Making a difference: it's what we do

There is nothing that motivates our team more at the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions than doing great work for Alberta farmers. As we look forward to the annual mega-project known as spring seeding, our staff are focusing on several priorities aimed at maximizing the profitability of your farms.

Among the new things we are working on in 2021 include The Blue Book, Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide. In collaboration with Alberta Canola and Alberta Pulse Growers we have taken over the publishing of this vital resource used by farmers, agronomists and ag retailers. Check us out at albertabluebook.com.

We have also launched a new integrated website for the two commissions aimed at getting more “news you can use” out to you, including a section on our home page titled “What Farmers Need to Know Now.” We invite you to view the new site at albertawheatbarley.com.

In February, we announced the expansion of the FarmCash cash advance program to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia. This builds on the success we’ve seen in offering FarmCash in Alberta since the fall of 2018. Offering the program prairie-wide allows us to share our high level of customer service across a broader customer base, reduce operating costs and offer competitive rates. More information on FarmCash can be found at FarmCashAdvance.com.

A long-awaited review of the Canada Grain Act will be a major focus for our commissions this year. For several years, we have advocated for changes in the role of the Canadian Grain Commission, an end to mandatory outward weighing and inspection of grain vessels and modernization of the grading system.

Also on the policy front, we have a number of files our team is working on including the potential re-design of business risk management (BRM) programs, including the Alberta government’s proposal for a replacement for AgriStability. Other big files include the implications of a $170 per tonne carbon tax by 2030 and potential changes by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency that would restrict tank mixing, the use of neonic seed treatments and remove Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) from farmers’ crop protection toolbox.

Finally, we were proud to recently welcome Dr. Sheri Strydhorst to our team in the role of agronomy research specialist. Strydhorst is an internationally recognized research scientist and will be an invaluable resource to farmers, working in tandem with our agronomy research extension specialist Jeremy Boychyn and the rest of our team in the coming year. Look for new features in The Growing Point newsletter and podcast in 2021 and hopefully if COVID-19 restrictions ease up we look forward to seeing you at WheatStalk and various other field days this summer.