Agri-News

Grain grading changes
The Canadian Grain Commission is reminding grain producers and industry of changes to the Official Grain Grading Guide and variety designation lists coming into effect on Aug. 1.

Beginning in the 2018-19 crop year, individual official standard samples will be used to assess frost, heat stress and mildew damage in Western Canadian wheat. An updated version of the Official Grain Grading Guide will be available on the Canadian Grain Commission's website on Aug. 1.

New variety designation lists also come into effect on Aug. 1. Following a three-year transition period, 25 varieties of Canada Western Red Spring and four varieties of Canada Prairie Spring Red wheat that do not meet the revised quality parameters for their current classes will be reassigned to the Canada Northern Hard Red class.

Canadian Grain Commission says these changes will help maintain Canada's reputation as a consistent supplier of high quality milling wheat and ensure Canadian producers are able to realize the benefits of growing premium classes.

Beef delegates wanted
Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is currently accepting nominations for delegates to run in its 2018 fall elections.

Producers in each of the nine geographic zones in the province can elect up to five delegates and one cattle feeder delegate to serve two-year terms.

In order to ensure continuity and experience in its delegate body, elections are staggered. This year, two producer delegate positions are open for election in each zone, and one cattle feeder position open in zones 2, 4, 6 and 8 - with a few additional vacancies.

ABP delegates are producer representatives that connect ABP to local producers and bring forward their ideas and issues. Delegates are also responsible for communicating ABP’s priorities and activities back to producers.

Pre-harvest warning
A reminder from the Alberta Pulse Growers about pre-harvest intervals and the Keep it Clean campaign. Nevin Rosaasen, policy and program specialist with Alberta Pulse, explains the initiative.

With harvest season right around the corner, Rosaasen says that producers will be looking at their options for either pre-harvest weed control or a desiccation product.

“Producers need to be aware of market risks that can exist due to maximum residue limits. They ultimately have to observe the label, and they need to make sure the timing of their application is indeed correct with the label’s application guidelines.”