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Canadian Farmers and the Grain Trade - 2017

What’s going on in the grain trade these days? The National Farmers Union's Trains and Grain Committee would like to hear from you to learn more about farmers’ experiences with the grain companies, especially in the context of changes to the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) and the dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board in the last few years. We know that incidents often go unreported. The NFU wants to hear from you so we can promote solutions to the problems farmers are having. By sharing your experience, you will help us advocate for farmers.  

This form is a convenient way for us to collect and organize farmers’ stories. You can fill it out anonymously, or if you wish to provide your name and contact information, there is a space where you can do so at the end. You may answer as many questions as you like – they are all optional. All responses will be kept confidential. Any identifying information will be removed and the results will be aggregated for reporting purposes.  

Thanks in advance for getting involved in helping protect family farms through this important advocacy work.  

Ian Robson, Deleau, MB
Chair of the NFU Trains and Grain Committee
1.What kinds of grain have you grown in the last few years? (Check all that apply)
2.How would you describe your farm type?
3.How would you describe your production system?
4.How long have you been farming?
5.Approximately what percentage of your farm’s revenue is directly from grain and/or oilseed sales?
0%
100%
6.When selling grain, which companies do you deal with most often? (please list)
7.Where do you deliver your grain? (check all that apply)
Click here for the list of CGC licensed elevators and dealers
8.Have you ever had your grain unfairly discounted for any of the following reasons when delivering to a licensed elevator? (Check all that apply)
9.If you had grain unfairly discounted at a licensed elevator, please use the following space to tell the story of what happened and how it ended up. What happened? How did you react? Did you complain to the company? What do you think could or should be done to improve or prevent situations like this for farmers?
10.Have you ever had your grain unfairly discounted for any of the following reasons when delivering to an unlicensed elevator? (Check all that apply)
11.Have you felt you were treated unfairly when you delivered your grain to an  unlicensed elevator or dealer? Use the following space to tell the story of what happened and how it ended up. What happened? How did you react? Did you complain to the company? What do you think could or should be done to improve or prevent situations like this for farmers?
12.Have you ever had a grading dispute where you used your right to ask that a sample be sent to the Canadian Grain Commission for a binding decision - "Subject to Inspector’s Grade and Dockage"? (click here for more information about this service)
13.If you had a grading dispute, how was it resolved?
14.Has the CGC's Harvest Sample program helped you when dealing with buyers? If so, how? (click here for more information about this program)

15.Did you know that your grain delivery contract must include provisions for a penalty to be paid to you, the producer, if the licensed grain company has not accepted your grain (of the kind and grade of grain specified) during the delivery period defined in your contract? (click here for more information about penalty provisions). 
16.How often have you loaded Producer Cars over the past 5 years? (see here for more information)
17.How well do you think the Producer Car system works? 
1 (Not very well)
100 (Very well)
18.Has the way Producer Cars work for you changed, now that the Canadian Wheat Board is gone?
19.What would help Producer Cars work better for farmers?
20.This form is being sent to farmers all across Canada. To help us understand differences and commonalities among farmers’ experience with grain companies we would like to know a bit about where you farm:
21.How far is your main delivery point from your farm?
0
500 + kilometers
22.Is there anything else you would like to tell us about regarding your experience with grain companies and/or grain dealers?
23.If you would like to provide your contact information, please enter it here.
24.Would you like to get more information about grain and transportation issues from the NFU? 
If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please feel free to email the National Farmers Union office at nfu@nfu.ca with the subject heading “Trains and Grain Survey”. If you would like to speak to a member of the Trains and Grain Committee please leave your name and phone number with the NFU National Office at (306) 652-9465 and someone will call you back. For more information about the NFU, please visit our website.

Thanks for participating in this survey!