b'MESSAGES | Alberta Seed ProcessorsBY THE TIME YOUread this, the calendar will have turned to the new year. Hopefully, everyone can hit the pause button and take a bit of time to relax before the madness of calving season or seeding is upon us. Although the to do list gets a bit shorter over the winter, it never goes away. Planning for the next crop year starts before the current one is done. Many of us already have crop rotation plans in place. We monitor yields, quality, and harvestability of crops and use that information in next years plans. At the same time farm-based information is being collected, theres a myriad of agricultural research thats happening locally, provincially, nationally and globally that dovetails into our decision-making process.The research happening these days is mind boggling. Advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, biosphere knowledge including plant physiology and 3D environmental modelling are all happening at speeds and intensities that were hard to imagine a decade ago. The entities that are conducting the research are also changing, with explosions and implosions of investment nationally and internationally. Although private enterprise has a very important role to play in the research arena, government or public entities must not totally exit the realm, as food security is connected to the ownership of genetics, and surveillance systems. I think we, as primary producers, do need to have realistic discussions with policy makers, as the voting public is centered in non-agricultural producing areas, with little focus on the importance of government agriculture investment. The Alberta seed processing industry continues to move ahead with farmer investment.@CoppockT Revenue derived from operations of co-op seed cleaning plants are being reinvested [email protected] the Alberta seed processing industry. Early in 2023, Camrose County opened a new state(403) 489-9999 of art seed cleaning facility designed to serve the ag industry well into the future. A major overhaul project is currently being finished up at the Frontier Co-op in LaCrete, Alta. and Westlock is building a new facility as well. Not to over simplify, but all of this investment is possible because farmers use the facilities, and the facilities offer cost effective services that farmers require. By being a shareholder and customer of our co-op seed processing facilities, you are indirectly investing in the agriculture industry to fuel made-in-Alberta solutions so, thank you for that.Alberta Seed Processors currently operates the regional silage variety trial program, and is a funder of other regional variety trial programs. As a partner in Alberta Seed Guide, we strive to try to connect research with primary producersregardless if you are a farmer or rancher. A new Agronomy Matters column has been added to the seed guide. In the midst of bots, AI, artificial plant leaf simulators, etc. basic agronomic factors of producing a crop need to be executed to leverage the value of new technologies. This issue of Alberta Seed Guide contains the regional variety trail data that has been collected from trial work during the past growing season and combined with historical data. The thousands of data points are then scientifically analyzed to bring the reader data thats sound, and to say the least isnt a one-off. The professionals and scientists that are involved in publishing the tables go to great lengths to ensure the data is correct at time of publication. The tables can also be found on-line at seed.ab.ca, and contain any updates that may be necessary after this issue of the seed guide hits the printing press. I hope you find this issue of the Alberta Seed Guide informative, and if you are like me, keep it kicking around the house or truck cab until the next issue comes out. Tom Coppock, President, Alberta Seed ProcessorsSpring 2024 5'