"Strengthening Agriculture, One Farm At A Time"

Funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) Introduction and Objective The Verification of Management Practices (VMP) Project (2022 - 2024) is a continuation of the Alberta Soil Health Benchmark study (2019 - 2021) aimed at building a provincial database of soil health indicators. Now in its final year, the project has focused on assessing physical, biological, and chemical soil parameters. As a partner group, Peace Country Beef & Forage Association selected and samp

Funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)  Collaborators: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association (PCBFA), University of Alberta, Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA), Gateway Research Organization (GRO),  Battle River Research Association (BRRG), Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA) This dual-purpose research study, initiated in 2022, focused on both grain and forage production. The research extensively examined the potential of perennial cereal-le

Funded: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Agricultural Climate Solutions -Living Labs with additional funding from Cargill  Background Launched in 2022 and running until March 31, 2027, the Peace Region Living Lab (PRLL) focuses on developing and implementing innovative Best Management Practices (BMPs) to enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases, and provide other environmental benefits. Funding & Purpose: Funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Agric

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,

Funded by Alberta Grains Introduction and Objective Seeding an accurate amount of high-quality seeds is foundational in achieving a correct plant stand and growing a successful cereal crop. The optimum target seeding rate range for spring wheat in Alberta varies between 250 and 400 seeds/m 2 (25 and 40 seeds/ft 2 ), with the lower end sufficient to attain maximum yields. In comparison, the higher end can provide slight increases in yield, economic return, weed suppression, a

Funded by Alberta Grains Introduction and Objective Intensified agricultural strategies and novel genetic varieties can improve Spring Wheat yield production, but questions persist about optimal soil nitrogen (N) release and precise nitrogen (N) uptake by crops. At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Dr. Brian Beres has a research program evaluating different fertilizers designed to provide better nitrogen (N) availability to wheat crops than through traditional b

Funded by Rangeland Sustainability Program, Government of Alberta Collaborators: Kelvin Krahn, Beef Cattle Producer, High Prairie Forestry and Parks, Government of Alberta Silvopasture is the intentional combination of trees, forage, and livestock managed as a single integrated practice to transform farmland into a resilient, high-yield ecosystem. This system has the potential to provide multiple benefits to livestock and the plant community, such as providing shade for lives

Funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) Perennial forage is key to beef cattle production systems. This project evaluates the long-term performance of already established perennial forage stands, both as mixtures and monocultures (pure grasses and pure legumes), across two locations in the Peace Region: Fairview and DeBolt. Research on the longevity of perennial forages is vital for developing resilient, cost-effective forage systems amid climate change and price

Funded by Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) Background & Objective Since 2021, many regions in Alberta have faced severe drought and grasshopper infestations, with over 30% decline in crop yields. These conditions have forced producers to overgraze pastures to feed their livestock, compromising forage recovery and productivity for the following year. Seeded in the fall, winter cereals offer an early-season grazing option for livestock, allowing stressed perennial pas

Funded by Covers & Co. Introduction Traditionally, cover crops are grown primarily to protect and improve soil health. Common examples include hairy vetch, peas, oats, barley, and brassicas such as radish and turnips. They can be planted as monocultures or species mixtures, offering benefits like erosion control, weed suppression, and enhanced soil structure. The effectiveness of cover crops often depends on the diversity and functional traits of the species used. In beef pro