This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

This winter Alberta Pulse Grower staff has been making the rounds at tradeshows and conferences to put a finger on the ‘pulse’ of the industry. The issues facing the pulse industry have been evolving over the last number of years but we heard some of the same topics province wide. Standability of peas, potential for soybeans and marketing faba beans are all at the front of pulse producer’s minds.

We also heard from growers collectively across Alberta about the unique and often frustrating challenges with movement of grain this year. Coming into the spring with extra crop in the bin and uncertainty around commodity prices has prompted farmers to look at altering their rotations. Despite some reports of potentially more canola and less wheat around the province, APG has had many inquiries from farmers who are increasingly interested in growing pulses this year.

Ag Expo- Lethbridge

Ag Expo offered producers a chance to check out specialized crop and livestock equipment, as well as attend various sessions. Producer information sessions included topics such as faba beans, soybeans and general market outlooks. APG got plenty of questions surrounding these ‘up and coming’ pulse crops and what new varieties are available for lentils and peas. The show was well attended and it was valuable to hear growers concerns from southern Alberta.

Faba beans and soybeans were the hot crop topics but there were some growers expressing interest in trying pulses for the first time. They were looking for information on peas as an alternative in their rotation. Pricing opportunities were the main consideration for these producers who were considering growing pulse crops.

Peace Country Classic- Grande Prairie

At the 29th Peace Country Classic Agri-Show in Grande Prairie, producers also showed great interest in soybeans and Faba beans. Others who hadn’t grown pulses in the past were interested in what could be grown in their area and frost tolerance of various pulses and varieties. In general, Peace Country growers are very concerned with marketing options and movement of their grain because of their location. A number of northern growers asked about forage varieties for cattle and pulse mixes for silage. We even fielded a few questions about cooking pulses and genetic modification.

Despite the variety of questions and comments we got from all over Alberta, there was an underlying theme. Producers always want to hear about anything new and how it can improve their business. There seems to be some “thinking outside the box” for crop rotations in 2014 that will provide alternative marketing opportunities and risk management for the farm. However, we will have to wait until the crop is in the ground to know the final decision.

For more information on pulse extension or production please contact Sydney Vos, Member Relations Coordinator svos@pulse.ab.ca.

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Don Shepert, Zone 5 Commissioner

Don Shepert and his family live near St. Paul, AB. In January, 2014 at the Alberta Pulse Growers Annual General Meeting, Don was elected for a 3-year term as a Commissioner to the APG Board representing Zone 5.

Pulse Crop News: Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your farm?

Don Shepert: I’m the second generation on my dad’s farm, which we bought in 1979. My wife and I have been on the farm for 35 years and are farming a little more than a section of land. For the first 14 years we dairied and now have beef cattle and crops.

PCN: What crops do you grow?

DS: Mostly peas and barley I am experimenting with peas and canola as a mix. Everything did well last year, I am going to continue on with a similar mix this year, except with maybe a little less canola and more peas. The quality of the peas was good. The canola seemed to protect the green peas enough to keep them from bleaching. It’s a nice protective crop and it helps with standability.

PCN: What are your experiences with growing pulse crops?

DS: I have been growing peas since the Century and Trapper varieties years ago. They (peas) are just wonderful for the soil. You see such freshness and a health to the soil that you just have to continue doing it despite the fact that some years there are challenges with diseases and the crop going down. We lost producers in our area because they picked a 50-60 bu crop up off the ground and so they haven’t grown peas since. I think that’s the biggest challenge for peas (standability), but we still have a lot of greens grown throughout this area.

PCN: What is the biggest issue facing your farm and your area right now?

DS: I would say it’s a combination of prices and movement of the crop.

PCN: What is your role at the St. Paul Seed cleaning plant and what do they do with pulses?

DS: I am a plant operator and we export green peas. It’s been our niche for quite a while, one year 100,000 bu were exported out of here. The peas go all over the place but it’s going to take a while to get going again because the broker we had used in not available anymore.

PCN: What got you interested in APG?

DS: Years ago I took over for a guy who termed out, and became the secretary of zone 5. I have some interesting books from when I started. As APG grew, you saw the work they were doing, it wasn’t hard to stand behind the organization because it was very good work. When the position of commissioner came up it was an easy decision. It’s a good opportunity to work with an organization that moves forward. I was interested in growing peas and knew that pulses needed a network and an organization to help promote them. One of the things I’ve always enjoyed doing is promoting things, like promoting pulses or even promoting our local (basketball) referees association.

PCN: Commissioners within APG sit on various committees such as Research or Extension. You chose to become involved on the Marketing committee, why?

DS: I’m interested in processing, that’s my passion. When my term is done I would love to be able to say that I was involved in a processing facility that starting up in north-eastern Alberta; either a pea splitter or a grinder. I have a whole pile of things I have put together but the pea splitting industry is very secretive and it’s very hard to find a price. We need to have more processing moving forward, we have the raw product here but then we have to put it on a truck. We already use containers here and they move just as well through the rail so I don’t see that as a big issue.

PCN: One of your roles as a volunteer with APG is to sit on the FarmTech committee. What is your position on that committee? And what is involved with that role?

DS: I will find out a whole lot more how the planning works at the March planning meeting. I’m an APG representative on the Planning Committee and also the Foundation Committee which controls the funds. Previously, Gordon Tuck represented APG on both committees and I look forward to being involved.

PCN: What direction do you think APG should head?

DS: Increased acres. We can still handle increased sales whether it’s domestic by processing or exporting. For the most part I don’t think we have saturated the market. I still believe we can probably double our acres but we have to proceed carefully. When you get a year like last year where everything falls into place with great yields and then it’s not moving. Look at crushers, they have done really well. We still export canola seed but the crushers have taken up so much domestic production and it’s a good thing. We need to make our pulses into flours and ingredients that people need. This can be done on the prairies and it can be done in Alberta.

Welcome Don, we look forward to working with you on the APG board!

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Mark Pickard, a FarmTech rookie talks about his impression of the event held in January, 2014

Mark Picard, owner of Infraready Product based in Saskatoon Saskatchewan was a first-time speaker and attendee of FarmTech this past January. As a newbie to FarmTech, Pickard found many surprising contrasts to other producer conferences and trade shows that he has attended.

“Everyone in attendance was fully engaged and there to learn,” he commented regarding the overall atmosphere. “This was more of an educational event than I anticipated, the trade show was a minor component and it was focused more on teaching people how to use products rather than selling them a product or service.”

Pickard himself was excited at the prospect of participating in this event as one of the speakers in the breakout sessions. He described the unique opportunity to speak about food to a primarily producer audience. His goal is to “help people make the connection between what they produce and food products, and to expand traditional views regarding the use of pulses in particular.”

Pickard noted that the incorporation of various commodity groups Annual General Meetings was a positive method of allowing a broader audience to become aware of the work of the various commissions.

His favorite part of FarmTech 2014? Pickard mentioned the quality of the venue, the excellent food, the keynotes and other speakers but without a hesitation the highlight of the event was listening to Commander Chris Hadfield, keynote speaker at the banquet. He was “out of this world.”

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Grain Growers of Canada today announced the appointment of Bryan Rogers as the organization’s Executive Director effective March 3rd, 2014 located in Ottawa.

“We are very pleased to have Bryan join our organization at such a critical time in the industry where collaboration and leadership on many key issues is paramount,” stated Gary Stanford, a farmer from Magrath, Alberta, and President, Board of Directors, Grain Growers of Canada. “Bryan’s career has focussed on advocating the advancement of policy issues on behalf of organizations and constituencies and this strength, combined with his knowledge of government process and collaborative leadership style will be an asset to our organization.”

Bryan grew up in Edmonton with close family ties to farming and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta. His career path includes a combination of government and private sector experience. Prior to joining the Grain Growers of Canada, he was Manager of Government Affairs at Scotiabank, Senior Consultant with Hill & Knowlton, and held senior positions with several Members of Parliament and in a former Opposition Leader’s Office.

“I am extremely excited with the opportunity to serve farmers and industry partners in the goal to pursue a policy environment that ensures domestic and global competitiveness,” stated Bryan. “I am passionate about agriculture, and the chance to work with farm leaders in addressing key issues is a challenge that I embrace. I look forward to further strengthening the significant relationships that Grain Growers has throughout the industry and governments.”

Grain Growers of Canada is a national organization of farm and commodity associations, holding an interest in Canada’s grain industry, comprising grains, oilseeds, pulse and special crops subsectors. Our mission and mandate is to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.

For more information please contact:

Gary Stanford
President, Board of Directors
Grain Growers of Canada
403-795-8449

Bryan Rogers
Executive Director
Grain Growers of Canada
613-233-9954

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Karen Spelay, Classroom Agriculture Program

The Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP) provides rural and urban elementary students in Alberta a unique opportunity to learn about the tradition and future of agriculture. While this program has been around for nearly thirty years, CAP recently incorporated as a Society and is launching its first program year as an independent organization. The program is off to a stellar start with over 22,000 grade four students registered across the province and plans to reach 30,000 over the next 2 years.

“CAP is the only program of its kind: curriculum connected, delivered in class, by volunteers from across the agriculture industry. The presenters have a vested interest in sharing these important messages because the future of the agriculture industry relies on this new generation understanding its important role in our day to day lives,” Karen Spelay, General Manager, Classroom Agriculture Program.

CAP is a multi-commodity initiative supported by The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission and other agriculture groups in Alberta including Agriculture for Life, the Alberta Barley Commission, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Canola Producers, Alberta Chicken Producers, Alberta Institute of Agrologists, Alberta Irrigation Projects Association, Alberta Milk, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Alberta Wheat Commission, Eastern Irrigation District and the Egg Farmers of Alberta. CAP is a not for profit organization and is provided for free to grade four classes across Alberta. This is possible thanks to membership support.

CAP is endorsed by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. CAP classroom material and program content are connected to the grade four curriculum making the presentation a valuable tool for Alberta’s teachers.

“In the past, students who didn’t themselves live on a farm may have had grandparents or family that did. As society has become more urbanized, that situation no longer exists, and agriculture is becoming more and more removed from its roots—making CAP so important – it helps children connect to agriculture and their food,“ says David Sprague, Chair of the Classroom Agriculture Program Society.

As a member of CAP, the Alberta Pulse Growers Commission provides financial support to the organization and pulse content in materials shared with students. CAP is delivered free of charge to grade four students across Alberta. Children learn about the food they eat and where it comes from, the importance of agriculture in Alberta and the career opportunities available in a vibrant agricultural industry. Volunteer presenters come from all areas of agriculture, and join students in class to deliver a one hour presentation. Classroom resources and material and training are provided to all presenters. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer classroom presenter, you can register online and find out more about the program at www.classroomagriculture.com.

All volunteers all have unique presentations because each presenter focuses on their own specialty, whether it be animals, crops or the environment. In the end they share a common message – that agriculture plays a very important role in our daily lives and in Alberta’s economy. This network of volunteers delivers the program between February and June of each year.

CAP is helping children make a connection between agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. This connection is vital to the future of agriculture in Alberta and the industry as a whole. By supporting CAP, the Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is ensuring that students continue to learn about the economic and environmental importance of agriculture in Alberta.

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Agronomy Update was held in Red Deer on January 14 and 15, 2014. Presentations covered topics such as pests, weed control, soil fertility, grain storage, marketing, and new crop options. Together the information presented demonstrated how all of these issues need to be considered and addressed in order to maximize profitability on the farm.

The event kicked off with an update from the scouting team “Tom, Dick and Harry” aka Dale Fedoruk, Dave Corry and Keith Gabert. They discussed what every producer should be mindful of and look for on their land during specific times of the year. This can be done right from crop emergence and can help effectively target areas of weed, insect, and disease infestation.

Dr. Jennifer Otani, AAFC Beaverlodge, provided attendees with a cutworm update. She highlighted Alberta Agriculture’s online reporting tool and explained the role that that has as a data collection tool in the context of a research project focusing on cutworms. This is the second year of a 4-year cutworm research program through the Canola Agronomic Research Program (CARP) that aims to develop better decision-making tools and management practices for agronomists and growers in western Canada. The projects four main objectives are Molecular tools for rapid and accurate identification, cutworm life history and development, natural enemies of cutworms as well as addition of a literature review and extension tools.

Root rot in pulse crops is becoming of increasing concern across Alberta. Dr. Syama Chatterton, a pathologist working for Ag Canada in Lethbridge, is leading an extensive research program. Root rots are a complex soilborne disease that is problematic worldwide. Root rots can attack the crop at various growth stages but is most prevalent when soils become water-logged due to above normal precipitation. Symptoms can include reduced or no nitrogen fixation, a reduction in plant biomass and yield loss is common but patchy.

No commercial cultivars of peas have root-rot resistance although inoculants and seed treatments can help to lessen the damage. One of the several components of Dr. Chatterton’s study involves surveying pea fields and testing for the presence of Fusarium. Producer’s participation in studies such as this or the CARP cutworm project is critical. The greater the number of samples that can be analyzed the more conclusive and consistent the results of the research study will be.

Robyne Bowness, Alberta Agriculture pulse specialist, provided an update about faba beans looking back over what we know and have learned about growing this crop successfully. Faba beans have seen significant increase in acreage in the last two seasons; AFSC reported a 250% increase in seeded acres from 2012 to 2013. Faba beans should be seeded as early as possible, prior to May 7th is best, which will reduce the risk of the crop not maturing in time to harvest. Early seeding of faba beans has shown to have up to a 32% yield advantage to crops seeded later.

Seeds and seedlings are extremely tolerant to cold soil and air temperatures, risk of damage due to these conditions are low. Chocolate spot was the only disease that has been confirmed to be present in Alberta fields at this time. Control options for this disease are limited and economic thresholds for control are not well established. Last year there were some isolated issues related to failure of the bean plants to pod. Potential explanations could include late seeding, pesticide residue, seeded on a field with manure applied within the last year or cool temperatures combined with high precipitation.

Bowness stressed the importance of field selection when planning to seed faba beans. Take home messages were:

• Watch your herbicide residues (if you have used Lontrel- wait at least 2 years before seeding beans)
• Do not put on high N ground (25-30 lbs N or below is OK)
• Avoid fields with a history of manure application

To close the two day conference, participants were challenged to think about what is trending in agriculture and given insight on the delicate balance in decision making processes regarding agronomy versus economics.

For a complete list of speakers and their presentations, visit https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop14718.

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

No organization is built overnight. Furthermore, its success and longevity is determined by construction of a strong foundation. This year the Alberta Pulse Growers board bid farewell to three members who have been integral in the construction, maintenance and growth of the organization. Their commitment and involvement is testimony to how producers are critical to the advancement and health of the pulse industry.

Neil Boyd (Zone 4) began his involvement with the Alberta Pulse Growers as Commissioner-at-large, a one-year position, in 2010. The following year, Boyd became a commissioner representing Zone 4 for a three-year term. As a commissioner, Boyd has been actively involved in the environmental and sustainability work of the APG, both topics that resonate strongly with him. Boyd was an active participant representing pulse growers across the province on the Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta (AEPA) and attended sustainability conferences with Pulse Canada.

“I tried to talk up the value of growing pulses in rotation and the sustainability of the land and the environment. Often there’s no dollar figure tied to it but I think it is important to the consumer. I think that’s one real value that pulses have and it will definitely be talked about during the International Year of Pulses in 2016.”

Boyd says he appreciated the leadership experience he received from being on the board and found that representing APG lead to great networking and contacts for him. Boyd remains as an advisor for Zone 4 and farms near Fairview, AB.

Harold Haugen (Zone 5) has been an active member of APG for over 15 years, and has held many different positions with the organization during this time. He began as an advisor, and was an active participant within Zone 5 for close to 10 years before being elected as a commissioner. He has seen the Alberta Pulse Growers evolve over time including 3 Executive Directors, 1 Interim Executive Director, 3 office moves, many staff changes and says “APG is just a great place to be”.

He has served on the FarmTech Foundation committee and has been an APG representatives for Grain Growers of Canada for many years. Haugen referenced the opportunity to attend conferences in Ottawa, Maryland and Beijing as highlights of his time with the APG board. Transportation and research stand out as priorities in Haugen’s mind as issues that APG needs to focus on moving forward.

“Losing our researchers through retirement or not being replaced is a huge issue and commissions will have to carry more of that load to maintain and move research forward,” he says. Haugen also remains as an advisor within his zone and farms near Lougheed, AB.

Gordon Tuck (Zone 5) first became involved with APG 20 years ago. At that point APG was still in its infancy, there were only three zones in Alberta and pulses were a relatively minor crop across much of the province. Over the duration of his involvement, Tuck has held positions both internally and externally including zone chair and chair of the extension committee and was an APG representative with the Grain Growers of Canada.

Tuck emphasizes continuous learning and networking with producers around Alberta as the best aspects of APG. Through his participation on the FarmTech Foundation committee, he relished the opportunity to meet Ron MacLean, Chris Hadfield and Catriona Le May Doan.

Tuck has walked with the organization through a number of changes to internal committee structure and organization, Pulse Crop News, APG staff, Alberta Agriculture and the pulse industry in general. He strongly feels that one of the key issues that APG needs to address is public-private breeding partnerships in research and ensuring breeders get a return on their products. Tuck currently remains as a Zone 5 advisor and farms by Vegreville, AB.

The board and staff of the Alberta Pulse Growers are grateful for the contributions of these three individuals. It is a testimony to the strength and relevance of the organization that each has chosen to remain active within their own zones. We look forward to their continued participation as we continue to move the pulse industry forward.

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Leanne Fischbuch, Executive Director

It has been a busy winter with big issues like transportation dominating many discussions. Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) has not be resting while these issues are being discussed. Our strong linkages to our national organization, Pulse Canada, and the work that we’ve been doing with Grain Growers of Canada has kept our farmer voice loud and targeted on the key issues. You can be assured that the story is being told and there is an assertive effort to make change.

APG has been working with Pulse Canada supporting the efforts of the transportation logistics project on performance review with their partners, the Grain Growers of Canada, the Canadian Canola Growers Association, the Alberta Wheat Commission, the Western Grain Elevators Association, the Inland Terminals Association of Canada and the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association. The project is not aimed to be an immediate fix on the agriculture transportation woes, but it does contribute to a long term incremental shift that will benefit growers moving forward and will contribute to recommendations forwarded to the Rail Service Act which will be up for review in 2015.

In addition with our work at Grain Growers of Canada, in the past few months APG representatives have presented at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and met with Members of Parliament to tell the producer story resulting from not being able to move our product. The message has been sent and at the beginning of March, Transportation Minister Lisa Raitt and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz held a joint press conference to announce an Order in Council to get the grain moving to our markets and preserve our position as a global supplier feeding the world.

Another topic that growers need to be aware of is the discussion on Neonicotinoides. When it comes to advocacy farmers should be standing up strong on bee health. We are featuring an article on ‘Pollinator Politics.’ Which will discuss the importance of bees and also the importance of the farmer voice and advocacy.

Aside from logistics and advocacy efforts; APG has been busy preparing for spring. With that in mind we always look to providing growers with agronomic information. Included in this issue is information on seeding – very timely for the season. We are also sharing a story on some research work we’ve been investigating on competitive ability of field pea. APG will be communicating more information about our research in future Pulse Crop News magazine editions.

In addition to preparations for spring, we are also working on our outreach and becoming engaged once more with students in a variety of ways. APG participates in the Classroom Agriculture Program and inside PCN there is some news about changes to the structure of the organization. Changes that industry hopes will make the group even more effective and sustainable. We challenged students through the Mission ImPULSEible program in March. We had 6 teams competing this year and I’m amazed at the creativity of the products. The winners will compete nationally this summer. Watch for APG as we also participate at Aggie Days in April. We’ll be happily sharing the message about healthy, versatile and economically friendly pulses to kids of all ages. We’ll also have some terrific pens to share with the kids.

With our Annual Meeting behind us now, we are pleased to welcome new Commissioners to our provincial board. It is always good to have injection of new ideas and perspective so we look forward to working with our new members as we prepare for another crop year. We will continue working for our membership on the many areas of our organization’s grow, buy and eat philosophy and will keep you informed on our advancements through PCN, Pulse Check, social media outreach and on our web site.

Please contact us at any time if you have comments to share. You can do this by contacting us toll free at 1-877-550-9398 or by email at office@pulse.ab.ca or stop by 5007B-49th Avenue Leduc. I hope that you have a good spring and I look forward to seeing fantastic pulse crops across Alberta.

This article appeared in the Spring 2014 issue of Pulse Crop News.

Richard Krikke, APG President

Often times we pay for many different things without thinking about where our dollars go; like supporting community leagues, sport programs or donations to service clubs. All of these groups are really great and do many things for our communities and our interests but do we really know how our money is spent? Like many of you, I am required to pay check-offs to many of the organizations in Alberta on the sale of the crops I grow. It is through my involvement with my organization and interacting with others that I have learnt how this funding is invested to benefit me and benefit my industry.

Research

APG has committed to over $803,000 of funding over 5 years to Science Cluster 2.0. This allows me as a grower to fund and support disease research on fusarium; important research that may provide solutions to a growing issue for pulse crops in Canada. Disease is only part of the research puzzle, we are also investing in variety development. We continue to move forward on breeding programs and directly supporting Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pea Breeding program through the Lacombe Research Centre.

Aside from Lacombe, APG also invests in the Agriculture Agri-Food Canada dry bean breeding program at Lethbridge and the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre to make sure we can have the best varieties for our needs. In addition, APG is an active participant in the Funding Consortium process and has committed to funding over $639 thousand in the most recent research call.

Pulse Canada

Our national organization has been a strong voice on many issues we’ve faced this past year. My grower investment has supported the critical work on transportation. This game-changing work that has brought together multiple grower groups and earned the confidence of government to address the issue. Pulse Canada’s work is well respected nationally on this issue and they’ve been working hard on it for all farmers.

Market Development

Through our work and support nationally, Pulse Canada’s market access program works for me as a grower to address issues like maximum residue limits and low level presence. I rely on groups like Pulse Canada to make sure my crops can make it to market and I feel that my grower investment is working hard for me in this area.

Communications

Our mandate is for consumers to recognize pulses as environmentally friendly, healthy, and nutritious. Some of our service fees go to extending our messages into the consumer community through our website and publications. Alberta Pulse Growers has a fantastic consumer website and our publications are distributed through various networks like primary care centres and diabetes health centres. New this year, we are working with the Taste Alberta campaign to get our messages out about the healthy foods you can create with pulses.

Extension

At APG we feel that the Regional Variety Trial Program is an important resource for our growers. We’ve dedicated funding for the next 5 years to support the RVT program and make sure that pulse crops get trialed at sites across Alberta. This work will be done in conjunction with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and various agriculture research association cooperators.

Our organization

To do all this work you need staff. We have a very dedicated staff who work hard for me as a grower and I appreciate their commitment and their enthusiasm for this industry. Our organization would not be as vibrant or active without them.

These are just some of the examples of where my check-off dollars go. The next time you think about where your check-off dollars go, think about how far we’ve come as an industry and the time and efforts of many people who got us there. In 25 years, our issues have got bigger, our scope and activity list is greater and our industry has developed; the investment that growers provide to our organizations has helped us get there and will assist us in the future.

As Alberta Pulse Growers’ official magazine, Pulse Crop News is sent quarterly to 5,000 pulse producers and industry stakeholders in Alberta and across the country. In-depth articles combine with industry news to create a well-written publication that is relevant and timely both for pulse crop growers and industry representatives.