Grain commission’s framework plan step in right direction, according to Sask. farm group

The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) has layed out its inital plans for how it intends to spend its Surplus Investment Framework, and at least one Saskatchewan farm group is giving it a thumps up.

Four million of the $90 million surplus earmarked for investment will go to the Harvest Sample Program. The program allows wheat producers to have a sample of their grain analyzed by the CGC, from which producers receive a report on the protein content and an unofficial grade of the wheat sample. Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) General Manager Harvey Brooks said this will be a big benefit for producers.

“Anything that helps farmers when they go to negotiate their grades, and proteins and other characteristics at the primary elevators, that’s what farmers are asking for, some capacity to do that with more knowledge and more teeth in the system,” he said.

The Surplus Investment Framework, built on fees paid for services, was created based on feedback from a consultation the CGC conducted in the spring of 2017. The framework has three areas of focus: Strengthening safeguards for producers; investing in grain quality assurance; and enhancing science and innovation in the grain sector. Brooks said his members are very interested in future announcements.

“We want to be part of the discussion in outlining any other pilot projects or initiatives they want to put togrther that will actually return more money to producers pockets,” he said.

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At this time there are no scheduled talks between Sask Wheat and the CGC. Brooks said he hopes to hear something once harvest has setttled down.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell