“We have reviewed the health and safety regulations for group gatherings and determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel this year’s convention. This is very unfortunate, as we are celebrating 50 years of advocating for Western Canada’s wheat farmers,”

said Gunter Jochum, President.

All convention registrants will be receiving an email that outlines the refund process and book purchases.

As a part of the Wheat Growers celebration, the book “Warriors for Wheat” was written to commemorate the past 25 years.

“Warriors for Wheat is not just the history of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, but also the impact of government decisions on grain and oilseed farmers across Western Canada,”

said Clayton Kotylak, Saskatchewan Director.

As an alternative to the convention, a series of webinars will be offered for members and guests.

“We are all becoming used to online webinars and while we all miss the social interaction with our colleagues, the Wheat Growers are pleased to present speakers on the issues that impact us all,”

closed Jochum.

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“I am honoured to have the support of the Board of Directors to move into the role of Chair. The Wheat Growers have been advocates of strong agricultural policy for 50 years and the future looks strong for us,”

said Daryl Fransoo, Chair.

Fransoo farms with his father near Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, where he produces spring and soft white wheat, malt barley, canola, multiple varieties of peas and lentils, and oats. His family also owned and operated a pulse processing and exporting business in Saskatchewan.

“I would like to thank outgoing Chair, Jim Wickett for his years of service to the Wheat Growers as Chair. I’m pleased that Jim is remaining on the Board to share his experience, insights and expertise with us. He remains a valuable source of information to the Board and myself,”

closed Fransoo.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

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It is estimated that Canada needs approximately 60,000 foreign workers for the agriculture sector, over 1,400 specifically for oilseed and grain farming. Most of the TFWs hired for grain farming bring expertise and experience which has been in short supply in rural areas.

said Kenton Possberg, Saskatchewan Director:

“All the same self-isolation measures should continue to be in place for any TFW coming into the country, similar to any Canadian that is returning to Canada. The challenge is that many remote grain farms cannot operate without Temporary Foreign Workers as a part of their crew. The importance of our food value chain cannot be under-estimated for both our domestic or international markets.”

Seeding season is just around the corner and cannot be delayed. It is imperative that the federal government address this issue immediately.

“The Western Canadian Wheat Growers calls upon the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to bring this issue before the COVID-19 Emergency Response Cabinet Committee,”

closed Possberg.

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“When farmer’s grain doesn’t move to market, farmers don’t get paid. After this year’s difficult harvest, the last thing we need is a work stoppage that halts the movement of grain on the CN lines,” said Gunter Jochum, President.

Farmers are dependent upon the duopoly rail system in Canada. When CN and/or CP rail goes on strike, we don’t have an alternate transportation option. Grain farmers need the rail lines to maintain their shipping capacity in order to remain competitive globally.

When the rail lines fail to meet the ongoing capacity needs for grain movement, the government should entertain private options that minimizes the chance of this type of action happening in the future.

Further reducing rail capacity through the mothballing of equipment makes it harder to ramp up after a shut down like this or a serious weather event.

Increased inter-switching and joint running rights are seen as a mechanism to increase the competitive options including the movement of grain south, avoiding the strike actions that regularly plague the west coast.

“The federal government needs to be very clear with CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference – the Canadian economy cannot afford any further slowdowns or disruptions. Work out an agreement or the federal government will impose a settlement,” closed Jochum.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

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“These tariffs only had the potential to drive up the costs of agriculture equipment and standing in the way of the approval of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement,” said Jim Wickett, Chair.

The USMCA will require legislative and regulatory changes in order to ensure that the 2019 harvest is dealt with on a level playing field. It is anticipated that this will lead to greater simplification of The Grain Act, fewer barriers to trade as well as more open and free markets.

Specifically, the USMCA agreement supports what the Wheat Growers have been advocating for several years, namely that registered wheat varieties on either side of the border should be recognized in the other country.

The Wheat Growers have supported the USMCA and now urge the federal government to table the legislation necessary to ratify the trade agreement immediately. “We only have a few weeks left in the political calendar before the fall election. I would ask that all parties approve the USMCA as soon as possible,” closed Gunter Jochum, President.

Source: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

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