The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA) was one of eight farm commodity groups to hold its AGM last week at CropConnect in Winnipeg.

Chair Fred Greig said fusarium head blight was a big concern in 2016.

"We're certainly hoping for better environmental conditions so it won't be the same problem," he commented. "I think it was a worse problem this year because as farmers and producers we understand how to deal with the disease. In past, we weren't so good at it, and we blew a lot of those infected kernels out of our combines so our DON level production was quite a bit lower, whereas now it's becoming a marketing issue for the Grain Commission and companies moving forward."

Greig noted his association seems to be further along in terms of collaboration compared to some of the other farm commodity groups. The organizations recently hired Pam de Rocquigny as its joint-general manager in partnership with the Manitoba Corn Growers Association.

As far as changes to the board this upcoming year, MWBGA will be adding Cale Jefferies of Glenboro as its seventh director.