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APG Commits $1.06 Million to Research Projects Tackling Major Issues Affecting Pulse Farmers FEB 18 2021 | Producers | News Release

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission (APG) recently approved investments worth $1.06 million for research projects to work on issues that impact farmers the most, including Aphanomyces root rot, wireworm and pea leaf weevil.

“Research funded by this $1.06 million investment of grower dollars is expected to improve the bottom line for Alberta farms,” said APG Chair Robert Semeniuk. “All of the projects focus on objectives of APG’s new strategic plan by addressing issues in agronomy, breeding options and marketing.”

Funding for eight research projects was approved by APG’s Board of Directors at its January meeting. The commitments will support six agronomic projects, one breeding project and one in the area of marketing and health.

Most of the projects involve funding commitments of two to three years in partnership with funding organizations including Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF), Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the new Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) or with other pulse and wheat commissions.

The agronomic projects will allow more work to be done with wireworm and pea leaf weevil, which are two challenging pests that impact yields for Alberta farmers. The Aphanomyces investment allows research to continue into management practices to allow for control through liming of soils and additional work in root rot detection.

In addition to the agronomy work on Aphanomyces, APG is pleased to be investing in pea breeding for disease resistant varieties. APG is also investigating new pulse crop opportunities in lupin agronomy. The marketing project focuses on incorporating beans for healthy aging.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 6,500 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta. Our vision is to have Alberta pulses on every farm, on every plate.

For more information, please contact:
Rachel Peterson, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com
www.albertapulse.com