Make sure you get paid what you’re owed

Reduce your risk of not getting paid when delivering grain by following these recommendations:

Before making a delivery, make sure the company is licensed by the Canadian Grain Commission, which requires licensed grain companies to provide security to cover money owed to producers for deliveries. Unregulated grains and deliveries of any grain to unlicensed grain companies aren’t eligible for compensation if payment terms are not met.
Also get a primary elevator receipt, grain receipt, or cash purchase ticket that identifies the grain, grade, weight, price, and date of delivery. Scale tickets are not accepted for compensation claims.

And ask to be paid for your grain right away. When delivering multiple loads of grain to one company, it’s a good idea to ask for payment after each load or every few loads. Wait until the cheque clears before delivering another load.

If a licensed company refuses to pay for your grain, stalls on payment, or a financial institution denies payment on your cash purchase ticket or cheque, don’t make any further deliveries.

“Grain producers should contact the Canadian Grain Commission immediately if they experience any trouble or delays getting paid,” said chief commissioner Patti Miller. “Waiting too long could put your eligibility for compensation at risk.”

More than 140 grain companies (operating more than 400 facilities) are currently licensed by the grain commission. A list of licensed companies can be found at www.grainscanada.gc.ca (click on ‘Licensed grain companies’) as well as information about financial protection.