Reading Time: 2 minutes Japan has resumed purchases of Canadian wheat after testing found no genetically modified wheat in imports following the discovery of a few GM wheat plants in Alberta last summer. The decision “proves that Canada’s science-based regulatory system works,” said the general manager of the Alberta Wheat Commission. “Not only does Canada’s grain-handling system employ some […] Read more
Japan resumes Canadian wheat purchases
Quick response by government and industry credited for quick resumption in sales to major wheat buyer
Research funding agency run by farmers closes its doors
Board votes to shut down Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund after funding dries up
Reading Time: 2 minutes After 17 years in operation, the Alberta Crop Industry Development Fund (ACIDF) has shuttered its doors. “Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is changing the way it handles research and development,” said Doug Walkley, the organization’s former executive director. For the past three years, the ministry has been conducting a review of how it funds ag research […] Read more
Move those old wheat varieties soon
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Prairie wheat commissions are reminding farmers of the upcoming reclassification of 29 wheat varieties. On Aug. 1, 25 varieties currently in the Canada Western Red Spring class (along with four Canada Prairie Spring Red varieties) will move to the Canada Northern Hard Red class. These include Harvest, Lillian, and Unity, which were grown on […] Read more
More than bragging rights at stake in Alberta Wheat’s yield contest
The goal isn’t just getting growers to go big on a few acres, but to share their agronomic practices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Interested in growing a nice big crop of bragging rights? Alberta Wheat is making it easier for the second edition of its Wheat Yield Challenge. “We have tweaked the rules a bit this year, said Brian Kennedy, the crop commission’s grower relations and extension manager. “This year, we are going to compare what the grower […] Read more
Transport bill delays blasted
Reading Time: < 1 minute Delays in passing Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act, means farmers could see another crop year with no mechanisms in place to hold the railways accountable, say the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley. Read more: Grain groups rip lawmakers over derailed transport bill Political manoeuvring has stalled the legislation and there’s an increasing risk […] Read more
Sourdough method could reduce wheat sensitivity
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission, its sister organization in Saskatchewan, and the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotional Council are jointly funding research on whether the process used to produce sourdough bread could lead to a more easily digested food option for people with sensitivities to wheat. Alberta Wheat is providing nearly half of the $148,000 for […] Read more
Alberta Wheat decries pending loss of two popular wheat varieties
AC Muchmore and AAC Redwater will suffer from a price drop when they move to the northern red class
Reading Time: 3 minutes Five wheat varieties will be moving out of the Canadian Western Red Spring class, much to the disappointment of Alberta Wheat — and many farmers in the province. “We were surprised when it was announced that these varieties were coming out of the class. We were trying to look at all the farmers’ needs,” said […] Read more
Farm leaders again ask government to act
But with spring road bans and seeding season approaching, any moves are likely ‘too little, too late’
Reading Time: 3 minutes “Too little too late.” That comment from the president of the Grain Growers of Canada likely sums it up for many producers across the Prairies. “While western grain farmers are pleased to see that the government and railways have recognized the negative impact that poor rail service is having on farmers, it shouldn’t take a […] Read more
Face-to-face visits with our customers pay dividends
You may not know that some of your wheat goes to Nigeria or why building relationships with new customers is so vital
Reading Time: 3 minutes Who are Canada’s top wheat customers? Some of the answers to that question, such as Japan, will be no surprise to anyone. But many would not expect to see one of our newest top customers, Nigeria, on the list. Fifteen to 20 years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be in Nigeria […] Read more
Wheat and barley groups merge management
The two organizations will have their own boards but are slimming down their administration costs
Reading Time: 2 minutes The trial went well, so the boards of Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission have decided to permanently merge the management ranks of the organizations. “The ultimate goal of this exercise is to provide more value to you as producers,” Tom Steve told attendees at Alberta Wheat’s AGM at FarmTech. “We will continue to […] Read more
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