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

July 29, 2010 - Federal investment helps Alberta Barley Commission increase shochu barley exports to Japan

June 21, 2010 - Alberta Barley Commission secures additional $5M in leveraged research funding
January 28, 2010 - The 2009 Canadian Malting Barley Grower Recognition Program
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

Media Hits

July 29, 2010 - Government of Canada Investing in Alberta Barley Farmers - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
July 2010 - Top Barley Growers - Portage Online

July 24, 2010 - Top Barley Growers - Discover Moose Jaw

July 12, 2010 - Check-off program is working - The Lethbridge Herald

July 9, 2010 - Controlled Traffic Farming Alberta Website and Message Board launched - The Northerner

June 29, 2010 - Controlled Traffic Farming Alberta Website and Message Board Launch - Bassano Times
June 25, 2010 - Weed control beefed up - The Grove Examiner
June 25, 2010 - Weed control beefed up - The Stony Plain Reporter
June 2010 - Controlled Traffic Farming Alberta Launches Website - Ropin the Web
June 15, 2010 - Controlled traffic farming project - The Camrose Booster
May 25, 2010 - Farming on the philosophy of efficiency - Oyen Echo
May 5, 2010 - Project evaluates traffic control on farm - Alberta Farmer Express
April 26, 2010 - Controlled traffic farming project underway - Alberta Farmer Express

April 12, 2010 - Controlled Traffic Farming Project
March 22, 2010 - Federal tax credit for farmers on check-off investments - Ituna News

March 22, 2010 - Federal tax credit for farmers on check-off investments - Foam Lake Review
March 19, 2010 - Local farmers brace for new season - The Stony Plain Reporter
March 11, 2010 - Supporting research lowers your taxes - Manitoba Co-operator
March 10, 2010 - Research tax credit drops for Alta. barley growers - Grainews
March 8, 2010 - Federal tax credit for farmers on check-off investments - Ituna News
February 28, 2010 - Guess who's coming to dinner - Wheat Oats & Barley
February 15, 2010 - Photo courtesy Alberta Barley Commission - Alberta Farmer Express
February 12, 2010 - 2009/2010 Seed of the Year West - Scholarship Winner Announced - Western Grains Research Foundation
February 3, 2010 - Ag organizations state priorities - Spotlight
February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results for Agriculture Commissions - The Hanna Herald
February 3, 2010 - Check-off dollars campaign nets significant results - Airdrie Echo
February 3, 2010 - Central Alberta to head Canola Producers Commission - Red Deer Advocate
February 2, 2010 - More ag research dollars needed - Westlock Town and Country
February 2, 2010 - Check-off dollars Campaign nets significant results for Agriculture Commissions - Bassano Times
February 2, 2010 - Check-off dollars Campaign Nets Significant Results for Agriculture Commissions - Two Hills & County Chronicle
February 1, 2010 - Checkoff campaign pays dividends - Alberta Farmer Express
February 1, 2010 - Check-off dollars Campaign Nets Significant Results for Agricultural Commissions - Agri-News
January 28, 2010 - The Alberta Barley Commission (ABC) joins CMBTC as a member - Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre
January 26, 2010 - Check-off dollars boost Alberta's agriculture organizations - Rocky View/Five Village Weekly
January 21, 2010 - New Alta. agriculture minister knows about farm challenges - The Western Producer
January 21, 2010 - U.S. report shocks market - The Western Producer
January 19, 2010 - Alta. checkoff campaign seen paying dividends - Grainews
January 13, 2010 - Money given for feed research dollars - Lakeside Leader
January 13, 2010 - Money given for feed research dollars - Spotlight
January 7, 2010 - Hybrid winter barley tests disappoint in Canada - The Western Producer
January 5, 2010 - A farm away from farm - Mountain View Gazette
January 5, 2010 - Initative tackles issue of livestock feed cost, effectiveness - The Review
January 4, 2010 - Tuesday farm activist - Red Deer Advocate
January 4, 2010 - ALMA to invest in feed research - Alberta Farmer Express
January 4, 2010 - Barley the poor sister in the plant breeding family - Alberta Farmer Express
December 29, 2009 - Alberta's livestock industry to be fed by major initiative - The High River Times
December 24, 2009 - Alberta feedlot's 'buy local' motto provides grain sellers with pricing options - The Western Producer
December 24, 2009 - $8 million for feed grain research - The Western Producer
December 23, 2009 - Research dollars receive boost - The Hanna Herald
December 22, 2009 - Barley commission against adding back foreign material - Mountain View Gazette
December 22, 2009 - Barley growers elect Acme farmer as new chair- Rocky View/Five Village Weekly

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 an 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, you can 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
• Refunded, 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
• Carried forward up to 20 years to offset federal tax
• 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 apply for the credit. The Canada Revenue Agency does ask 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.

Agriculture Biotechnology International Conference

September 12–15, 2010

The Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC) inspires and encourages the research, development and commercialization of new biotechnologies to improve human health, create a sustainable food supply and foster new energy sources. At this year’s conference in Saskatoon, Sask., delegates will network, learn and discuss issues of relevance, particularly about agricultural biotech policy and research enterprises for the good of the planet. The theme of ABIC 2010 is Bridging Biology and Business, with three streams: energy, health and sustainability.

For more information, visist the wesite.

Farm Leadership Council: Leaders in Growth

November 2–3, 2010

This education forum in Red Deer enables farm leaders to change the way they act today and think about the future. Fee: $895.

For more information, visit the events listing.

AEPA - Fall Water Workshop

November 9, 2010

Black Knight Inn - Red Deer, Alberta

Discuss current info on issues impacting agriculture; water quality, water allocation, wetland policy and groundwater.

For more information and to register, please email Deb Sutton.

FarmTech 2011

January 26–28, 2011

FarmTech return to Edmonton’s Mayfield Inn & Suites (16615-109 Avenue NW) with a balance of new technology, environmental issues, agronomy and farm management topics. The event promises a blend of big-picture sessions and practical information that can be immediately put into practice. As well, it features a mix of speakers including researchers, agronomists, farmers, and other professionals. FarmTech 2010 is presented and hosted by the Alberta Barley Commission, the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, the Alberta Pulse Growers, the Alberta
Conservation Tillage Society II, the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission, and the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association.

For more information, visit the website or call 1 (866) 327- 6832.

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.

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