GrainsWest Winter 2020

Winter 2020 grainswest.com 15 BY LEE HART but when funds are limited and we have to set priorities, we need to focus on improved agronomics, research geared toward increasing yield and improving crop disease resistance. Farmers need to increase efficiencies in a very competitive marketplace. If they can’t be competitive, the industry is in trouble.” The whitepaper emphasizes the importance of maintaining government funding of research programs such as those carried out at Lacombe’s provincial Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC). Barley breeding is an important part of the FCDC mandate,” said Steve. “And hav- ing improved barley varieties is important to both the crop and livestock industries. Providing stable funding for barley breed- ing is a priority.” Steve said he is pleased to see no planned cuts for business risk manage- ment programs such as crop insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest programs. In fact, he’s hopeful ongoing discussions between the province and farm groups will spur enhanced coverage within these safety net programs. Kasko said the Cattle Feeders were pleased the budget has assured fund- ing for Alberta’s irrigation network will continue. This is particularly important, given irrigated cropland plays a large role in producing feed for southern Alberta’s livestock feeding industry. Kasko also sees the new Farm Freedom and Safety Act as an example of the gov- ernment’s willingness to seek input from the industry in decision-making and the development of legislation. He’s hoping that whitepaper recommendations to create farmer-directed livestock research through a structure similar to ALMA will be considered in discussions in 2020. While the industry needs to provide input to the government, Kasko also noted certain observers predict the budget will effectively constitute an interim document likely to be replaced by a new budget early in 2020. Smith said the budget holds both pluses and minuses for beef producers. The budget “overall appears reasonable consid- ering the fiscal position the government was facing,” said Smith. However, he is disappointed that AF is taking a 9.1 per cent hit on spending, which ultimately could affect research and other programs that contribute to the success and compet- itiveness of the beef industry. Outside the AF-specific portion of the budget, he said there is good news for farmers and ranchers. He said increased provincial justice department spending is an important step in dealing with a dramatic increase in rural crime. He also pointed to the new Act as an example of legislation developed after the govern- ment sought input from farmers. He hopes this input will likewise be sought when it comes to research and development plan- ning and budgeting. “We really appreciate the government has stated its commitment to industry-led research and development for the agricul- ture industry,” said Smith. “Our position in the whitepaper is that we feel producers and their associations are in the best po- sition to set out the priorities for research projects and funding.” Comin said whitepaper input from various commodity organizations empha- sizes the need to maintain services and programs essential to the sector, adding actions need to be carefully thought through. When a program or service is cut, it’s difficult to bring it back in its old form. The whitepaper also recommends the development of a board to oversee the research. “The creation of a new board to direct crop and livestock research would not be that difficult to do,” said Comin. “We’re probably looking at some hybrid between the former ALMA and ACIDF boards that has a lean administration and can set priorities for research.” She believes such an organization would lend itself well to co-operation and collab- oration within the industry groups. The 2019 provincial budget includes $879million in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry spending. Initiatives include: • Enhancement of service delivery to include on-farm visits and improved online service delivery. • Continuing to fight the mountain pine beetle. An additional $20 million is budgeted over four years. • Working with farmers and industry to determine research priorities and build programs. • Introducing the “Fighting for Agriculture and Forestry” strategy to help strengthen consumer confidence and promote agriculture and forestry. To learn more about the 2019 Alberta provincial budget visit alberta.ca/budget.