The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission (APG) changed its bylaws to reduce the number of members necessary to conduct an annual or special Commission meeting from 40 to 30 eligible producers.

The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council approved the change on February 24 following a vote by eligible APG members attending the 2025 annual general meeting in January and conversations at all five fall zone meetings.

“We had great turnout at the provincial AGM in January, but sometimes it isn’t easy to get growers out to these meetings,” said APG Chair Shane Strydhorst, who farms at Neerlandia. “If we didn’t have quorum at the AGM, we wouldn’t have been able to hold a vote and would have had to reschedule. We strive for more than our quorum number when we are making decisions because we want everyone to participate.”

Strydhorst added that the board agreed that the move was necessary for several reasons, including the increasing consolidation of farms. The new quorum number brings APG in line with other similar organizations.

Meanwhile, Strydhorst was re-elected as APG Chair following the AGM. He leads an Executive Committee that includes First Vice-Chair Will Muller of Bow Island, and Second Vice-Chair Kevin Auch of Carmangay. APG’s 12-member board also includes Directors Greg Stamp of Enchant, Peter Hoff of Gleichen, Chris Allam of Ardrossan, Peter Konstapel of Spirit River, Beverley Wieben on Fairview, Robert Semeniuk of Smoky Lake, Scott Keller of New Norway, Director-at-Large (Bean) John Kolk of Picture Butte and Director-at-Large (Non-Bean) Michael Bury of Mannville.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean, lupin and soybean in Alberta.

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

Read Pulse Canada’s release on the March 7th imposition of Chinese tariffs here.

Pulse producers who want to grow the province’s pulse industry while developing their own leadership skills are invited to let their names stand for election as an Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) Advisor at their zone meeting this fall.

“Any interested pulse farmers are strongly encouraged to join the APG team,” APG Chair Shane Strydhorst said. “I began as an Advisor like most APG Directors, and it has been a very rewarding experience. Becoming an Advisor is a great way to get involved in the industry. Each of our five zones has available positions and it’s a good introduction to the organization, working on committees, and making things happen for Alberta pulse farmers.”

A team of Advisors leads extension activities specific to each of APG’s five zones. Directors on APG’s provincial board often serve as Advisors first.

Available positions are presented below, along with this fall’s meeting dates.

Producers must have sold pulses and paid service charges since August 1, 2022 in order to be eligible as an Advisor. Anyone interested in letting their name stand for an Advisor position is asked to complete and submit a nomination form by Nov. 4, 2024. Each candidate must be endorsed by another pulse producer from their zone. The form is available on APG’s homepage at www.albertapulse.com . Register for zone meetings at albertapulse.com/event/ .

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 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 Manager
Phone: 780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com
www.albertapulse.com

Alberta Pulse Growers (APG), as part of the Root Rot Task Force, today launched rootrot.ca to catalyze a collaborative approach to root rot research and management focused on agronomy, breeding and pathology in peas and lentils.

“Root disease in peas and lentils remains the largest threat that we need to mitigate for farmers in Western Canada,” said APG Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Partnering with Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers (MPSG) and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) increases efficiency in sharing information and investing in new research.”

APG, MPSG and SPG developed a National Pulse Research Strategy that aligns research priorities and targets coordinating pulse research across Canada. The strategy identified controlling root rot in peas and lentils, particularly Aphanomyces and Fusarium, as the top priorities.

As root rot is a top priority, the new website was developed to allow consistent messaging and increase the collaborative approach to addressing this issue by connecting researchers. This website includes resources, tools, and research to create a central location for growers, agronomists, researchers, and the pulse industry. Rootrot.ca highlights the following areas.

• Agronomy: Provide growers with recommendations and tools for practical on-farm root rot risk assessment and management.
• Breeding: Work towards the availability of robust genetic resistance to root rot pathogens into the future.
• Pathology: Deepen understanding of biology, pathogenicity, and interactions of root rot pathogens in pulses.

Root rots significantly impact yields and limit production regions for peas and lentils. Aphanomyces euteiches, Fusarium spp., and other fungal pathogens dominate the root rot complex. Eliminating this risk is essential for profitable and sustainable pea and lentil production in Western Canada.

In addition to the work led by the Root Rot Task Force, APG has earmarked $3 million for leveraging future funding collaborations locally, nationally and internationally.

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta. APG’s vision is Pulses on every farm, on every plate.

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

Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse, and Alberta Canola have joined together with SARDA, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology and Lakeland College to host three field days across the province to showcase agronomic and crop management topics that are top of mind for farmers, agronomists, and industry across Alberta.

The Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days will occur as a collaborative partnership at three locations:

1. Tuesday, July 23, 2024 | Lakeland College in Vermilion, AB
2. Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | SARDA Ag Research in Donnelly, AB
3. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | AgSmart at the Olds College in Olds, AB

Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse, and Alberta Canola are collaborating with Lakeland College, SARDA, and Olds College to bring this co-branded, industry-recognized agricultural diagnostic day under a single banner.

The partnership between three different organizations and three crop commissions will showcase the latest agronomic information for producers and agronomists to ensure the newest research being conducted in the prairies gets to those who need it.

“Our aim is to foster collaboration and deliver a consistent extension experience that brings value back to farms,” says Jeremy Boychyn, Director of Research Agronomy & Extension at Alberta Grains.

All the partners involved are working to ensure the Alberta Diagnostic Days facilitate knowledge exchange among experts from post secondaries, provincial commissions, researchers, farmers, agronomists, students, and stakeholders to share cropping systems research knowledge and crop-specific management practices in Alberta.

“We are thrilled to host farmers and industry at three distinct locations in Alberta, showcasing research funded by different crop commissions: Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse, and Alberta Canola, as well as the research being conducted by SARDA, Olds College and Lakeland College” said Boychyn.

The Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days events are free of charge and include a catered hot lunch. Link here to register for the Alberta Diagnostic Days events – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/alberta-crop-diagnostics-days-tickets-912249361397?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tickets for the AgSmart event can be purchased in advance, with options for single-day and two-day passes. Registration includes morning coffee, and onsite food trucks will offer various lunch options. For more information about the conference agenda, speakers, and tickets, please visit –  AgSmart – AgSmart (agsmartolds.ca)

“I can speak for both Olds and Lakeland College when I say that we’re thrilled to be one of the host organizations for the Alberta Crop Diagnostic Day. This event represents a unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from experts from all different backgrounds within the agricultural industry,” says Vance Yaremko, Executive Director at SARDA Ag Research. “This dynamic partnership with both crop commissions and educational institutions promises to showcase the most innovative and cutting-edge research in the agricultural sector. The province-wide commitment to fostering growth and development in agriculture is stronger than ever, and we look forward to contributing to the future of agricultural research in Alberta.”

Media Contact:
Rachel Peterson
Communications Manager
Alberta Pulse Growers
rpeterson@albertapulse.com 

The Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) selected Dr. Dengjin (DJ) Bing, who continues to produce strong field pea varieties with traits desired by farmers, as the winner of the tenth annual Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award.

“Each year, APG recognizes a person or organization whose progressive thinking and tireless efforts helped build Alberta’s pulse industry into the flourishing sector that it is today,” said APG Chair Shane Strydhorst. “Farmers recognize Dr. Bing’s research contributions that have demonstrated success and advanced the growth of pulses in their businesses. The strength, consistency and performance of the field pea varieties released from Dr. Bing’s program have regularly provided, and continue to provide, excellent returns to the farm gate.”

Alberta pulse farmers and distinguished guests were on hand to celebrate Bing and his achievements at an award luncheon during recent APG Joint Director-Advisor meetings in Lethbridge.

Strydhorst noted that the strength, consistency and performance of the field pea varieties released from Bing’s program, have made them a popular choice on Alberta farms.

“Dr. Bing’s traditional scientific breeding techniques and strong attention to traits addressing increased protein levels, standability and disease tolerance have elevated adoption of his varieties,” he said. “I think that most, if not all, growers in this room have benefitted from Dr. Bing’s varieties over the years on their farms. I know from my experience, we’ve grown Canstar peas back in the day, Thunderbird peas, and more recently AAC Lacombe peas with good results.”

Bing’s colleagues celebrated his accomplishments in a video that was shown during the ceremony and is available on the APG Youtube channel.

“This is a really a great honour,” said Bing, who is based at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lacombe Research and Development Centre. “I want to thank the Alberta Pulse Growers. It gives me profound pleasure and responsibility because you have supported the program by investing in the program. I always feel I am responsible for producing the products and returning your investment. I appreciate this working relationship and your unwavering support for the program. This award is also recognition for my team and all the people who have worked together and been involved.”

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta. Our vision is to have pulses on every farm, on every plate.

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

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has confirmed that 11.9% of eligible producers’ 2023 check-off payment is eligible for the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit for their investment in APG-funded research and development projects.

Producers who have paid check-off this past year and have not asked for refunds are eligible claimants for this year’s credits.

For more detailed information about the SR&ED Tax Credit, APG advises you to contact an accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency. For a history of SR&ED with Alberta Pulse Growers visit https://albertapulse.com/growing-pulses/sred-tax-credit/ . A summary of APG research investments in 2022-23 is available at https://albertapulse.com/research/.

The federal SR&ED tax program is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and encourages businesses to invest in and perform research and development in Canada.

The SR&ED Tax Credit application forms for individual producers and Canadian controlled private corporations can be downloaded directly from the CRA website at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program.html .

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 growers of field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean and soybean in Alberta. Our vision is to have pulses on every farm, on every plate.

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

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is pleased to announce the 11th annual Alberta Pulse Industry Innovator Award. An industry innovator is a person or organization that has worked to help nurture and shape the pulse industry and has helped contribute to the success of the industry as it is today. Innovators may have contributed to the industry through various areas from production, marketing, research, extension, processing, management, promotion and innovation.

To nominate someone, please complete the Pulse Industry Innovator Nomination Form below.

Nominations may be forwarded to the APG office and will be accepted until December 11, 2024.

2025 APG Innovator Nomination Form

Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) has committed almost $2 million to nine Pulse Cluster projects under the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) AgriScience Program, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, including work to mitigate root rot risk and other issues affecting Alberta pulse farmers.

“Canadian pulse farmers are vitally important to our economy,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This investment will bring together the top experts in pulse growing and research from across the Prairies to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector for generations to come.”

“Participation in Cluster projects helps APG research dollars go further to address issues like root rot for our grower members,” said Shane Strydhorst, Chair of Alberta Pulse Growers. “This investment demonstrates the commitment of APG and the Government of Canada to research programs that benefit pulse growers. We really appreciate Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s continued investment into pulse research and look forward to learning from the results of these projects.”

The AgriScience Pulse Cluster brings together researchers from across Canada to work on pulse specific issues that were prioritized through a collaborative effort between Alberta Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Ontario Bean Growers, as well as Pulse Canada.

The work that APG’s funding will support includes: Dr. Parthiba Balasubramanian’s dry bean sustainability and improved productivity under irrigation project at AAFC Lethbridge; Dr. Dengjin Bing’s pea breeding for protein yield, maturity, standability and seed size project at AAFC Lacombe; Dr. Maryse Bourgault’s large root systems for drought tolerance, carbon sequestration and root rot resistance project at the University of Saskatchewan; Dr. Syama Chatterton’s accelerating solutions to root rot of pea and lentil using a multi-faceted approach project at AAFC Lethbridge; Dr. Nicholas Larkan’s diversity set for genomic improvement of faba bean project at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre; and Dr. Tom Warkentin’s improved pea cultivars to enhance Canada’s leading role in international pea markets project at the University of Saskatchewan.

The total value of research included under the five-year AgriScience Pulse Cluster is more than $21 million, with $11 million coming from AAFC and $10.4 million from other funders.

Alberta Pulse Growers Commission represents 5,400 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 Manager
Phone: 780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com
www.albertapulse.com