07/15/08 Licensed, bonded is the way to go

Higher commodity prices unfortunately leads to unscrupulous dealings. Unlicensed and unregistered dealers are buying commodities from Idaho ag producers like hay and grain and there have been problems with payments or disputes about the settlement price. OGDEN "Normally we'll have six, seven complaints by this time for grain related, hay and everything. We're running about double that this year. They kind of all came within the last four weeks or so." Dave Ogden of ISDA's Warehouse Control Program says state law requires anyone buying agricultural commodities to be licensed and bonded. He says even when dealing with people you know make sure they have the Idaho license. OGDEN "And you can find out and verify that license by calling 208-332-8660. The second thing is I would basically get an agreement in writing with both parties signing it with all the terms of agreement and so forth and if you have any qualms about who you're dealing with licensed or not basically all or at least most of your money up front." Ogden says working with licensed a dealer assures that the proper assessments go into the various crop and seed indemnity funds which are there to protect them in case of payment failure. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott