Saskatchewan wheat and barley producers have two weeks to cast their ballots in director elections being held by the province’s wheat and barley commissions.
The deadline to cast votes in elections at the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (SaskWheat) and the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley) is Dec. 2.
A total of 14 candidates, seven at SaskWheat and seven at SaskBarley, are hoping to fill six available director’s positions, three at each organization.
Ballots have been mailed out to all eligible voters in the province.
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Completed ballots must be received by the returning officer no later than 4 p.m. on deadline day.
SaskWheat chair Bill Gehl said he would like to higher voter participation in the 2015 vote.
Two years ago, in the commission’s inaugural election, voter participation was low, in the range of 10 percent.
About 23,000 farmers are eligible to vote in this year’s wheat commission election.
Gehl said the commission was encouraged that seven candidates have stepped forward to contest the three available seats at SaskWheat.
“These numbers prove … that Saskatchewan wheat producers take pride and ownership in their industry and want to keep building a long-term future.”
Gehl also acknowledged that the inaugural board has had difficulty finding opportunities to invest producer dollars.
He said reduced research capacity at Agriculture Canada and other public research institutions has presented a unique investing challenge for the commission.
“There’s been huge cuts to Ag Canada and to our plant breeding programs across Canada …,” Gehl said.
“At SaskWheat, we’re having some difficulty in getting those dollars into an area where we can maximize them,” he added.
“We want to maximize the amount of research that we can get done because it pays such huge, huge returns for farmers … and the quicker we get that done, the better.”
The 2015 elections have also raised concerns among some growers about campaign procedures, specifically the rules regarding campaign spending.
Six candidates — three at SaskWheat and three at SaskBarley — have launched joint campaigns in which candidates who share similar views are sharing common campaign websites. They are also sharing other election expenses, a practice that is not sitting well with some growers.
The joint campaigns, known as Team Wheat and Team Barley, are not intended as an “all-or-nothing” slate.
Producers can cast a ballot for one person, while not endorsing another running on the joint ticket.
Nonetheless, the practice of running a joint campaign has ruffled feathers.
Last week, SaskBarley candidate Leo Howse from Porcupine Plain, Sask., criticized the practice and questioned whether the candidates could be affiliated with so-called corporate backers.
Howse said Saskatchewan growers deserve answers to questions about campaign finances, campaign spending limits and industry affiliations.
He said it is not inconceivable that some candidates may be receiving campaign support from organizations whose interests are not aligned with those of primary producers.
“There are two questions that farmers must ask themselves before they vote,” Howse said in a recent email to the Western Producer.
“Who is backing these (candidates) and what impact will it have on representing farmers’ best interests?”
Currently, there are no election rules at SaskWheat prohibiting candidates from having corporate affiliations.
There are no campaign spending limits and candidates are not required to disclose sources of campaign funding.
In the 2013-14 crop year, Saskatchewan wheat growers contributed more $6 million to SaskWheat operations and nearly $1 million to SaskBarley.
The money is earmarked primarily for spending on cereal research projects and market development initiatives.
Producer contributions are collected in the form of a 52 cents per tonne producer checkoff, applied to all commercial wheat sales in the province and a 50 cents per tonne levy on barley.
Candidates in the SaskWheat election include Dan Danielson of Saskatoon, Scott Hepworth of Assiniboia, Gene Lahey of Lacadena, Richard Lindsay of Arborfield, Laura Reiter of Radisson, William (Bill) Rosher of Kindersley and Scott Sefton of Broadview.
Candidates in the SaskBarley election are Zenneth Faye from Foam Lake, Gilbert Ferre from Zenon Park, Daryl Fransoo from Meota, Cameron Goff from Hanley, Leo Howse from Porcupine Plain, Keith Rueve from Muenster, and Larry Spratt from Melfort.
Profiles of all candidates can be viewed on the commissions’ websites at www.saskbarleycommission.com or at www.saskwheatcommission.com.
