The Grain Pool, formerly the Wheat Pool, was an agricultural cooperative of wheat growers in Western Australia. Founded in 1922, it merged with Co-operative Bulk Handling to form the CBH Group in 2002.
History
The Wheat Pool was formed in 1922.[1] A conference had been held by wheat growers in Perth in March 1922, where it was decided to consider the formation of the pool rather than depend on speculative trading. In June 1922, the chairman of the trustees announced that the state government would not introduce legislation to continue state pooling but that the new pool scheme would commence operating independently. The pool had sources adequate finance from the Commonwealth Bank to pay advances and had negotiated with pools in the eastern states to reduce competition.[2] Participants in the scheme were sent a circular by the pool trustees. The circular outlined details of chartering ships, delaying construction of bulk handling facilities in Fremantle, construction of holding sheds in other areas, negotiations with the Mill Owners Association and quashing rumours that contracts were not binding.[3]