Alberta wheat producers will be asked their views about a proposed all-wheat commission at meetings this fall.
Commissions exist in the province for both winter wheat and soft white wheat, but producers from both those commissions think an all-wheat commission would generate more money for research and market development for all types of wheat grown in Alberta.
Kent Erickson of Wainwright and Lynn Jacobson of Enchant are on a steering committee to explore the proposal and intend to give more information to producers if they can get on fall meeting agendas for various commodity groups.
“The majority of spring wheat producers in Alberta are also canola producers and pea producers and winter wheat producers and barley producers and they all have commissions as it stands right now,” said Erickson.
“It does show producers do see a value in commissions.”
An earlier survey of about 300 wheat producers indicated 58 percent supported the idea of a checkoff to fund a wheat commission, said Erickson.
Among the rest, 17 were not in favour and most of the rest said they needed more information to make an informed decision.
A steering committee has developed a business plan, which includes a proposed 70 cents per tonne checkoff.
Erickson said that number is proposed based on the 30 cents per tonne checkoff already applied on Canadian Wheat Board grain that goes to the Western Grains Research Foundation. A 70 cent checkoff for a wheat commission would mean an even $1 per tonne for all Alberta wheat.
However, that number may be adjusted based on feedback from growers this fall.
Alberta’s five-year average wheat production is 7.6 million tonnes. After subtracting wheat use for feed and other purposes, about $3.5 million per year could be raised, said Erickson. That could make government and researchers take notice.
“It’s a lot easier to match money than if we were to sit here and say, ‘we need more research dollars but we have no money to put into it,’ ” said Erickson.
He emphasized that the new commission, if it is formed, would not be political. He hopes it can be created by August 2012 and although that is the same time the wheat board is scheduled to lose its monopoly on wheat and export barley, the two events are not directly connected.
The commission’s goal is to obtain dollars for grassroots research and market development, said Erickson. It is not intended to replace any programs or activities previously undertaken by the CWB.
