Wheat Challenge open for 2018

Jeremy Appel
Westwind Weekly News

The Alberta Wheat Commission is inviting farmers across the province to compete in the 2018 Wheat Yield Challenge, which was won last year by a Magrathite.
Matthew Stafford took home first place in 2017’s inaugural competition for his winter wheat — AAC Gateway — which was grown on irrigation and yielded 113 bushels per acre.
“Planning is critical to success,” Stafford told the AWC.
He said he was confident his “planned recipe” would show results even prior to the yield challenge’s announcement last year.
The AWC is changing the rules this year to level the playing field, so different soil types and classes aren’t at a disadvantage.
First and second prize will go to wheat growers who obtain the highest yield per cent above the five-year Agriculture Financial Services Corporation average for their risk area and class of wheat.
First and second place champions will receive a pass to the Prairie Cereals Summit at Banff Springs Hotel in December, which includes a two-night stay and $200 towards travel costs.
They will receive recognition at the summit.
Those interested in entering the challenge must submit a registration form by July 1 and a follow-up harvest report by Nov. 1.
For more information, contact AWC grower relations and extension co-ordinator Brian Kennedy at bkennedy@albertawheat.com.