Team Alberta is looking for farmers to volunteer for their grain conditioning study.

The group, which represents four Alberta crop commissions, is assessing on-farm energy consumption and the efficiency of grain drying systems.

Team Alberta plans to use the information collected for advocacy work in improving programs and policies, as well as an information source for farmers.

The Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions' Government Relations and Policy Manager, Shannon Sereda, says it's a three year study where they'll need 40 systems to look at, which will also have benefits for participating farmers.

"They'll be able to receive very individualized recommendations based on their specific systems. So I think that's a great incentive because hopefully that will save them money in the short and long-terms."

She says a study the group conducted in 2016 shows the carbon tax mostly impacts grain conditioning operations.

"Most operations it tended to be linked more to these conditioning systems and operations through the use of natural gas and propane," she said. "We did some theoretical analysis and now through the three year study we'd like to validate some of these energy consumption figures."

Team Alberta says interested farmers can expect to work closely with experts to install measuring implements, preform data readings and manual logging throughout drying periods.

Sereda says they're looking for a small group of farmers to participate in a pilot project this spring before launching the full study in July.

To apply for the program, you can visit their website.

 

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