Canada: The CWB announced on March 15 in a news release that 2003-04 initial payments for wheat, durum, feed and designated barley will increase effective March 19, 2004. The increase in initial payments for feed barley will be $17.00 per tonne, while the increase for designated barley will be $10.00 per tonne.

Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less the costs of marketing, to Prairie farmers.

16 March, 2004