A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between five of the province's grower organizations that would see the groups merge into a single entity.

The organizations involved include the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA), Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers Association (MPSG), Manitoba Flax Growers Association (MFGA), the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA).

This move comes following three year of talks surrounding how the groups could better work together to maximize member value.

“The Board of Directors of the MWBGA and MCGA have taken a lead in showcasing how commodity groups can work together,” says Pam de Rocquigny, who was recently hired as general manager of both MWBGA and MCGA. “This MOU signals a more formalized relationship between all the involved commodity groups as we work together to explore new and innovate ways in how our organizations can improve efficiencies and deliver maximum value to our memberships.”

The group has expressed that it will make sure that farmers from each commodity organization are represented in the shaping of this merger.

“This is the first step in a long process,” says Jason Voth, chair of MPSG’s Board of Directors. “I am very pleased to hear that these groups are willing to work together. As a farmer, this makes sense. Good farming is about growing more than one crop. I represent one farm that grows multiple crops. This merger makes sense.”

Currently, all of the commodity groups, with the exception of the Manitoba Flax Growers, operate out of the same building in Carman.

While five grower organizations have signed the MOU, they are willing to allow other, like-minded commodity groups to join the merger talks.

The first phase of the process is expected to be complete by April of 2018.