Agronomy and research continue to be the core focus of the Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, the group’s annual meeting heard last week.
“Quite simply, it’s in the field that our growers find the majority of their challenges,” Daryl Domitruk, MPSG’s executive director, told the online event. MPSG was forced to go virtual when the CropConnect Conference, the usual in-person venue, was cancelled earlier this winter due to public health restrictions.
Domitruk noted that the on-farm research network that sees field trials run with co-operation from farmer members, under real-life conditions, continues to be popular with members.
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Cal Penner, MPSG chair who farms near Elm Creek, said they’ve conducted on-farm research on their farm for “a number of years” and encouraged other producers to get involved.
“They’re a great way to see if some of the practices that are trying to be sold to you are any good, or if you want to try something new, and compare it to other farmers,” Penner said.
Penner is wrapping up his term as president and leaving the MPSG board, the meeting heard, after serving for several years, including a stint as vice-chair.
Three board members’ terms expired this year, including Penner’s. John Preun of St. Andrews and Garret Sawatsky of Altona chose to let their names stand again, and were re-elected by acclamation. New board member Alex Burgess, of Minnedosa, was also elected by acclamation. The election resulted in a full complement of 10 directors for MPSG.
Other items of business included the organization’s annual financial report, which saw a decline in revenues, of just over $473,000, mainly reflecting a decline in checkoffs, due to lower deliveries. In 2020 checkoffs raised $3.38 million for MPSG, compared to 2021, which saw just $2.82 million in checkoff revenue.
