GGC Promotes CWB Voter List Reform

Grain Growers of Canada has proposed to work co-operatively with the Canadian Wheat Board to deal with complaints about the fairness of the agency’s voters’ list. Richard Phillips, the GGC’s executive director, told the House of Commons’ agriculture committee May 14 that it’s time to end the complaints that come after every election for the

Viterra, ABB Grain Come To Terms

“If (Viterra) did something else big after this, before this got some traction, then we think they might… bite off more than they can chew.” – ANIL PASSI OF CREDIT RATI NG AGENCY DBRS Canada’s top grain handler has agreed to buy Australia’s ABB Grain in a US$1.2 billion share-and-cash deal, giving Viterra better access


Canadian Wheat Board Sees Balanced Contingency Fund

The Canadian Wheat Board expects its contingency fund to balance this year after volatile grain prices caused a $28.9 million ($24.7 million) deficit last year and fuelled fresh government criticism of the grain-marketing agency. The fund underwrites the risk of non-traditional payment programs that are designed to give farmers flexibility to price some of their

Winter Cereals Manitoba Seeks Members’ Input On Research

“Winter wheat producers realize they’ve got to move ahead and that varieties are few and far between.” – JAKE DAVIDSON Winter Cereals Manitoba (WCM) has $180,000 in the bank and wants its members’ advice on how best to spend it. WCM president and Birtle-area farmer Garth Butcher got some feedback during the association’s second annual


Why We Need CWB Election Reform

The CWB voters’ list does not accurately reflect the farm community. It gives far too much clout to those who do not depend on farming as their main source of income. In the 2007-08 crop year, the CWB issued 84,403 permit books. Some would suggest that this should be the makeup of the voters’ list

Viterra Attempts To Go Global

Atakeover of Australia’s ABB Grains Ltd. by Viterra Inc. could transform the Canadian grain company into a global powerhouse, but it also runs the risk of repeating mistakes made in a previous attempt at foreign expansion. Viterra, Canada’s largest grain handler, has offered up to A$1.64 billion (US$1.16 billion) for ABB, a major Australian grain


Ritz Excludes CWB From Moroccan Trade Mission

“I’m not sure why they would wait for me to lead a trade mission. I think they should be here on a month-by-month basis. This is an important market.” – gerry ritz When Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz went to Morocco to promote more trade, he failed to take along the agency responsible for most of

CWB Election Spending Report “Incomplete”

“It’s one of the few well-defined pieces of the regulation: what information (candidates and third parties) have to provide.” – IAN CRAVEN, MNP Two candidates in last fall’s Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) director elections and a pair of third-party interveners have declined to disclose their donors and advertising expenses, highlighting the need to clarify election


Money No Guarantee Of Win In CWB Election

Candidates who spent the most money or received the most donations during last fall’s Canadian Wheat Board election didn’t always win, according to the election co-ordinator’s report on election donations and spending. For example, District 8 incumbent Rod Flaman received $1,698 in donations towards his reelection campaign to the CWB’s board of directors and spent

SUMMARY OF CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD ELECTION CO-ORDINATOR’S ELECTION SPENDING REPORT

CANDIDATES THIRD PARTIES Candidates who spent the most money or received the most donations during last fall’s Canadian Wheat Board election didn’t always win, according to the election co-ordinator’s report on election donations and spending. For example, District 8 incumbent Rod Flaman received $1,698 in donations towards his reelection campaign to the CWB’s board of