Following is the last of three excerpts from Milt Fair’s report to the annual meeting of Sask Pool delegates, his last such annual report before retiring effective Jan. 1.
Never before has the consumer been as influential in the marketplace as today. I believe that that level of influence will continue to grow. For our industry, it is a significant development. If ignored, it will certainly lead to decline. If responded to, our opportunities will be numerous and rewarding. …
The presence of ethnic foods is increasing. Consider, for example, the recent proliferation of tacos, nachos and fajitas or the growth of take-out Chinese food units in Safeway grocery stores. By the Year 2000, one in three Americans will be born outside North America – it may be even higher in Canada.
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Clearly, the consumer is king. And all of us involved in bringing food from the field or garden to the dining room or restaurant table must be prepared to realign our focus accordingly.
Processors are demanding a consistent supply of product of uniform quality. Producers will become more acquainted with production of “Designer Products” which reflect uniformity, consistency, and predictability.
Opportunities exist for both members and the organization. But to realize this potential, producers must view themselves as being more than the grower of a commodity. Producers must see their role as being the “supplier” of food to customers who have specific, exacting demands. This is quite different from simply producing a commodity. …
As an aside, it is interesting to note that during the decade of the 80s : Retail food prices increased by nearly 90 percent; Wholesale prices increased by over 60 percent; Farmgate prices increased by about 30 percent.
Obviously, in order to bring a greater portion of the consumer food dollar back to the producer, we must become involved further down the food chain. …
There is no question that this co-operative will continue to grow. It will be reshaped over time in order to improve its flexibility and effectiveness.
But how will that be viewed by members? Will they be able to relate to the larger, more removed portions of their co-operative?
What policies will be best suited to the needs of a diverse membership? I firmly believe in the philosophy of co-operation. There is no greater power than people banding together to help themselves.
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool’s co-operative base and member control structure, combined with its expertise in grain production, handling and processing has international credibility. We are ideally positioned to build relationships that can only enhance marketing opportunities and further develop outlets for Saskatchewan production.
But as this co-operative stretches out beyond the boundaries of Saskatchewan and establishes beach-heads in Asia, Central Europe and Latin America, members cannot help but feel a remoteness. Producers are becoming more heterogeneous and common solutions are harder to develop. I suggest to you that overcoming that sense of “disconnect” is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Obviously, a key element in developing a sense of ownership is to ensure excellent communications.
Providing the best possible service and market access for our members will further add to a sense of belonging.
Translating our size and linkages into market opportunities and improved profitability for our members may be the most meaningful benefit the organization can provide. …
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has been very successful over its history. True, there were ups and downs as we saw the dramatic depression of 1929. But the organization was able to come out of that setback. And while it was paying back its loans, the Pool established the Western Producer; got into livestock marketing and entered the flour milling industry.
The Pool was a significant player in the development of that great cinderella crop, canola, which has tremendous potential in providing the world with its vegetable oil requirements. By the early 1950s, the loss of the 1929 Pool was repaid in full and the company could hold its head high.
We have been recognized during recent years for the many initiatives undertaken. Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has been placed on the map as a diversified agricultural co-operative, truly interested in its members’ well-being and in servicing customers at home and abroad. It is with intense pride that I have been able to be a part of that development.
If I have anything to leave with you, it is that you do not lose the vision or the dream that our forefathers began and that together we have been able to sustain and extend.
It goes without saying, that whatever you do, must be done within the financial resources that are available to the organization. Let no one lose sight of that reality. Should you allow the organization to become debt burdened, the Pool will go the way of so many organizations when someone in a financial institution begins to set the direction that you are to follow.
… However, we need to recognize that there is immense power in vision and/or dreams. There are no great men, just great ideas.
I believe that we really measure a person by the size of their vision or the size of their dreams. Let us just consider a few: Henry Ford – his horseless carriage; the Wright Brothers – the ability to fly; Jonas Salk – the invention of polio vaccine; Thomas Edison – lit up the world.
There is power in vision, power to change the world in which we live. I think we should realize that where there is no vision there is failure. If there is low vision, there is mediocrity. If there is great vision, there can be excellence. Someone has said:
“If you have it within you to dream, you have it within you to succeed.”
