Members of both farm groups passed resolutions at their 2019 annual general meetings calling for a comprehensive review of a merger and consultations with farmers. In addition to the online survey, a series of town hall events will be held in October, with further review during regional meetings in November.

For more info and a link to the survey, go to wheatbarleyconsultation.com to learn more.

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Survey results will be used to generate data on current CWRS wheat management practices in both irrigated and dryland production systems. Participants will be asked to provide yield and other agronomic data specific to at least two of their 2019 fields and two of their 2020 fields. All individual data will be kept confidential.

Alberta producers can sign up by emailing or calling Ken (ken@farmingsmarter.com; 403-317-0757) or Jamie (jamie@farmingsmarter.com; 403-308-9344).

The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Global Yield Gap Atlas at Kansas State University.

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The barley group is encouraging farmers to register to participate in the online AGM and delegate and director session that will feature speakers on current industry issues.

Consideration was given to a virtual version of the summit, but it would not have offered the networking opportunities of an in-person event.

“While it’s unfortunate that we cannot gather and learn from expert speakers, network, and celebrate a successful harvest, we look forward to a future PCS event when it is safe to gather,” said Alberta Wheat chair Todd Hames.

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The barley commission has one director opening in Region 1 and one director-at-large from either Regions 1, 4, 5 or 6. Its six regions have anywhere from two to six delegate spots open. Directors serve three-year terms and delegates serve a two-year term.

Alberta Wheat is accepting nominations for two directors and three regional representatives in both Region 2 (south- central Alberta) and Region 4 (northeastern Alberta).

The nomination deadline for both groups is Oct. 30.

For more info, go to albertabarley.com or albertawheat.com or email Brian Kennedy at bkennedy@albertawheatbarley.com.

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In light of this, the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee is working to develop increased awareness, beginning with a series of infographics.

Three have been developed and can be found at the Canadian Weed Science Society website — one on wild oat resistance in Western Canada, another on collecting samples for testing, and a third on the four resistance testing facilities on the Prairies.

The latter lists what they test for, the cost, and where to get further information online.

The post The lowdown on wild oat resistance appeared first on Alberta Farmer Express.

The project, which aims to develop a disease prediction model, is a collaboration between the University of Manitoba and the agriculture ministries of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Participating growers will set aside a small area to remain unsprayed with fungicides at anthesis and to allow access to a student technician on three occasions.

Contact Greg Daniels greg.daniels@gov.ab.ca or Tijmen Jonker tijmenjonker@hotmail.com for more details.

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The upcoming schedule is: U of Alberta Professor Boyd Mori on insects (May 20); retired provincial agronomist Ross McKenzie on in-crop nitrogen applications (May 27), Sandeep Nain on trials being conducted by Gateway Research Organization this year (June 3), AAF researcher Sheri Stydhorst on plant growth regulators (June 10) and Agriculture Canada’s Charles Geddes on post-herbicide scouting (June 24).

To get a link to a webinar, register at albertawheat.com.

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However, the provincial government has created a plan for getting these supplies to farmers.

At this stage it is not known how quickly the equipment can be accessed given that seeding and spring harvesting operations are already underway in many areas.

As well, some child-care centres have been opened for children of essential workers. Although there are only a limited number of centres in rural areas, those who qualify, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy may be eligible for support to offset the costs of childcare in the home.

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However, after-market and ‘no-name’ suppliers of parts (such as parts for tracks on gators) may be experiencing supply issues, particularly if parts are coming from Quebec or other regions of Canada or abroad where there may be shutdowns due to COVID-19.

Farmers should keep in mind that parts that are ‘not new’ or ‘common’ may not be on hand at the local level and may be at risk for a shortage or transport delay.

Supply chains for fertilizer, seed, and inputs are also functioning well, according to Fertilizer Canada, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, and CropLife Canada.

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Alberta Transportation’s priority will be to determine which drivers require tests to address urgent needs, such as supporting the delivery of essential goods. Following this, the ministry will work on a system to ensure those whose tests were cancelled have an opportunity to rebook and then work on scheduling new appointments.

Farm workers who do get their Class 1 licence with the Farm Extension program will need to retest the MELT knowledge and road test by March 1, 2021.

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