Alberta Pulse Growers is considering cutting its checkoff to 0.75 per cent from the current rate of one per cent. If approved by its members at its AGM next month, the service fee levied on sales of pulses would go into effect on Aug. 1 (the start of the next crop year).
The one per cent fee has been in place since 2003, but the increasing number of both pulse acres and growers means more money is being collected. The commission’s board believes a lower levy would not impact its ability to fund research activities, Pulse Canada, and other activities, said chair D’Arcy Hilgartner.
Membership numbers have jumped by 900 in the past year, and now stand at about 6,000. Anyone who sold pulses in Alberta in the past two years is counted as a member.
The AGM will be held on Jan. 31 at FarmTech.
