Producer rights at delivery
Licensed grain companies must follow various regulations when producers deliver grain. Producers also have certain rights when delivering grain to licensed grain companies. These regulations and rights are provided for under the Canada Grain Act and Canada Grain Regulations.
Whether you, the producer, deliver grain or have someone deliver it on your behalf, you are entitled to the same rights and services.
Deliveries to primary elevators
Deliveries to primary elevators
When you deliver grain to a licensed primary elevator in western Canada, the following procedures and regulations apply.
Condition of grain
The primary elevator operator accepts your grain as long as it is not:
- infested or contaminated
- out of condition or likely to go out of condition
Declaration of eligibility for delivery
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain company in Canada, you must complete a declaration of eligibility for delivery of grain form. This declaration is required by the Canada Grain Act.
The declaration is required for all deliveries of grains designated under the Canada Grain Act that are listed in the Kinds of Grain that Require a Declaration of Eligibility for Delivery of Grain document. More information is available in our answers to frequently asked questions.
Weighing and sampling
The primary elevator operator weighs your grain. You (or the person delivering your grain) have the right to verify the grain’s weight while it is being weighed.
The primary elevator operator must take a representative sample from the conveyance. A sub-sample weighing at least 1 kilogram should be used for the quality determination. The sample is considered representative if both you (or the person delivering your grain) and the primary elevator operator agree that this sample accurately represents the entire load of grain. You have the right to be present when the primary elevator operator takes the sample.
The representative sample does not have to be kept unless you dispute your grain grade.
Dockage determination
The primary elevator operator must make an accurate determination of dockage on each load of grain delivered. Dockage is material that must be removed before the primary elevator operator assigns a grade or determines moisture and/or protein. The primary elevator operator must use equipment that is a type authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission for determining dockage.
Dockage is then:
- removed by following the cleaning procedures described in the Official Grain Grading Guide
- computed to the nearest 0.1%
You (or the person delivering your grain) have the right to be present when the primary elevator operator determines the dockage.
Grading
The primary elevator operator assesses your grain’s grade, dockage, moisture and, in some cases, protein, according to the procedures and specifications in the Official Grain Grading Guide. You (or the person delivering your grain) have the right to watch the operator assess your grain’s grade.
If you deliver a variety of wheat or malt barley that is not on a variety designation list, the primary elevator operator assigns the lowest grade for that type of grain.
Dispute your grain grade
If you disagree with a licensed primary elevator’s assessment of your grain, you have the right to ask for a Final Quality Determination from the Canadian Grain Commission.
If you disagree with the elevator operator’s assessment of your grain’s quality, tell them you would like to send the representative sample of your grain to the Canadian Grain Commission for a Final Quality Determination. The primary elevator operator is responsible for sending your sample to the Canadian Grain Commission. If you disagree with the Canadian Grain Commission’s determination, you may appeal the results.
Grain drying
The primary elevator operator may artificially dry tough, damp, moist or wet grain at the elevator in accordance with orders of the Canadian Grain Commission.
The primary elevator operator gives you (or the person delivering your grain) a primary elevator receipt. If you choose to have your grain dried at a licensed primary elevator, deductions may be made from the payment for your grain delivery for drying charges and moisture shrinkage. Moisture shrinkage is the loss of weight in the grain caused by drying. After drying your grain, the primary elevator operator will calculate the deduction for moisture shrinkage. This calculation must be made using the Canadian Grain Commission’s approved formula for calculating moisture shrinkage.
The Canadian Grain Commission maintains a list of the maximum fees (called charges) that licensed grain companies charge for elevating, cleaning, drying and storing grain.
Shrinkage
The maximum shrinkage allowance that may be made on the delivery of grain is zero.
Payment
If you agree with the primary elevator operator’s assessment of your grain, the elevator operator must give you either a primary elevator receipt or a cash purchase ticket.
- If you have not sold your grain and the primary elevator is only storing it, you are issued a primary elevator receipt
- If you have sold your grain and are paid on delivery to the primary elevator, you are issued a cash purchase ticket
In order to be paid, you must exchange your primary elevator receipt for a cash purchase ticket.
If you have trouble getting paid, contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately.
Licensed primary elevators must post security with the Canadian Grain Commission to cover amounts owed to producers for eligible grain deliveries. If a licensed company fails to pay you for your grain delivery, you may be eligible for compensation through the Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.
Deliveries to process elevators
Deliveries to process elevators
When you deliver grain to a licensed process elevator in western Canada, the following procedures and regulations apply.
Condition of grain
The process elevator operator accepts or does not accept your grain at their discretion. Delivery may be refused if grain is
- infested or contaminated
- out of condition, or likely to go out of condition
Declaration of eligibility for delivery
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain company in Canada, you must complete a declaration of eligibility for delivery of grain form. This declaration is required by the Canada Grain Act.
The declaration is required for all deliveries of grains designated under the Canada Grain Act that are listed in the Kinds of Grain that Require a Declaration of Eligibility for Delivery of Grain document. More information is available in our answers to frequently asked questions.
Weighing and sampling
The process elevator operator weighs your grain and takes a sample of your grain.
Dockage determination
Dockage is material that must be removed before the process elevator operator assigns a grade or determines moisture and/or protein.
The elevator operator must use equipment that is a type authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission for determining dockage. The Canadian Grain Commission recommends that process elevator operators use a sample size of 1 kilogram when determining dockage. Dockage is:
- removed by following the cleaning procedures described in the Official Grain Grading Guide
- computed to the nearest .1%
Grading
The process elevator operator assesses your grain’s grade, dockage, moisture and, in some cases, protein, according to the procedures and specifications in the Official Grain Grading Guide.
If you deliver a variety of wheat or malt barley that is not on a variety designation list, the process elevator operator assigns the lowest grade for that type of grain.
The right to dispute grade and dockage for your grain by requesting a Final Quality Determination is not available at licensed process elevators. This right only applies to grain deliveries made to primary elevators.
Shrinkage
The maximum shrinkage allowance that may be made on the delivery of grain is zero.
Payment
The elevator operator gives you either a grain receipt or a cash purchase ticket.
- If grain ownership transfers to the licensed process elevator when you deliver it, you are issued a grain receipt
- If you have sold your grain and are paid on delivery to the process elevator, you are issued a cash purchase ticket
In order to be paid, you must exchange your grain receipt for a cash purchase ticket.
If you have trouble getting paid, contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately.
Licensed process elevators must post security with the Canadian Grain Commission to cover amounts owed to producers for grain deliveries. If a licensed company fails to pay you for your grain delivery, you have the right to compensation through the Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.
Deliveries to grain dealers or associated agents
Deliveries to grain dealers or associated agents
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain dealer or agent in western Canada, the following procedures apply.
Condition of grain
The grain dealer or agent accepts or does not accept your grain at their discretion. If you are delivering grain to a grain dealer or agent at a licensed primary elevator, delivery may be refused if grain is
- infested or contaminated
- out of condition, or likely to go out of condition
Declaration of eligibility for delivery
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain company in Canada, you must complete a declaration of eligibility for delivery of grain form. This declaration is required by the Canada Grain Act.
The declaration is required for all deliveries of grains designated under the Canada Grain Act that are listed in the Kinds of Grain that Require a Declaration of Eligibility for Delivery of Grain document. More information is available in our answers to frequently asked questions.
Weighing and sampling
The grain dealer or agent weighs your grain. If you are dealing with the grain dealer’s agent, the agent takes a sample of your grain to represent the entire load. Consider asking to look at the sample to make sure you agree that this sample accurately represents your delivery.
Dockage determination
Dockage is material that must be removed before the grain dealer or agent assigns a grade or determines moisture and/or protein.
The grain dealer or agent must use equipment that is a type authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission for determining dockage. The Canadian Grain Commission recommends that grain dealers or agents use a sample size of 1 kilogram when determining dockage. Dockage is:
- removed by following the cleaning procedures described in the Official Grain Grading Guide
- computed to the nearest 0.1%
Grading
The grain dealer or agent assesses your grain’s grade, dockage, moisture and, in some cases, protein, according to the procedures and specifications in the Official Grain Grading Guide and/or your contract, if you have one.
If you deliver a variety of wheat or malt barley that is not on a variety designation list, the grain dealer or agent assigns the lowest grade for that type of grain.
The right to dispute grade and dockage for your grain by requesting a Final Quality Determination is not available at licensed grain dealers or their associated agents. This right only applies to grain deliveries made to primary elevators.
Payment
The grain dealer gives you either a grain receipt or cash purchase ticket.
- If grain ownership transfers to the licensed grain dealer when you deliver it, you are issued a grain receipt
- If you have sold your grain and are paid on delivery to a licensed grain dealer, you are issued a cash purchase ticket
In order to be paid, you must exchange your grain receipt for a cash purchase ticket.
If you have trouble getting paid, contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately.
Licensed grain dealers must post security with the Canadian Grain Commission to cover amounts owed to producers for grain deliveries. If a licensed company fails to pay you for your grain delivery, you have the right to compensation through the Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program.
Deliveries to terminal elevators in western Canada
Deliveries to terminal elevators in western Canada
When you deliver grain to a licensed terminal elevator in western Canada, the following procedures and regulations apply.
Condition of grain
The terminal elevator operator accepts your grain as long as it is not:
- infested or contaminated
- out of condition, or likely to go out of condition
Declaration of eligibility for delivery
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain company in Canada, you must complete a declaration of eligibility for delivery of grain form. This declaration is required by the Canada Grain Act.
The declaration is required for all deliveries of grains designated under the Canada Grain Act that are listed in the Kinds of Grain that Require a Declaration of Eligibility for Delivery of Grain document. More information is available in our answers to frequently asked questions.
Weighing and sampling
The terminal elevator operator weighs your grain. The terminal elevator operator, or service provider authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission, must take a representative sample from the conveyance.
Dockage determination
Dockage is material that must be removed before the terminal elevator operator assigns a grade or determines moisture and/or protein. The elevator operator must use equipment that is a type authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission for determining dockage.
Dockage is then:
- removed by following the cleaning procedures described in the Official Grain Grading Guide
- computed to the nearest 0.1%
Shrinkage
The maximum shrinkage allowance that may be made on the delivery of grain is zero.
Grading
The terminal elevator operator, or a service provider authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission, assesses your grain’s grade, dockage, moisture and, in some cases, protein, according to the procedures and specifications in the Official Grain Grading Guide.
If you deliver a variety of wheat or malt barley that is not on a variety designation list, the terminal elevator operator assigns the lowest grade for that type of grain.
Dispute your grain grade
If you or someone delivering grain on your behalf disagree with the grade, protein, moisture or dockage assigned to grain you are delivering at a licensed terminal elevator in western Canada, you have the right to request a reinspection.
Deliveries to terminal elevators in eastern Canada
Deliveries to terminal elevators in eastern Canada
When you deliver grain to a licensed terminal elevator in eastern Canada, the following procedures and regulations apply.
Condition of grain
The terminal elevator operator accepts your grain as long as it is not:
- infested or contaminated
- out of condition, or likely to go out of condition
Declaration of eligibility for delivery
When you deliver grain to a licensed grain company in Canada, you must complete a declaration of eligibility for delivery of grain form. This declaration is required by the Canada Grain Act.
The declaration is required for all deliveries of grains designated under the Canada Grain Act that are listed in the Kinds of Grain that Require a Declaration of Eligibility for Delivery of Grain document. More information is available in our answers to frequently asked questions.
Weighing and sampling
The terminal elevator operator weighs your grain. The terminal elevator operator, or a service provider authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission, must take a representative sample from the conveyance.
Dockage determination
Dockage is material that must be removed before the terminal elevator operator assigns a grade or determines moisture and/or protein. The elevator operator must use equipment that is a type authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission for determining dockage.
Dockage is then:
- removed by following the cleaning procedures described in the Official Grain Grading Guide
- computed to the nearest 0.1%
Shrinkage
The maximum shrinkage allowance that may be made on the delivery of grain is zero.
Grading
The terminal elevator may choose to assess your grain’s grade, dockage, moisture and, in some cases, protein, according to the procedures and specifications in the Official Grain Grading Guide. They may also choose to have your grain assessed by a service provider authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission.
If you deliver a variety of wheat or malt barley that is not on a variety designation list, the terminal elevator operator assigns the lowest grade for that type of grain.
Dispute your grain grade
If you or someone delivering grain on your behalf disagree with the grade, protein, moisture or dockage assigned to grain you are delivering at a licensed terminal elevator in eastern Canada, and a delivery sample has been taken, you have the right to request a reinspection.
The appropriate process to follow is dependent on the procedure used to obtain the sample from your grain delivery.
- If the grain sample is taken in accordance with the Canadian Grain Commission Sampling Systems Handbook and Approval Guide, using approved procedures and equipment, you may apply for a reinspection by the Canadian Grain Commission.
Reinspection of grain delivered to a terminal elevator
- If the grain sample is not taken in accordance with the Canadian Grain Commission Sampling Systems Handbook and Approval Guide (for example, the sample was taken with a probe), you may request a grain inspection using the submitted grain sample inspection process.
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