BENTLEY, Alta. – Last fall, Darcy Anderson hauled barley from his uncle’s field to the grain elevator in Bentley, as he had for years.
It was easier to haul grain the five kilometres from field to elevator than back to his own farm.
He had done this when the elevator was owned by UGG and he continued to do it after the elevator was bought by All Grain (Alberta) Ltd. in 1999.
“The only reason I ever dealt there was it was so close,” said Anderson.
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In fall 1999, Anderson talked to P. Thomas Erling-Tyrell, All Grain’s owner. Erling-Tyrell said the only difference with the elevator ownership was that All Grain had a 30 day payment policy.
Anderson’s father told him not to worry because all elevators were bonded and licensed by the Canadian Grain Commission.
Thirty days later, he was paid for his grain.
In the fall of 2000, Anderson once again hauled his grain to the elevator. This time, no cheque arrived in the mail within 30 days.
After months of hassles, he was paid $1,000, but said he is still owed $4,500 for his barley.
In February, All Grain declared bankruptcy, owing money to numerous farmers and truck drivers.
“I guess I have to write it off as a loss,” said Anderson.
According to the Canada Grain Act, all persons operating a grain elevator are obliged to obtain a license from the Canadian Grain Commission before commencing operations.
“If Canada Grain Act grade names are not being used and the facility does not meet the definition of an elevator, the company does not need to be licensed,” wrote Peter Clarke, Canadian Grain Commission compliance officer to All Grain in October 2000, more than a year after All Grain took over the UGG grain elevator at Bentley.
For more than two years Canadian Grain Commission officials wrote to Erling-Tyrell asking for information about his operations. Staff did not visit the Bentley location with the seed cleaning plant and grain elevator.
When Mundare farmer Gary Broenner talked to Erling-Tyrell about selling his wheat with barley dockage, he was assured All Grain was a solid grain company.
“He gave you a feeling of history,” said Broenner, whose living room is filled with piles of paper dealing with All Grain.
Broenner checked on All Grain through the Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Grain Commission. The grain commission’s Edmonton office told Broenner All Grain was unlicensed, but that the local office hadn’t had any complaints. At least one complaint was filed at the commission’s Winnipeg office.
After losing almost $8,000, Broenner said he’s learned not to trust.
“Don’t take anybody’s word for anything. Ask for 10 references regardless if they’re licensed or not.”
