Sask Growers Satisfied with SPG

SASKATOON - Jun 11/08 - SNS -- Pulse producers in Saskatchewan are satisfied with the work and direction of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), with 85% believing they are getting value for their check-off dollars, reports the association.

The findings were part of the results from a survey of 800 pulse producers conducted by Insightrix Research Services.

"We wanted to measure the awareness levels and satisfaction producers have about the programs and services SPG is providing. We also wanted to get a better understanding of producers priorities as we plan for the future," says Garth Patterson, Executive Director of SPG.

According to the survey, 90% of producers agree that SPG is helping to build a prosperous pulse industry, expanding markets, promoting the consumption of Saskatchewan pulses and providing production and marketing information. "We also learnt that 85% of the producers surveyed believe they receive value for the check-off dollars they contribute to the pulse industry," says Patterson.

Research and Development (R&D) came in as a top funding priority. "We put 2/3 of our annual budget into R&D, so it was great to hear that producers have such strong support for the R&D program," Patterson adds. According to the survey, Producers believe SPG’s most valuable investment is the pulse breeding agreement they have with the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan where SPG has exclusive global distribution rights to pulse varieties developed at the renowned breeding centre.

Overall, producers had a high level of awareness about SPG’s programs. "We are happy to hear our programs are being recognized and have producer support because with a strong agriculture industry right now, we have the ability to move further ahead with these programs and capture even more profitability for Saskatchewan producers," says Patterson.