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Agriculture Roundup for Friday August 13, 2021

Aug 13, 2021 | 9:46 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions have launched an online survey to consult with farmers on amalgamating the two organizations.

The commissions have been operating with one management team since 2018 serving two boards with separate financial structures.

This consultation comes as a result of resolutions passed at the 2019 annual general meetings for both the Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley.

The commissions were challenged to complete a comprehensive review and consult with farmers on the potential to formally merge.

The farmer consultations include an online survey, a series of town hall events in October, and further dialogue during regional meetings in November.

Survey deadline is Sept. 15. Farmers can learn more at the wheat and barley consultation website.

Farmers will have a chance to learn more about a proposed $350 million wheat straw based pulp mill to be built near Regina, Sask.

Red Leaf Pulp CEO Martin Pudlas said the meeting Aug. 25 will discuss how waste straw can be turned into paper products.

He said the facility will buy waste straw from farmers, meaning a potential 35 to 55 per cent net income increase per acre and diversify the revenue stream for growers.

The facility will create 110 full time jobs and produce 182,000 tonnes of pulp from waste wheat straw. There will be 250 jobs during construction.

The mill will produce pulp for items like paper towels, tissue and cardboard. Pudlas said it will not have the same bad smell as wood-based pulp mills.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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