By Alice McFarlane

New book highlights achievements of wheat growers

Jun 29, 2020 | 4:47 PM

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers (WCWG) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a book outlining the organizations history.

Warriors for Wheat highlights numerous farm policy issues raised by the group since its formation.

Editor Alanna Koch said the book is full of facts and history of significant agricultural events.

“It’s filled with stories of the impact and influence the wheat growers had with a focus on the last 25 years,” Koch said. “I think people will be surprised when they are reminded of those events and the impact that the wheat growers were able to have on policy changes.”

Koch said the group was always pushing for change, looking for better ways and finding innovative solutions to long term agriculture issues. The organization was involved when the Canadian rail-freight subsidy known as the Crow Rate came to an end.

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“We really felt the Crow Rate was standing in the way of diversification of agriculture on the prairies. It stood in the way of operating for the right market reasons versus being adjusted because of poorly thought out government policy,” Koch said. “Thank goodness the Crow Rate is no longer here and we’re now more market driven as far as the grain we produce and how we move it to market.”

Koch said the Canadian Wheat Board had a significant impact on the entire industry. She said the removal of the board monopoly has been a positive change for the wheat industry and the entire agriculture sector in Western Canada.

“How we operated, what we grew, how we got it to market, the impact on trade negotiations which I had a lot of experience in,” Koch said. “The wheat growers always pushed that we needed change to make things better.”

As for the future, Koch said the wheat growers will continue to be involved in important issues like transportation.

“Making sure Canada can continue to be relied upon as a world class exporter, regulatory issues and the public trust side. The wheat growers are and will be a strong voice,” she said. “There are so many issues that are already present, and we know there’s always going to be issues that impact agriculture.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF