WESTLOCK — With an aging plant and ongoing construction of the new one, the Westlock Seed Cleaning Co-op Ltd. had another very busy, but successful year.
The Co-op held their Annual Meeting of the shareholders at the Westlock Legion Hall last Monday evening, Nov 6.
Board chairman Colin Felstad (who was home sick that evening) wrote in his report that this year saw the co-op break ground on the new plant, starting with the drilling of piles.
“Welding and fabricating continued throughout the winter months. Concrete work began in the spring and is almost complete now. Work will continue through the winter with a completion date near the end of 2024,” he wrote.
In his report, Felstad noted the Board has been pleased with the progress of the project, and added it is close to both the original budget and timeline thet set out. Although the new build has required a lot of time and focus, the work of cleaning grain and operating the current business was ongoing.
“This would not be possible without exceptional management and staff. The new build has complicated many processes and added extra duties for our management and staff,” he wrote. “We owe them a large thanks for wearing multiple hats during this past year and continuing to operate an outstanding business.”
Manager Wayne Walker told the members at the meeting that the Co-op has had another record year, with 2,064,371 bushels of seed and processing; with 44 per cent (915,7188 bushels) pedigreed seed and 1,109,837 bushels of farm saved seed and separations.
He noted some changes to operations at the current plant, with Mackenzie Walker taking on the role of Assistant Manager from Neil Greenfield, who had the role for many years. Greenfeld has stepped back but continues to work a regular shift and is helping in an advisory/training role when transitioning to the new plant.
Office Administrator Jackie Huppertz will be the point person for pedigreed seed sales and administration of all ongoing paperwork, invoicing and all her other regular duties. Both have been familiar faces at the plant for several year. Walker noted Mackenzie, in addition to his new duties as Assistant Manager, will also be involved in seed sales, but his focus will be on co-ordination of cleaning, operations and ongoing management training.
Walker added staff member CJ Peterson is doing a great job of tracking maintenance and will have an expanded role in the new plant with operations and maintenance.
“Our winter part time help are all experienced workers and are dedicated to providing the best quality product and service they can,” Walker added. “This business is only as good as the people who run it are, and you as shareholders have some of the best.”
Regarding the new plant being built by Renel Construction (Rene Borle), Walker pointed out, “The new plant is a huge project, with lots of co-ordination to ensure each phase is complete and done correctly. Once completed, it will be a jewel in the ag industry of Alberta and a huge part of the continuing success of this business, your farm, and our community.”
He pointed out too that Renel Construction is no newcomer to the business of building seed cleaning plants in the province, noting several others the company has built.
This year, in comparison to fifteen other plants in the province, the Westlock plant was tops in all four categories of grain processed (2,064,371 bushels), pedigreed seed (915,718 bushels), treating only (277,695 bushels) and farm saved seed - common (1,109, 837 bushels. It is believed this is the first time they have been the top of the list in all four categories.
Each year, the Board awards scholarships to local young persons attending further education in agriculture studies. Each of the scholarships are $750. This year, four scholarships were awarded to the following, who were away at their respective colleges and unable to attend, but parents accepted the scholarships for them.
The recipients include: Owen Gabel, first year in the AgriBusiness program at Lakeland College in Vermilion; Brieanna Nyal, first year of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon; Bradley Trenholm, first year of the Crop Technology program at Lakeland College in Vermilion; and Allison Huppertz, first year of the Crop Technology program at Lakeland College in Vermilion.
