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Client: UFA File Name: Canola_Earlug_AFE_v1 Project Name: Canola Earlugs Docket Number: 110201332 Trim size: 3.08” x 1.83”
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Alberta growers should give peas a chance Despite the headaches, pulse crops are an important part of any crop rotation
By Jennifer Blair af staff / red deer
O
ne-time pulse growers across Alberta all seem to say the same thing when asked about their experience with pulse crops, “I tried peas once, and never will again.” Though Alberta pulse acres have grown steadily over the past five years, field peas have earned a reputation as being more work
than they’re worth at harvest time. For many growers, improved varieties, strong prices, and reduced input costs have not yet proven enough incentive to lure growers away from their tight rotations of crops that are comparatively simple to grow. But Leanne Fischbuch, executive director of Alberta Pulse Growers, says pulses have a lot of potential. “If we can grow a domestic industry and use the product — whether whole or as an ingredient — in Canada, that would be a really positive breakthrough for the industry,” she said. In Alberta, pulse
crop acres — which include field pea, dry bean, lentil, chickpea, faba bean, and soybean — account for around five per cent of the arable land in the province. The pulse industry would like to see that grow to 15 per cent — a lofty goal that will depend both on improved varieties and improved domestic processing capacity. Without improved varieties, however, improved processing capacity becomes almost a moot point, says Sheri Strydhorst, agronomy research scientist with Alberta Agriculture. “Processing capacity is a real issue, but if we can’t grow it and grow it well, we’re not going to have anything to process,” said Strydhorst. “If the price of peas were to double, I’m sure pea acres would follow. Given that that’s not
realistic right now, making them a more friendly crop to grow would make a tremendous advancement.”
Other options
For those growers who don’t want to give peas a second chance, emerging pulse types may prove to be a viable option in rotations that are missing a nitrogen-fixing crop. Faba bean is one such crop. Over the past year, faba acres in Alberta have almost tripled, from around 5,000 in 2012 to around 15,000 in 2013. Strydhorst credits the growth in acres to increased market opportunities. “Having somewhere viable to sell into has certainly helped faba bean production grow in the province,” she said. Blair Roth, Viterra’s director of special crops, says improving agronomic knowledge for fabas could help to increase marketing options.
see PEAS } page 6
Over the past year, faba bean acres in Alberta have almost tripled, from around 5,000 in 2012 to around 15,000 in 2013. PHOto: thinkstock
Six fearless forecasts for fall weather in Alberta } PAGE 44
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