Grain commission wheat class process criticized

Grain commission wheat class process criticized

The Alberta Wheat Commission and Cereals Canada call for more transparency and industry input

Two grain groups are calling for reforms to how the grain industry determines end-use quality standards for milling wheat classes. Cereals Canada and the Alberta Wheat Commission say the process needs to be more open. The class system, overseen by the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) and used to protect Can­ada’s reputation for consistent wheat quality

Farm groups chided MPs over rail service at a recent hearing of the Commons agriculture committee.

Western farmers want rail headaches fixed for the future

Presentations to Commons agriculture committee all noted the need for a long-lasting fix to this problem

It’s too close to spring and planting time for a special order to the railways to move more grain to achieve much, Prairie farmers have told the Commons agriculture committee. Rural roads will soon be impassable for grain trucks and farmers will be focused on planting this year’s crop rather than hauling grain to terminals,


Lowe Farm farmer Butch Harder told the seed growers’ meeting he opposes additional royalties for cereal breeders, calling the plan a “seed tax.”

The ‘value capture’ conundrum

A proposal to better compensate cereal breeders will almost certainly cost farmers more 
either when they buy seed or when they deliver grain to the elevator

Some call it a cereals ‘seed tax’ while others say it’s an investment in improved varieties. Either way, Canadian farmers face paying more for new varieties, or when they deliver the crop, if one of two proposed new “value capture” models is implemented by the federal government in 2019. “We want Canada to continue to

Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) inspection specialist Usman Mohammad demonstrates how inspectors use CGC grade standard samples to assist in grading grain consistently.  PHOTOs: ALLAN DAWSON


Subjective? Not exactly

Western Canada’s wheat-grading system is probably more objective than you think

For 40 years Western Canada’s grain industry has dreamed about the black box — an affordable machine that would take a handful of wheat and quickly and accurately spit out its end-use quality on the elevator driveway. Like flying cars and cellulosic ethanol, it’s just around the corner, but never arrives. The black box is


Randy Dennis (l), the former chief grain inspector for Canada, demonstrates the ins and outs of grain grading at a workshop. The Canadian Grain Commission is reviewing the grading system. While some groups want to switch to instrument-measured specifications, others warn that could create problems.

Grain commission launches major grain grading system review

Views vary within the grain industry about what should stay, what should 
go and who’ll pay any extra costs

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is conducting a major review of grain grading. That’s prompting calls by some for specifications to replace grades, while others say they’ll consider changes if they don’t undermine the current system or cost too much. Read more: Column roils wheat grading controversy Read more: Grading system needed to ensure proper compensation

C-49 Transportation Modernization Act off to Senate

Bill C-49, the Grain Modernization Act, has passed third reading in the House of Commons and now goes to the Senate for debate. Farmers and grain companies hope if it becomes law the railways will be obliged to sign level-of-service contracts backed by financial penalties. Read more: Mixed reactions from farm groups to Bill C-49



Transport Minister Marc Garneau will introduce promised amendments to the Canada Transportation Act this spring, a spokesman says.

New transportation legislation still set for spring introduction

While grain farmers and shippers look forward to legislation they want provisions under C-30 set to expire Aug. 1 extended until the amendments take force

Canada Transportation Act amendments will be introduced this spring before the House of Commons rises — but the grain industry is concerned key temporary provision may expire before legislation is passed. The confirmation came after a query to Transport Minister Marc Garneau’s office. “Minister Garneau is committed to introducing legislation this spring,” Marc Roy, Garneau’s


KAP debates how to spend the Canadian Grain Commission’s operating surplus

The CGC says it can’t refund the money, but it can spend it with the federal government’s approval on things related to its mandate

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) cannot return its operating surplus to farmers or grain companies as some farm groups suggest, according to Remi Gosselin, manager of corporate information services. “The Canada Grain Act and the Canada Grain Act regulations do not provide for refunds or rebates,” he said in an interview April 28. Nor will

Concept of making money agriculture

Support grows to keep deferred cash purchase tickets

KAP and the Western Grain Elevator Association say a proposal to end the option is bad for the grain sector

Support to retain deferred cash purchase tickets for western grain farmers is building. Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) passed a resolution to that end at its advisory council meeting here April 20 to keep the option. The Western Grain Elevators Association (WGEA), which represents Canada’s six major grain elevator companies, also wants to keep deferred cash