Several candidates have confirmed their nominations and have promised to run similar campaigns, focussed on an unambiguous platform to corporatise the co-operative.

CBH deputy chairman, Wally Newman, issued a notable challenge on company structure late last year, saying if grower shareholders wanted to de-mutualise CBH, they needed to vote in directors who supported a corporate platform.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association executive committee member, Gary McGill, is one of the biggest proponents of the corporatisation argument and he has nominated for the board in District 2.

He has also confirmed that other corporate candidates would be running against sitting directors in Districts 3 and 4.

“The time has come to move to the more simple and effective solution of demutualising CBH and listing it on the Stock Exchange, which will give real value and shareholder equity to CBH shareholders,” he said.

During the campaign Mr McGill will be diametrically opposed to WAFarmers Grain Council President Derek Clauson, who has also confirmed his nomination for District 2.

Mr Clauson promised he would fight hard to retain CBH’s co-operative structure and preserve grower control, if elected.

“I want to ensure growers retain control of their storage and handling and grain marketing organisation,” he said.

* More details to come in Farm Weekly's February 4 print edition.