b'MESSAGES | Alberta Seed ProcessorsAS A NEW year unfolds, we all prepare for the new challenges this year will bring. However this year, I am also preparing to lay some new roots. This will be my last presidents message as I have left the agriculture sector and will no longer be sitting on the Alberta Seed Processors provincial board of directors. I look back on my term as a provincial board member, and in this exciting industry, with many fond memories. Together, we have worked hard to address many obstacles the agriculture community has faced. While we might not have achieved all the goals weve set for ourselves, we continue to have conversations about important issuesand these conversations continue to move the needle forward. I think, in part, thats what makes agriculture such a great industry. We know that the value of our work, our products and our enterprises go well beyond our own farm gates. We dont shy away from hard issues, but instead embrace them and continue to talk about them, such as the Pest Act reform pertaining to Fusarium head blight and ongoing discussions regarding value creation. I think all of us in the crop sector can share our opinions and engage in honest, frank discussions. And when it comes down to it, I think this is whats really important in taking the first step when building something great. There are lots of opportunities in our industry and our expertise is as valuable as ever. Farmers are the ultimate entrepreneurs, constantly seeking new ways to navigate the many adversities of farming. Even aspects that could be considered beyond our(780) 837-1010 control, like international trade issues, political changes and tough harvest conditions,[email protected] fuel the movement to add value to the crops we grow. Shifting from being the @HectorOuellette producers of bulk commodities to producing food, feed, fuel or fibre will take time, patience and capitaland again, working together will be imperative in building a successful value-added sector here in Alberta.Some farmers are already participating in the value-added markets, be it in the hemp, specialty milling or the emerging protein fractionating and malting sectors.In fact, some of the 67 Alberta seed processors are involved in conditioning grain, pulses and specialty crops like hemp for end-use. We can all play a role in the growth of processing and the opportunities are numerous, from simple grain and pulse conditioning to participating in boutique international markets. At our core, our businesses are about seed processing, and of course, that is why we value quality seed so much. After such a tough harvest year, there are reports of poor seed quality, and in some areas, Fusarium head blight is prevalent. Testing seed remains of utmost importance, especially in years like 2019, and relying on visual inspection is never entirely reliable. Remember, you can visit seedsmart.ca or check out @beseedsmart on Twitter and Instagram to get more information on taking a representative sample of your seed. Keep up the great work. All the best for 2020 and beyond.Hector OuellettePresidentAlberta Seed ProcessorsSpring 2020 5'