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 (PDF) 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 (PDF) 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.