Oat Levy and Where Your Dollars Go
As of August 1, 2024, a 75 cent per tonne (about 1 cent per bushel) levy on Saskatchewan produced oats is collected by buyers at the time of sale and then forwarded to SaskOats.
Without farmer support for the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission (SaskOats), Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA) and Alberta Oat Growers Commission (AOGC) there is no opportunity to leverage government and industry support for research and marketing.
Since 2008 (and as of 2024), prairie oat growers and the three provincial commissions (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) have turned $5.7M levy dollars into $41.1M for research and marketing projects. This means growers in Western Canada have contributed less than 15 cents of every dollar spent on these project.
Typically, the oat commissions fund about 30 different oat projects to promote new markets, better varieties and to test agronomic practices. The full list of POGA supported projects is available under Research and Market Development at poga.ca
*POGA is 100% funded by the three provincial commissions and the board is made up of only producer members (there is no industry). Therefore, whenever a project is funded by POGA it is funded by all oat growers in Western Canada that leave their check-off dollars with their provincial commission. For more information about POGA and all the member benefits provided through this cooperative structure, please go to the About POGA page.
Producer Levy Volunteer Payment Form
We realize there are some producer-to-producer oat sales or sales to companies that did not collect the check-off/levy on your behalf. If you wish to support your organization with your check-off dollars, please complete the Producer Levy Volunteer Payment Form (xlsx, 82 kB) and mail it with your cheque for the check-off/levy not paid. The oat growers greatly appreciate your support.
Refunds
For refund request forms call (306) 975-1259. Completed forms can be emailed to bookkeepingbyjanice@hotmail.com, or faxed to (306) 931-3950.
Producer Consent Form
This is another benefit and reason to leave your levy dollars with the commission! The Producer Consent Form allows POGA to provide members’ contact information to customers sourcing oats: go to Producer Consent Form and fill out and submit the form.
*Note: Oat producers should always check their grain tickets to ensure that the appropriate levy has been assessed.
