Canada’s grain growers, including those in Mountain View County, are already taking advantage of new opportunities under a recently-signed international trade agreement with Asian countries, says Jeff Nielson, chairman of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) and Olds-area producer.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreement, which involves Japan, China and other counties, is good news for producers across the Canadian industry, he said.
“ We are seeing a lot of opening doors there,” Nielsen told the Gazette. “With the U.S. not being part of it, it gives us a firmer foothold into some of these markets. We are seeing parity on some of the tariff barriers that were in place in countries such as Japan and in others. And now we are on parity with Australia.
“I think we are already seeing an uptake on demand for our top quality products. Peas have been doing well, especially into China right now.”
The opening of a new grain elevator outside Bowden is also good news, he said.
“That really helps give producers in the area another choice,” he said.
Nielsen says producers are looking forward to working with the recently appointed federal Agricultural Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau.
“Grain farmers appreciate the positive relationship we’ve had with (former) minister Lawrence MacAulay over the past three years” he said. “The minister’s open door policy for the agriculture industry meant that we could collaborate for real change on behalf of farmers. We look forward to continuing our important work with Minister Bibeau going forward.”
Maintaining a good working relationship with government partners is vital to the industry’s ongoing success, he said.
“It is very important,” he said.
While he sees a number of opportunities for the industry going forward, there are also challenges, he said.
For example, issues surrounding rail transportation remain a concern for producers, he said.
Asked if increased oil shipments on the nation’s rail system could negatively impact grain producers, he said, “That’s the big unknown. Team Alberta, which is the four crop commissions in Alberta (canola, pulse, wheat and barley) have been trying to reach out to both Alberta Transportation and Alberta Agriculture to get more clarity on that. Unfortunately they haven’t (responded).
“Oil shipment still takes up tracks, it takes up manpower, and it takes up engines, locomotives. So is it going to restrict grain movement? That’s the question and we can’t seem to get a good answer on that yet.
“We know it's vital to get our oil to market but our rail system is strained now. It’s not just our sector, it's forestry, it's coal and potash, and container traffic.”
Another challenge facing the industry involves re-evaluation of some pesticides now in use, he said.
“We are always concerned that we may be losing some tools that we need to manage our farms,” he said. “They are doing some re-evaluation of certain (pesticide) products and we are a little concerned about a couple right now. We highly respect the products we have and we use them sparingly for the right situations.”
Nielsen and fellow GGC members were in Ottawa last week for National Grain Week activities.
The GGC is working with government and other stakeholders to find ways to make the sector competitive, sustainable and innovative, he said.
In particular, producers are calling for the implementation of recommendations coming out of the recent Economic Strategy Table Report on Agri-Food.
“Members are calling on government to work with industry to build: an agile regulatory system that moves at the speed of commerce, state-of-the-art transportation and IT infrastructure, diverse and secure trade relationships, and solid investments in innovation,” he said.
“Realizing these deliverables will boost the competitiveness of agriculture and the Canadian economy as a whole and GGC looks forward to meeting with Minister Bibeau in the coming days to discuss these opportunities.
“I always remind government that agriculture is a good news story in Canada. Our industry’s growth potential is immense and, working with government, we can achieve the report’s target of $85 billion in agri-food exports by 2025.”
GGC vice-chairman Markus Haerle, from St. Isidore, Ont., added: “It is so important as farmers that we take the time to come to Ottawa and meet directly with government on a regular basis.
“Our sector has unique needs which focus on trade, innovation, infrastructure, and a strong regulatory environment, all of which are addressed in the EST report.”
The upcoming federal election will be a good chance for the GGC to advocate for producers, said GGC vice- chairman Shane Stokke, from Watrous, Sask.
“Now that Canada is once again in a federal election year it is all the more important that grain farmers are vocal in our needs and advocate for our industry,” said Stokke.
“We are proud of what we contribute to the economy and look forward to working with government and our industry partners to ensure that Canada’s grain sector is sustainable and competitive for generations to come.”
The Grain Growers of Canada has more than 65,000 grain, oilseed and pulse producers in 16 provincial, regional and national grower groups.
The organization advocates for the federal government to take decisions that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada, officials say.
Meanwhile, the Alberta Wheat and Barley commissions have both come out with statements commending past agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay for his work with the industries over his term.
“The Alberta Wheat Commission had been pressing for rail transportation reform since our organization started in 2012,” says Gary Stanford, Alberta Wheat Commission chairman.
“We saw this historic legislation as a major priority and Minister MacAulay showed commitment and dedication to ensuring it would pass. Further, Minister MacAulay put farmers’ needs first when the cash ticket deferral mechanism was on shaky ground.
“We took a lead role in lobbying for its retention and he pushed hard to ensure we were successful. Looking ahead, we welcome Minister Bibeau and we look forward to working with her to continue building competitiveness and success for farmers.”
Dave Bishop, Alberta Barley chairman said: “These trade deals were critical to ensuring global competitiveness of Canadian barley. This is a major win for farmers and we were appreciative of Minister MacAulay’s leadership in ensuring our needs were met throughout the negotiations.
“We look forward to working with Minister Bibeau to ensure farmers are well represented on key policy files.”
