Senior Marketing Manager for Barley
Canadian Wheat Board
Winnipeg, MB
Barley Markets and the End of the Single Desk
Tuesday, January 24 1:30pm - 2:30pm Room 2
Wednesday, January 25 4:00pm - 5:00pm Room 5
Bio
Mr. Cuthbert was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He received his post-secondary education in Agricultural Economics at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the grain industry including feed sales, farm lending, and the positions of Marketing and Transportation Manager for Weyburn Inland Terminal, and Senior Merchant at United Grain Growers in Winnipeg. Mr. Cuthbert joined the Canadian Wheat Board in January 1994, and in 1997 became Senior Manager - Barley and Barley Products. Mr. Cuthbert is responsible for CWB barley sales world wide.
Session Summary
Mr Cuthbert has over 30 years experience in the grain industry and has worked for private grain companies as well as the CWB. With his training as an agricultural economist, he will bring a personal perspective regarding trends in the barley sector and the probable changes to come given the passing of Bill C-18 and the end of the CWB's marketing monopoly for barley and wheat. Seeded area and demand for barley continue to decline worldwide. Malting barley demand growth is slowly increasing but Canadian maltsters face very stiff competition. It is time to rationally discuss the challenges facing barley production and processing. There is not going to be a significant expansion of malting capacity in Canada regardless of whether there is a CWB single desk or not.
Mr Cuthbert will also address the question of the CWB in an open market. Such an entity will face challenges - in particular, it does not own any handling assets. However, the CWB has excellent relationships with wheat and barley processors around the world. It has a solid marketing and sales team in place and a AAA credit rating on Canadian government approved borrowings. It will begin the new era with a significant capital base in addition to government guaranteed borrowings. The CWB will be announcing new programs for farmers and contract options in the weeks to come and some of these details may be available in time for FarmTech.
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