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Fall
2017
Grains
West
8
THE
FARMGATE
POSITIVECHANGE
NEWFUNDINGFORMULA PRESENTSADDITIONALOPPORTUNITIES
THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL
Grains Institute (Cigi) is experiencing a
time of change, but the CEO of the organi-
zation sees nothing but opportunity and
growth ahead.
Changes to the not-for-profit grain
advocate’s funding formula and board
structure came into effect at the beginning
of August. Previously funded by farmer
check-offs through the Western Canadian
Deduction, the new Cigi funding formula
sees funds supplied by the Alberta, Sas-
katchewan and Manitoba wheat commis-
sions and seven grain companies for a total
of $7.7 million over the next two years.
Cigi CEO JoAnne Buth believes it’s a
time of planning for the organization. “It
really is an opportunity to look at what the
future holds and what do we need to do.”
She explained that the first step is to
create a strategic plan, which Cigi board
and staff are set to do in the coming
months. The board’s membership now
includes grain companies. As they’re on
the front line of wheat sales, Buth pointed
out that they are closely in touch with
customers and are in tune with the wants
and concerns of those using Canadian
wheat around the globe. “They’re aware of
their customers and what their customers’
needs are,” Buth said.
New to the Cigi board table with the
wheat commissions are: Viterra; Rich-
ardson International Limited; Cargill
Canada; Parrish and Heimbecker, Limit-
ed; Paterson Grain; G3 Canada Limited;
and the Inland Terminal Association of
Canada.
The organization’s mission is to increase
the use of Canadian grain and field crops
around the world. More than 45,000 peo-
ple from 115 countries have participated in
Cigi programs and seminars on technical
topics, innovative processing solutions
and skills training. Participants represent
many facets of the grain industry and
include farmers, grain buyers, millers,
scientists and breeders.
“We have run programs at Cigi that
have been very successful,” said Buth. “We
have focused programs and priority areas,
and we can now work with the compa-
nies to see what their needs are,” she
said. “Working more closely with [grain]
companies, we can see where those
opportunities are … It might provide a bit
more focus on where we can provide more
impact.”
Alberta Wheat Commission general
manager Tom Steve agrees with Buth and
believes Cigi’s future will be built on its
reputation and accomplishments. “I think
there’s been a long-standing recognition
of the value Cigi provides in terms of
Canada’s reputation as a quality supplier
of wheat to the world,” he said.
Photo:Canadian InternationalGrains Institute
Cigi’s new board of directors. Back row: Gary Stanford, Trent Rude, Jean-Marc Ruest, Harvey Brooks, Kevin Bender. Front row: Brent Watchorn, JoAnne Buth (Cigi CEO), Drew
Baker, Bill Gehl, Jim Smolik. Missing: WardWeisensel.