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Voting Opens for Alberta Wheat, Barley Merger

Barley and wheat farmers in Alberta can vote throughout the month of October on if Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) should formally amalgamate to form a single crop commission, an Oct. 4 news release said. The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council, in collaboration with third-party election advisor MNP, have opened voting online and through the phone until 12 p.m. CDT on Nov. 1, 2022.

The release said farmers who have paid a levy on wheat or barley sales from Jan. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2022, including farmers who have requested refunds, will receive a voting pin in the mail they can use to cast their vote online or over the phone.

“Electronic voting provides barley and wheat farmers the chance to vote from anywhere – including the cabs of their combines,” Greg Sears, AWC chair, said in the release. “We hope for a strong voter turnout thanks to the ease of voting platform supporting both online and telephone, ensuring farmers’ voices are heard.”

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Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta