2025 Evaluation of ALPINE Foliar Nutrition Combined with Herbicide and Fungicide Programs

At the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA), we’re evaluating how ALPINE foliar nutrition products perform when integrated into standard herbicide and fungicide programs. This trial is designed to help growers assess whether foliar nutrition can enhance plant health and yield when applied alongside crop protection products.

Treatment 1 focuses on herbicide timing and includes three variations of ALPINE F18 Max (1 L/ac)—applied either alone or with ALPINE G22 (1 L/ac)—in combination with a herbicide pass. This setup helps us understand the added value of foliar nutrients during weed control operations and whether this pairing improves crop vigor and stand development.

Treatment 2 examines the performance of ALPINE MicroFusion B (1 L/ac) applied in conjunction with a fungicide application. By evaluating this combination, we aim to identify any synergy between disease management and boron-based foliar feeding, especially during critical reproductive stages.

A check plot is included to serve as a baseline for comparison, helping quantify any visual or yield advantages from the foliar additions.

This trial will provide insights into how strategic nutrient applications at key crop stages may complement crop protection programs and enhance return on investment for Prairie growers.

2025 Biostimulant Vitalize Trial at Varying Soil Fertility Levels

At the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA), we’re conducting a fertility and biostimulant interaction trial to help producers better understand how Vitalize can enhance crop performance when combined with different fertility strategies.

This large-scale trial tests multiple fertility levels in combination with Vitalize applications at three different rates (4, 6, and 8 L/ac), plus an untreated control. The goal is to determine whether adding Vitalize improves nutrient use efficiency, boosts yield, or enhances plant resilience under real-world field conditions.

Each treatment is replicated and includes control plots with no fertilizer and no Vitalize, allowing for clear comparison between treatment effects. By the end of the season, this trial will provide valuable insights for local growers interested in optimizing their input decisions—demonstrating whether biostimulants like Vitalize are worth the investment when paired with tailored fertility programs.

2025 Roundup and Liberty Link Small Plot BASF Variety Trial

At the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA), we’re proud to partner with BASF Canada in an advanced field trial focused on evaluating InVigor canola hybrids. The primary objective of this trial is to demonstrate the performance of new InVigor hybrids under the unique growing conditions of northern Alberta. By comparing these hybrids side-by-side with existing InVigor products and leading competitor varieties, we’re generating valuable, locally relevant data to support informed hybrid selection.

Beyond data collection, the trial serves as a platform to showcase new hybrid options to local producers and to provide BASF’s sales team with firsthand insight into how these hybrids perform in field conditions. Through this collaboration, MARA and BASF are working together to deliver cutting-edge canola genetics and agronomic knowledge that drives productivity and profitability for growers in the Peace region and across Western Canada.

2025 Soileos Boron Fertilizer Application Trial

MARA continues its productive collaboration with Lucent Biosciences for a second season, building on last year’s evaluation of their Soileos micronutrient delivery system. This ongoing research maintains its focus on assessing boron for canola. The extended study enables us to verify initial findings across different growing conditions and refine application recommendations based on observed performance.

The study’s continuation allows for more robust economic analysis and gives us greater confidence in developing practical recommendations for producers considering these innovative products.

This multi-year investigation reflects MARA’s commitment to the thorough evaluation of new ag technologies, ensuring that we provide reliable, science-based guidance to northern Alberta growers. Complete results from both trial years will be shared through our winter extension programming and annual research publications.

2025 Organic Milling Oat Variety Evaluation

MARA continues its collaboration with Grain Millers Canada Corp. (GMCC) to evaluate eleven milling oat varieties under organic production systems, including new additions alongside established cultivars. This trial assesses key agronomic traits such as disease resistance, lodging tolerance, and yield performance to determine varietal adaptability to organic management in northern growing conditions. The research supports organic producers by providing critical data for variety selection while advancing sustainable cropping options for the region. Findings will help bridge knowledge gaps between growers and end-users, fostering the development of reliable organic oat markets tailored to local production systems.

2025 Lupin Varietal Evaluation Program

MARA continues its collaborative research with Lakeland College and Lupin Platform Inc. (LPI) to assess the production potential of lupins in Northern Alberta. This year’s expanded trial evaluates an increased selection of blue and white lupin varieties alongside comparative pulse crops, examining their adaptability and agronomic performance under local growing conditions. As a promising high-protein alternative crop for the region, lupins are currently cultivated under LPI’s closed-loop commercial production system, which maintains quality control through exclusive seed buyback agreements with contracted growers.

Lupins offer exceptional nutritional profiles, with protein content ranging from 35% to 40% depending on species, complemented by high fiber (25% hull), moderate oil content (6–8%), and minimal starch (<2%). These unique characteristics enable diverse applications across both food and feed markets.

This research aims to provide Alberta producers with comprehensive data on lupin performance while supporting the development of alternative crop opportunities tailored to our regional agricultural systems.

2025 Cereals Regional Variety Trial (RVT) Program

MARA continues its participation in the provincial Cereals Regional Variety Trial network. Our 2025 trials include comprehensive evaluations of CPSR and CWSP wheats, as well as CWRS and CWHWS wheats, oats, and both feed and malt barley varieties, the latter conducted in ongoing collaboration with the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC). The malt barley component, introduced to the RVT program in recent years, has become an increasingly valuable part of the trials.

A primary objective of the Cereals RVT initiative remains to help researchers and agricultural producers identify cereal varieties best suited to specific regional growing conditions. All trial data are published in the Alberta Seed Guide, serving as an essential resource for variety selection. This important research program is made possible through the combined support of the Alberta government and the cereal seeds industry, ensuring the availability of rigorous, locally relevant data to guide production decisions across Western Canada.

2025 Annual Forage Systems Research Initiative

MARA is continuing its investigation into annual forage systems as a strategic complement to traditional perennial forage production. This year’s enhanced trial design incorporates cereal-based forages, pulse-cereal combinations, and diverse cover crop mixtures to comprehensively assess their potential benefits. The research specifically explores how integrated annual systems can serve dual purposes—providing essential recovery windows for perennial stands while offering producers greater land-use flexibility. The study’s comparison of various crop combinations aims to develop practical, regionally-adapted solutions that support both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. These efforts are designed to provide producers with science-based options to optimize their forage systems while maintaining soil health during critical rotation periods.

2025 Eco Tea Seed Dressing Trial

At our organic field, we are conducting a trial to evaluate the benefits of EcoTea biological products on oat production. The trial is designed to help producers understand how different application methods and combinations of EcoTea treatments can support crop performance, soil health, and overall productivity.

The treatments include a range of EcoTea options: seed dressing alone, seed dressing combined with either in-furrow HDI (20 L/acre) or foliar HDI (10 L/acre), and seed dressing combined with Replenish HESO fertilizer at 200 lbs/acre. An untreated control is also included for comparison.

The goal of this trial is to provide practical insights into how EcoTea products can be integrated into a cropping system to support early plant vigor, improve soil microbial activity, and potentially enhance yield.

2025 Flax Varietal Evaluation Program

MARA continues to assess flax performance in northern Alberta through the Regional Variety Testing (RVT) program. This year’s trials have expanded to evaluate eleven flax cultivars under both conventional and organic management systems, addressing increasing regional demand for organic flax production.

The collected data will support Alberta Seed Guide recommendations, equipping growers with science-based tools for variety selection tailored to our region’s unique growing conditions.