Crop Variety Trial for Saddle Hills County

Funded by: Saddle Hills County

Introduction and Objective

With new crop varieties continually emerging, producers seek those best suited to their agroecological conditions and rely on performance evaluations conducted by independent third-party organizations under standardized and unbiased conditions to make informed decisions. This Crop Variety Trial is designed to provide Saddle Hills County producers with objective data on the agronomic performance of various barley, oat, wheat, field pea, and canola varieties under local growing conditions. The goal is to assist in selecting the most suitable varieties for the region. This three-year trial began in 2023 and will conclude in 2025.

What We Did

The project was implemented at a satellite site in Saddle Hills County, located at the Junction of Hwy 725/TWP 814 in Fourth Creek, Alberta. The trial was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Figure 1 shows the weather (including precipitation, minimum & maximum air temperatures, and growth degree days) before seeding until harvest, recorded at the nearest AGCM Weather Station in Savanna, AB; less than 7 km from the trial site. Low spring moisture conditions marked the 2024 growing season after the initial 2" early spring moisture. More than half (55%) of the annual precipitation occurred between June 10th and August 10th, a key period of plant growth and development. Detailed information on site history, soil data, treatments implemented, and cultural practices followed are outlined in Table 1. The study adhered to the Alberta Cereal and Flax Regional Variety Testing Protocols (ARVAC, 2023), Canola Performance Trials Small Plot Protocol (Canola Council of Canada, 2023), and Alberta Regional Pulse Variety Testing Protocols (Oslon, 2015).

Figure 1: Weather conditions recorded at the AGCM Weather Station in Savanna, AB

Results - Barley

The results for the Barley variety trial are shown in Table 2 below.

Plant Count

Plant counts (not shown here) taken three weeks after seeding

varied between 224 and 318 plants per m² and did not differ significantly between varieties. 

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from about 47 to 70 cm, with the smooth awn varieties AB Advantage and AB Renegade coming in first and second position, respectively, in terms of height. No lodging was observed amongst barley varieties at maturity. 

Barley Grain Yield

Grain yield ranged between 56-79 bu/ac amongst barley varieties but did not vary significantly. The following barley varieties (recruited mainly from the feed and food barley varieties) yielded comparatively higher than the check variety AAC Synergy: CDC Renegade, AB Tofield, AB Advantage, Sirish, and Canmore, while AB Wrangler yielded just 85% compared to the control.

Barley Test and Seed Weight

The test and seed weights ranged between 43–52 lbs/bu varieties and about 33–43 g/1000 seeds, respectively.

Barley Grain Quality

The protein content ranged from 13-17% and varied significantly between varieties, with the malt barley varieties having higher protein contents on average. 

Conclusion and Implications

Yield Stability Across Varieties

Despite differences in yield, all varieties fell within a narrow range, suggesting a relatively stable production potential across these varieties at the site. This may allow farmers flexibility in choosing barley based on other traits, such as height or protein content, without sacrificing yield.

Variety Selection for Height and Lodging Resistance

No lodging was observed, and some varieties showed greater height (e.g., AB Advantage and AB Renegade). These taller varieties may provide advantages in harvesting and potentially reduce disease spread by improving airflow.

Enhanced Grain Quality for Malt Production

The higher protein content in malt barley varieties highlights their suitability for brewing applications, which often require specific protein levels. This can guide growers aiming to meet quality standards in the malting industry.

Seed and Test Weight Consistency

The range in seed and test weights, though varied, was relatively narrow, which could benefit consistency in grain processing and storage and help maintain grain quality during handling and distribution.

Results - Oats

The results for the oat variety trial are shown in Table 3 below.

Plant Count

Plant counts (not shown here) taken 3 weeks after seeding varied between 240 and 380 plants per m2 and did not differ significantly between varieties. 

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from about 55 to 67 cm and varied significantly between varieties. Interestingly, the forage oat variety, CDC Haymaker, was not the tallest. No lodging was observed amongst oat varieties.

Oat Yield

Oat yield ranged widely (138-175 bu/acre) but did not differ significantly between varieties. AAC Douglas and CDC Nasser produced 113% and 105%, respectively, compared to the check variety CS Camden. The yields from Kalio, CDC Haymaker (the forage oat variety), and SO1 were 93%, 93%, and 89% of the check variety, respectively. 

Oat Test and Seed Weight

The oat test (bushel) weight ranged from 32-39 lbs/bu and significantly varied between varieties, while the seed weight (TKW) ranged from about 16-25 g/1000 seeds. 

Conclusion and Implications

Yield Consistency and Potential

Despite the range in yield, the oats generally performed well, with AAC Douglas and CDC Nasser outperforming the check. This could make these two varieties attractive to farmers aiming for higher yields.

Seed and Test Weight for Processing and Quality

The wide range in test and seed weights could impact processing qualities and market preferences, as higher test weights are often desired in grain markets. These differences may guide selection toward varieties that better meet specific industry or quality requirements.

The wide ranges in oat grain yields registered here indicate that some high-yielding varieties may adapt well to Saddle Hills growing conditions.  The differences between varieties in other traits, such as plant height, test weight, and seed weight, also support this. All these differences will have to be confirmed in subsequent years of the trial.

Results - Wheat

The results of the wheat variety trial are shown in Table 4 below.

Plant Count

Plant counts (not shown here) taken three weeks after seeding ranged between 156 to 292 plants per m² and varied significantly between varieties.

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from 55 to 69 cm, with Parata and AAC Redberry being the tallest varieties. CS Accelerate (56 cm) and AAC Penhold (55 cm) were the shortest varieties. No lodging was observed amongst varieties.

Wheat Yield

Wheat yielded about 41 bu/ac on average, ranging from 31 to 47 bu/ac with no significant difference between varieties. Compared to the control, 113% and 110% yield advantages were evident for AAC Hodge and CS Accelerate/AAC Wheatland. CDC Go yielded just 74% compared to the control.

Wheat Bushel and Thousand Kernel Weight (TWK)

The test (bushel) weight narrowly ranged from 61-64 lbs/bu, while the TKW ranged from 33 – 45 g/1000 seeds. There were significant differences between varieties for both of these grain attributes.

Wheat Quality

Wheat protein values narrowly ranged between 16-18% with no significant differences between test varieties.

Conclusion and Implications

Yield Consistency and Potential

Yield averaged 41 bu/ac, with AAC Hodge and CS Accelerate/AAC Wheatland outperforming (> 110%) the control, while CDC Go yielded just 74% of the control.

Height and Lodging Resistance

Plant heights were between 55 and 69 cm, and no lodging was observed. The lack of lodging implies that these varieties are structurally stable, which is advantageous in varied growing conditions.

Yield Consistency and Potential

Bushel weight, TKW, and protein content showed some variability, with consistent protein levels across varieties but significant differences in TKW and bushel weight.

Variation in TKW and test weight highlights potential differences in grain size and bushel weight.

Results - Canola

The results of the canola variety trial are shown in Table 5 below.

Plant Count

Plant counts (not shown here) taken three weeks after seeding ranged between 70 to 148 plants per m² and did not vary significantly between varieties.

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from 91 to 108 cm and did not vary significantly between varieties. No lodging was observed amongst canola varieties at maturity.

Canola Yield

The test canola hybrids yielded an average of 46.8 bu/ac. On average, the Roundup Ready hybrids yielded better than the Liberty Link and Clearfield hybrids.

Canola Bushel and Thousand Seed Weight (TSW)

The test (bushel) weight narrowly ranged from 49 - 53 lbs/bu, while the TSW ranged from 4.12 – 5.39 g/1000 seeds. There were significant differences between varieties for both grain indicators.

Canola Quality

Canola protein values ranged between 22% and 27%, while oil content ranged from 42% to 49% and significantly differed between test varieties.

Conclusion and Implications

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from 91 to 108 cm, and no lodging was observed at maturity, suggesting robust structural integrity across varieties.

Yield Consistency and Potential

The canola hybrids yielded an average of 46.8 bu/ac, with Roundup Ready hybrids out yielding Liberty Link and Clearfield hybrids. Bushel weights for canola ranged from 49 to 53 lbs/bu, and thousand-seed weights (TSW) were between 4.12 and 5.39 grams, with significant differences among varieties for both weight indicators.

Seed and Test Weight for Processing and Quality

Quality analyses revealed that protein levels ranged from 22% to 27%, and oil content varied from 42% to 49%, with both quality metrics differing significantly across the varieties tested.

Results - Peas

The results of the field pea variety trial are shown in Table 6 below.

Plant Count

Plant counts (not shown here) taken three weeks after seeding averaged 64 plants/m² and ranged between 52 to 80 plants per m² and did not vary significantly between varieties.

Plant Height and Lodging

Plant height ranged from 49 to 79 cm and varied significantly between varieties. No lodging was observed amongst pea varieties at maturity.

Field Pea Yield

The field peas yielded on average 38 bu/ac, with most of the varieties having a yield advantage over CDC Limerick, the check variety. The forage pea variety, DL Delicious, yielded the lowest (18 bu/ac).

Field Pea Bushel and Thousand Seed Weight (TSW)

The test (bushel) weight narrowly ranged from 50 - 67 lbs/bu, while the TSW ranged from 99 – 135 g/1000 seeds. There were significant differences between varieties for TSW but not for bushel weight

Field Pea quality

Field pea protein values ranged between 21% and 26% and differed significantly between test varieties.

Conclusion and Implications

Plant Height and Lodging

Field Pea trials showed significant variation in plant height, ranging from 49 to 79 cm, but no lodging was observed at maturity.

Yield Consistency and Potential

The average yield across varieties was 38 bu/ac, with most varieties outperforming the CDC Limerick check, though the forage variety DL Delicious had the lowest yield at 18 bu/ac.

Seed and Test Weight for Processing and Quality

Test weights were relatively consistent, between 50 and 67 lbs/bu, while TSW ranged from 99 to 135 g, with significant differences among varieties for TSW but not for test weight. Protein content varied from 21% to 26%, showing significant differences between varieties.

Varietal selection can impact field pea yield and quality, as seen in protein levels and TSW variation.

References

AFSC (2023). Yield Alberta 2023. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.

ARVAC (2023). Alberta Cereal and Flax Regional Variety Testing Protocols.

Canadian Grain Commission (2023). Official Grain Grading Guide for Canola and Rapeseed.

Canola Council of Canada (2023). 2022 Canola Performance Trials Small Plot Protocol

Oslon (2015). Alberta Regional Pulse Variety Testing Protocols.