NFU calls for rebate on fuel used for on-farm grain drying

On December 19 the National Farmers Union sent a letter to Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, outlining the urgent need for a rebate on pollution pricing fees currently being charged on natural gas and propane used for on-farm grain drying.

In line with the Paris Agreement’s goals regarding food security and food production, the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act exempts farmers’ gasoline and diesel purchases that are used for running farm machinery on the farm and for driving machinery from one location to another at a farm, but does not exempt propane or natural gas used on farms for grain drying. As a result, farmers have additional costs for unavoidable grain drying, and some may resort to using higher-emitting diesel burners to avoid paying the carbon price.

NFU members passed a resolution at the recent national convention asking the federal government to provide a rebate to farmers for fuel utilized in on-farm grain drying operations.

“Obviously propane was overlooked when fuel exemptions were addressed,” said NFU Board member Doug Scott of Waskatanau, AB. “Drying grain has become a significant cost for prairie grain farmers and propane is the main fuel used for drying grain.”

“It is absurd for the

Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to offer an exemption that seems to encourage farmers to use diesel-fired burners for grain drying, while penalizing those who use cleaner-burning natural gas or propane,” said Kyle Korneychuk who farms at Pelly. “We believe this is an oversight that can be corrected by setting up a rebate as soon as possible.”

“This year spring started two to four weeks later than normal, seed for early-maturing varieties was in short supply, and an early killing frost in October was followed by considerable rain and snow. All this means Ontario and Quebec farmers are faced with a crop that is abnormally wet and expensive to dry,” noted Don Ciparis of Rodney, ONT. “Drying costs have to be factored into the current reality of farming, and recognized by rebating carbon tax paid on propane needed to make our crops saleable.”

“Our elevators just wouldn’t take in soybeans over 14% moisture content, but we got it off between 15% and 18% in November. A propane or natural gas grain dryer is the only solution we have to bringing soybean moisture down this winter,” said Dean Harder of Lowe Farm, Manitoba. “We’re hopeful that the government understands our predicament and will work with the agriculture industry to find alternative grain drying solutions in the future, but right now propane is still the best option on our farm.”

SCOTT ANDERSON/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER For the fifth consecutive year, staff and customers from Redhead Equipment in Swift Current shared their generosity through a toy drive in support of Southwest Crisis Services. Redhead staff members Derris White and Ashley Mcclelland presented their donation to Brenna Ekstrand, Community Relations Coordinator for Southwest Crisis Services. In addition to the toys and a collection of gift cards, Redhead Equipment held a staff 50/50 draw, with just over $300 from the draw also donated to Southwest Crisis Services.