Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission Overview
AWWPC
The Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission is represented by a board of dedicated winter wheat producers from around the province who believe in strong winter wheat industry, not only for the benefits of time management and rotation on the farm, but also for long term sustainability of our most precious resource, the land. The AWWPC is determined to improve the marketability of winter wheat and the price paid to its producers through experienced and professional lobby efforts on your behalf. Recent success in working with the Canadian Wheat Board to offer a premium for milling grade winter wheat is only one example. The Commission is working in many other areas to coordinate and support a strong and viable industry.
AWWPC Activities
- Working with the Canadian Wheat Board to improve the Select Program for milling quality winter wheat
- Lobbying for price separation of milling quality from feed wheat
- Supporting plant breeding and agronomic research
- Investigating alternative end-uses for winter wheat
- Representing winter wheat producers on the Western Grains Research Foundation
- Working with Ducks Unlimited Canada to coordinate programs that promote winter wheat production in traditional and non-traditional regions of the province
- Providing a stong voice at provinical policy stakeholder consultations
Members
To be an eligible producer, or member, of the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission, the Alberta Winter Wheat Plan Regulations require you to have paid a service charge (check-off dollars) to the Commission in one or more of the last four (4) crop years.
An estimated 1,200 Alberta farmers in six provincial regions are currently members of the AWWPC.
Our members are represented by seven (7) elected directors.
Check-off Dollars
Under the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Marketing Plan Regulations, Alberta winter wheat producers must pay $1.00 to the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission for every tonne of winter wheat they sell. Typically, customers (dealers) purchasing Alberta-grown winter wheat from producers deduct check-off dollars from their payment to producers and remit the funds to the Commission.
This fee is the Commission′s sole source of ongoing revenue. Check-off dollars fund research and marketing activities to improve the value of winter wheat, both for the growers and their customers.
It is illegal in Alberta to withhold these funds. Producers, however, may request a refund of their check-off dollars.
