b'When our plant was built, it wasnt built with a lot of extraMullin has one key message he wishes all farmers would take space. Some additions have been put on over the years, butto heart: farmers sometimes need to invest a little to make a lot. were tight for space. Ideally, the next step for us would be toHis is a two-part investment recommendation. buy some land outside in the country where we could stretchFirst, update your seed, preferably every two to three years.out more. You need to keep your seed fresh, so to speak. Older seed While additional space would make managing the plantloses vitality and vigour. Yes, older seed will grow but if you add easier, the existing plant is entirely up to date with sorting andany stressdisease, cold, drought or moisture, or pestsyoull cleaning equipment.see a visible difference in growth and yield, he says. Seed is As far as the cleaning goes, you wont find it done betteryour cheapest input. Its not the place to try to save a few dollars.anywhere else, says Mullin. Second, virtually every farmer should be treating their seeds Similar to all 67 other co-operative seed plants across Alberta,every year. WSGC is run by a board of directors. Producers who purchaseId recommend it for every seed that goes in the ground. Its a share for $250 get $0.10/bushel off the cleaning rate, whichvery cheap insurance, he says. If you have wet falls like weve means a share is essentially paid off after cleaning 2500 bushels.had the past few years, you definitely need to treat your seed in The co-operative model typically offers growers greater servicethe spring because there is so much disease and bacteria thatprivate seed cleaning plants typically only clean the limitedwill be in your seed. But even after a dry fall, you want to treat number of varieties they grow. Co-ops are open to everyoneyour seed to hold off diseases that will attack your seed while and everything, says Mullin. Were here for the guys who growits trying to grow, especially if its a cool, slow spring. certified seed but were also here for those that grow grain forMullin has committed almost 25 years to WSGC so far. He feed or to sell to elevators. says hes got at least a few more still in him. While Wetaskiwins growth has constricted WSGCs abilityIm a born and raised country boy. Agriculture is my life. Ag is to expand at its current location, one new building near thelooked down on because its not always as dynamic or exciting city may directly support the co-ops continued success: a newas other industries. The money isnt as good as the oil patch. But 42,000 tonne grain elevator is slated to open later this fall southyou know what? The farming industry in Alberta is a constant. of Wetaskiwin.Every year, its there. In a good year, a bad year, its still there. They are only a couple miles away from us. If people startThats why Im still here. I believe in this industry and the hauling to that elevator, we may capture some new business iffarmers who make it happen.they bring us their grain to clean en route to the elevator.Madeleine BaergAND ALL KINDS OF OTHER SEED QUALITY TESTSSeed testing experts in purity,YOUR SEED LABgermination, vigour and seed health.1\x1f866\x1f980\x1f8324 OFFICE\x1eSEEDCHECK.NET SEEDCHECK.NET LIKE US ONFall 2019 47'