The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission wants to know how the drought affected grain contracts
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
An Alberta ag organization is looking for producers to fill out a survey documenting how the drought affected grain contracts.
“This survey is designed to capture details on the concerns currently being experienced by farmers as a means to record the financial impact of the drought,” the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission says on its survey site.
The 46-question survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and asks respondents questions like:
- For the 2021/22 crop year, what percentage of your crop were you unable to harvest or chose not to harvest?
- Have you had to cancel a contract or part of a contract for the 2021/22 crop year?
- After the 2021/22 crop season, will you be changing your habits towards contracting?
Respondents are also asked to identify where in Alberta they farm. Farmers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan can participate as well.
The Alberta Wheat Commission won’t share any personal information, and the data collected will be released in an amalgamated format.
The group will use the data to help shape advocacy work.
Farmers who complete the survey will be eligible to enter a draw to win two Yeti mugs and Alberta Wheat and Barley promotional items.
Alberta Wheat and Barley isn’t the first organization to conduct this kind of survey.
In August, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) launched its own online survey to understand how the drought affected the relationship between farmers and grain buyers.
More than 200 farmers completed the survey.
APAS released preliminary results in December, which included:
- 75 per cent of respondents were unable to fulfill grain contracts because of the drought.
- 25 per cent of respondents had trouble contacting grain buyers to resolve issues.
- Producers paid penalties and administrative fees ranging from $20,000 to $300,000 to grain companies.