RDAR Invests in Alberta Regional Silage Trial Program

Feb 15, 2023

RDAR is investing $150,000 for 2-year funding for a project to operate regional silage trial program in Alberta.

The goal of the project is to conduct Regional Silage Trials in a very targeted and controlled method focusing on delivering high quality data that is relevant to the Alberta livestock and crop sectors.

Efficiency and results are primary drivers of the new project. Hence a very compact program will be operated for the next 2 years focusing on delivering data in areas with high silage acreage. In building the proposal, other prairie provinces as well as cattle feeders, beef and dairy sectors in Alberta have been consulted. The rising cost of operating the project has also been taken into consideration, with coordination of sites to be within proximity of other regional variety trial sites to ensure efficiency for both trial coordinators and site cooperators. Rigor of the project will be ensured by adopting the bylaws, policies, procedures, and protocols of ARVAC*, and amending to fit silage trials where appropriate.

This program will constantly be evaluated for efficiency and relevancy, which is intended to operate a project that delivers value to the agriculture sector in Alberta.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.