Farm Corp Marketing International wants to talk about wheat prices with Canadian and American politicians.
The farmer-owned company has signed marketing contracts with 1,000 farmers covering about two million acres.
It says that gives it a mandate to talk to policy-makers about getting higher prices for wheat.
The Saskatoon-based company has sent out invitations to federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief, Canadian Wheat Board minister Ralph Goodale and a number of American senators and representatives.
“We’re saying we need to open up a dialogue for all farmers to try to reestablish a floor price for wheat under a new generation international wheat agreement,” said Farm Corp president Rick Pender.
Read Also
Carberry field day looks for agriculture solutions
Manitoba farmers explored research solutions for resilient crops, perpetual agronomic issues and new kinds of agricultural products at a field day at the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre in Carberry on Aug. 6.
Farm Corp is selling $100 contracts to farmers, giving it the authority to negotiate on their behalf with world grain buyers for higher wheat prices, and if necessary, hold a vote among producers on whether to hold wheat off the market.
The company wants to put some 70 million acres of wheat under contract in the five major exporting regions. It would then use the resulting bargaining power to negotiate a floor price of $6.50 (US) a bushel, basis export position in the Gulf of Mexico.
Most of the two million acres it has under contract are in Saskatchewan, with some in Manitoba, Alberta and the United States.
Pender said if the current pace continues, the company will easily surpass its target of signing 10,000 to 15,000 contracts in Canada in the first year.
“We’re quite pleased with how things are going.”
