Accountability

Our annual reports give our members and industry and government partners  a clear review of our activities and finances during each fiscal year, which runs from Aug. 1 to July 31 annually.

2008 Annual Report (in Barley Country October 2008)

2007 Annual Report (in Barley Country October 2007)
2006 Annual Report (in Barley Country October 2006)
2005 Annual Report
2004 Annual Report
2003 Annual Report
2002 Annual Report
2001 Annual Report

Highlights from 2007 Chairman’s and CEO’s Message
May you live in interesting times. For centuries this phrase has been uttered as both a blessing and a curse, for interesting times are filled with upheaval, uncertainty and opportunity.

For the Alberta Barley Commission, the past fiscal year (Aug. 1, 2006 to July 31, 2007) has indeed been an interesting time. We have seen our industry turned sideways from the efforts, promises and disappointments of market choice.

We’ve questioned the transfer or withdrawal of crop research funding and support. We’ve monitored trends and patterns that indicate the strong potential for new uses, products and markets for barley. And we’ve initiated research to capitalize on barley’s potential. We are pleased to present the Commission’s annual report for 2006/2007.

In it we examine our “interesting times” and how they affect Alberta’s 17,000 barley producers – our members – and our organization. In 2006/2007, the Commission received income of $1.24 million, compared to $1.3 million in 2005/2006. This decrease can largely be attributed to a year-over-year reduction in net service charges (check-off dollars) of $88,756, about $300,000 less than forecast in our budget for the fiscal year.

This was due to fewer barley sales as a result of low prices at the start of the year followed by market uncertainty later in the year. Despite the reduced revenues, the Board decided to maintain programs and increase spending on member services as well as policy development.

In all, expenses exceeded revenue by $242,097. The Board approved this shortfall to address needs over the past year and directed the shortfall be repaid over the next five years. The 2007/2008 budget and future budgets will set aside $50,000 per year as a return to the Commission’s long-term investment account. For more, see our full 2006/2007 Annual Report (contained in Barley Country October 2007).