Evaluation of winter wheat varieties in northern Peace area

Winter wheat offers producers several advantages. It provides soil cover during the fall and winter, reducing the potential for wind and water erosion; spring moisture is not lost from seeding disturbance; seeding and harvest dates are off-set to different times of the year; and it often out-competes spring emerging weeds. Winter wheat lines have been found to vary in winter hardiness, e.g. SM-8323 is considered resistant to snow mold.

The production of winter wheat is concentrated in the southern areas of Alberta. Its area in northern areas of Alberta is limited due to poor winter survival and susceptibility to snow molds.