Canola and pulse crops are such a good fit in the field that two
producer groups hope they will also make a good partnership out of the
field.
The Alberta Canola Producers Commission and the Alberta Pulse Growers
plan to hire an extension director to promote the province’s pulse and
canola industries.
“We feel by doing things in a co-operative effort we’ll probably be
more efficient,” said Dave Hegland, president of the Alberta Pulse
Growers.
Ed Gaudet, president of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, said
many farmers pay checkoffs to both organizations. By working together,
they’ll be able to save money and target the same farmers.
Hegland said recent cuts to Alberta Agriculture field staff weren’t the
main reason to create the new extension position, but it did push the
organization along.
“I can’t say there wasn’t some influence from government cuts. We don’t
know how much the cuts to government will have an effect on our
industry.”
