Commission News & Events

Barley Country newsletter

Barley Country is the Alberta Barley Commission’s largest and most comprehensive communications vehicle. It is published four times per year with a total circulation of more than 29,000; 17,000 of which are our members - Alberta's barley producers.

For advertising information on Barley Country, contact Nikki Jeffrey at njeffrey@albertabarley.com.
For story suggestions and editorial information, contact Terry Bullick at tbullick@telusplanet.net.

Press releases

February 3, 2010 - Ag organizations state priorities

February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results for agriculture commissions

February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results

February 3, 2010 - Central Albertan to head Canola Producers Commission
February 2, 2010 - More ag research dollars needed

February 2, 2010 - Check-off dollars Campaign nets significant results for Agriculture Commissions

February 1, 2010 - Checkoff campaign pays dividends
January 28, 2010 - The 2009 Canadian Malting Barley Grower Recognition Program
January 26, 2010 - Check-off dollars boost Alberta's agriculture organizations
January 19, 2010 - Alta. checkoff campaign seen paying dividends

January 18, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results for agriculture commissions
December 14, 2009 - Barley growers elect new chair, pass new resolution
December 7, 2009 - Alberta Barley Commission's 18th Annual General Meeting
September 25 2009 - Barley Commission urges Parliament to support Colombia agreement
August 31, 2009 - Barley, canola, pulse, and winter wheat commissions team up to promote the value of producer check-off dollars
April 27, 2009 - Alberta Barley Commission sets plans and goals for 2009/2010
June 4, 2008 - Commission praises Provincial Governments
March 3, 2008 - Calling for support from cattle producers
February 19, 2008 - 2008 Barley baking contest
February 13, 2008 - Commission praises new WTO text
February 4, 2008 - Commission welcomes new head of CWB
January 9, 2008 - Exporters seek outcome at WTO negotiations
December 12, 2007 - Environmental Strategy
October 29, 2007 - Regional meetings information
May 31, 2007 - Reinvestment needed
May 25, 2007 - Federal Government funds project
May 23, 2007 - Alberta farmers fear loss
February 7, 2007 - 2007 Barley baking contest
January 22, 2007 - Barley Plebiscite
December 11, 2006 - Commission backs Federal Government in market choice
May 16, 2006 - Producers speak out on Canada's position at WTO negotiations
March 15, 2006 - 2006 Barley baking contest
December 9, 2005 - Commission finds need to connect with consumers
November 25, 2005 - Mike Leslie named General Manager

Media Hits

February 3, 2010 - Ag organizations state priorities
February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results for Agriculture Commissions
February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results
February 3, 2010 - Central Alberta to head Canola Producers Commission
February 2, 2010 - More ag research dollars needed
February 2, 2010 - Check-off dollars Campaign nets significant results for Agriculture Commissions
February 1, 2010 - Checkoff campaign pays dividends
January 26, 2010 - Check-off dollars boost Alberta's agriculture organizations
January 13, 2010 - Money given for feed research dollars
January 7, 2010 - Hybrid winter barley tests disappoint in Canada

January 5, 2010 - A farm away from farm
January 5, 2010 - Initative tackles issue of livestock feed cost, effectiveness
January 4, 2010 - Tuesday farm activist
January 4, 2010 - ALMA to invest in feed research
January 4, 2010 - Barley the poor sister in the plant breeding family
December 29, 2009 - Alberta's livestock industry to be fed by major initiative
December 24, 2009 - Alberta feedlot's 'buy local' motto provides grain sellers with pricing options
December 24, 2009 - $8 million for feed grain research
December 23, 2009 - Research dollars receive boost
December 22, 2009 - Barley commission against adding back foreign material
December 22, 2009 - Barley growers elect Acme farmer as new chair

Industry News

Portion of check-off dollars eligible for tax credit

If you’re an Alberta Barley Commission member, you’re eligible to claim an investment tax credit (ITC) on the 23 per cent of your check-off dollars the Commission uses for research and development. You may also be eligible for ITC credit on the check-off dollars you pay to other producer groups; the allowable percentage varies by group. If you’re an individual farmer, claim an ITC of 20 per cent on the 23 per cent of your check-off dollars used for research and development. For example, if your Commission check-off dollars were $1,000, $230 would be eligible to earn a tax credit (of $46). If your farm operation is incorporated, you can claim an ITC of 35 per cent. If your Commission check-off dollars were $1,000, $230 would be eligible to earn a tax credit (of $80.50).

To qualify for the ITC, you’ll need a receipt showing you’ve paid check-off dollars to the Commission or other producer groups. ITCs can be used:

• To offset federal tax owing in the current year

• As a refund, if you do not owe in the current year. Individuals can receive a refund of up to 40 per cent; corporations can receive a 100 per cent refund

• Or carried forward up to 20 years to offset federal tax

• Or carried back up to three years to reduce federal tax paid in those years.

You have up to 12 months after the filing due date to applu for the credit. The Canada Revenue Agency does aske that you apply for the ITC only after learning the eligible percentage of the member groups to which you belong. Visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/txcrdt/sred-rsde/pblctns/frmsgd-eng.html for all forms.

Canadian Food Barley

This website is an initiative of the Canadian International Grains Institute and the Alberta Food Processing Development Centre who have partnered to promote the use of Canadian barley in foods.

Canadian farmers call for completion of new WTO multilateral trade agreement in 2010

GENEVA, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - As Canada's trade-dependent agricultural sector continues to be threatened by protectionism, it is critical that Canada work for a 2010 conclusion to the WTO Doha Round of agricultural negotiations, says the Canadian Agri-food Trade Alliance (CAFTA).

CAFTA representatives were in Geneva on the occasion of the 7th WTO Ministerial Conference and a meeting of ministers from the Cairns Group - a coalition of the world's major agricultural exporting nations, including Canada.

"Canada's agricultural sector depends on a fair and open international trading system, with 92 per cent of Canadian farmers reliant upon exports for their livelihood," says CAFTA President Darcy Davis. "All countries must recommit to completing the Doha Round and reaching a new multilateral trade agreement at the earliest opportunity. With the required political will, this should be doable in 2010." 2010 is the target set by world leaders for conclusion of a new liberalized multilateral trade agreement.

The Doha negotiations have been lagging for too long, CAFTA says. The alliance echoes the call by the Cairns Group and others for a serious re-engagement in the negotiations, and looks forward to Canada playing a leading role in the process. CAFTA commends Canada's Minister of International Trade, Stockwell Day, and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, Gerry Ritz, for their leadership in attending the 7th WTO Ministerial and in voicing their commitment to creating opportunities for Canada's exporters.

"There is a strong consensus among WTO Ministers that we must conclude the Doha Round and reach a new agreement," Davis says. "The longer we continue without a multilateral agreement to stabilize trade, the greater the risk that Canadian farmers will be increasingly disadvantaged in international markets by protectionist measures."

Many countries are using existing rules to maintain export subsidies, support domestic producers, and use up flexibilities in current agreements to protect markets from competitive imports from nations like Canada, CAFTA says. There is also growing use of trade-distorting non-tariff barriers.

The stakes are high for Canadian agricultural producers; Canada is the fourth largest agriculture and agri-food exporter in the world and a George Morris Centre study has found that tariff reductions brought about by a new WTO agreement could increase Canadian agriculture exports by $3 billion a year.

CAFTA is a coalition of national and regional organizations, associations and companies which support a more open and fair international trading environment for agriculture and agri-food. CAFTA's members include producer organizations, processors, marketers and exporters from the major trade dependent sectors in Canada. Together, CAFTA's members produce almost 80 per cent of Canada's agriculture and agri-food exports, conduct about $40 billion in business annually and directly employ close to 500 thousand Canadians.

For further information: Darcy Davis, (403) 888-2394; For more information on CAFTA, visit www.cafta.org.

Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference

The Seventh Session of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, will take place from November 30 to December 2 2009. The general theme for discussion is “The WTO, the Multilateral Trading System and the Current Global Economic Environment”. For more information please visit the website.

Western Barley Growers Association 33rd Annual Convention

February 10 to 12, 2010

Location:
Sheraton Cavalier Calgary, Alberta

Please visit the website for more details.

6th Canadian Barley Symposium

July 25 to 28, 2010

Location:
Radisson Hotel Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

For more information please visit the website.

Call of the Land radio

Call of the Land is a five day-a-week, 9-minute agricultural radio program produced by Alberta Agriculture and Food. This information and extension program is aired on 23 Alberta commercial radio stations.

Shochu Barley - New Market for Alberta Barley

Growing Forward Radio

Direct from Canadian farmers and industry experts, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has created four news and information radio stories on agriculture in Canada.

Growing Forward Radio
Food Opportunities on the Rise
Healthy Seed Tests Increase Cost Efficiency for Crop Farmers