AOGC AGM
After a very successful meeting last year, AOGC directors have booked the Edmonton Westin, for their 2018 Annual General meeting, Monday January 29, 2018. The evening meeting format allows Alberta oat growers the flexibility to attend to oat business prior to catching up to date with farm technologies at Farm Tech. Click here for the full agenda.
The 2016 AOGC AgM
Monday, January 25, 2016 at The Edmonton Westin, 10135 100th Street, Edmonton, AB
Attendees included 30 producers and 11 industry, government and academic representatives
Annual general meeting business was conducted with members.
Research and Development projects were highlighted by the Executive Director. Twenty projects are in progress with details listed in the annual report as provided. It was noted that the Mexican project to increase oat consumption into the Mexican Human Consumption market is showing some initial positive response. The Mexican Department of Health and the Mexican Diabetes Association are now going to promote oats as a healthy food ingredient. Regarding transportation, POGA continues to monitor the situation and, according to Quorum Corporation, were instrumental in getting reporting on rail movement to the southern corridor which has helped to keep oats moving in the last couple of years. Three research projects specific to Alberta include enhancing yield and standability in Central Alberta, Optimizing protein quality of Alberta oats and food application development, and an oat beverage with high protein targeted at people undergoing cancer treatments (food product development).
Following the meeting AOGC had two presenters as well as a discussion with oat growers on Bill 6:
Alexander Fedko, GOA, addressed the question “Can another oat variety out-perform Morgan?” He reviewed oat plot variety trials since 1999 and after 90 station years the conclusion was “No.” Some varieties have been shown to compete but none have had the rigorous testing of Morgan.
Chris Newbergher, Stony Plain Seed Cleaning Plant, reviewed CGC grading guide, weight conversion, what affects pricing, what and where the markets are and the Alberta market for feed and pony oats. He mentioned that grades are subjective and based on year and harvest conditions. It is important especially for pony oats to use weight in grams as there’s no way to confuse the amounts between competing bids.
Feed and pony oats difference is the application. Feed can be any color, weight or moisture, it’s a feed product that caters to non-competitive horses. Pony oats cater to high end race horses and these clients are very selective. Eleven of the lower 48 states can be serviced by Stoney Plain. They can also service northern Mexico. Other principal markets include Japan, China, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines and Singapore where land is scarce and primarily utilized for human consumption products. Australia, the EU and South America are the largest competitors.
Why grow oats: good pony or milling oats pricing is currently $3.30/bushel with 120 - 130 bu/acre the average gross is over $400 per acre with lower risk (but higher storage costs) than many other crops.
AOGC asked registered producers in attendance 4 questions regarding Bill 6.
- Preferred position on OH&S in Alberta? A very large majority said no OH & S.
- Should WCB law be revisited? A very large majority said yes. Producers stressed if you have private insurance already they should not have to change to WCB where the coverage is only on your farm instead of while doing everyday activities.
- Would the new WCB law be acceptable if salaries under $20,000, or an agreed upon number, be exempt? No, most agreed that mandatory insurance is acceptable but producers should have choice of private insurance or WCB. One example provided was that WCB doctors tell you when you can go back to work, private insurance protects the worker better. Some contend that OH &S safety manuals on how to operate your farm could create large issues.
- Should the Agricultural commissions be representing producers? Yes, but costs associated with participation should be tracked. The government should ensure producers, along with staff, are sitting at the tables. Concerns were expressed about the willingness of the Government of Alberta to listen to what producers want. Questions were raised as to how organizations like AOGC can be involved when costs are unknown. Mathieson stated that bill 6 was not included in the budget since budget had to be finalized by November 30, 2015 and the tables were not suggested by the GOA until into December. Producers stated that the GOA needs to fund participation for the commissions to be in the process. Consensus was to bridge the gap on communications among producer groups moving ahead and for producer groups to stay at the table.
Presentations from the 2015 AGM
The Alberta Oat Growers held their Annual General Meeting on March 12th in Grande Prairie, AB during the Peace Country Classic. The meeting kicked off with greetings from the AOGC president, Keith Gilchrist. He highlighted the current activities of the organization and future endeavours.
Joseph Aidoo then followed with a presentation on Optimizing Oat Yield, Quality and Standability in Central Alberta. Funded by the ACIDF and AOGC, this project is conducted through the University of Alberta and is focused on enhancing the yield and profitability of Alberta oat growers through the selection of varieties, nitrogen fertilizer and plant growth regulators (PGRs). Joseph is the grad student assigned to the project.
Transportation is a pressing issue with oat growers but particularly to those who live in the Peace Region. Connor Rosine, with Emerging Ag, wrapped the afternoon’s events by presenting on the POGA transportation file. Fresh off the outreach trip to Ottawa, POGA’s meetings with MP’s on the hill was highlighted, as well as POGA’s Canada Transportation Act Review. In recent weeks, oat export level has returned to the 5 year average, and the Government has lifted the grain movement minimums.
Following are presentations made at the meeting:
- Optimizing Oat Yield, Quality and Standability in Central Alberta (PDF, 25MB)
Joseph Aidoo, MSc Student, University of Alberta
Linda Hall, Professor, University of Alberta
Sheri Strydhorst, PhD, Research Scientist, Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development - Oat Transportation Issues (PDF, 282KB)
Connor Rosine, Emerging Ag Inc.
Presentations from the 2014 AGM
Following are presentations made at the meeting:
Presentations from the 2013 AGM
The Alberta Oat Growers Commission's first Annual General Meeting was held Feb. 28, 2013, at the Ramada Edmonton International Airport, 8340 Sparrow Crescent, Leduc, AB.
