The Canadian Canola Growers Association is hosting the session
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian farmers with questions about grain contracts are encouraged to participate in a free webinar next week.
The Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is hosting A Practical Session on Grain Contracts on July 5 with three legal experts from D’Arcy and Deacon LLP, a law firm out of Winnipeg, Man.
The legal experts are:
- John C. Stewart, who practices commercial law with an emphasis on agri-business,
- Donn A.J. Pirie, who practices corporate and commercial law, financing in business and real estate matters, and
- Meghan C. Bjorklund.
The webinar begins at 10:00 a.m. CDT and is open to all Canadian grain producers.
“Very much the purpose is to connect farmers to a team of lawyers regarding grain contracts,” Janelle Whitley, senior manager, trade and marketing policy with CCGA, told Farms.com.
The drought in 2021 in Western Canada and uncertainty facing the 2022 crop is leading to farmer hesitancy about contracting grain.
A 2021 survey from the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan found that 75 per cent of respondents were unable to fulfill grain contracts because of the drought.
The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions asked prairie producers to participate in a 2021 grain contract survey this April.
Farms.com has contacted the commissions for information on the survey’s results.
The July 5 webinar will cover topics including liquidated damages, act of God, verbal negotiations and more.
“We want farmers to be able to understand what some of the terms and conditions mean at a farm level,” Whitley said. “I think farmers are seeking practical advice to manage these situations with grain companies and how to best manage and mitigate the outcomes to the best of their farm’s ability.”
Farmers will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
Interested producers can submit a question while registering for the webinar or can ask questions on the day of.
For growers who can’t attend the webinar or want to revisit it later, the formal portion of the session will be recorded and posted online at knowyourgrade.ca.