Alberta Barley is reminding farmers in Western Canada that the upcoming July 31, 2015 deadline for refund applications under the Western Wheat and Barley Check-Off Program is fast approaching.
Administered by Alberta Barley, the five-year transitional Western Wheat and Barley Check-Off Program was established on August 1, 2012 via regulations under the Canada Grain Act.
“As we head into the forth year, the check-off program has continued to run smoothly,” said Alberta Barley’s chief financial officer and director of human resources, Syeda Khurram. “We remain committed to efficient and effective operations.
The Western Wheat and Barley Check-Off Program is collected at the point of sale on Cash Purchase Tickets (CPT) at a rate of $0.48 per tonne of wheat and $0.56 per tonne of barley ($0.04 per tonne of barley sold in Alberta). This check-off is separate from any existing provincial programs.
Check-offs collected through the program help fund the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi), the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) and the Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF). These organizations lead the way in developing new varieties, new markets and more opportunities for wheat and barley farmers.
“In the coming months, our staff will continue to actively answer program questions and assist farmers through the refund process,” Khurram added.
The check-off, while mandatory, is refundable. Farmers wishing for a refund of their check-off dollars for the 2014–2015 crop year must submit a completed refund application to Alberta Barley by July 31, 2015. Refunds are only processed once a year with the cheques distributed yearly before the end of October.
Source : AlbertaBarley