WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Voting packages are now being mailed to farmers eligible to vote in a producer plebiscite on the future of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). The Prairie-wide plebiscite asks farmers if they want to sell wheat and barley through the CWB's single desk, or through an open market.

"Wheat and barley farmers can expect to receive their voter packages by July 22," said plebiscite coordinator Ian Craven of MNP, a chartered accounting and business advisory firm. "Packages contain voting instructions, a ballot and a return envelope. The ballot must be returned in the accompanying official return envelope to be considered valid."

Voting packages are being mailed to more than 68,000 farmers who had an active permit in either the 2009-10 or 2010-11 crop years and who delivered wheat or barley in the past five crop years (2006-07 to 2010-11).

Producers who have grown wheat or barley in the past five years but who do not have a recent permit can be added to the voters list by calling 1.877.780.8683 or by visiting www.cwbvote.ca.

Farmers have until Aug. 8 to establish their eligibility to vote.

The voting criteria area:

• Producers who have grown wheat in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of the CWB for wheat.
• Producers who have grown barley in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of the CWB for barley.
• Producers who have grown both in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of the CWB for each crop.

Return ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 24.