Canadian ChoicesWheat Letter - December 2, 2010

[Fransisco]

And while you're doing that folks who want to read something far more current, comprehensive, and conclusive should [URL="http://rolfpennerforcwb.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/informafinalreport.pdf"] take a look at this.[/URL]

[TOM4CWB]

Grassfarmer,

In case it is too scarry for you to open this 2008 Informa document...:

"To quantify the enhanced gross revenue that would result from an open market for wheat, durum and barley, the estimated price differentials and costs of the CWB single desk were applied to volumes of the applicable crops.
These estimates show significant
savings could be achieved by farmers by moving to an open market, from a low of $13.72 per tonne for feed barley to a high of $47.57 per tonne for durum. Based on the
most recent five year average of grain delivered into the CWB pool accounts, revenue gains from an open market system would total $450 million to $628 million per year.
These savings estimates are based on those aspects which can be quantified, while items such as inefficiencies of CWB contracts, lack of price transparency, storage issues and sales timing are not included."

The MOSt important issues:

"These savings estimates are based on those aspects which can be quantified, while items such as inefficiencies of CWB contracts, lack of price transparency, storage issues and sales timing are not included."

"These savings are not included."

[grassfarmer]

Oh, I opened it TOM - interestingly enough it was hosted on the "Rolf Penner for the CWB page" Another failed cwb candidate from a previous election. I see the pro cwb candidate in that election got 1735 votes as opposed to Rolf's 730. Pretty clear result - destroying the cwb is not something prairie farmers favor despite the rantings on here.
Face it you are the one in the minority.
Get over the cwb there are bigger issues - like the bills introduced by the AB Government. When they walk in and kick people of their farms with no compensation and no legal right to appeal the cwb will be the least of your worries.

[Fransisco]

That's grassfarmer for conceding that you have no argument. How did you concede? By changing the subject from CWB performance(non performance actually) to the sham elections.

[Fransisco]

Oops, that should read...

THANKS grassfarmer for conceding that you have no argument. How did you concede? By changing the subject from CWB performance(non performance actually) to the sham elections.

[grassfarmer]

I think you conceded long before me francisco. Right around the time your silly statement that the US challenges the CWB because our prices are so low - I provided the proof that this was not the case - not my proof the American tribunals own proof.
I'll let you carry on though - you and TOM are legends (in your own minds anyway)

[Fransisco]

grassie, you have yet to back up your words with a link to the actual ruling.

[silverback]

Grass, tell us again why a guy doing his own marketing of his own cattle is on this site crowing about the benefits of a government run marketing board?

The day that you either start growing cwb controlled products or advocate for the forced government takeover of your and every other cattle farmers marketing choices is the day that your opinion will matter to those of us forced to operate in this environment.

What's stopping you from selling your cow herd, ripping up your grass and seeding it down to some nice malt barley? What's that? You can make a better living raising grass fed beef where you live? Wow, that's great! Must be nice to have a choice when it comes to what works best in your environment hey?

[TOM4CWB]

Grassy,

Strange how you cherish your property rights... yet when we ask nicely to be left alone (market our grain with out CWB interference)... you call us names and insult us.

We already know that the CWB has measured the 'pecuniary benefit' that the 'single desk' gets for 'designated area' grain growers... it is about $5/t according to the CWB. This is actually quite close to what the CWB spends... to watch us, promote the 'single desk' and manage grain sales.

So for less than 2 percent of the value of our wheat... the CWB has the right to steal $400/t from our families farm.

[Fransisco]

Hmm, still no link?

Well let me add this. The question is often asked "why the trade challenges". The question is one of motivation. What motivates the US to bring these challenges forward. As I said before the motivation is that the CWB lowers prices for everyone.

But there is a big difference between motivation and purpose. The purpose of these trade challenges is to determine what is LEGAL. They answer legal questions more so than economic ones.

Conversely the purpose of something like the informa report is to answer the economic question. Which, I might add, it does masterfully in a number of different ways.

And the real question is not, does the CWB itself get a premium in the odd market here and there. The real question is what goes into a farmers pocket at the end of the day.

If you want to use the trade challenges as evidence. Fine, then show your work, show the numbers, and connect the dots back down to the farmers pocket?

Can you do that? No, you can't. Because if it were possible the wheat board would have done just that a long time ago. So instead they play this cute little bait and switch game between motivation and purpose. And the CWB faithful, as per usual, took the bait, hook, line and sinker.