Messages 4 www.seed.ab.ca | Advancing Seed in Alberta WARD OATWAY WELCOME to 2018 and what promises to be a busy spring season. This is such a significant time of year as we start to make the decisions that fuel our fields and yields. What better tool to have at your disposal at this critical juncture than the Alberta Seed Guide? In the following pages, you will see how new varieties perform in the compiled regional variety trials along with the latest and greatest agronomic traits that are now available. Nowhere else will you have access to such experienced growers with first-hand experience on these cutting edge varieties. I encourage all of you to go through this handy guide and find a solution that works best for your farm. Our members with the Alberta Seed Growers (ASG) are so proud to have the opportunity to provide you with the best seed possible. We are all in this together as we contribute to the best agricultural industry in the world. The past year was a very busy one for your seed grower representatives, as the ASG board of directors has been at the forefront of the central policy issues facing the world of seed. One of the most important of these is the Seed Synergy project. This is one you will hear plenty in the months to come as we consult with stakeholders about changes that will affect all of us. As always, our goal is to make sure Canadian farmers are competitive globally and that they can provide a viable future for successive generations. We will continue to provide updates on these discussions as they come available via our newsletter and website, seedalberta.ca. When looking through these pages and choosing your varieties, we know that one of the chief considerations is disease management. With Fusarium continuing to spread throughout the province, ASG and our industry partners are looking to provide farmers with a full toolbox of prevention and management methods. This will remain a tireless focus for us. On a final note, as I wrap up my first year as president of this great organization, I have to say that it has been a pleasure to represent Alberta’s seed growers. By being at the forefront of agricultural policy, I have learned, now more than ever, how important it is to have producers speak up for their interests. We are just approaching our 89th annual general meeting in Banff where the theme is Building Partnerships. The basic message we will carry throughout the weekend is that we are all in this together. When we combine forces to better our industry, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. I hope this year is fruitful for all of you. I look forward to what is ahead, the future is bright! Ward Oatway President Alberta Seed Growers Email: [email protected]