Trial Site: Fairview Research Farm
Research Coordinator: Dr. Akim Omokanye
From: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association 2016 Annual Report
Oat is the most popular cool-season cereal crop grown for forage and has become a reliable source of conserved forage for over-wintering beef cattle in the Peace Country region. In an effort to continue to identify oat varieties that have superior forage production for the region, PCBFA tested several oat varieties in Fairview in 2016. The test was part of the Regional Silage Variety Trials (RSVTs) testing program, which includes testing of new oat varieties as they become available for adaption, forage yield and quality across Alberta. In addition to the findings presented here from our trial, the results from the RSVTs across the different trial sites in the province will also be reported in the Alberta Seed Guide (www.seed.ab.ca).
Methods
Site: The study site was at the Fairview Research Farm (NW5-82-3W6) on RR #35, MD of Fairview. The site had soybeans in 2015. Soil test at 0-6” soil depth done at Exova laboratory (Edmonton) prior to seeding showed an organic matter content of 7.3%, a pH of 5.4 (acidic) and an electrical conductivity of 0.58 dS/m. The field was cultivated before seeding.
Randomized complete block design in 4 replications was used in small plots measuring 11.04 m2 (118.8 ft2).
Treatments (Varieties): A total of 10 oat varieties was tested in 2016.
1. AC Juniper – general purpose oat, early maturing
2. AC Morgan –milling or feed oat, but commonly used for silage or green feed, late maturing
3. AC Mustang – feed oat
4. CDC Baler – forage oat
5. CDC Haymaker - forage oat
6. CDC Seabiscuit - milling oat
7. CDC SO-1—(Super Oat number 1) – Feed/forage oat
8. Derby– general purpose, late maturing
9. Murphy– forage oat
10. Waldern – feed oat