Farmers Vote To End CWB Barley Monopoly (UPDATED)

106 Replies to “Farmers Vote To End CWB Barley Monopoly (UPDATED)”

1. I’m celebrating for all the Western farmers – my Dad’s ghost is too – I only wish he were alive to see the melt down of the institution he hated the most – after the CCF.
   Good post Albertaman. People like Barcs have been brainwashed by idiots who tell him that ‘they’ will take care of him better than he can take care of himself – ‘just ‘trust me, I’m from the NDP!’. Wolves in Nanny clothing.

2. What do his reverence Ralphy Goodale and the boisterous silly fool Wayne Easter think about this?

3. One has to file under Watch out for Curves, the SDA method of interpreting numbers: 13% to 15% equals a majority. You are right in there with Alice in Wonderland.

4. The existence of the CWB is a government decision (federal). IT is not up to the farmers because of one simple fact: If you had a vote on enacting or creating the CWB, some would think it is a good idea and some would think it is a horrible idea. Which group has the power to override the others will? Neither group would have that power.
   So a previous government stepped in and created a law, expressly stomping the will of a subset of farmers into the dust and the CWB was formed.
   Strahl should have simply disbanded the entire organization. Anyone with half a brain should have realized that we have a flawed system when the Albertan farmer was jailed for selling his crop to someone other than the CWB.
   Also those who say the CWB gets better prices for farmers is fooling themselves. Any additional price advantage that a single desk marketing scheme creates is drastically eroded by the additional expense of the inefficient, bureaucratic organization.
   Of course there will be some issues during the transition, but only a fool would expect otherwise. It is now the government’s responsibility to ensure there are no barriers to a competitive market.

5. Looks like Manitoba is most adicted to Ag-welfare/subsidy…figures…one cowboyboot one red sneeker.
   Frag em!

6. Anyone could have predicted this result. Give a loaded question, get a loaded answer.
   I am all for farmers being given the choice, but did the Cons have to gag the opposition, skirt the law and stack the question?
   If they were so certain that farmers would choose to end the CWBs monopoly on barley why didn’t they simply ask: What do you prefer:
   a) the status quo with the CWB
   or
   b) free market
   So spin that to your hearts content, or maybe actually consider the facts and then answer my question.

7. Once again I ask, how is anyone expected to give any credence to any statement to which only a pseudonym is attached?
   Len Pryor

8. “Anyone could have predicted this result. Give a loaded question, get a loaded answer.”
   Really? Then how do you explain away the fact that they got very much the same results when the Canadian Wheat Board worded the questions?

9. Barcs,
   The fact that you seem to be able rationalize the oppression of the rights of others to sell a legally grown product to whom ever they choose speaks volumes. You can’t be a little pregnant either you support freedom or you do not. Your words:”That is all credible and I am the one insulting voting farmers (like for example…. me) by insisting on a process that is credible when my interests are being voted on.”
   It seems to me that your concern for a “process that is credible” is a little bit like a guard at a Gulag lamenting over the process that allowed political prisoners to be released. How can any process that frees people from the CWB Gulag be wrong? Gees

10. Now Ritter says he is going to challenge Strahls plan in the courts. They will do anything to protect their phone baloney jobs. The vote has been done lets move on. Or better yet just get rid of the CWB altogether or make it cover all of Canada and see how long it lasts. We don’t have any trouble marketing our peas, lentils, canola, canary seed, etc. so why do we need a big government agency to market our wheat for less than what it costs to produce.

11. According to rumour, the CWB in an attempt to retain farmers support is on the cusp of making a major announcement.
    Realizing that purchases of new equipment and vehicles accounts for a large outlay for most farmers, the board has plans to introduce special deals for members. As many as five [5] Distribution Centres [or dealers] will be established in select areas, presumably near to a sympathetic board member’s own community. The dealer will sell and service select equipment and trucks. Hours of operation planned: 7:00 to 2:30 daily Tuesday to noon on Friday, except for July and August during staff vacation periods.
    Dodge trucks [red only] may be featured, providing the ownership of Chrysler goes as planned. Unfortunately, Ford or General Motors products will not be available for selection, and members will be encouraged to avoid these brands. To provide selection, two colours of combines will be available in the approved model. For other equipment, a list may be prepared [sometime] by an Hon. Member from P.E.I.
    Members will be permitted to place orders on a priority basis after delivering their full crop year, with delivery expected approximately 18 months later. In the case of a generally poor crop year, and in a sense of fairness, the board reserves the right to withhold orders, where those with poorer crops may not be able to participate.
    To maintain high standards in service, and warranties, all maintenance must be done in one of the conveniently located [5] Distribution Centres. For the convenience of staff, service appointments must be made anytime prior to 60 days in advance. If a member is unable to bring a combine in for an oil change, for instance, transportation service by flatbed may be available on request.
    Members will not be permitted to purchase equipment or vehicles from competing businesses. We realize this could undermine the success of this proposed distribution benefit. WE are sure that you will understand and appreciate this requirement.
    Terms may change from time to time at the sole discretion of the board, to ensure the profitability of the members [5] Distribution Centres, and provide Christmas Bonus checks to staff, friends and pets.

12. Please Ralph, do everybody a favour. Go and soak your head.

13. Poor Ralph and Wayne Easter, they are sure having a hard time with no lever of power at hand. As a farmer I’m getting real tired of these “big hat -no cattle” types telling me what is good for my farm business. I hope the marketing change goes full speed ahead now.

14. Albertaman.
    Rationalize oppression of rights??
    Legally owned can apply to nearly anything. And by that definition: healthcare, education, subsidys of any kind to an industry that you don’t have a stake in, even taxes or tax breaks can fall under your definition.
    By your definition the fact that I paid my taxes but don’t have a primary road to my front gate is an affront to my rights.
    You don’t like my criticisms of a process that would be considered corrupt even in Mexico or Cuba,… that is fine with me.
    And when the next election comes around I am (like so many others) going to remember that you are the definition of conservative– not the moderates. And with that I want you to remember that it is people like you that allow the “hidden agenda” and “Far-right ideology” tags to stick on an otherwise moderate party. And I want you to remember that when people vote against conservatives because of scariness… that is you… driving people to the left wing parties. And it is because of people like you that I am now on the fence rather than sticking signs in the ground for the CPC and the Saskparty.

15. Barcs said: “And it is because of people like you that I am now on the fence rather than sticking signs in the ground for the CPC and the Saskparty.”
    I sincerely hope you have a good time spinning around on that fencepost.
    Not to mention a good set of tweezers.
    *what a ‘tard*

16. Considering that many farmers in southern Alberta are still sittting on 60% of the grain harvested last fall. They will have to wait till who knows when to sell it thru the cwb, then get paid in full in about 24 months. No cars are being allocated to haul grain, but many american box cars are going up and down the lines. Why?
    With spring costs around the corner, the cwb better start selling some wheat and durum or farmers will want those crops taken away also.

17. I wonder what the outcome would have been if the farmers had been asked-
    Should the CWB retain the single desk system?
    Yes or
    No
    Instead the question asked that that was designed to cloud the outcome. If Strahl gets his way the only winner from the plebiscite will be the corporate ag. industry. I just only hope the ones who lose their farms first are the ones who voted against the CWB.

18. What the hell do you mean by “corporate ag industry”. Surely you aren’t suggesting that the CWB isn’t a “corporate entity” that looks after its own interests first?

19. Barcs,
    Piece of work you are. You see nothing wrong with denying your neighbor the right to sell his product because you are too chicken shit to stand on your own plain and simple. By the way one is free to get medical care in the U.S. without being arrested, same with education and what the hell do subsidies in other indusries have to do with this?

20. Barcs,
    Becoming a conservative would be scary for those who is used to sucking the Government tit. What is scary about what I am saying? Freedom of choice, personal responsibilty ……… oooooouuuu boo? Give a break.

21. Barcs,
    Becoming a conservative would be scary for those who is used to sucking the Government tit. What is scary about what I am saying? Freedom of choice, personal responsibilty ……… oooooouuuu boo? Give a break.

22. Something interesting happened in Australia also. Take a look what real independent studies have shown about producers returns with competetion. Nuff said.
    FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM PASSAGE OF SA BARLEY LEGISLATION
    South Australian barley growers and the wider industry will benefit from the passage today of new legislation in that State introducing greater competition.
    Australian Grain Exporters Association (AGEA) Director Alick Osborne welcomed the passage of the Barley Exporting Bill 2007, which had received the support of the State’s growers and both major political parties.
    “The South Australian Farmers Federation Grains Council is to be commended for the leadership it has shown in this debate and for the support it has given to this legislation, after detailed consideration of all sides of the issue, which is ultimately in the best interests of its members,” Mr Osborne said.
    “The Barley Exporting Bill 2007 provides South Australian barley growers with access to the same benefits from increased competition that have been available to barley growers in other parts of the country for many years.
    “These include reduced costs, better services, and perhaps most importantly, the right for growers to choose how, when, where and to whom they will sell the product they have invested their own time, energy and finances into producing, rather than being forced to give it to the monopoly seller.
    “Independent pricing analysis has shown that where competition is introduced, grain growers are consistently receiving higher net prices for their barley, than in markets where a monopoly seller arrangement exists.”
    Mr Osborne also welcomed the Bill’s three-year transition period to deregulation, which includes a requirement for participants in the industry to gain accreditation through an independent body, and an export license.
    “These transition-to-deregulation reforms complement the increasing grower support for reform in Australia’s bulk wheat export marketing arrangements,” Mr Osborne said.
    “The AGEA applauds the South Australian Parliament for its passage of this bill, so strongly supported by the local growers and industry, and urges Federal Parliament to consider similar arrangements for bulk wheat export marketing, to ensure Australia’s wheat growers can also reap the benefits of greater competition.”

23. “What the hell do you mean by “corporate ag industry”. Surely you aren’t suggesting that the CWB isn’t a “corporate entity” that looks after its own interests first?
    Posted by: Kate at March 28, 2007 9:23 PM”
    No not the CWB, they are the ones who ensures that the little guy can compete in a global market and get the best rate for all involved. This is the first of many Conservative death nails for the privately owned farm in favour of mega corporations.
    Why am I getting this feeling that Strahl’s wish to weaken the Wheat Board and the corporations that are about to get a windfall from ethanol production are somehow connected to this?

24. What’s to prevent the CWB from trading against the farmer in the futures market?

25. I caught a couple of talk shows regarding the CWB and I am gravely concerned.
    With all of the bitching and whining going on today I’m sure there is going to be Global Warming.
    Perhaps the CWB can diversify into marketing Carbon Credits. Whadya figure Ted? And you Barcs?
    Regards
    CRB

26. ya, the cwb did a marvelous job of selling malt barley!
    I can sell it myself for feed for more than the cwb got for it!
    How did that help the little guy???
    Time to crack the books over there at the cwb!
    Maybe they can find how much grain was shipped through that winnipeg gold company Kate pointed out to us a while back!
    Or just maybe they can find out how much of our money got laundered through it!

27. bygeorge, good luck with that. You just might need a bit of luck now.

28. Strahl has his message from farmers. Its now time for him to understand that the licencing Part IV of the CWB Act applies equally to all Canada and to end the CWB monopoly in the West all he has to do is instruct the CWB to grant export licences to Prairie farmers the same as the CWB already does for eastern farmers.

29. the wheat board debate is an emotional one at best but take the fear mongering out of it and the politcal slants and who better to market the product that i have worked so hard to produce than me….i market my lentils, mustard, canola, and canary seed without a hitch and without the board….i don’t always get the highest price but i do better than the board does on the barley…plus i get get all my money up front. the only product that i can’t move when i wan’t are board grains. ralph.wayne and ken can stand and tell you that they get a 8 to 10% premium for what the board sells…but at what cost to me. i wait 18 months for the final price to be delivered( you bean counters figure what it costs to carry for that length of time)and the cost of the loans to replace that money is a cost to me not the board. the only people that have a plus out of this are the one’s( the 500 employees)that got a 1000 dollar bonus. you will either progress or regress but you won’t stay the same because the rest of the world isn’t staying the same around you. the monopoly has to go.

30. Hey Barcs, since you are so concerned about the democratic process here, could you refresh my memory on how many of us VOTED FOR THAT anti-democratic piece of crap in the first place?
    And trying to figure the grain marketing strategies of the CWB is like trying to nail jello to the wall.
    Professional salespeople ‘that knows more about selling barley than anybody else’, my fat a$$.
    They have no set method of selling grain, which is why they missed the top of the market so many times.

31. This actually is on-topic, but it takes a while to get there…
    I’m a type II diabetic, and have tried to manage my disease through pills for the last six years. Even though I lost 50 lbs, my dosage of metformin continued to increase, and then sulfynea drugs were added, and then Lipitor on top of that. Right now, I’m supposed to take 10 different pills a day, all on different schedules. And, despite that, my blood sugars were consistently in the 10-12 range (normal is 5.5 – 7). My physician was seriously considering a switch to insulin injections, which was an option I dreaded.
    Then I read a magazine article that changed my life. The article documented how a mid-West doctor was curing type II diabetes patients with a simple diet change – no pills, no insulin. The change? Remove ALL starchy foods – rice, potatoes, noodles, refined wheat pasta and breads, white flour, etc. For a guy who loves hamburgers and sandwiches, this was tough to get used to at first but I stuck with it, and in less than two weeks, my blood sugars were down to normal without taking any pills at all. I lost weight, too, despite eating steaks, pork chops, eggs, etc.
    However – and this is where I tie in – some grains were OK to eat, because they didn’t boost blood sugar excessively like wheat flour does. And chief among those grains? Barley.
    Now, in Ontario, where I live, the milk marketing board and the egg marketing board both run ads on TV and radio frequently extolling the health virtues of milk and eggs. (Actually, the egg ads, to those of us who remember “The Prisoner” on TV, are slightly creepy, but I digress..) So, if I were a barley farmer, I’d be asking why the CWB wasn’t spending money creating demand for their product as these other boards do.
    As an outsider looking in, I have to wonder what good the CWB is when it provides prices lower than market, does nothing to promote its products, and delivers $1,000 stress cheques to its employees. I certainly would want, at the least, the option to explore other sales channels than the CWB.

32. what’s not being said;
    P.E.T.-“why should i sell your wheat?”
    C.W.B.-it’s our job(s at risk)
    L.P.C.-or Ralph & Ken-it’s our right to oppose
    stubby’s right

33. Albertaman, you might take advantage of some of that free education. Reading and comprehension and the like. You are about as fluent as Dion.
    Maybe some glasses?? The ones without the whiskey in them.
    Take your head out of your butt and read what is written.
    I am on record in this and several other threads:
    – I am not a supporter (and somewhere above I told you I voted against the CWB).
    – I will not gain whether the board stays or goes, but like everyone else I will lose from this market uncertainty. And this uncertainty will continue as long as the board exists in any form and as long as the CPC and the Libs hold opposing views.
    – “oppression of the rights of others to sell a legally grown product” Do I need to list all the crown monopolies that still exist in Canada??
    – subsidies: you argue for property rights. What you make is yours. I simply extended your argument to money “stolen from you in taxes and used to subsidize other industries. The principle is the same as with wheat….
    – my issue has never been whether the CWB stays or goes but to add a bit to a one sided debate here dominated by ideology rather than fact. (and the lib sites are unbalanced the other way.)
    – the last issue is democracy itself. An unclear voters list which is altered or pared down after duplicates are sent to many producers with more than one name the farm is in. (My family farm received one for each book,… 5….The next door neighbors family farm got 6) That is no way to ensure democracy.
    – Change the CWB or don’t, but quit screwing my business with instability. I already have enough risk.
    You may now go back to your liberal fear and smear tactic after reading the first line of this post and tell everyone what a good right-winger you are…
    ————
    Bernie nothing will prevent the CWB from trading against the farmer in the market. I can however count on them to serve their best interests as any other buyer or seller in the market would. (A huge market to be sure where the CWB is a comparatively small portion).
    ————
    New Dad,.. call me what you want, but fear and smear has worked for generations for the left wing… and Albertaman is one of the ones that makes it believable. Everyone thank him for the generations of liberal and NDP rule.

34. I wonder if the minister, minister, of agriculture and the United Church Mark Wartman ever asked his inlaws about the CWB as I don’t thing they have common ground on any Ag policies.
    One of his brothers in law’s 92 years old neighbors said to me recently he wanted to get rid of the CWB. I was shocked as I thought all the old guys loved the board

35. Barcs,
    You can’t understand the question? I find that the question is crystal clear, and I’m just a dumb city boy.
    No offense intended, but if you truly believe that your fellow farmers are so incredibly simple minded that they would not be able to understand the three choices, as presented, and make a competent decision based on their own experiences in farming, then you really are a left-wing-socialist-elitist.

36. Why complain about voter turnout? If people don’t care enough to vote on any given issue, they just DON’T CARE and don’t count.

37. Trent. “I’m just a dumb city boy” (who can’t read)
    I said the question was clear…. The complaint was that 3 questions were being reported as 2 choices. (and in my opinion and what I have argued is that there is only 2 choices in the short run) If it is reported as “yes or no” by the media and the government (2 choices) perhaps it should have been a 2 choice question. Lumping 2/3 together sounds like the liberal talking point that 64% of people voted against Harper (a statement which is ludicrous when used to defend a position while having a smaller percentage of the vote)
    ————-
    Why complain about voter turnout?
    Short answer: Because Hitler was elected because of voter apathy. Because people were tired of corruption and lies and their system wasn’t working for them.
    Because the PRI in Mexico was put into power after a war of independence…. And stayed there though corruption and fear and violence. Oh they had elections, but only recently have people been able to vote against the PRI without fearing for their lives.
    Thats what can happen when democracy is lost. And there are a hundred other examples.
    Secondly, what is a non-vote? is it apathy or is it a protest against the system. (it being against the law to intentionally spoil your ballot) You put “non of the above” (Brewster’s millions, good but corny movie) and give people a choice to ask for a decent candidate rather than one that is presented to them. (one example: each party run 3 candidates in each riding, you vote for party and favorite candidate, only one winner from each riding goes now, but atleast we could choose not to elect the likes of Jim Pankiw or Belinda Stronach but still elect the party of choice.) Why? Because decision in ’86 Sask between Devine, Goodale and Blakeny…. isn’t really a choice anyway (given hindsight.)
    So what is your solution to a corrupt (at worst) or broken (at best) system Liz??? Stick your head in the sand and tell people to vote anyway? It doesn’t matter how bad your choices are, just vote or you don’t count?? You go ahead and stick your head in the sand and elect Hitler or the PRI. I want something better for Canada.

38. Maybe if they would have paid CWB employees 2000 dollars each for christmas and got twice the service the farmers would have been happier.
    Why do lefties call what government does giving us services?

39. Barcs, check out this link in response to your last comment (you’ll have to paste it into your browser):
    http://www.trwnews.net/Documents/News/2006/sn041106.htm
    Lets see what the results of marketing freedom brings to Barley growers. If private marketing doesn’t work the farmers have the choice of supporting the CWB. Maybe if they started offering AIRMILES(tm)…

40. I have to say that I am happy with the vote yesterday, I think it is great for farmers. I don’t farm anymore but I would have liked it to have been that way when I did

41. Yeah. I have that one bookmarked too Martin 🙂
    However you will notice that I did not apply the term to a person or agency, nor did I use it as my only example. I did use it as an (admittedly extreme) example for the (my opinion) failings of the system. Like a ship sinking but people clinging to it rather than trying to swim to one of several choices of rescue close at hand.
    It is not hard to apply the same argument definition to the “your a socialist” or “your an ideologue” argument. My own personal favorite: “American style” or comparisons to Bush.
    You are right though. Godwin’s law does apply to my last post 🙁

42. “If private marketing doesn’t work the farmers have the choice of supporting the CWB.”
    No they don’t, read your free trade agreement about setting up monopolistic crown corporations. The part where it allows for compensation to any business that might be negatively impacted by the new government owned corporation. If barley is taken out…. it’ll stay out. Or we could pay billions to Mexican, Canadian and American companies in an attempt to restore it

43. Barcs I have no doubt that you truly want what is best for yourself and other farmers. My dissagreement with your position is only your statement that this vote was unfair in some way. Farmers are smart enough to know what they are voting for. The results are clear. They want market choice including the CWB. There is no other way to spin this. As Kate shows in the Post, CWB results were almost the same when they asked the question. It may not have been perfect but what system would be? The fact that only about 35% returned ballots speaks volumes. IMO the 65% just don’t care about the CWB one way or the other. Once again this boils down to my freedom to market my product as I see fit. Just because there are marketing agencies in other sectors of agriculture doesn’t make it right.

44. Barcs,
    Again, Your criticism of the process that freed farmers will not fly here regardless of how you try and rationalize it. I sat down with a farmer this morning who is the largest most well respected farmer in the area where I was born in Sask. and he is thrilled to death with the outcome of the vote. He and a few other farmers represent almost 80% of the production in that area but their vote to end the monopoly accounted for less than 3% of the vote. Where is the fairness in that? Your “concern” over democracy is self-serving at best.

45. “IMO the 65% just don’t care about the CWB”
    Here’s another of mine. It doesn’t matter which way that 65% voted the debate would/will continue.
    Many of them are just tired with dealing with the debate, and a whole whack of them (like me) understand that on average and in the long run it will not make a lick of difference to our profit margins of our businesses. It is simply a different market condition.
    You can witness several market changes around you. GMO, commercial local produce, organic, naturally grown and other gimmicks used to capture market share and price.
    Farmers are a rather resourceful bunch, they know how to adapt to changing conditions or they would still be using a horse and plow or harvesting with a scythe.

46. Albertaman. I pay 25-35 grand a year in taxes… My sister still pays less than 10…. Welfare recipients get more money than they pay in.
    When it comes time to vote for a government at an election,… why are all our votes treated equal if we are producing differing amounts for governing purposes??
    Why are you trying to rationalize democracy into a I made more, I own more, I should get more equation??? My rationalization might be selfserving… yours is aristocratic and is basically vassalage straight out of the dark ages.

47. Wooohooo! COngrats to all the hard working farmers of the west, and especially the handful of brave men that went to jail – they slept in cells, risked public scrutiny, and in many cases, experienced many threats to their personal security, to prove an important point. Their long-deserved vindication has begun.

48. Barcs,
    Why on earth do you have to bring up the King of all Socialists; Hitler? I know you left wingers still wish he had won and brought the “glories” of socialism to the world, but he didn’t, so let’s move on.

49. Barcs,
    hmmmmmmmm…I advocate freedom for farmers and you are attacking the process that released them. Then you claim I live in the dark ages? If I am living in the dark ages,you sir,given your position are a neanderthal. This is not a vote to elect someone this is a vote by stakeholders. This not unlike a corporation that uses has 1 share 1 vote system it allows those who have the most at stake to have more say. You sir obviously see that system as aristocratic and your socialist tendencies have risen to the surface. The whole premise of your argument is based on the jealousy and envy of a socialist that fears that someone might do better than you and you would rather imprison him to make sure that doesn’t happen.

50. I am a little tired of listening to people tell me how they are getting screwed over by barley being removed from the board, just at lunch today someone else was busy telling me how unfair this would be, too not have it under the wheat board. The wheat board may have had advantages at some point in time (not sure when that was though) but with the internet, fax machines and all the things available at your fingertips, were you can be payed up front for your grain intead of over the next 18 monthes as the wheat board has offered up until now. In what other businesses do you get payed over that long a time span for a product that everyone else would have wanted there money up front. If the wheat board is so good at marketing let’s see what they can do when faced with competition. It is time to quit being spoon fed in this country and expect that everything should reamin the same forever just because some people think that there is know other way to do it.