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Spring 2010 Alberta's Seed Guide Now Available Online

Pick up the latest issue of Seed.ab.ca Alberta Seed Guide: High Performance Production today.  The new Alberta Seed Guide that is now available online in PDF format and in print.
If you want to receive a printed copy of the Alberta Seed Guide, please Contact Us.

To look at the latest issue online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

  • Front Cover (551KB)

  • Pages 1-20  (3 MB)
    • Introduction
    • Table of Contents
    • Getting Serious About Cereals - Cereal research is alive and well in Canada - however, the sector requires further funding and staff resources in order to adequately bring new varieties and traits to the marketplace.
    • The Perfect Storm for Forages - As the economy struggles and Alberta experienced an extremely dry growing season, it's a frustrating time for the forage seed sector.
    • Getting Intense - Producers in the U.S. are increasing their wheat productivity by taking agronomic management and genetic considerations to the next level.
    • 2010 Fusarium Forecast & Seed Quality Outlook
    • Get the Most out of Your Grain - Bayer CropScience's grain diagnostics division has developed a new test that will help you understand the value of your grain so you can segregate your best wheat and get the higher price.
    • Seed Plant Profile - Diversity Makes the Difference - The Alliance Seed Cleaning Association Ltd. has successfully operated its Alliance Seed Plant in Eastern Alberta for 53 years thanks to an aggressive Board of Directors that have stayed ahead of the curve in both technology and services.
  • Pages 21-48 (4 MB)
    • Alberta's Regional Variety Testing Program - Renewed commitment brings added-value to Alberta's Regional Variety Testing Program for the future.
    • Cereals -   2009 Performance Trials & Seed Grower Directory
    • **Please Note**  Unfortunately, an error was discovered in the original information reported for "Malting Varieties Under Test", but not in time for publication of the seed.ab.ca Alberta's Seed Guide.  The table on page 28, for the online copy, has been revised with the corrected version.  We apologize for any inconvenience that may
      have occured.
  • Pages 49-63 (3 MB)
    • Oilseeds - 2009 Performance Trials & Seed Grower Directory
    • 2009 Regional Silage Variety Trials

  • Pages 64 to Back Cover (4 MB)
    • Hay & Pasture Crops - Seed Grower Directory
    • Special Crops - 2009 Performance Trials & Seed Grower Directory
    • on the edge - DNA fingerprinting wheat, protecting with peas, and more.

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Fall 2009 Seed Guide Now Available Online

To look at the Fall 2009 Seed Guide online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

  • Front Cover

  • Pages 1-18  (2 MB)
    • Introduction
    • Table of Contents
    • Global Commodity Demand - New technologies such as drought tolerance, continued ethanol demand, increased yields and possible upcoming changes in climate
      will all play a role in the amount of global crop supplies produced year-on-year.
    • A Vanishing Breed?  Money is often the basis of successful research and development, but people are equally important.
    • The Race to get Crops Ready for Climate Change Heat Up.  As rising temperatures, desertification, and drought threaten the world's food supply, the agriculture industry is fast tracking it's research to find plant genes that can resist abiotic stresses.
  • Pages 19-35 (2 MB)
    • Getting Results - New funding from the Alberta Government means the regional variety trials will live on.
    • The Elimination of KVD - Wheat breeders across the country are saying goodbye to the constraints of visual appearance and are focusing solely on the performance in the field.
    • What's Coming Down the Trait Pipeline? Agriculture companies are stepping up to the plate by placing further investment into crop research to bring
      innovative traits to the market place.
    • Three Musketeers - At a period when the seed industry spends all its time talking about consolidation, some innovators are finding ways to band together and create new opportunities for the smaller independent seed company.
    • Screening for Success - Lougheed Co-op Seed Cleaning Plant
    • Plant. Protect. Preserve. - New midge tolerant wheat web site offers everything you need to know to plant, protect and preserve. 
  • Pages 36-48 (4 MB)
    • New Varieties List

  • Pages 49-76 (7 MB)
    • New Varieties - In with the New
    • Alberta & British Columbia pedigreed seed growers directory of varieties produced in 2009.
    • Tipping the Scales:  Crop Protection vs. Seed Product Sales - The past couple of decades have seen a dramatic shift in terms of agricultural sales in the global crop protection market, which has been held back as the biotech seed sector gained speed and is now racing ahead.
    • On the Edge - Growing roots on leaves, corn glue, and more.

  • Back Cover

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Winter 2009 Seed Guide

To look at the Winter 2009 Seed Guide online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

  • Pages 14-42 (4.72 MB)
    • Cereals - performance trials and grower directory
    • Recommended Malting Barley Varieties 2009-10
  • Pages 43-63 (3.90 MB)
    • Planting Perspectives
    • A day in the life...of a Seedsman
    • Canola - performance trials and grower directory
    • Hay and pasture - grower directory

  • Pages 64-76 (1.84 MB)
    • Special Crops - performance trials and grower directory
    • On the edge - treating seed with electrons, canola proteins and more.

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Fall 2008 Seed Guide

To look at the Fall 2008 Seed Guide online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

  • Pages 42-68 (5.69 MB)
    • Alberta & British Columbia Pedigreed Seed Grower Directory of Varieties produced in 2008
    • On the edge - growing your own fuel, crop sensors, and more.

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Winter 2008 Seed Guide

To look at the Winter 2008 Seed Guide online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

  • Pages 1-13 (1 MB)
    • Introduction
    • Table of Contents
    • Storage Smarts
    • Planting Trends
    • What's in a bag of seed?
    • Plant Breeding affects your farm
    • Seed Insights
       
  • Pages 14-43 (3.8 MB)
    • Cereals - performance trials and grower directory
    • Malt Barley Recommendations
       
  • Pages 44-63 (3.1 MB)
    • Canola - performance trials and grower directory
    • Flax - performance trials and grower directory
    • Hay and Pasture - performance trials and grower directory
       
  • Pages 64-76 (1.9 MB)
    • Special Crops - performance trials and grower directory
    • Seed Grower and Seed Plant Maps
    • On the Edge

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Fall 2007 Seed Guide

To look at the Fall 2007 Seed Guide online, click on the following articles (in PDF format):

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Become a Seed Plant Manager

Being a Seed Plant Manager is much more than a job, it is an occupation with great rewards. To learn more about this important and rewarding career, read on.

Salary Range

  • $40,000 and $70,000 depending on experience and work required

Health and Retirement Plans

  • Group accident and health plans covering dental and prescription drug needs.
  • Co-op Super Annuation pension plan which provides good benefits for retirement.

Other Benefits

  • Job Security
  • Proximity to home and family

Support, Training & Community Connection

  • Managers are usually well supported by their local board and often have freedom to hire their own staff and run the day-to-day business without interference.
  • Training programs are plentiful and any one wanting to up-grade their skills will have plenty of opportunity to do so.
  • Informal mentoring program and great support among the management group.
  • Seed plant managers are often leaders in their community and are becoming increasingly looked to as resource people. Farmers looking for unbiased information on varieties, chemicals, and seed sources, and are considering their seed plant managers as one of their main information sources.

Role Diversity and Flexibility

  • The role of the manager can be as diverse as the individual wishes. Besides cleaning and treating grain, managers can act as agents for grain companies, get involved in organic and identity preserve contracts, load producer cars, operate loading sites, handle export contracts, etc. including all the necessary paperwork. Some diversify into selling feed twine, tarps, chemicals, brooms, etc. to support their clients. With the absence of elevators in many towns, some plants are buying or collecting screenings from clients and marketing them where possible. There are a number of services that managers can consider when looking at ways to best serve their clients.

Pride of Position

  • Seed plant managers can take pride in being in the food management and processing industry. They are helping to feed the world and it requires hardworking, dedicated professionals who appreciate their own contribution.

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