Interim delegates, directors and elections explained

If farmer-members vote to amalgamate the five organizations in 2020, existing directors will become interim delegates on the four crop committees, the Manitoba Commodity Organization Amalgamation Proposal says. That will provide continuity as crop committee delegates are elected over time. Half of the first crop committee delegates will serve a one-year term and the rest

Editorial: Burying the hatchet

There’s a long-running list of issues that, over the years, have been sure to spur fast and furious debate between farmers. It’s such a well-worn trope that there’s an old joke that’s been circulating for many years that goes like this: [Insert agriculture policy-maker’s name] was once asked how you could get anything done when


Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association chair Fred Greig led a discussion on the proposed commodity associations’ merger during the wheat and barley growers’ annual meeting Feb. 15 at CropConnect in Winnipeg.

Ideological lines blurred over commodity group merger

Farmers spoke for and against the proposal during 
five association annual meetings at CropConnect

Butch Harder and Jim Pallister seem the most unlikely of allies. Ordinarily the pair, who farm at Lowe Farm and Portage la Prairie, respectively, find themselves on the opposite sides of many policy issues. But now they find themselves expressing similar concerns about the proposal to amalgamate five Manitoba farm commodity associations — Manitoba Wheat

The Manitoba Flax Growers Association is moving to Carman and chair Eric Fridfinnson is pleased the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers Association has agreed to administer the association on a fee-for-service basis.

Flax, winter cereals groups moving to Carman

While not formerly part of the commodity group merger talks, 
it demonstrates a willingness towards additional collaboration

The Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA) and Winter Cereals Manitoba Inc. (WCMI) are moving to the Carman office already occupied by a number of other commodity organizations. The Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSGA) will administer the MFGA starting March 1, MFGA chair Eric Fridfinnson told reporters Feb. 15, following the association’s annual meeting during

Why merge?

Why merge? The reasons for five Manitoba farm commodity associations — Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, Manitoba Corn Growers, Manitoba Flax Growers and National Sunflower Association of Canada — to merge were reviewed at each of the association’s annual meetings Feb. 14 and 15 at CropConnect in Winnipeg. Here’s a


canola plant

Comment: A method to its madness

There’s more to Richardson’s canola council withdrawal than meets the eye

Canola is a Canadian success story and there’s no disputing the Canola Council of Canada’s role in making it so. That’s why when Richardson International, Canada’s largest grain company, didn’t renew its council membership in 2018, there was shock, disappointment, concern and even anger. Why would Richardson suddenly pull out of an organization with a

flax bolls

Comment: Have your say on commodity groups

I want to encourage Manitoba farmers to attend the 2018 Crop Connect Conference. While there, attend the annual meetings of at least some of the five farm commodity groups that are considering a new way to promote the research, production and marketing of their crops. Farmer directors of Manitoba Flax Growers, Manitoba Corn Growers, The

Editorial: Meeting season

As this column is being written, Brandon’s Keystone Centre is a flurry of activity, with this being Ag Days week. It’s no small feat, transforming a hockey arena and recreation complex into one of the premier winter agriculture shows in North America. The sheer amount of large farm machinery that will enter (and later exit)


Volunteers prepare lunch at the annual St. Jean Farm Days.

Farmers mull commodity group merger’s risks and benefits

Vote on proposed merger to take place in early 2019

Five Manitoba commodity groups were at St. Jean Farm Days last week, seeking input on a proposed amalgamation plan. At the event Myron Krahn told producers that “we’re here because we want farmers’ feedback, we want ideas from farmers… we’re looking for as much feedback as we can get, positive or negative, it doesn’t matter.”

Editorial: A fine balance

A big thumbs up to the five Manitoba commodity groups that announced recently they will work towards a merger. The Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Association, the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, the National Sunflower Association of Canada and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association have signed a memorandum of understanding