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with a major pillar of his philosophy,
however: market transparency and
openness. He doesn’t believe the
institution possessed the versatility
contemporary markets demand.
According to Cooper, farmers must
be privy to market signals affecting
basis price fluctuations to run efficient
operations.
“That was a big thing—the lack of
transparency, and also the lack of
diversification within the commodity.
They were an export agency and
therefore not necessarily interested in
value-added opportunities.”
He was also critical of the CWB
preoccupation with Hard Red Spring
Wheat, which he points out represents a
small portion of the global grain trade.
“It needed to change, and it has
done, and everybody’s living quite well
without it.”
Cooper is fine with the new, private
entity the CWB has become (and
agricultural corporations in general),
as long as it’s competitive with other
industry marketing options.
“I want fair and honest competition.”
Marriage andmotivation
Cooper is fully engaged in his work at
an age when most people have long
retired. In fact, as he sipped his coffee,
he explained that he’d just flown in from
a meeting in Winnipeg concerning feed
mills and animal nutrition. He merely
alluded to slowing down when his SBDC
term expires.
“I don’t think he would be happy not
doing something,” said Cooper’s wife,
Gail. “When he takes on a committee
project of any kind, he absorbs his whole
self in it.”
A farm girl fromOutlook, SK, whose
large family also raised registered
shorthorns, the two met while she
studied business at the University of
Saskatchewan. They were much alike
in that her passion for sport matched
his for agriculture and politics. While
he orbited that world, she worked for
Blue Cross and played softball, taking a
senior women’s team to the 1970 world
championship in Japan. She was also a
competitive curler until the age of 78.
For years, both were too busy to
settle down. Cooper was even named
bachelor of the year by Saskatoon radio
station CFQC in 1972. After an on-and-
off, 30-year courtship, they married in
1981.
“We were late bloomers,” Gail said
with a laugh.
According to Gail, her husband happily
spends his home time reading about
agricultural policy and consulting with
colleagues on the phone. She speculated
that he may feel as though he’s missed
out on leisure pastimes, but his enduring
preoccupation has always been building
a better agricultural industry.
“The Godfather of Grain” had to admit
this was an accurate assessment.
“It keeps me motivated,” he said. “I
think we can’t let up.”
viterra.com
Viterra has market opportunities, when and where you
need them. Our Grain Representatives provide advice
to help you understand your marketing options.
For all your grain marketing needs, call 1.866.569.4411