NPARA 2013 Research Results

Transcription

1 NPARA 2013 Research Results The North Peace Applied Research Association (NPARA) is a non-profit, producer-driven organization that conducts applied agricultural research and extension in the North Peace Region of Alberta, Canada. Box th Ave SW Manning AB T0H 2M0 OFFICE (780) Nora Paulovich (780) Tom Fromme (780)

2 Wheat Variety NP Date Harvested: September 11, 2013 Variety Average of 4 plots TYPE (bu/a) Canada Western General Purpose 83.2 NRG 010 AC Foremost CPS 81.1 Canada Western General Pasteur Purpose 80.9 Minnedosa CPS 77.7 CPS 5700 PR CPS 74.9 Canada Soft White Spring Sadash Wheat 72.1 CPS 5720 CPS 69.6 Canada Soft White Spring Wheat 67.8 AC Andrew AAC Ryley CPS 67.4 AC Crystal CPS 67.0 Stettler CWRS 66.2 Shaw CWRS 65.6 Superb CWRS 65.1 AAC Brandon CWRS 64.1 Carberry CWRS 63.7 Muchmore CWRS 62.7 Unity CWRS 61.7 Abound CWRS 61.5 Intrepid CWRS 61.1 CDC Go CWRS 60.6 Harvest CWRS 58.3 CDC Alsask CWRS 58.3 AC Splendor CWRS 57.3 Vesper CWRS 56.8 Snowstar Canada Western Hard White Wheat 56.6 Whitehawk Canada Western Hard White Wheat 55.0 Alikat CWRS 54.4 AC Barrie CWRS 54.2 AAC Redwater CWRS 52.1 Alvena CWRS 48.9 CEREAL VARIETY TRIALS Barley, Oat and Spring Wheat variety trials were seeded on May 16 with 61#/A urea and 125 #/A Trial design was randomized complete block with 4 repetitions. Plots were 1.4 m x 8 m, trimmed to 6 meters for harvest. In-season weed control was MCPA plus Sencor on June 3. Grasshoppers were present on the farm all summer and the decision whether or not to treat was a daily one. In the end, one application of Decis on June 21 was made. No further treatment was required; subsequent damage was negligible. Disease pressure was low and no fungicide applications were made. If you do not see your wheat, barley or oat varieties in these trials please let us know so we can include them in the 2014 trials. WHEAT Thirty spring wheat varieties were included in the NPARA 2013 trial. Harvest was September 11 and almost all samples tested 14% or less. There were some clear winners, and Josh Stahl picked the number 1 wheat at one of the July tours. Good eye, Josh! 2

3 BARLEY The barley varieties stood well all year and harvested easily. Almost all plots were less than 14% at harvest on September 12. The trail was seeded on May 16 with 61#/A urea and 125 #/A Barley Variety NP Barley Variety NP Barley Variety NP Date Harvested: September 12, 2013 Variety Ave. bu/a Type CDC Meredith row Malt Gadsby row Feed Ponoka row Feed Bentley 95.3 Malt CDC Yorkton 94.5 Malt CDC Austenson row Feed Merit Malt Sundre 87.3 GP Vivar row CDC Mayfair 86.5 Malt CDC Copeland row Malt Seebe row Feed Xena 84.2 GP Trochu row Chigwell row CDC Maverick row Feed CDC Anderson row AC Metcalfe row Malt CDC Kindersley row Malt CDC Cowboy row Feed Bear Paw 44.1 GP

4 OATS Oat varieties also stood well through harvest and had very little disease or insect pressure. Yields reflect the very favorable growing conditions experienced this year. Oat Variety NP Date Harvested: September 12, 2013 Variety ave. bu/a Triactor Stride Jordan AC Morgan CDC Baler Bradley CDC Haymaker Waldren Murphy Oat Variety NP Oat Variety NP PEA INOCULANT Extensive pea inoculant treatments were tested in 2013, including several dual treatments. Results compel us to continue the trial, as the untreated check showed very good results. Are the bacteria still present in soil that has grown peas in recent years? In our soybean fields in the U.S. we have not 4

5 inoculated seed since the 1960s. We plan to look at recent literature on the subject and possibly test this by seeding peas without inoculant where we know they have not been grown for several years. We can then assess nodulation, growth habit and compare yield to an inoculated trial. This inoculant trial should be repeated also, with an eye toward digging many roots and assessing nodulation on those plots. The trial design will be changed to include buffer plots of wheat between the treated plots to prevent cross-inoculation Pea Inoculant Comparison Trial

6 Pea Inoculant Comparison Trial Date Harvested: September 9, 2013 Variety ave. bu/a Tag Team Peat 81.2 Tag Team Peat/ Jump Start 81.2 Tag Team Liquid 79.5 Tag Team Granule/ Jump Start 78.7 Tag Team Liquid/ Jump Start 78.4 Untreated Check 78.3 Tag Team Granule 71.8 Nodulator 71.7 Optimize Granule/Jump Start 71.7 Jump Start 70.4 Optimize Granule 69.4 Nodulator/ Jump Start 69.0 Pea Varieties NPARA participated in the Regional Variety Trials (RVTs) for green and yellow peas. They were seeded May 15 using Nodulator inoculant and 125# Emergence and stands were very good and the peas stood well until two weeks before harvest. There was very little disease pressure. At the NPARA July 9 tour, Provincial Pathologist Ralph Lange was frustrated in showing any disease symptoms to the participants. One application of quilt + matador was made on June 29. The MP 1899 yellow pea attracted local pea-grower attention all season. It stood exceptionally well and was the last to lodge, which it eventually did just like the rest. The final 1899 yield was very good as were yields for all the peas. Provincial pea RVT results are available at PEA RVT Date Harvested: September 5, 2013 Yellow Pea Variety YIELD MP CDC Amarillo CDC Meadow 97.2 CDC Saffron 94.8 Abarth 87.3 AAC Peace River 86.5 Green Pea Variety YIELD CDC Limerick 86.8 CDC Patrick 85.9 CDC Pluto 79.1 CDC Raezer 78.9 CDC Tetris

7 2013 NPARA Growing With Canola Year-End Report NPARA enjoys partnerships in research and extension with several commodity organizations. One of the most vigorous is our cooperation with Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) and Canada Canola Council (CCC). NPARA maintains an information stream to producers and industry in the North Peace through meetings, seminars and field tours of our research farm. Newsletters, radio and newspaper coverage of NPARA and ACPC activities also played a strong role in canola extension activities. The contribution and dedication of CCC staff is what makes it all work so well. Producers in our area have benefited from the canola diagnostic school and can recognize CCC staff from their numerous visits to Manning. This relationship encourages discussion, sometimes lively, in the relaxed atmosphere of a farm tour. We are grateful for this support on behalf of our membership. In past years a Canola Diagnostic School was featured at our farm tours. This year research scientists changed the format of our research and extension, designing the Ultimate Canola Challenge trial, also known as UCC Test 75. Research organizations were invited to carry out a 6 or 13 treatment trial using various products available to producers, costing ~ $15/Acre. The check was a standard treatment using Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended by ACPC and CCC. Of course we chose to carry out the full 13 treatment trial and were hard pressed to keep up with the treatment schedule and data collection, but our results are worth it. Treatments and links to each product website are as follows: 7 1. Standard 100 seeds/m2, no primers or foliar-applied products 2. Extra N: 125% of recommended in the sideband 3. Seed Primer: Protinus seed primer nce%20update_october%204_2012_final.pdf 4. Stress Relief: C3 with herbicide 5. Top dressing: 100% N at seeding, 10 gal/a added at 5 weeks. 6. Boron (Nexus): Higher seeding rate (150 seeds/m2) 8. Reduced N: 75% of recommended in the sideband 9. Precede seed primer Biostimulator Penergetic P Fortified Foliar-

8 12. Boron (Alpine): CO2 greenhouse effect: AGROSOLution - This test, at least at the NPARA site, indicates no advantage to any treatment as compared to the standard, as any yields superior to the standard treatment are not statistically significant. The take-away message is to continue with CCC/ACPC agronomic guidelines for best canola performance. Complete results for other locations will be reported at local canola meetings around the province in late November and early December and will be included in NPARA reports when available. Data will include analysis of emergence/stand, green seed, thousand kernel weight (TKW), flowering and maturity dates, and seed quality. The UCC will be continued in The NPARA field research tour on July 9 featured the canola diagnostic school and inspection of Test 75 with Greg Sekulic, who always fields the questions and comments of attendees with good Ultimate Canola Challenge NPARA 2013 Treatment AVE BU/A Seed Primer 70.5 Boron 68.5 Extra N 68.4 Higher Seeding Rate 68.2 Seed Primer 68.2 Standard 67.7 Biostimulator 67.1 Fortified Foliar 66.7 Boron 4-6 Leaf 65.3 Stress Relief 64.3 CO2 Greenhouse 64.1 Top Dress 63.3 Reduced N 60.8 knowledge and evidence to back his observations. We consider Mr. Sekulic to be an important partner with NPARA and we consult him as needed. Ralph Lange, Provincial Plant Pathologist, also presented and fielded questions. Greg returned on August 15 for our Morning Coffee Tour and was again helpful in discussing production issues. 8

9 NPARA wishes to thank ACPC for support of field demonstrations and extension functions. This applied research association is stronger as a result. Soybean Variety Trial Soybeans! It is great to see that folks in the North Peace can get interested in soybeans; it means I m not the only one. You want to skip to the graph and form your opinions, but please read this fine print. The CV of the data is very high, reflecting high variability between individual plots; it is not known why, we will just have to take it with a grain of salt. This is an excellent trial, however, for a new crop, as it indicates potential. To be considered a competitive addition to the crop options in our area a plot average of ~40 bushels/acre would be required, as well as some consistency from year to year. I am encouraged by these results but considerably more research and development is needed. The soybean plots, both the variety trial and the inoculant trial, looked very healthy and vigor was great. The plots were seeded May 26 and I doubt that earlier seeding would have much impact, as emergence was slow. Plant development took time also, as the first flowers did not appear until July 13 at the V5 to V6 stage (4 th or 5 th trifoliate leaf). We would like to see a variety that flowers just after summer solstice but even as light-sensitive plants, soybeans need some amount of vegetative growth before flowering, and the V5 stage is the earliest flowering stage I have seen. It would be hard to hurry them by seeding earlier as the soil must be at least 10C for emergence; warmer is much better. Our first frost on September 19 ended the race to 9

10 maturity and many pods held immature green beans. Moosomin and Pioneer P001T34R were the most mature varieties. Harvest is easy as the plants stood well through harvest on October 19. Some pods were low on the plant, escaping our plot combine, but commercial machines would have had no problem. Harvest samples were, for lack of a better term, ugly, with green and immature seed. Samples are submitted for protein and oil analysis and this information is forthcoming. Soybeans are an oilseed directly related to canola in the markets. Agronomically they are in the pulse arena, as a legume and nitrogen-fixer. If the yields can be improved soy could substitute for cereals in a rotation. I am very interested in producer s thoughts on this. Stay tuned for more soybean trials in 2014, including some investigation of forage soy varieties. Soybean Variety NP Summary Yield Trt # Variety NSC 6 4 Moisture % ave bu/a Moosmomin NSC Reston RR2Y LS002R LS NSC Vito HS006RYS HY Y P001T34R The soy trials were a major attraction at NPARA field tours. 10

11 Lentil Variety Trial Lentil Yield results 2013 trt moist bu/a ave. bu/a Imperial Maxim Red Dazil CDC Redberry We continue to seed this trial, and maybe we are making (slow) progress as the plots were able to be harvested this year. Harvesting lentils is not for the faint of heart; there s a fine line between scooping up soil and rocks and cutting lentil plants. The trial was rolled this year which helped immensely and we had no mishaps. Finally, though, the there is so much variability in the data that statistical analysis is not valid. Individual plot yields were from 7.8 to 26 bushels/acre and quality is very good. Fababean Variety Trial Fabas are very interesting and the yields this season really surprise me. They are best seeded very early and require some management, especially for foliar diseases such as chocolate spot. One application of fungicide was sufficient to halt spread of chocolate spot this year. Grasshoppers did not bother them, but in 2012 blister beetles were a problem. Harvest was easy as the plants did not lodge. NPARA 2013 Faba Bean Variety Trial Variety bu/a Snowbird ~

12 FLAX Variety Trial Flax Variety Trial NP Date Harvested: October 24, 2013 Variety ave bu/a Trt# Variety Plot # Moisture % Weight (g) bu/a ave bu/a Column1 CDC Sorrel CDC Bethune CDC Sanctuary Mean CDC Glas Standard Error Taurus Median Norlin CDC Sanctuary Mode #N/A CDC Bethune Standard Deviation AC Prairie Grande Sample Variance Watson Kurtosis Hanley CDC Sorrel Skewness Flax variety results show a Range significant range of average Minimum yields. Individual plot yields Maximum range from 17 to 37 4 Hanley Sum bushels/acre. Harvest was Count 36 later in October when Confidence Level(95.0%) moisture levels finally fell to CV the 10-12% range. 5 AC Prairie Grande CDC Glas Taurus Watson Norlin Flax may become more important in North Peace rotations for several reasons. Lower costs of 2013 Flax Variety Trial Summary Results production, higher yields due to variety development, and steady prices relative to other oilseeds and grains, plus the possibility of enhanced grain plus fiber opportunities may work to build a stronger flax sector. As of December prices were around $13.25/bu and estimated Stats Canada average yield of 27.5 bu/a was estimated. A workshop for Bio-Industrial Opportunities for Hemp and Flax was held in Grande Prairie and attended by NPARA staff. Recent news about this initiative may be found by contacting Lisa Houle (lisa.houle@gov.ab.ca) Flax Variety Trial Summary Results

13 Regional Silage Variety Trials Pea/Cereal CP TDN CA P K MG ton/a CDC HORIZON/PRONGHORN /PRONGHORN CDC HORIZON/VIVAR CDC HORIZON/MURPHY /MURPHY MURPHY /VIVAR PRONGHORN VIVAR Barley CP TDN CA P K MG ton/a SEEBE MUSKWA AC RANGER CDC MAVERICK VIVAR CHIGWELL PONOKA CDC AUSTENSON TROCHU BUSBY GADSBY CDC COWBOY SUNDRE XENA CDC COALITION CONLON Oats NAME CP TDN CA P K MG AC JUNIPER MURPHY JORDAN AC MUSTANG FOOTHILLS CDC BALER CDC SO-I AC MORGAN CDC HAYMAKER WALDERN Triticale NAME CP TDN CA P K MG PRONGHORN SUNRAY TAZA TYNDAL BUNKER

14 NPARA participates in the Silage Regional Variety Trials. The 2013 trials flourished with the steady rains and harvest was ahead of 2012 by 7-10 days. Four trials were completed and the most interesting may be the cereal/pulse mixtures. These were harvested later than the single-specie trials and the tonnage was very good. All cereal silage received 61# urea and 125# Barley was seeded May 17 and harvested July 24. Oats were seeded May 17 and harvest was July 30. Triticale was seeded May 17 and harvested August 7. Pea/cereal trial was seeded May 17 and harvested 7 August. This trial received 125# at seeding. This is a regional trial and a result summary for all of Alberta is available at SUMMARY All data and results are the responsibility of me, Tom Fromme, Research Coordinator for NPARA. Nora Paulovich is the manager and assists in planning and execution of all projects at the NPARA research facility. Courtney Vandemark, research technician, takes the lead in trial preparation, data collection, facility maintenance, seasonal worker supervision, and she organizes the harvest. If you have questions about the trials we are glad to discuss them with you. NPARA has a wealth of information for producers and industry representatives alike. Please make yourself known to us at the farm or at the town office. We urge you to become a member of NPARA; the cost of joining is small compared to the value of information, seminars, and tours (with meals) available to you. I am pleased to be surrounded by the good people of the North Peace. My two-year experience here has been the most pleasant of my career (30+ years in a half-dozen countries), and I hope to continue to work and serve NPARA members and the community at large. Respectfully submitted, Tom Fromme 14