Alberta Barley and Wheat producers will vote to decide if the Alberta Barley and Wheat Commissions should combine in October 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Alberta barley and wheat farmers voting on potential merge

Sep 15, 2022 | 4:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta barley and wheat farmers will soon vote to see whether or not Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) should formally merge into a single crop commission.

The plan is to hold two plebiscites; one for barley producers and one for wheat producers, with each vote being conducted by the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council (Marketing Council).

The deadline to register to vote in the plebiscites is Friday, Sept. 16. The plebiscites, which are being conducted online, will open at noon on Oct. 3, and run until noon on Nov. 1.

In a news release, Alberta Barley chair Tara Sawyer says the length of the voting period and the format are important to give producers ample time to cast their ballots before regional meetings start taking place later in November.

“We are confident the convenient online format and month-long voting period will provide farmers with increased access to cast their ballots during the busy harvest season,” said Sawyer. “The commissions strongly encourage barley and wheat farmers to participate in the plebiscites which will determine our future.”

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In the same news release, AWC chair, Greg Sears says both organizations have been working together for the past few years.

“Since the two commissions have been operating with a joint management structure for five years, we are eager to hold the plebiscites in October so farmers can determine our future direction at this pivotal time,” explained Sears. “We encourage farmers to engage and vote in October, even if it’s from the combine.”

Producers who can participate in the votes must have paid levies on wheat or barley sales within the last two years. Additional details for voting in the plebiscites were as follows:

• Farmers who grow both barley and wheat crops will have two votes (one for each crop)
• Farming corporations, cooperatives or partnerships will have one vote on behalf of their legal entity
• Alberta barley and wheat farmers who have remitted check-off in the past two years, including those who have requested refunds, are eligible to vote
• During September, farmers will receive a letter from the Marketing Council and MNP with more information on the amalgamation plebiscites
• During the first week of October, farmers will receive a second letter that includes a voting PIN – their unique identifier to cast their vote(s) via the online voting platform
• Farmers who grow both wheat and barley crops will only receive one letter from the Marketing Council and MNP and one voting PIN, but will be able to submit one vote for each crop

The news release states that eligible growers who did not receive their plebiscite information by mail in early September should contact the Marketing Council at 780-427-2164 or af.marketingcouncil@gov.ab.ca.

For more information about the vote, farmers can visit the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions‘ website.