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Know Your Grade

Rights and Responsibilities 

The Canada Grains Act and Regulations provides a series of producer protections aimed at ensuring farmers are treated fairly when delivering to an in-country elevator or processor, and have access to alternate grading services should a dispute arise. Collectively, each value chain participant is responsible for ensuring the high quality and integrity of the canola crop. 

Canola harvest

It’s your right to observe the dockage assessment

Licensed primary elevators are required to accommodate farmers who ask to observe the dockage assessment. Watching and taking part can help ensure your canola sample is representative, the proper process is followed, approved equipment is used and, ultimately, you have confidence in the outcome. 

You have the right to watch the dockage assessment. Ask questions to ensure you understand the process.

Dockage observation

If you don’t agree, ask for a second opinion

If you disagree with the elevator's grade assessment, you can Dispute Your Grain Grade. Ask to send a representative sample to the Canadian Grain Commission for a binding decision on both grade, moisture, and/or dockage (fee applies). 

This service is called Final Quality Determination and is available at licensed CGC primary elevators (not processors). A sample must weigh at least 1 kg, and be stored by either the elevator or farmer, in a way to maintain its quality and integrity. The Commission's decision is final, and the final cash purchase ticket is based on its quality assessment

Maintain your canola’s integrity

The Canada Grains Act prohibits producers from delivering infested or contaminated grain (i.e. treated seeds, insects, excreta) or grain that is suspected to be infested or contaminated. Other Canadian legislation and regulations govern pesticide registration and maximum residue limits, eligible varieties, and grain safety. 

  • Follow pesticide label instructions to ensure compliance with maximum residue limits and best practices to prevent treated seed from contaminating deliveries.
  • Check out the Keep it Clean! website for advice on production and storage practices, including which pesticides and varieties are not permitted. 

    keep it clean logo
  • Declare the eligibility of your grain at delivery. Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, declarations are now required for both Canadian and American farmers delivering canola to primary and process elevators.
  • Monitor moisture content to prevent mold or bacteria growth, and deterioration of oil yields. Learn more about CGC’s role, including moisture meters, and the risk of adding water to canola: Moisture content for Canadian grains.
  • Make sure you read and understand your entire grain contract as it may include additional quality requirements. Note that quality parameters outside the Official Grain Grading Guide are not eligible for a CGC second opinion. Click here for more information on payment protection.

Ensure you’re fully paid for your delivery

As a licensing condition, grain elevators, processors and buyers are required to post security with the Canadian Grain Commission. The money is then used if a farmer is not paid for their grain. A 100% return is not guaranteed, so it is important to make a claim early and to take additional risk management practices to ensure payment. 

Exercising the above rights is an individual business decision and should not imply mistrust in the system. Do so in a respectful manner to help maintain good business relationships with your grain buyer(s). ​​

Voice your opinion

Interested in bringing a grading issue forward? The CGC's Western Grain Standards Committee and the Oilseeds Sub-committee recommend changes to official grading standards and specifications. The committees are made up of farmers, exporters, processors, and government representatives — each with a say on what, if any, CGC changes are required and how proposed changes will impact their sectors.

To learn more, visit CGC's Producer rights at delivery.

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