August, 2020
Page 6
SARDA Ag Research News
SARDA Plot Walk – July 30, 2020 With COVID-19 managing everyone’s lives, it seemed doubtful that SARDA would be able to host an event this summer. Fortunately, gathering restrictions were reduced. SARDA staff were able to showcase some of the interesting research trials they are doing, some of which are being duplicated elsewhere in the province. Plot walks, field schools, and other types of events allow Research Associations to show off their hard work. It also allows producers and industry to view the trials in the fields before the yearly results are given.
Producers registering and picking up the information provided. The orange clad summer staff were incharge of finding parking for all the participants.
During the afternoon of July 30th, 40 producers and industry representatives came out to view the plots. Shelley Barkley, the provincial insect technician, and Dr. Micheal Harding, the provincial plant pathologists joined us. Dr. Micheal Harding brought some examples of crop diseases to show what are present in our crops locally and informed us about the conditions that favour development, their treatments, and their effect on yield and quality. Participants were invited to bring samples from their crops as well. Shelley brought a display case of several of the many insects present in the area, pointing out beneficial insects and pests. She also talked about what she found in the local fields while surveying. SARDA highlighted 3 specific
trials; the intercropping trial, the biostimulant trial, and the canola seed size and seeding depth trial. Intercropping is the new buzz word in Agriculture. It is the practice of growing more than one crop on the same piece of land at the same time. Although this is not a new practice, current research is showing improved total combined yields, improved harvestability and quality of the crops, more efficient use of fertilizer or reduced requirements for the amount of fertilizer needed, and increased soil microbe activity which is touted to improve soil health. Much of the research done has been done in other agricultural zones and often includes the use of forages and/or livestock grazing. In the SARDA Ag Research trial, we are focusing on local crop types and are excluding the use of livestock or forage in the
