10/06/05 Look for another wheat merger vote

The proposed merger between three different wheat groups went down to defeat for the second time this year. Steve Johnson of the Idaho Grain Producers says the merger failed because what was billed as a compromise didn't involve everyone. JOHNSON "The proposal that was submitted for vote to the three groups came directly from three states and the officers of US Wheat and there wasn't the ability of the grower association to have input into it." Johnson says US Wheat Associates wanted the National Association of Wheat Growers and WETEC to approve the merger despite what growers felt was a major flaw. JOHNSON "The fallback position on any weighted vote based upon your contribution of money to the organization was the vote follows the money. All NAWG was really looking for was the opportunity for a fallback position of 50/50 on the weighted vote." NAWG and US Wheat have agreed to sit down and talk about the merger again but that probably won't happen until early next year in San Antonio. Johnson says the merger intent is still valid; that the three groups need to come together so that the wheat industry has one voice especially on Capitol Hill. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott