Canadian Grain Commission official says the organization needs to review how it goes about making decisions
REGINA — The Canadian Grain Commission plans to review its processes in light of what happened this past summer regarding test weights, says assistant chief commissioner Patty Rosher. Speaking at the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan annual meeting, Rosher said the decision to align primary and export test weights, and then reverse it, indicates the […] Read moreTag Archives Canadian Grain Commission — page 4
Producers urged to use grain grading tools
Grain grading isn’t the exclusive purview of elevator operators and private consultants. The information necessary for producers to survey quality, short of an official grade, is publicly available, according to recent seminars hosted by Saskatchewan producer groups. Saskatchewan wheat, barley, canola and flax associations hosted officials from the Canadian Grain Commission for a crash course […] Read more
Harvest sample program deadline looms
The deadline to submit to the Harvest Sample Program is fast approaching. For producers not already subscribed, it’s a good time to register for the initiative which provides free, unofficial grade and quality results for the 2024 crop. Kerri Pleskach, program manager at the Canadian Grain Commission, said registered producers must get their samples in […] Read more
Grain marketing debate was long and heated
A clash of visions between open and controlled markets dominated the prairie ag landscape for much of the last century
Murray Fulton didn’t hesitate when asked to identify an overarching theme in grain marketing on the Canadian Prairies over the last century. “It’s the big question — should you rely on markets, or should you rely on some kind of more controlled system, whether it’s co-op owned, or government controlled?” said the University of Saskatchewan […] Read more
CGC’s test weight reversal unfortunate
This is the Western Grain Elevator Association’s response to the WP editorial, “Prairie farmers score a win in grain commission tussle,” that appeared on page 10 of the Aug. 10 edition. Western Canadian farmers produce a premium quality crop when compared to most other grain producing nations. The challenge is to maintain our enviable position […] Read more
Farmers unite in opposition to grain commission changes
Discontent is growing over the Canadian Grain Commission’s decision to harmonize primary and export test weights for wheat effective Aug. 1. It has even brought together the National Farmers Union and the Wheat Growers Association, who disagree on many policy issues, to oppose the change. They say it will cost farmers money and that the […] Read more
Sask. farmers want grain commission changes reversed
Organizations say harmonizing test weight tolerances at the higher export standard is not in producers’ best interests
Two Saskatchewan organizations want the Canadian Grain Commission to reverse its decision to harmonize test weight tolerances at the higher export standard. Sask Wheat and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan issued a press release July 17 saying the decision to eliminate the primary elevator tolerance could be financially detrimental for producers. Effective Aug. 1, […] Read more
Sask. farmers want CGC changes reversed
Sask Wheat chair Brett Halstead said the decision was ill-considered, hastily finalized and done without proper consultation.
Grading changes coming for 2023-24 crop year
Grain commission says harvest sample data shows that the higher standards will affect only a small number of farmers
Changes to Canada’s official grain grading guide are coming Aug. 1, and will align primary and export test weights for wheat. Canadian Grain Commission chief inspector Derek Bunkowsky said updates for the 2023-24 crop year are based on science. “The test weight alignment to the export test weight, that’s all based on scientific research, extensive […] Read more
Farmer complacency often to blame
Only sixty-six responses were received by Agriculture Canada’s 2021 Canada Grain Act Review request for submissions. Ag Canada didn’t post these briefs so it’s impossible to know how many came from producers, but given the number of grain handlers and farm organizations, it’s a safe bet there were no more than 30 from the tens of thousands of farmers in Western Canada. That’s sparse comment from a farm clientele that’s habitually unhappy about elevator grading and dockage.
