b"Economically, the B.C. Peace is very much integrated to the Peace River area in Alberta. I mean, we view the B.C. farmers and the oil and gas people, and the forestry and mining people as our neighbours and a part of our region.Nick Sekulicno longer good for seed production, it must then be rejuvenated or taken out.Timothy is a little different. We had one Timothy field that we had 20 crops in a row on. But after about seven years, you lose your pedigreed status on that field, he says.Most grass seed varieties come from the United States, and there arent many new varieties to grow Wuthrich says. The seed is also not sold by Wuthrich or other seed growers, its bought by companies such as DLF Pickseed or BrettYoung, who then sell and market the seed into the U.S. or international markets.In Wuthrichs area, the grass seed growing is important for the environment also. During the 1950s and 1960s there were forest fires which burned through the area and depleted the soil. The grass growing is helping to rejuvenate the burnt soil.Timothy does a great job building up the soils organic matter. And you can get rid of a lot of, some weeds that like to stayDave Wuthrich has been in the seed industry for 30 years, serving as a director dormant in the soil for a long time. If you have a really nice longof the B.C. Seed Growers and as the B.C. national rep for the Canadian Seed cycle of grass seed, it can basically make those seeds inert. It's aGrowers Association.PHOTO: DAVE WUTHRICHdifferent world, Wuthrich explains.There are other challenges with growing grass seed though,membership, Wuthrich explains. We look across the border, Wuthrich says. In B.C. its not covered by crop insurance. and Alberta has the seed guide, have regular meetings, lots of information, are involved with research projects.The Future of the B.C. Seed Growers The B.C. Seed Growers have approached the ASG and the For the B.C. Seed Growers, around half of its members arepossible merger is currently being considered. grass seed growers. Over the years, overall membership inNick Sekulic is a former ASG board member and current the organization has dwindled which is why the group is nowSeeds Canada board member. His seed farm, Prestville Farms, looking into merging with the Alberta Seed Growers (ASG). Theis located near Rycroft, Alta. in the Alberta Peace River region. association used to have 50 to 60 members and is now down toHe sees the merger as a logical move since the Alberta and B.C. around 24 members. Peace regions are next to each other.A lot of our members aren't active, and theres not a lot ofEconomically, the B.C. Peace is very much integrated to the people to draw from. And as I said, Ive been on the boardPeace River area in Alberta. I mean, we view the B.C. farmers for 30 years. A lot of the other guys on the board have beenand the oil and gas people, and the forestry and mining people on there as long if not longer. And theres just no new peopleas our neighbours and a part of our region, he explains in a coming up through the ranks to keep our association going,phone interview. Things do change when you cross that border, Wuthrich explains. license plates are different, crop insurance rules are different, When the Seeds Canada merger was proposed, the plan wasand all that. But production issues don't change.for there to be eight regions. Originally the B.C. seed growersThe merger will be looked at closer by both the B.C. Seed thought they could possibly be a region with the Alberta PeaceGrowers and ASG over the winter. Wuthrich plans to help see River area, which would give them enough people for nationalthe B.C. Seed Growers through the change and after wants to representation. After CSGA voted not to amalgamate the B.C.still be involved in the seed industry but not as a director with Seed Growers thought joining the ASG might be a good idea. the association.Were having a hard time maintaining a functioning board.Karen and I are going to continue to grow pedigreed grass And are we really providing any useful information or supportand cereals with our son to continue the future success of our to our members we don't bring in enough money to hirefamily farm, Wuthrich says about the future of PW Farms Ltd.a coordinator or do the research or really bring value to our Ashley Robinson42seed.ab.ca"