmers.
OTHER COMMENTS: Farmers should vote for who they think can do the best job of running a multibillion-dollar organization. It’s not up to directors to decide if the CWB continues to exist.
PHIL LEWIS
Box 1151, Moose Jaw, Sask.,
S6H 4P8,
306-693-2152,
Farms 4,000 acres with his son, growing durum, lentils and peas. Also has a 35 head cow-calf operation. Age 69.
He has served on local municipal council and school board and was on the first Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan board.
Says he would bring to the board table an ability developed through 51 years of farming to analyze problems, identify the cause and come up with solutions.
He is running for election because he wants to be part of the decision-making on the future of the CWB. Too many people leave the decision-making to others and then complain and criticize, but he wants to help find the answers.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Wants to replace the single desk with a voluntary wheat board. The single desk has outlived its usefulness and doesn’t consistently get the best price for farmers. It’s time farmers were given the opportunity to market their grain on their own. Those who prefer to use a pooling system will still be able to sell through the voluntary CWB.
WHO DECIDES?: Farmer should decide, although the government has to pass legislation. The CWB shouldn’t make the decision because many farmers who don’t do business with the CWB still have a stake in the issue. The barley plebiscite was a fair sampling of opinion and a strong indication farmers want a voluntary board.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The board likes to see itself as a separate entity from government, but the government still exercises control in areas such as approving payments to farmers and other financial guarantees. Even a voluntary CWB will need government backing to operate successfully.
CWB’S FUTURE: The board will continue to function in an open market and farmers who want to pool their grain will be able to do so. Before changes are made, however, the government, the CWB, the railways and grain companies must hold discussions to ensure a smooth transition. Producer cars and short-line railways need to be protected, perhaps through federal legislation.
OTHER COMMENTS: Grain marketing issues must be resolved. The debate has divided farmers and held back the industry. Once it is resolved, there will be growth and expansion.
LONNY MCKAGUE
Box 171, Ogema, Sask.,
S0C 1Y0,
306-457-7801, cell 306-459-7801,
Farms 2,240 acres, including grass and cultivated land, along with 160 leased acres for hay. Grows durum, canola, yellow peas and chickpeas, raises purebred Limousin cattle and operates a commercial greenhouse business. Age 53.
Is a director of the Saskatchewan Limousin Association and previously served as president of the national association. Serves on the Ogema school council and economic development council and is a director and founding member of the Red Coat Road and Rail, a short-line railway that serves producer car shippers in the area.
His experience as a farmer and director with a number of organizations, along with the short-line business, will be helpful in his role as CWB director
He is running for election because he cares deeply about many of the issues facing the CWB and farmers and feels it is necessary to have a well-run, and producer-run, CWB working on behalf of farmers.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Supports the single desk marketing system, which he says is crucial to a strong and effective CWB. Has never heard detailed or convincing explanations about how a voluntary CWB would operate successfully in an open market, but is prepared to listen to arguments on both sides.
WHO DECIDES?: The board of directors and farmers should determine the board’s future through a fairly worded, two-option plebiscite. The government should play no role in initiating a plebiscite or writing the question.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Farmers should run the board through elected directors. The government has been too active on CWB issues. It does have a role to play in international marketing issues, defending the board in trade talks and providing financial guarantees, but not in day-to-day operations. The government should appoint two rather than five directors.
CWB’S FUTURE: Eliminating the single desk will quickly lead to the demise of the CWB as an effective marketing tool for farmers. The agency couldn’t compete without primary elevators or terminals at the east and west coasts.
OTHER COMMENTS: He encourages farmers to vote, saying they should think carefully about the future of the CWB and how changes might affect their farm.
DAVID SCHNELL
Box 244, Kenosee Lake, Sask.,
S0C 2S0,
306-577-2511,
Farms 1,600 acres in the Lampman area, growing cereal grain, oilseeds and pulses. Age 63.
Schnell was president of Prairie Pasta Producers from 1998 to 2000, which tried unsuccessfully to build a pasta plant in southeastern Saskatchewan. Has served as chair of the Southeast Transportation Planning Committee since 1998 and was a local reeve for 19 years. Chosen as farmer of the year by the Estevan Chamber of Commerce in 1995.
He feels his experience as a farmer, municipal politician, transportation planner and businessperson gives him a good background to serve as a CWB director.
He is running to provide producers with the choice of whether to sell their grain through the board or on the open market. Farmers should have the right to choose what is best for their own farm.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Farmers have asked for choice and the board of directors should respond to that by transforming the board into a voluntary marketing agency. Farmers would still be able to sell through the CWB voluntarily and maintain a strong board if they wish. Barley should go on the open market immediately while a plebiscite is needed for wheat.
WHO DECIDES?: A majority of producers have already voted for a change in barley marketing in last year’s plebiscite. A pro-open market board of directors will be able to implement that quickly. A plebiscite should be held on wheat.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The government must have a say in how the board is run, given its substantial financial guarantees to the marketing agency. Ottawa should continue to appoint five directors. The government and board need to work together co-operatively to make the changes farmers want.
CWB’S FUTURE: The government should continue to provide financial guarantees to a voluntary wheat board. It’s important to keep a strong voluntary board for farmers who want to use price pooling. A voluntary board could also continue to work in areas such as transportation, research funding and market development.
OTHER COMMENTS: He blames the CWB for the failure of the Prairie Pasta project and says the agency should do more to enable producers to add value to their grain on the Prairies.
District ten
ROLF PENNER
Box 552, Morris, Man.,
R0G 1K0,
204-746-0129,
Farms 1,900 acres of grains and oilseeds, including winter wheat, rye and oats. Also operates 200-head feeder to finish hog barn and owns shares in two others. Age 41.
Received agriculture diploma from University of Manitoba in 1988 and then returned to farm. Served as a delegate to Manitoba Pork and worked for five years on agricultural policy for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. He is Manitoba vice-president for the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
Conducted research and writing on agricultural and other issues while at the Frontier Centre. That, combined with practical farming experience in grain and livestock, provides unique qualifications.
Is running because he thinks it’s time to provide farmers with marketing choice. Until then, wants to see the CWB do a better job of getting good prices for farmers.
MARKETING SYSTEM: A voluntary wheat board would have to compete for farmers’ grain, which would force it to perform better to attract business. Producers need flexibility and choice to run their farms as they see fit. Also believes farmers have property rightsover their grain and should be treated the same as farmers in Eastern Canada.
WHO DECIDES?: Ideally the courts would give farmers property rights over their grain. There has been enough discussion and the barley plebiscite and various surveys show farmers want choice. The government should do what is necessary to achieve that.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The acrimonious relationship between the board and the government must come to an end. The board is a shared governance organization, which means the federal government has a legitimate role to play in board activities. He rejects the idea the CWB Act of 1998 was designed to turn control of the board over to farmers.
CWB’S FUTURE: The government should continue to provide financial guarantees to a voluntary CWB. If it does a good job and provides competitive prices and other services to farmers, it will survive and prosper. It will be a more streamlined organization than the current CWB and be easier for farmers to understand and use.
OTHER COMMENTS: The board has to do a better job of demonstrating its value to farmers. Farmers need to receive better and more detailed information from the board about its business operations.
BARRY REIMER
Box 849, Killarney, Man.,
R0K 1G0,
204-523-6310,
Farms 4,000 acres, growing wheat, canola, barley and peas. Age 42.
He is president of the Killarney marketing club and has been a member for seven years. He took over the family farm at age 18. Ran a custom harvest business, working from southern Arizona to northern Saskatchewan. Served as president of the Association of Canadian Custom Harvesters. Has been a member of the local school board and church groups.
Believes his knowledge of U.S. agricultural market and farm programs, gained from years of doing custom harvest and custom trucking work south of the border, will serve him well as a CWB director.
He is running because he wants to change the marketing system for his children’s future. Also believes a change will generate more revenue for farmers and help ensure the survival of local communities.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Wants to get rid of the single desk and institute a dual market. Doesn’t believe the single desk generates additional revenue for farmers. A system in which the board and other grain merchants compete for farmers’ grain in an open market will produce higher prices. Wants to see more price transparency.
WHO DECIDES?: Farmers have already made their views known through the barley plebiscite. The CWB’s board of directors and the government should act on that and work together to bring in a dual market. A similar question and process should be used to determine the future of wheat marketing.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Farmers should have control of the agency, but there are times when the government needs to intervene to make sure farmers’ interests are being looked after. He agrees with the current government’s approach to the CWB and other agricultural issues. The federal election shows most farmers support the government.
CWB’S FUTURE: He believes the board will be able to survive and compete in an open market environment. The agency has marketing expertise and experience and many loyal customers.
OTHER COMMENTS: He wants to make sure farmers understand the preferential ballot and cast votes for all the open market candidates in their district.
CURTIS SIMS
Box 639, MacGregor, Man.,
R0H 0R0,
204 685-2237, cell 204-856-3310,
Operates a medium-sized 120-year-old family farm, growing wheat, sunflowers, beans and canola. Declined to state acreage. Age 55.
Has served as a delegate to Manitoba Pool Elevators, UGG, Agricore, Agricore United and Keystone Agricultural Producers, and was elected to two terms as producer representative on the former Senior Grain Transportation Committee. Was president of the Manitoba Farm Business Association and is a volunteer with the Manitoba Agricultural Museum. Has a degree in commerce from University of Manitoba.
Says he sticks with his principles and goals, while at the same time being reasonable and respecting everybody’s opinion. Believes his experience on boards of directors and his commerce background provides him with qualifications to be a CWB director.
He is running to bring in a voluntary wheat board, saying farmers are missing out on opportunities and revenue due to the single desk system.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Farmers should be free to choose how to market their wheat and barley. He believes farmers would earn more under an open market. Wants the board to offer a daily price contract on a year-round basis.
WHO DECIDES?: The government has the final say over the board’s future. Farmers clearly support marketing choice, as shown in numerous surveys and the barley plebiscite. There is no need for another vote. The time for talking is over and the board of directors should support marketing choice.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: The CWB Act makes it clear that government has a role to play in the organization, not only in the form of financial guarantees but also to ensure that the CWB does not abuse its power.
CWB’S FUTURE: He has no doubt a voluntary wheat board would be successful, due to customer loyalty, marketing expertise and a good reputation with buyers. Ontario and Australia provide examples of successful voluntary wheat boards. There might be need for transitional financial or credit assistance from the federal government. Farmers will determine its success by how they decide to market their wheat and barley.
OTHER COMMENTS: Marketing choice will provide benefits throughout the prairie farm economy, boosting investment in local processing of barley and wheat, similar to non-board crops like canola and oats.
BILL TOEWS
Box 35, Kane, Man.,
R0G 1E0,
204-343-2002,
Grows a variety of crops, including wheat, oats, canaryseed, flax, canola and soybeans. Declined to state acreage. Age 64.
Elected as a CWB director in 2004. Has degrees in agriculture and soil science. Worked as soil specialist with Alberta Agriculture and worked overseas as an agriculture adviser in Kenya and Pakistan. Has lectured at the University of Manitoba and served on a number of provincial industry committees.
He says he always tries to act in a principled way and believes in obeying the law and the CWB Act.
Is running for re-election because he believes it will be important to have experienced directors to deal with the challenges facing the board and stand up to the federal government in its efforts to dismantle the marketing agency.
MARKETING SYSTEM: It is clear that the board provides a significant marketing and financial advantage to farmers through the single desk and price pooling. Says it’s unfortunate the government refused to concede that the board provides value and is more interested in ideology than in what’s good for farmers economically.
WHO DECIDES?: While farmers, CWB directors and government all have roles to play, ultimately the decision about the board’s future has to be made by farmers, after a thorough and fact-based discussion of the options. Farmers should be asked for their views in a clearly worded two-option plebiscite that makes it clear the choice is between the single desk and the open market.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: While the government has a legitimate interest in the CWB due to its financial guarantees, it should have no role in day-to day operations. Would like to see the board sever its financial ties to Ottawa. The government should have one or two appointed directors.
CWB’S FUTURE: The board could not survive as a voluntary agency in an open market. It has no retained earnings, owns no grain handling or exporting facilities and would be unable to compete with multinational grain firms.
OTHER COMMENTS: In deciding how to vote, farmers have to ask themselves whether they want the CWB to remain a strong advocate with significant clout in the marketing and transportation systems that is committed to working on farmers’ behalf.
HARVEY VAAGS
Box 16, Group 18, R.R. 1, Dugald, Man.,
R0E 0K0,
204-853-2073, cell 204-792-4677,
Grew up on family farm, began farming on his own in 1985 and now operates a 280 acre grain farm, growing a variety of cereals and oilseeds. Age 52.
Studied agriculture, economics and accounting at Dordt College in Iowa. Ran an aerial spraying service for a number of years. Became a full-time police officer with the Winnipeg City Police in 1989. Helped found a local cattle co-op and served as director and supervisor for several years. Was on board of the Reform party in local riding.
He has an ability to listen and would use that to find out what farmers in his district are concerned about and take those concerns to the board table.
He is running for election because of an interest in grain marketing and a desire to apply that knowledge to make the board more responsive and accountable to farmers.
MARKETING SYSTEM: Describes himself as middle of the road with no strong ideological views. He doesn’t want the board to disappear, calling it a strong organization and a valuable Canadian institution. The board has introduced some good pricing programs, but improvements can be made. He would move slowly on the issue, retaining the single desk, but offering more pricing options and perhaps opening the market on a limited basis for certain grains and certain situations.
WHO DECIDES?: The directors elected by farmers should make decisions about the agency’s future. It should be up to the directors, not the government, to decide whether a change is in order and to organize a vote by farmers. Any vote should offer a clear choice between two options.
GOVERNMENT AND CWB: Farmers should control the board and the federal government should stay out of the way.
CWB’S FUTURE: It’s difficult to predict how the board would fare in an open market. It would definitely have less clout in the market and be weakened, and could eventually wither away.
OTHER COMMENTS: Issues like delivery, storage and transportation need to be addressed. The board should pay farmers to store wheat. Payments to farmers must be speeded up and simplified. Farmers should be careful comparing the CWB’s pool price with a U.S. average price because many U.S. farmers sell for less than the quoted average price.
