Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat Commission, are proud to be launching a new farmer focused event called CrossRoads. This new crop conference, presented by four of the host organizations behind the highly successful FarmTech conference, provides a stage for the intersection of people and ideas and will be hosted at the Edmonton Convention Centre on January 24 and 25, 2023.

CrossRoads, Alberta’s Crop Conference, is an opportunity for over 700 farmers and industry members to connect and collaborate on thought-provoking topics including sustainability, policy, market development, and farm management. Along with over 15 concurrent sessions, CrossRoads will also feature three high profile keynote speakers including Chris Koch, a local farm boy turned motivational speaker.

“The commissions are extremely proud to announce CrossRoads as a premier two-day crop conference for Alberta’s vibrant agriculture community,” said Todd Hames, the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta chair. “CrossRoads marks an evolution in the event space for the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta, with a greater focus on discussing critical and challenging issues facing farmers.”

CrossRoads is another commission-led collaborative effort with the goal to provide an opportunity for Alberta farmers to advance timely discussions related to issues affecting the crop sector.

“With the shifting agriculture event space in recent years, the FarmTech Foundation of Alberta decided to evolve the traditional FarmTech format and reinvent its premier winter farm show to CrossRoads,” Hames said. “Our hope is that CrossRoads will better equip the Alberta cropping community with information about issues that affect the farmgate.”

Registration for CrossRoads will open in the early fall with single day and two-day tickets. For more information about the conference, agenda, speakers, and tickets, please visit: crossroadscropconference.ca

Media Contacts

Rachel Peterson
Communications Coordinator
Alberta Pulse Growers
780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com

Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) is excited to announce the launch of its newest initiative — the ‘Know Your Food’ trailer; a unique and impactful mobile education unit dedicated to showcasing Alberta agriculture and food production. The Know Your Food unit will tell a balanced farm-to-table story, engaging participants with interactive education stations that deliver science-based, factual, nonbiased knowledge directly to Alberta schools and communities.

Click here to continue reading the news release about the ‘Know Your Food’ Mobile Education Trailer in which Alberta Pulse Growers is a partner.

New report details how the Government of Canada can address non-tariff barriers by increasing presence in the region.
June 1, 2022 – Ottawa – ON – Today in Ottawa representatives from Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, and Pulse Canada are meeting with government decision makers about the establishment of a diversification office in the Indo-Pacific region.
A newly released joint-commissioned report outlines why Canada must take bold, innovative and strategic steps to secure its agricultural export growth, diversification and competitiveness in a key export region. A key pillar of the report is the creation of a Canadian Indo-Pacific Diversification Office.
Click here to read the full joint release

Team Alberta Crops is pleased to announce the addition of four new farmer organizations to the collaboration that engages in policy analysis, development and advocacy to benefit Alberta’s farmers and crop sector. Team Alberta Crops continues to maximize farmers’ dollars by collaborating and sharing resources.

The partnership began with Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers and the Alberta Wheat Commission. After several years of successfully advocating for farmers provincially and federally, the collaboration has recently expanded to further amplify the voice of Alberta farmers by including Alberta Beekeepers Commission, Alberta Seed Growers, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Potato Growers of Alberta.

“Team Alberta Crops is effective in representing a wide variety of agricultural products, farmers, beekeepers, and a diversity of perspectives providing robust advocacy delivered on behalf of the sector,” said Greg Sears, Chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission. “Over the years, Team Alberta Crops has become widely recognized as an impactful collaboration that advocates and influences policy on behalf of farmers.”

The group provides input to policymakers, as well as developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships to ensure access to promote the sector’s sustainability. Team Alberta Crops has achieved results in many areas, including Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for Class 1 drivers, business risk management programs and farm sustainability.

“We welcome the opportunity to add the voices of crop producers that may be more specialized in nature like potatoes, sugar beets, bees, and seed growers to Team Alberta Crops,” said Tracy Niemela, President of Alberta Seed Growers. “Uniting the advocacy efforts of eight agricultural organizations will increase the effectiveness for all farmers.”

Team Alberta Crops is also pleased to announce the addition of a dedicated employee for the group. Reg Warkentin recently began in the role of Government Relations and Policy Manager.

“It is a brilliant initiative to combine the resources and influence of the commissions to address joint interests,” Warkentin said. “I plan to apply my skills and experience with multiple stakeholders to work effectively with the Team Alberta Crops partners to develop policy, build relationships, and communicate our key positions to government, industry and the public.”

Click here to view the pdf of this release.

Media Contact:

Rachel Peterson
Communications Coordinator
Alberta Pulse Growers
780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission is pleased to announce the ninth 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 6, 2022.

2023 APG Pulse Industry Innovator Nomination Form

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission has confirmed that 18.1% of eligible producers’ 2021 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 2020-21 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 form can be downloaded directly from the CRA website at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/scientific-research-experimental-development-tax-incentive-program/claim-sred-tax-incentive-how-claim.html . Individual producers need to apply using the form T2038 (IND) and Canadian controlled private corporations should utilize the form T2SCH31.

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 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

Four of Alberta’s crop commissions – Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola, Alberta Pulse Growers, and the Alberta Wheat Commission – have launched the 2022 advance ordering system for Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide, otherwise known as the Blue Book. Starting today, Alberta farmers, agronomists and agriculture retailers can get ahead of the busy growing season by placing their 2022 Blue Book orders at albertabluebook.com with shipping at the beginning of March.

The 2022 Blue Book marks the second year of the commissions collaborating to produce this valuable tool for Alberta’s crop sector. Previously produced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the 2021 Blue Book was the inaugural season of the commissions assuming production. With the aim of streamlining production and adding value, the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions’ in-house publication society, GrainsWest magazine undertakes the production of the Blue Book.

Along with annual updates to crop protection products and information, enhancements to the 2021 Blue Book included a revised sprayer operations section and a new section on pesticide resistance. The commissions also unveiled the new pre-order feature last year, which accounted for over 60 per cent of 2021 Blue Book orders. Blue Book sales from the 2021 season were consistent with levels from previous years further indicating that the resource remains a valued tool in Alberta’s crop industry.

The four major crop commissions are proud to collaborate on this tool to deliver the most up to date information on application and storage protocols, along with new crop protection products. Farmers, agronomists and agriculture retailers can place their order for the 2022 Blue Book at albertabluebook.com and expect their Blue Books to arrive in March.

Quotes

“After a successful first year producing and delivering the 2021 Blue Book, the commissions couldn’t be prouder of what we can accomplish together. We continually seek to add value together and the Blue Book is a real testament to that.”

• Tara Sawyer, Alberta Barley Chair

“The collaboration of the four commissions is key to providing this valuable resource to crop farmers in Alberta, and the industry that works alongside them in using crop protection products.”

• Kevin Serfas, Alberta Canola Chair

“The Blue Book is a quick reference tool that continues to be valued by Alberta’s farmers. It contains important information that farmers need throughout the year. We are pleased to be a partner in this collaboration.”

• Robert Semeniuk, Alberta Pulse Growers Chair

“The commissions are extremely proud to continue the legacy of the Blue Book in Alberta. After one year of production under our belt, there is a strong indication that this trusted resource remains greatly valued amongst farmers and agronomists in Alberta.”

• Todd Hames, Alberta Wheat Commission Chair

Media Contacts

Erin Tateson
Marketing and Communications Manager
Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions
403-501-1029
etateson@albertawheatbarley.com

Michelle Chunyua
Communications Coordinator
Alberta Canola
780-224-7970
michelle@albertacanola.com

Rachel Peterson
Communications Coordinator
Alberta Pulse Growers
780-986-9398 ext. 108
rpeterson@albertapulse.com

Elections for two Directors at Large from the membership will take place at the Alberta Pulse Growers’ Annual General Meeting on January 26. These are two-year positions at the provincial Board level. If you are interested in letting your name stand as Director-at-Large, Bean or Non-Bean, complete the fillable nomination form here and submit it along with a recent photo and biography by January 14, 2022. Email office@albertapulse.com if you have any questions.

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 in their zone this fall.

“I strongly encourage any interested pulse farmers to join the APG team,” APG Chair Robert Semeniuk said. “I started out as an Advisor like most APG Directors. Becoming an Advisor is a great way to get involved with APG. 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, 2019 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. 1, 2021. Each candidate must be endorsed by another pulse producer from their zone. The form is available here or on the homepage at www.albertapulse.com .

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