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SPG represents over 15,000 pulse crop producers
in Saskatchewan. Accountable to growers and funded through a mandatory
check-off, SPG has a producer-elected board of directors comprised
of seven pulse growers. With a legislated mandate to build a prosperous
pulse industry in Saskatchewan, SPG invests in research and market
development and promotes sustainable innovation, growth and success
through leadership, collaboration and support.
Vision
Saskatchewan will be an industry leader in the production, processing, and marketing of high quality and high value pulse products for a viable and profitable Canadian pulse industry.
Mission
To provide leadership for an innovative, profitable and sustainable
Saskatchewan pulse industry, through research, market development
and communication in collaboration with stakeholders.
HISTORY OF SASKATCHEWAN PULSE GROWERS
The Saskatchewan Pulse Crop Growers Association (SPCGA) was established
in 1976 as a way for farmers to learn about diversifying into
pulse crops. The overall objective of the Association was the advancement of Saskatchewan's
pulse industry in all its phases, including the following goals:
- To hold an annual conference to inform growers
of developments in research and markets, and to provide a forum
for consideration of questions relating to the concerns of producers.
- To collect and make available to its members useful scientific and general information on producing, storing,
packaging, processing, transporting, marketing and utilizing
pulse crops.
- To expand markets, improve trade relationships
and promote consumption of Saskatchewan grown pulse crops.
- To demonstrate desirable production and merchandizing
practices and research projects by means of field days.
- To co-operate with other agricultural groups
in the promotion of the welfare of pulse crop producers.
- To work closely with brokers to determine
a fair price for pulse crops.
The original Board members were:
Earle Peters, President (Laird)
Don Tait, Vice-President (Elrose)
John Buchan, Secretary Treasurer (SDA ex officio)
Ron Gaudet (Bellevue)
Barry Braun (Paynton)
Larry Murray (Outlook)
Al Hurd (Melfort)
Al Slinkard (Crop Development Centre ex officio)
Neal Holt (Agriculture Canada ex officio)
In the early days of the Association, members used their personal funds to attend meetings and carry
out association activities. After a few years of trying to carry
out the aims of the Association with limited funds and seeing
what the Washington and Idaho Pea and Lentil Commission had accomplished
with their check-off, the SPCGA decided to form a Board and establish
a check-off under the Provincial Natural Products Marketing Act.
Meetings were held around the province to allow farmers to discuss
the check-off concept. In 1983, a plebiscite of all
pulse growers in Saskatchewan was held to determine if growers were in
favour of a compulsory check-off on all commercial sales of pulse
crops in Saskatchewan. The vote was favourable and led to the
establishment of the Pulse Crop Development Board in 1984. The mandate of the Saskatchewan Pulse Crop Development Board, also known as the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, is to provide for the effective development of the Saskatchewan
pulse crop industry.
SASKATCHEWAN PULSE GROWERS PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
Research and Development
Our program provides funding and leadership for ongoing research,
including: disease management and resistance, genetic improvement,
agronomy, weed control, new uses and quality assessment. Since
the organization's inception, research investments have consistently
been SPG's largest expenditure.
> Go
to the Pulse Research section
Variety Release Program
SPG provides access to new pulse varieties developed through the
CDC Pulse Breeding program by offering Breeder seed without royalties
to Select-status seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
> Go
to the All About Pulse Seed page
Market Development
Our market development efforts focus on developing international
and domestic market opportunities for pulses in human diets and
livestock rations.
> Go
to the Feeding Animals section
SPG works closely with Pulse Canada, a national
organization serving the interests of pulse growers and the pulse
trade involved in the marketing of peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas
and fababeans.
> Go
to the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn about Pulse Canada
Communications
The primary goal of our communications program is better-informed
and profitable pulse growers in Saskatchewan. Some of our communications
initiatives include: PulsePoint
magazine, annual
reports, SPG website,
Pulse
Days annual conference, regional
meetings and field
days.
> Go
to the Pulse News section
> Go to the
Pulse Events section
Policy
SPG cooperates with other organizations to provide leadership
on policy related issues affecting the pulse industry.
> Go
to the Policy Issues page
Operations
SPG staff members combine industry knowledge and individual expertise
to deliver programs as directed by the SPG Board.
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