The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association has a name but doesn’t formally exist yet because the commodity group is waiting on provincial certification.
James Battershill, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, said the association remains in a holding period as provincial officials decide if a producer referendum is needed for a checkoff on wheat and barley.
“We’re still waiting to hear back from the (provincial) certification agency on what their assessment is and they’ll make a determination on whether or not they want to see a referendum … of producers,” he said.
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“The hope is still to be operational in August.”
The association’s steering committee has hired consultant Brent VanKoughnet to lead the start-up phase.
VanKoughnet said informal polling and meetings with producers suggest cereal growers support the concept. Farmers know that something or someone has to promote wheat to consumers and financially support agronomic research, he added.
“People get that that requires some investment.”
The association hasn’t formally announced its mandate, but VanKoughnet said it will likely be similar to the objectives of other commodity associations, such as the flax growers or canola growers.
“In each of those cases, there is a combination of agronomic research, what variety research needs to be done and what representation needs to take place … to make sure the potential of the crop is understood by policy makers.”
He said the Manitoba association is considering a $1 checkoff on wheat and barley.
“The vision kind of is a combination of market development that is the CIGI (Canadian International Grains Institute) checkoff right now and the research checkoff that’s WGRF (Western Grains Research Foundation) right now,” said VanKoughnet, who farms near Carman, Man., and runs Agri Skills, which specializes in ag innovation and human resource development.
“The other (piece) is advocacy and agronomy research and other things. All that kind of adds up to $1 a tonne.”
VanKoughnet said he knows that farmers are weary of check-off deductions and supporting scores of small commodity groups, but the leaders of the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association are committed to working with other provincial cereal groups.
“Just because you have a bunch of little organizations doesn’t mean you can’t work together pretty efficiently,” he said.
“And still have that unique voice for… things that are unique about this crop in this region. It’s a combination of global and local.”
