ESTON, Sask. – A Canadian farmer thinks it’s ironic that an American producer-owned pasta plant is looking for Canadian investors.
The farmer was one of 40 producers who attended a Prairie Pasta membership drive in Eston, Sask., Nov. 28. Joining Prairie Pasta would allow growers to buy shares in Dakota Growers Pasta Co.
During a question and answer session, the farmer said it was curious that a group of producers from North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana are anxious to see more Canadian durum flowing into the United States.
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He wondered why farmer-members of the American pasta co-op would support a challenge against the Canadian Wheat Board calling for tariffs on wheat and durum entering the U.S. and yet solicit Canadian participation in their co-op.
Jeff Topp, a director of Dakota Growers, told farmers at the Eston meeting that the Section 301 petition against the wheat board is being led by the North Dakota Wheat Commission.
The pasta co-op signed a letter supporting the challenge, but he assured the Eston group that farmers who own the company voted in favour of allowing Canadians to invest in the pasta plant and to supply durum to its mill.
The idea received considerable support at district meetings, but only passed by a narrow margin during a vote at the annual meeting.
Prairie Pasta plans to launch a share offering early in the new year once the membership drive is complete.
If there isn’t enough interest to purchase the minimum allotment of shares, Prairie Pasta will pay its outstanding debts and return the remaining money to members on a pro-rated basis.
