Evaluate annual and perennial forage species for their potential as stockpiled forages for overwintered beef cattle
This project features perennial grasses, legumes and legume-grass mixtures. Producers are increasingly interested in perennial forage varieties and mixtures. While some yield and agronomic data may be available on these varieties from seed companies, regional data specific to soil type and growing conditions have been limited due to very little participation in the Western Forage Variety Testing System in recent years.
The objectives of this study are (i) Provide unbiased, current and comprehensive regional data regarding the establishment, winter survival, yield, quality, and economics of specific species and varieties of perennial forage crops; (ii) To identify perennial crop species and varieties that demonstrate superior establishment, hardiness,
forage yield and nutritional quality characteristics in different eco-regions of Alberta.
MARA in collaboration with Organic Alberta developed this research trial. Agriculture lime and gypsum are the most two common soil amendment that can be used to improve soil conditions. Liming tends to be the most popular practice to ameliorate acidic soils for crop production. The objective of this trial is to determine the optimal liming rate and provide a comparison with gypsum.
MARA is evaluating the growth, yield, and yield quality of 25 oat cultivars (3 replications) under organic conditions. This is a federal government program and MARA is only responsible for the fieldwork and data collection.
Phosphorus is an important plant nutrient for pulse crops. Phosphorus promotes the development of extensive root systems and vigorous seedlings. However, pulse crops are sensitive
to seed-placed phosphorous fertilizer. This trial aims to examine which rate of phosphorus (MAP) is safe for field peas and effects on yield and quality. This trial is funded by Alberta Pulse Growers. MARA is conducting both small plot and field scale.
Field peas can fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium leguminosarum. This bacterium is native to prairie soils, yet farmers typically inoculate peas. A field pea inoculation trial was conducted to compare inoculant treatments to a control. This trial is funded by Alberta Pulse Growers
MARA in collaborations with other ARA’s and support from Alberta Wheat Commission, this trial was developed.
The trial is focusing on two wheat varieties:
AAC Connery and AAC Brandon.
AAC Connery is considered an early maturing variety while AAC Brandon, although earlier maturing than some varieties, is later maturing than AAC Connery. The goal is to assess the difference
(stand, protein, yield and grade) between these two varieties at two planting dates:
1. Ultra-Early: when the ground is first able to carry equipment and soil temperatures are between 2—6 degrees Celsius.
2. Normal: seeded at least 10-14 days later or when ‘normal’ seeding window occurs for the area.
Principal Investigator: Peprah
Organization: Mackenzie Applied Research Association
Investment: $ 34,000.00
Flea beetles (Phyllotetra spp.) are among the most serious and widespread pests of canola on the Canadian prairies. Seed-coated insecticides and subsequent applications of foliar sprays are used to reduce flea beetle populations. However, the time frame at which the insecticide is effective is narrow, meaning that the insecticide is unable to protect canola stands throughout all its developmental stages. Chemical applications, therefore, need to be accompanied by cultural methods to reduce flea beetle populations and hence reduce the extent of the damage. With the support of Alberta Canola Producers (ACPC), MARA together with NPARA and SARDA are evaluating the impact of seeding date, seed size, and seeding rate on flea beetle leaf damage and flea beetle population. Flea beetle damage and population will be quantified using sticky traps and leaf damage per plot. In this way, treatments with average values of lower numbers of flea beetles
and lower rates of flea beetle leaf damage will be considered the best-integrated pest management strategies to reduce flea beetles in canola stands.
Mackenzie Applied Research Association
Address: 5901 River Road
P. O. Box 646
Fort Vermilion, Alberta,
T0H 1N0
Office Phone: 780-927-3776
Research (Dr Daniel Menge, Ph.D, CCA): 780-285-0988
Extension Events (Nicole Driedger): 780-285-0911
