by BETTER FARMING STAFF
The organization that represents Ontario’s corn, soybean and wheat growers has extended an open invitation for other crop producer groups to join in, but Ontario’s White Bean Producers, for one, prefers the status quo, at least for now.
The bean board, based in London, dismissed the idea of merging with Grain Farmers of Ontario at a meeting last week, says chairman Grant Jones.
“We’re not against it, but at this time we’re not going to join in,” he says.
Jones compares the clustering of farm organizations in Guelph to the amalgamation of municipalities a decade ago. Few municipal amalgamations resulted in savings for tax payers, Jones says. “I think people have the feeling that maybe (the wheat, soybean, corn group merger) is going to turn out the same way.”
The invitation to join Grain Farmers of Ontario stems from a resolution passed at its semi-annual meeting earlier this month.
Barry Senft, chief executive officer, says the idea of allowing minor crops organizations to join in has been considered since the first efforts to form Grain Farmers. “I think the issue at that time was ‘let’s get the three large commodity groups together’” first he says.
Senft says some groups, such as barley and oats growers, have expressed interest, although there’s “nothing in the mix,” in terms of discussions with another commodity at this point.
According to its website, the Oat and Barley Council of Ontario ceased operations March 12. The Ontario Cereal Industry Research Council has formed an oat and barley committee to continue with research and some of the former council’s other activities. A representative from the Research Council could not be immediately reached for comment.
Senft says part of the appeal of including more crops under the Grain Farmers umbrella would be the efficiencies achieved in areas such as market development and research.
One organization can also present a stronger voice when dealing with government policy, he adds.
Senft points out that farmers who already belong to the Grain Farmers also grow the majority of these other crops.
Jones says if government pushed growers harder to combine lobbying efforts, his organization would consider such a merger.
In the meantime, why sell the board’s current building, in London if the costs would be the same in Guelph? Jones asks. The office’s current location is also more central for those involved in white and dry bean production, he adds. BF
Comments
Mr. Jones and his Board are absolutely correct. The move to Guelph for the previous Boards such as Ontario Soybeans Growers from Chatham was all "smoke and mirrors". The "Hannam Palace" on Stone Road has become a very costly move with rent cost going to the moon since moving there. It was said that there would be many efficiencies being right across the road from the OMAF building, what a joke! The cost of rent for the three Boards has grown to $250,000. per year! plus other extras such as maintenance costs and to use the Board room for meetings. The building in Chatham that the Soybean Growers sold went for slighly over $400,000. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that is a poor deal.
The Government was all behind the merger of the three Boards in the vote held in 2008. That should tell you that it is not a good move. Anything the Government wants for farmers is usually a bad thing if you look at history. It is much easier for them to say "No" to one Board then to three Boards that have the same common ground. Provincial Governments of all political colours are to blame for putting farmers in the "dark room" through the years. Look at the downsizing of OMAF in the counties. They had the same idea by endorsing the merger of the three major G&O Boards. They even helped force it all through by saying it was a fair vote, when only 16% of eligible Ontario Farmers voted. They came out and said that 70% of those who voted were in favour. A play on numbers as you can see when 70% of 16% voting sounds impressive but as you can see slightly over 11% of total Grain Farmers that voted yes meant that it was a done deal. The present Provincial Government lead the farmers down the proverbial "garden path" because they wanted a big organization that ends up having little power, this you will see that as years go by......
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