Many prairie elevators are plugged, so the Canadian Wheat Board will accept grain deliveries for the 1996-97 crop year at certain congested points after the official close of the crop year July 31.
“There’s still a lot of grain to be delivered – more than the system will be able to handle from now to the end of July,” said chief commissioner Lorne Hehn.
As of July 12, the prairie elevator system had an average of 27 percent free space, Manitoba had 34 percent, Alberta 27 percent and Saskatchewan had only 20 percent.
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Although provision has been made for late deliveries, Hehn urged farmers to deliver as early as possible where elevator space allows.
To be eligible for late delivery farmers must complete an application from authorized elevators. This will enable delivery until Aug. 22.
Tracy Bryksa, board information officer, said after consultation with grain companies, the board will identify which elevators to include in the program.
She said the extension should allow farmers to deliver what they have already committed under contracts.
However, the extension will also allow farmers to be paid under 1996-97 crop year prices.
So far, it looks like most prices for board grains in 1996-97 will be better than in the new crop year. The board’s expectation of total payment for No. 1 Canadian Western red spring this year is $206 a tonne before handling and transportation deductions.
The pool return outlook for 1997-98 is $171-$201, down due to expectations of larger wheat and feed grain crops in most areas of the world.
The exception is durum, which has the potential for a higher price next year because of poor growing conditions in key production areas.
The board said farmers with malting barley storage and delivery contracts will be granted deferred delivery permits automatically. Grain must be called by Aug. 8 and deliveries under these contracts must be completed within 21 days of being notified by the selector.
Acreage-based and contract delivery calls for the new 1997-98 crop year will be delayed to accommodate the deferred deliveries, the board said.
New crop production can’t be delivered under a deferred delivery permit.
