Yield and Nutritional Performance of a New Forage Wheat Variety in Monocultures and Multispecies Mixtures in the Peace Region

Funded by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Calgary

New forage wheat varieties present several potential benefits, including increased productivity, extended grazing periods, improved silage quality, and reduced dependence on perennial pastures. However, their performance can vary depending on local soil conditions, climate, and management practices. This project aimed to evaluate the forage dry matter (DM) yield, nutritional value, and grain yield of Nutrien Ag Solutions’ newly released awnless forage wheat (CDC Bandit) compared with commonly used cereal silage crops.  Annual crop blends that included CDC Bandit were also tested in the study.

What We Did

The project was conducted at the Fairview Research Farm on Range Road 35, Municipal District of Fairview, Alberta, in 2025. Table 1 presents the site history, field operations performed, and data collected. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications in small plots measuring 8 m x 1.8 m. Seeding was carried out using a 6-row Fabro plot drill equipped with disc-type openers on 23 cm (9") row spacing, complete with mid-row banding. 

Nutrien Ag Solutions and PCBFA staff touring plots near silage harvest time. 

Results Obtained and Their Implications

Botanical Composition

As expected, cereals generally dominated the plant composition across the different mixtures. At harvest time, and for the 3-species blend, the cereals (BW and HO) made up 85% of the stand, while the legumes (Peas) made up just 8%, and the remainder (7%) were weeds. For the 4-species blend, cereals constituted 95% of the stand while Peas made up the remainder. Eighteen (18) percent of the multi-species blend (MBL) was made up of Peas, while cereals constituted 66%. The broadleaves, Radish and Turnips, made up 3% and 2% of the stand, respectively, for the MBL. At the same time, Italian Ryegrass, Crimson Clover, and Hairy Vetch did not appear as part of the stand at harvest, despite being seeded in equal proportions with the other species in the blend. This outcome is difficult to explain fully, given that all three species are well-adapted to the Peace Region. Human error during plant identification may have contributed to their apparent absence. However, other factors, such as early-season competition, establishment challenges, and survival issues, cannot be ruled out.

Forage DM Yield

We recorded 4,800–7,200 lb/ac of forage DM yield, with no significant differences among treatments (Table 2). BW produced 6,494 lb/ac forage DM yield. The NDVI for HO and MBL were highest (data not shown), while BW had the lowest. 

Forage Nutritive Value

The nutritive value of the treatments is presented in Table 2. The CP content ranged from 10.1% to 13.3%, with the multi-species Blend (MBL) having the highest CP, reflecting the high percentage of legumes in the blend. All treatments had high energy (>65% TDN) and macronutrient content, with ranges of 0.67–0.87% for Ca, 0.22–0.27% for Mg, 1.29–1.58% for K, and 0.25–0.29% for P. As posited by NASEM (2016), the treatments would adequately meet the daily nutritional requirements of CP, TDN, and the reported minerals for dry gestating beef cows in both mid- and late pregnancy. All treatments met and exceeded TDN (energy) requirements for a mature beef cow, which range from 55%-60%-65% during mid- to late pregnancy and lactation, respectively.

Grain Yield

Forage Wheat (BW) produced 50 bu/ac grain. It is essential to note that seeding took place on June 4, which is later than the typical seeding window for cereal crop grain production in the region. 

Conclusion and Future Plans

Overall, our 1-year trial demonstrates that:

• Under the dry conditions experienced in 2025, and based on the forage dry matter yield, BW produced a comparable yield to other monoculture cereals and blends, highlighting its potential as a reliable forage option in the Peace region.

• Nutritional value of forages was consistently high, particularly in legume-containing blends.

• Forage Wheat (BW) produced a grain yield of 50 bu/ac, which is strong considering that it is a forage-type wheat and was seeded later than the typical grain crop seeding period.

• These results suggest that, even in a dry year, CDC Bandit (BW), whether grown as a monocrop or in multi-species blends, has the potential to sustain high forage yields, maintain quality, and produce appreciable grain yields comparable to those of traditional high-yielding cereal varieties. The trial will be repeated in 2026 to validate these findings.

A plot of CDC Bandit Wheat

Combining monoculture cereal treatments 

References

NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine). (2016): Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. Eight Revised Edition. Washington, DC. The National Academic Press. doi 10.17226/19014.