b'MESSAGES | Alberta Seed ProcessorsBY THE TIME YOU are reading this, many of us will be looking back at key events of the past year and at the same time, wondering what the future holds. History lends insight to the future in identifying events that should never be repeated, as well as identifying opportunities in light of global, national, and even local uncertainty. Considering the aspects that have helped shape Canadas strong agricultural industry, there are a couple main attributes that have gotten us to where we are today: Adaptability or the willingness to change; synergism or the ability to work together for the common good, as well as an overarching vision of positivity. These main attributes are still alive and well today even in a world plagued by extreme environmental conditions, massive global human migration, and disturbing geo-political unrest. The adaptation of new technologies shall continue to strengthen the industry in ways that some of us can not yet imagine. For example, seed analytics that are now available can help a farmer determine a seeding rate, predict stand establishment, and with a seed disease test, can even play a role in integrated pest management by predicting which seed treatments and what crop fungicides should be utilized to mitigate disease losses. The fact that you are reading the Alberta Seed Guide shows that seed quality is one of the first factors you considered when planning for success of this years crop. Farmers tend to be fiercely independent, working sometimes for days alone, but have always found ways to be connected to the industry at large. Twenty years ago, farmers hung out at the coffee shop, the grain elevator, or picked up new information @CoppockT at grower meetings hosted by fertilizer retailers. Now social media platforms [email protected] Twitter enables instantaneous connections far beyond the traditional geographic local(403) 489-9999 community.Commodity commissions, local research organizations, and national farmer lobby groups are all examples of farmers banding together for the greater good to conduct research and to have important input on provincial, national, and global agriculture policy. Hats off to all farmers that have taken a formal role in leading organizations like, but not limited to, board members of the 67-co-op seed and grain processing plants that are members of Alberta Seed Processors. This synergy of effort has been imperative for our past accomplishments and continues to be a hallmark for future success.The positive attitude that is a hallmark of the individuals (like you) that make up Canadas agriculture sector is an imperative trait to view issues and challenges with a discovery mindset. Opportunities are often disguised as problems or obstacles and sometimes theres a time lag between the paradigm shift from challenge into opportunity. Theres no denying that we are in a world of fickle markets in which, regardless if we are the buyers or sellers, pose opportunities, as well as challenges. Lastly, courage to keep going, to celebrate success, to admit mistakes and to be optimistic even when logic could otherwise be negative is a trait of the agriculture industry that defines who we are. Its human to fear the unknown, and it takes great courage to keep going we dont know if itll rain, or if itll rain too much, or if we can sell the crop that we are growing or if a myriad of other unknowns may or may not happen. But our optimistic outlook creates opportunities, rather than challenges.We cant change the past, but we can certainly influence the future.Tom Coppock, President, Alberta Seed ProcessorsSpring 2023 5'