The National Farmers Union is conducting a farmer survey to learn more about how grain growers are being treated when they deliver grain to a country elevator.
“The NFU is starting to hear repeated stories of grain farmers being dissatisfied with their treatment by elevator companies,” said NFU president Jan Slomp.
“We are hearing stories that farmers are being baited to deliver their grain with good grades and then switched to lower grades when they get there,” he said. “So we have launched this survey to determine the extent of the problem.”
Read Also
Lethbridge Polytechnic receives major donation
Multimillion-dollar donation by Hranac family aids Lethbridge Polytechnic’s research in integrated food production systems, irrigation science and post-harvest technology in Alberta
The online survey is open to all farmers at www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFU-Grain-2017.
The NFU says submissions will be kept confidential and results will be aggregated for reporting purposes.
“This will allow the NFU to determine how widespread this problem has become in view of the Canadian Grain Commission’s reduced regulatory role,” said Slomp.
“The … commission’s mandate to protect farmers still exists, and the survey results will allow us to promote solutions for any problems that are identified.”
Asked to comment on the NFU survey, the Canadian Grain Commission said its regulatory role has not been reduced.
“The CGC has not reduced its regulatory role as it relates to grain grading disputes at the primary elevator,” said spokesperson Rémi Gosselin.
“When producers disagree with the grade, dockage, moisture or protein assessment they receive at delivery, they have a right to ask that a sample be sent to us at the Canadian Grain Commission for a binding decision. This service is an inspection Subject to Inspector’s Grade and Dockage.”
Gosselin said producers or others who deliver grain to a licensed primary elevator also have the right to ask to observe the operator assess grade and dockage.
Grain grades are based on samples, he added.
“To ensure samples adequately reflect the entire lot of grain, proper sampling procedures must be used. We provide information on our website on how to take a representative sample,” Gosselin said.
