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 (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 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.