Accountability

The Alberta Barley Commission is accountable to its members: the 17,000 barley producers of Alberta.  To focus our efforts on serving our membership, our organization has established vision, mission, and mandate statements which we use to guide our decisions and business:

Vision: A vibrant and innovative industry that unlocks the entire potential of barley.

Mission: To advance the interests of Alberta barley farmers through leadership and investment in innovation and development.

Mandate: To coordinate and sponsor research, facilitate with market & product development, enable technology transfer, and ensure Alberta’s barley producer’s best interests are represented in policy development. 

Annual Reports

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.

2009 Annual Report (in Barley Country November 2009)

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).

Resolutions

Resolutions are a key to providing grassroots participation by eligible producers to the Alberta Barley Commission (ABC) in the affairs and direction of the Commission.

Resolutions are a formal statement by eligible producers that must be considered by the Board of Directors.

For the full resolutions policy, click here.

2009 Passed Resolutions

Resolution 1:

Whereas foreign material is being added back to western Canadian grain after growers have paid to clean that grain;

And whereas foreign material being added back to our clean grain can contain mixtures of disease, fungus nematodes, and genetically modified material;

Resolution 2:

Whereas the Ag Research & Extension Council of Alberta’s (ARECA) mandate includes partnering, sustainability, communication, and coordination;

And whereas extension and quality and applied research across the province could be strengthened;

And whereas provincial funds can be leveraged through the Commission;

And whereas cooperation between ARECA & ABC has a direct impact with the province’s barley producers;

Be it resolved that the Alberta Barley Commission consider a strategic partnership with the producer directed Agriculture Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) to enhance delivery of common objectives for Alberta’s barley producers.