Grainswest - Spring 2025

Spring 2025 Grains West 10 THE FARMGATE POPULARLY KNOWN AS THE BLUE Book, Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide , is a manual for the use of crop protection products by Alberta farmers and agrono- mists. This trusted resource helps users navigate the complexities of chemical application. The Blue Book was born of necessity. In 1970, Canada converted to the metric system. The switch was not easy for the agriculture industry, which had to adopt new units for land measurement, chemical application and equipment settings. By 1975, agricultural chemical labels were printed exclusively in metric. Farmers were frustrated by the conver- sion calculations often required. Marvin Moore, Alberta’s then-minister of agriculture, was one such frustrat- ed farmer. Strug- gling to decipher metric-only label information while spraying his field in DeBolt, Moore came up with the concept of a guide- book that would translate the met- ric information on chemical labels into units Alber- ta farmers were familiar with. Despite resistance from the chemical companies, which were reluctant to share information that went against federal mandates, the project pushed ahead. In 1977, the Blue Book made its debut, translating metric measures found on chemistry labels to imperial. It received its nickname because Moore insisted on a blue cover to reflect the blue and orange branding of the Progressive Conservative Party. Nearly 50 years later, the Blue Book is a comprehensive guide that goes beyond its original purpose as a metric conversion guide. Produced collabora- tively by Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers, the annual publication features more than 700 pages of the latest information on safety and operational instructions for chemical application. Measures are now largely presented in metric apart from acres being the standard field measure. Over the years, product listings and informa- tion have become more comprehensive and standardized. It also features a front section that contains details on safe prod- uct handling, sprayer cleanout, herbicide resistance, beneficial insects and more. “Every year, the book undergoes a thorough review and is updated with con- tributions from chemical companies and industry experts,” said Craig Lester, the Blue Book project co-ordinator. “We spend a lot of time compiling information that will help farmers and agronomists make informed crop protection decisions.” While farmers continue to find the Blue Book convenient to use, and 10,000 copies are distributed annually, demand has grown for a Blue Book app. A survey of agronomists, farmers and retailers conducted in 2024 found more than 80 per cent of Alberta farmers rely on the paper version, but many users would like a digital option. “They still love their print version, but a few years ago, many farmers used a digital version of the Blue Book that is no longer available,” said Lester. “We’ll certainly continue publish- ing the print version, but we also want to step into the future and give farmers the option to access it on their phone or mobile device.” To make this happen, the three partner commissions have hired a web app developer to build an intuitive digital version of the Blue Book. The app is expected to be available for use in early 2026. More information will be made available online at albertabluebook.com and on X @albertabluebook as the project progresses. Once a simple metric conversion guide, the Blue Book will remain a trusted resource for Alberta farmers. Crop protection guide remains a popular resource Thestoryof theBlueBook BY TIM PARENT • PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG LESTER