More information is necessary before anyone can make a proper decision
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Some Western Canadian grain farmers aren’t opposed to directing some money towards variety development.
But all the cards need to be on the table before growers can make informed decisions, said Fred Greig, chair of the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.
“I think the knee-jerk reaction is usually we can’t afford to pay anything more, especially when margins are tight,” he told Farms.com. “But I think once everybody is made aware of the situation and receives the information on what our competing countries are spending, then some good conversations can happen.”
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is holding consultations on potential changes to the way research and variety development is funded.
One option, end-point royalties, would see farmers charged a certain non-refundable amount on harvested grain at the elevator.
The other, called trailing contracts, would mean farmers pay a royalty when the buy seed and pay a royalty on any saved seed used for future planting.
Either scenario could benefit farmers if the numbers add up, Greig said.
“Farmers are no different than other business owners,” he said. “If you give us all the information, we’ll make the right decision. The majority of producers are supportive we need to do more, but nobody wants to write a blank check. Let’s find the number (of dollars) and then we’ll figure it out.”
Seed companies support the royalty programs.
Alliance Seed, CANTERRA SEEDS, FP Genetics and SeCan are united in their endorsement of the proposed investment streams.
Putting money back into variety development will help farmers in the long run, said Todd Hyra, business manager, Western Canada with SeCan and president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association.
“We need to act quickly because anything we do or don’t do now will have repercussions down the road when products come or don’t come,” he told Farms.com. “The studies we’ve done show that for every dollar invested there’s a return of between seven and $11 to the producer in research and development.”