E-Delivery

Early seeding es mates showed that most Alberta pulse producers didn't shy away from plan ng pulses this crop season despite the tariffs and import restric ons imposed by India, which has tradi onally been Canada's biggest pulse market. Seeding es mates placed acres planted to pulses in Alberta at about 500,000 or so less than the previous year, when Alberta farmers planted almost 2.3 million acres. A record high of 2.4 million acres of pulses were planted in 2016. If the seeding es mate of 1.87 million acres is correct, then pulse acreage in 2018 was on par with 2015. As a pulse producer who has spoken to many other producers across the province, I would a ribute the smaller decline in pulse acreage than some expected to growers con nuing to include pulses in rota on for the benefit to soil and future crops. This is in addi on to an op mism about market growth in other countries like China and at home with pulses being included in an increasing number of products. This guarded op mism was also in evidence in July at the annual Pulse and Special Crops Conven on (PSCC) held in Regina. This was my fi h Canadian Special Crops Associa on conference, and even with the ongoing Indian tariffs, the a endance was s ll very high. It was great to see the market interest in our products remain steady, and that there is s ll enthusiasm amongst the trade to con nue developing rela onships and new market opportuni es. I would also like to offer my congratula ons to APG Past Chair Allison Ammeter on recently being named Chair of Pulse Canada. I was privileged to have witnessed her enthusiasm and dedica on as chair of the Canadian Interna onal Year of Pulses 2016 commi ee, and I know that she will excel in this new role as Pulse Canada pursues its 25 by 2025 strategy to increase pulse consump on. There is a lot going on in the pulse industry and it is some mes hard to keep up with the latest developments as a pulse grower. That is why I would encourage you to follow APG staff on Twi er @albertapulse, @APGExtension, @APGResearch, and @APGCED. There is also a wealth of informa on available at your local zone mee ngs in the fall. We strive for these mee ngs to be an informa ve and valuable use of your me as a producer. We have again partnered with Alberta Barley and Alberta Wheat in Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 to present joint mee ngs branded as Next Level Farming. The theme con nues to fit as we view these mee ngs as an opportunity to share informa on about current best prac ces and technology. Check the back cover of this issue for more informa on. These mee ngs are an excellent opportunity for growers to ask their ques ons of commission staff, directors and other pulse experts. If you can't make it out to your zone mee ng, you will have another chance to chat one-on-one with staff, directors and advisors at the APG booth at Agri-Trade in Red Deer. CHAIR'S REPORT OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK CONTINUES DESPITE CHALLENGES D'Arcy Hilgartner, APG Chair 4

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