Canaryseed Check-off Approved

SASKATOON - Feb 11/05 - SNS -- Growers attending public meetings held by the Canaryseed Association of Canada have given their support to a proposed check-off.

An informal vote at the Eston, Saskatchewan meeting revealed 25 of the growers attending were in favor of the check-off and 12 were opposed. At a canaryseed meeting January 10 as part of Crop Production Week in Saskatoon, producers were asked the same question. The result of that survey was 66 in favor and 21 opposed.

Based on these votes, association directors will approach the Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture and Food to request the establishment of a check-off on canaryseed sales.

"Producers have been given opportunities to express their opinions and a strong majority have supported the proposal," says Ken Schikowski, a Regina area farmer who is serving as president of the Canaryseed Association of Canada. "The current oversupply of canaryseed and correspondingly depressed prices are evidence that we need to find alternate uses for the crop while continuing to find ways to reduce our costs of production."

The Canaryseed Association of Canada hopes a refundable check-off of $1.75 per metric ton can be established in time for the beginning of the 2005-06 crop year on August 1.