Keeping barley clean

No tolerance

Keeping barley clean means there can be no-tolerance for feces of deer, antelope, elk and moose in barley delivered to licensed primary elevators or shipped to terminal elevators.

The Canadian Grain Commission has issued a no-tolerance order which is designed to keep our barley clean. No-tolerance reassures customers and restores their confidence in Canadian barley quality.

No-tolerance applies throughout the grain handling system

• Operators of licensed primary elevators will refuse barley containing visible feces of deer, antelope, elk or moose
• Operators of primary elevators are prohibited from shipping any barley containing visible feces of these animals to any licensed terminal or transfer elevator
• Any barley sent in rail cars to terminal or transfer elevators, if found to contain feces of these animals, will be segregated and kept out of export channels

Farmers know best whether their barley is clean. You are the most important members of an industry-wide team effort to assure buyers that Canadian barley is feces-free.

Questions on no-tolerance should be directed to the office of the Chief Grain Inspector at (204) 983-2780.

Canada's quality reputation

Canada's reputation for quality was tarnished by the discovery of feces of deer or similar animals in two cargoes of western Canadian barley shipped to Japan in late 1997.

The discovery resulted in a thorough investigation of all factors that led to the problem. The , producer and industry groups agreed to prevent any barley containing feces from entering the system at the primary elevator level.

Protecting Canada's grain quality reputation

The quality of the grain you grow is Canada's edge in competitive markets.

Customers say that feces is unacceptable, and they will not negotiate any tolerance. They have stated clearly that they will not buy Canadian barley containing such material. Farmers, elevator operators and the Canadian Grain Commission must work together to ensure that customers get the quality they have come to expect from Canada.

Taking precautions

There are many ways wildlife can damage crops.

Provincial crop insurance or wildlife damage compensation programs, if available, emphasize farmers must take reasonable measures to protect their crops before problems occur. In most cases, you can manage the problem by knowing the risks and taking precautions.

• Where deer, antelope, elk or moose have fed, swath, combine and bin the crop separately from the rest of your crop. This minimizes the affected portion of the crop.
• Straight combine barley instead of swathing, if practical. This lessens the risk of picking up feces pellets along with the grain.
• Combine and bin swathed barley as soon as possible. Combining removes most pellets, and bins protect the grain from further feeding.
• Store barley in bins. Combined barley should not be left in unprotected piles where wildlife may feed. Keep animals away from any barley stored on the ground or protect ground piles with fencing or coverings.
• Clean barley containing pellets before delivering to an elevator.
• Consider alternative markets. Local feeders may buy barley containing pellets.

You know best what the risks are in your area and in your fields. You can protect your barley and keep the grain free of feces. Develop strategies before problems occur. Ask for help. Consult your provincial environment or natural resources departments and your crop insurance corporation for more advice on taking precautions.

• Alberta: for the location of your nearest natural resources service office - telephone (780) 944-0313
• British Columbia: Problem Wildlife, Ministry of the Environment - telephone (250) 787-3411
• Manitoba: Manitoba Natural Resources - telephone 1-800-214-6497 or (204) 945-6784
• Saskatchewan: Big Game Prevention, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management - telephone (306) 933-5767

Compensation for wildlife damage

All four western provinces have crop insurance plans and some wildlife damage compensation may be available for farmers.

The coverage in each province varies. Compensation for barley containing feces of deer, antelope, elk or moose may be available in some provinces. Provincial programs vary by which crops are eligible, what stage of crop is covered, how alternative forms of damage compensation are paid, and what percentage of the damage is covered. Find out what your province offers by contacting crop insurance agencies at the number listed below.

• Alberta: Agriculture Financial Services Corporation - telephone 1-800-396-0215 or (403) 782-8200
• British Columbia: BC Crop Insurance, BC Ministry of Agriculture - telephone 1-888-332-3352 or (250) 787-3214
• Manitoba: Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation - telephone (204) 239-3244
• Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation - telephone 1-888-935-0000