THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2016
VOL. 94 | NO. 29 | $4.25
HARVESTING HOPE |
RESTOREING THRESHERS
P32
SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923
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TRADE PROMOTION
Too many cooks in the kitchen? A grain company worries commodity groups on promotional trips make promises that can’t be kept BY ROBERT ARNASON BRANDON BUREAU
entire value chain presents a united front and shares consistent information with existing and potential customers. “The exporters, grain handlers and the grain companies that are responsible for those sales ought to be leading those market development efforts with the support of the rest of the value chain.” Cam Dahl, president of Cereals Canada, which represents farm organizations, crop development companies and grain exporters, agreed that co-ordination is critical for export development. “There does need to be a common approach and a common understanding,” he said at the Portage meeting. “The associations like the Canola Council (of Canada) or Cereals Canada or Pulse Canada are in constant contact with our customers. So we know what the issues are. Perhaps individual provinces might not know what those issues are.” SEE TOO MANY COOKS, PAGE 4
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MI CH EL LE
CANADA’S TOP
5
HO UL DE NI LLU ST RA TIO N
AGRI-FOOD EXPORTS IN 2015
In $billions: Wheat, excluding durum
5.87
Canola seed Lentils, dried & shelled Soybeans Durum wheat
4.95 2.50 2.24 2.04
Did you know … In 2015, Canada’s top five agri-food imports were wine (less than 2L bottles), prepared food, bakery products, dog & cat food, and coffee. Source: Statistics Canada | WP GRAPHIC
YOUNG CATTLE PRODUCERS SHOW THEIR STUFF AT CALGARY STAMPEDE’S SYNERGY | PAGE 13 Catching the slackers
Spreading fertilizer:
Genetic sire verification takes the guess work out of cattle breeding. | Page 25
The practice makes a comeback; new equipment follows. | Pages 21-22
JULY 21, 2016 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4 The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart travelled to India this winter for an export development mission to promote the province’s pulse, canola, flax and oat crops. Representatives of SaskPulse and SaskCanola joined Stewart on the week-long trip, during which they met with importers, government officials and business leaders. These sorts of trade missions are extremely common in Canada, but a grain industry executive isn’t convinced they’re particularly helpful. Jean-Marc Ruest, Richardson International vice-president for corporate affairs and legal counsel, said other trade missions, not specifically the Saskatchewan trip to India, have caused friction between Richardson and its overseas buyers. “Organizations that decide unilaterally … to visit various marketplaces … and meeting directly with customers without the input or leadership of (grain) exporters, (they) run the risk of making promises that we’re unable to meet … whether it be on our ability to deliver the product itself, on the specifications … (and) having to deal with mixed messages or misinformation that they (customers) may possess as a result of these well intended (trade missions),” said Ruest, who spoke at a Manitoba Agriculture consultation forum in Portage la Prairie July 12. Ruest said export development should be done in collaboration with grain companies so that the