SaskCanola and SaskFlax will operate out of one office
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Two Saskatchewan ag organizations announced they will be working together more closely.
On Jan. 4, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) announced a “new management collaboration.”
Under this agreement, both organizations will operate out of one office in Saskatoon.
“Finding administrative and operational efficiencies within our industry ensures that growers’ levy dollars are put to the best use,” Greg Sundquist, chair of SaskFlax, said in a statement. “Our commissions were created with similar mandates and key focus areas – research, extension and market development. We are excited about the opportunities this arrangement brings to oilseed growers.”
For the time being, canola and flax levies will be collected separately, and each organization will maintain individual boards of directors and governance structures.
This management collaboration relationship could be the first step in a potential merger between SaskFlax and SaskCanola.
In November 2022, Alberta wheat and barley farmers voted in favour of a merger between the Alberta Barley Commission and Alberta Wheat Commission.
But the process of exploring the merger started in 2017.
In September of that year, Tom Steve, general manager of Alberta Wheat, became interim general manager of Alberta Barley on a four-month trial period to determine if amalgamation is viable.
That decision came after board members recognized multiple areas of overlap between Alberta Wheat and Alberta Barley.
Two other Saskatchewan ag organizations are also exploring a potential merger.
In November, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) and the Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission (SWCDC) asked farmers to review a consultation document proposing that Sask Wheat assume SWCDC’s mandate.
Farms.com has contacted SaskCanola and SaskFlax for comment on the new working agreement.