Alberta barley farmers applaud grassroots leadership

CALGARY, June 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Praise is rolling in from Alberta barley farmers as they congratulate their Saskatchewan counterparts on the establishment of new Wheat and Barley Development Commissions.

The announcement was made during the Farm Progress Show in Regina.

The two commissions will be producer-elected and directed, ensuring Saskatchewan wheat and barley farmers have the resources and leadership needed to stay competitive at all levels.

"The creation of Saskatchewan's wheat and barley commissions will substantially increase farmer input into the grain industry in that province," said Matt Sawyer, ABC chairman. "At the Alberta Barley Commission we are excited to collaborate with these new groups as we seek to find new ways to generate innovation in the barley and wheat industries."

Wheat and barley represent close to one-third of the annual crop acreage in Saskatchewan. The province also accounts for an average of 50 per cent of Western Canada's wheat (11.5 million acres) and 35 per cent of its barley (three million acres). The two commissions will be fully operational by the end of 2013.

The Alberta Barley Commission is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization directed, funded and controlled by the province's barley farmers. The Commission co-ordinates and sponsors research, market development, technology transfer and policy development on behalf of its producers.

SOURCE: Alberta Barley Commission

Trevor Bacque
Communications Co-ordinator
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