The annual Canadian Wheat Board producer survey, released last week, once again demonstrates that most farmers support marketing choice for both wheat and barley.
“Despite its design flaws, the survey once again demonstrates that most farmers are looking for marketing freedom,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Wheat Growers.
The survey shows that 52% of respondents support either marketing choice or an open market for wheat. 48% continue to support the CWB’s monopoly on wheat.
On barley, 58% of respondents support marketing choice or an open market. Only 34% continue to support the CWB’s monopoly on barley, with 9% undecided.
These results occur despite survey design flaws that skew the results toward support for the CWB monopoly. Flaws include the exclusion of farmers who choose not to market grain to the CWB, and the suspected under-representation of Alberta farmers.
The CWB survey also demonstrates that most farmers recognize that marketing choice (or “dual marketing” as the CWB calls it) is a workable option. Farmers reject the CWB’s claims that ending the monopoly necessarily means an end to the CWB.
“Farmers are not buying into the CWB’s fear-mongering tactics,” says Rolf Penner, Manitoba Vice President of the Wheat Growers. “Most farmers realize that marketing choice is a viable option. All we need are CWB directors and staff with a positive attitude who are determined to make it work.”
The survey also shows that the CWB is out of touch with young farmers. When asked to choose just between two options (open market or monopoly) most farmers under age 45 prefer the open market.
“Most young farmers want marketing freedom, and yet the CWB shows no sign of accommodating their wishes,” says Bender. “Entrepreneurial young minds want the opportunity to improve the profitability of wheat and barley in their crop rotations.”
