SARDA Ag Research by SARDA Ag Research

June 2022

SARDA Ag Research News

Table of Contents

Newsletter Information page

Page 2

Surendra Bhattarai, PhD

Page 3

2022 Summer Staff

Page 4

Upcoming Events

Page 6

Native Pollinator Project

Page 10

Bio stimulant Trial

Page 11

Β-glucan Oat Variety Trials

Page 13

Contact Information For Board And Staff

Page 16

Our newest staff member

Our summer staff introduces themselves and their fields of study See what SARDA Ag Research has planned for the summer Learn about our wild bee houses

Learn about the full package systems of several companies and their ability to improve yields, A review of the results of this trial that has been ongoing since 2016

Surendra Bhattarai, PhD

ON THE COVER

The latest addition to the SARDA Ag Research Team

Two of our summer students showing emergence plant counts on cereals, 2022

I have been learning and researching plant physiology, forage agronomy, breeding and genetics at the University of Saskatchewan. My involvement in crop research projects included organizing and establishing small plot research trials, experimental design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, writing of scientific manuscripts, and presentations at scientific conferences and industry meetings. I have experience providing extension services for climate-smart agriculture and technology transfer to corn producers in Nepal.

by Surendra Bhattarai, PhD, SARDA Ag Research

came from a small village in Nepal where farming is the main occupation. With my strong interest in agriculture and farming, I studied BSc (Agriculture, 2013) from the Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I came to Canada in January 2015 to continue my studies at the University of Saskatchewan. I completed my MSc (Plant Science, 2017) and Ph.D. (Plant Science, 2020) under Dr. Bill Biligetu. After completing my Ph.D., I joined the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan as a Postdoctoral Fellow and developed salt-tolerant alfalfa breeding lines. I have published eight peer-reviewed articles during my graduate studies and presented them at many national and international conferences. I received many awards during my graduate studies, including the most prestigious Plant Sciences Outstanding MSc Graduate Student Award in 2016 and The Seed of the Year-West Scholarship in 2018.

I am a Research Scientist at SARDA Ag Research and am passionate about researching to achieve sustainable cropping systems via producer-driven applied research and knowledge transfer. I am looking forward to working closely with the producers in re-designing cropping systems for profitability, sustainability and resilience. I enjoy listening to music, driving and playing soccer. 3

SARDA Ag Research News

SARDA Ag Research News Hi, I am Emilie Aubin, and this is my second summer working at SARDA Ag Research. My parents are Daniel and Christine Aubin, and I grew up on a farm outside of Guy. I’ve just finished my second year at The King’s University and will be transferring into the University of Alberta’s agricultural economics program next year. What I like most about working at SARDA Ag Research is seeding and being able to work outside. I enjoy spending time outdoors, camping, visiting with friends and family, and reading. I look forward to working with a great group of girls this summer!

2022 Summer Staff

by Shelleen Gerbig, P.Ag., SARDA Ag Research and the 2022 Summer Students.

would be remiss if I did not mention the contributions of the summer staff. Summer staff provide much of the labour, data collection, and reporting required throughout the summer. This year each of our Summer staff has been assigned a trial or group of trials and specific activities for which they are responsible for monitoring the stage of the crops and ensuring the required data is reported. This does not mean that the full-time staff can relax and holiday; these students are learning, so it is a team effort. SARDA Ag Research will encourage the students by allowing them to participate in our summer events as participants and presenters. SARDA Ag Research’s goal for the students is to have them learn about agricultural research and have pride in the work and trials they manage. Below the students have written short biographies to introduce themselves and indicate their fields of study.

Hi! My name is Nadia Sylvain, and this will be my third summer working at SARDA Ag Research. My parents are Gilles and Simerjeet Sylvain, and our family lives on a farm near Girouxville. I will be going back to Edmonton to start my fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Sciences degree at the University of Alberta’s Campus St-Jean in the fall. I am super excited to work with the girls this summer and continue to learn about agriculture research. In my spare time, I enjoy camping with my family, hanging out with friends, playing the piano and singing! I look forward to a great summer seeding, doing plant counts, spending time in the sun, and picking weeds.

Hi, my name is Jessie Sylvain, and this will be my first summer working at SARDA Ag Research. My parents are Jean and Valerie Sylvain, and our family lives on a farm west of Girouxville. This fall, I will be returning to Langley, BC, to complete the fourth year of my Education degree at Trinity Western University. My favourite thing I’m excited about working at SARDA will be seeing my cousin Nadia Sylvain every summer and making all the plots symmetrical, aligned, and appealing to the eye. I like spending time with my cousin Nadia Sylvain, my family and camping in my spare time. I look forward to a great summer with a summer student team of powerful women.

Hi, my name is Mai Noosri-Berube. I am the oldest daughter of Victor and Anchalee Gauthier and married to Brian Berube. In the fall, I will be entering my second year of university with a double major in psychology and gender and woman’s study. This is my second year working as a summer student at SARDA Ag Research.

Hi, my name is Ashley Mussio, and this will be my first summer working for SARDA Ag Research. My parents are Shad and Renee Mussio, and my family comes from StIsidore. In September, I will return to Olds to finish my second year and graduate from Olds College for Agriculture Management. I am excited to be working at SARDA Ag Research because I will be putting my knowledge from school to use. I enjoy spending time outside with my friends and family in my spare time. I look forward to spending my summer with such a great group of women!

I look forward to being outside, getting to know the new staff members, and continuing to further my knowledge of the agriculture community. I enjoy reading, watching tv, spending time with my family and listening to podcasts in my free time.

SARDA Ag Research News

SARDA Ag Research News Crop Diseases Seminar - High Prairie

SARDA Ag Research Pulse and Cereal Plot Tour

July 13 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm High Prairie Legion Hall #37

July 19 9:00 am to 3:00 pm SARDA Ag Research Shop – 510 Main Street SE, Falher

Following the pizza lunch, we welcome Robyne Davidson, Michael Harding and Jason Casselman. Robyne Davidson, MSc hales from Lakeland College in Lacombe. She is renowned for her knowledge and experience with pulses and will be talking about Aphanomyces Root Rot. Agronomists have identified Aphanomyces in the Peace Region, and producers struggle to control its effects and spread.

This plot tour will include both trial sites in the Smoky River Region. The morning will start with registration at the SARDA Ag Research shop on Main Street in Falher. Participants will travel by bus to the Cereal Site (SW 1-78-21 W5th) at Donnelly Corner. This site includes several variety trials, including cereals and forage seed production plots. Richard Limoge of Limoges Seed Farms will tell us about the cereal variety trials and their importance to area producers. Krishanthi, SARDA Ag Research, will discuss the maximizing barley production trial, and participants will be encouraged to wander through the entire site and view the different trials. Then it’s back to the shop for lunch and networking.

Michael Harding, Plant Pathologist for AAFC from Brooks, has agreed to talk about Fusarium Head Blight (FHB). This disease has recently been removed from the Agricultural Pest Act but can substantially reduce the production and quality of cereals. In the Peace Region, the incidence of FHB is very low. Producers need to understand the disease and take measures to protect their crops and the community’s crops from this devastating disease. Jason Casselman from the Canola Council of Canada will enlighten us on the Verticillium Stripe of Canola. Verticillium Stripe is a soil-borne disease that shows symptoms of leaf chlorosis, early ripening, stunting and eventually necrosis and shredding of the stem tissue. Microsclerotia (spores) develop on the plant stem. These spores are very hardy and can remain in the soil for many years. They can move with soil erosion, groundwater movement and dispersal of crop debris.

By SARDA Ag Research

ARDA Ag Research is pleased to announce the following events. With the relaxing of the Pandemic Restrictions, we can return to what we do best: adaptive agricultural research. The planned events feature experts who will speak on topics in their research fields and plot walks to showcase the exciting trials we are executing. Pre-registration is requested as it ensures we have adequate supplies and transportation. Everyone is welcome to attend.

High Prairie SARDA Ag Research Plot Tour

July 13, 2022 9:30 am to 12:00 noon High Prairie Legion Hall #37

SARDA Ag Research Staff 2022, Your hosts

Following lunch, we will travel to the Oilseeds and Pulses Site (NE 8-77-20 W5th). Krishanthi, SARDA Ag Research, will discuss the numerous intercropping projects throughout the tour. We are fortunate to be a site for the Lupin Adaptability Trial, for which we will showcase this amazing crop and the potential fit for this area. In addition, we will have a guest speaker for our Micromix Trials and Krishanthi will enlighten us on the Industrial Hemp Trials. There are numerous other trials at this site, but we had to choose which to highlight. We will highlight additional trials with poster information, and a staff member will be available to answer any questions you may have.

The tour begins at the parking lot of the High Prairie Legion Hall #37 at 9:30 am. Participants will board a bus to travel to the High Prairie East Plots (NW 1474-16 W5th). This site features our wheat seeding rate trial, the Beta-glucan oats trial and two different types of intercropping trials. Following this, we will travel to the High Prairie West Plots (NW 22-74-17 W5th). This site features an intercropping trial, the RVT yellow and green pea trials and an Industrial Hemp Demonstration. After the site visit, participants will return to the Legion Hall for a pizza lunch.

Following our guest speakers, a municipal representative will enlighten producers about the status of these diseases in their local area. I couldn’t send our great speakers from July 13 home without letting more people around the region access the presentations. Fortunately, they agreed to stick around another day. If you miss the High Prairie event, plan on attending the presentations in either DeBolt or Rycroft.

Crop Diseases Seminar - DeBolt

July 14 9:00 am to 12:00 noon DeBolt Public Services Building

Crop Diseases Seminar - Rycroft

July 14 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Upstairs at the Rycroft Ag Centre

Summer Tour 2021 7

SARDA Ag Research News

SARDA Ag Research News Timothy 2020

The cost is $20.00 which includes lunch and transportation. Please pre-register by July 18th. Contact Talon at coordinator@peaceforageseed.ca (1 877 630 2198) or Calvin at calvinyoder123@gmail.com (780 864 7663). A detailed agenda will be available.

Preparing to harvest 2020

2022 Peace Region Forage Seed Association / SARDA Ag Research Summer Tour July 21 9:30 am (MST) SARDA Ag Research Shop – 510 Main Street SE, Falher

2022 Peace Region Forage Seed Association / SARDA Ag Research Summer Tour

July 14 9:30 am (PMT) Cecil Lake Hall 4864 Cecil Lake Rd, Cecil Lake, BC

July 20 9:30 am (MST) Saskatoon Lake Hall, South of Leglace

The bus leaves Saskatoon Lake Hall at 10:00 am. The tour will visit a number of creeping red fescue and perennial ryegrass fields. Growers, seed trade representatives and agronomists will discuss practices including establishment, weed control, fertility, harvesting, terminating stands and marketing. Trials include growth regulators use, wildoat control in perennial ryegrass, annual bluegrass, and establishing perennial ryegrass using Invigor canola.

The bus leaves Cecil Lake Hall at 10:00 am. The tour visits several perennial ryegrass and creeping red fescue seed fields in the Cecil Lake and Flat Rock area. Growers, seed trade representatives and agronomists will discuss practices including establishment, weed control, fertility, harvesting, terminating stands and marketing. Cost is $20.00 and includes lunch and transportation. Please pre-register by July 11th by emailing Talon at coordinator@peaceforageseed.ca. Contact Talon at 1-877-630-2198 for information. A detailed agenda will be available.

This tour will also feature Nicole Anderson, Grass and Clover Seed Scientist, Oregon State University. Nicole is actively involved in clover and grass seed research and extension. She will be present to discuss Oregon practices for growing perennial ryegrass and other grass seed crops. 8

The bus leaves the shop at 10:00 am. The tour will stop at Donnelly corner to view and hear results on creeping red fescue, crested wheatgrass, alsike clover and red clover varieties. Pre-seed herbicide options prior to seeding grasses will also be discussed. We plan to visti alsike clover, smooth bromegrass, creeping red fescue, crested wheatgrass and timothy seed fields where different herbicides and growth regulators have been used. Growers, seed trade representatives and agronomists will discuss practices including establishment, weed control, fertility, harvesting, terminating stands and marketing. This tour will also feature Nicole Anderson, Grass and Clover Seed Scientist, Oregon State University. Nicole is actively involved in clover and grass seed research and extension. She will be present to discuss Oregon practices for growing clover and grass seed crops. The cost is $20.00 which includes lunch and transportation. Please pre-register by July 18th. Contact Talon at coordinator@peaceforageseed. ca (1 877 630 2198) or Calvin at calvinyoder123@ gmail.com (780 864 7663). A detailed agenda will be available.

SARDA Ag Research News

Plot 216 - June 22, 2021 (3)

Native Pollinator Project by Shelleen Gerbig, BSA, P.Ag.

fields is a great place for native bees to nest. 15% of the wild bees set up homes in wood or hollow plant cavities. These bees, often called leaf-cutter or mason bees, may live in small groups, but many prefer to live alone. We want to encourage this type of native bee for its ability to pollinate crops. As a yield benefit, a correlational study of 60 million seeded acres of yield data in Alberta obtained from AFSC showed that fields with non-crop areas also have slightly higher canola yields (Canola Research Hub).

Pollinators are critical in crop production, and honey producers often look for clover and canola fields to set up bee yards. But it is a well-known fact that native pollinators are as efficient or more efficient pollinators than tame honey bees. In 2020 and 2021, honey bees had very high winter mortality rates, likely due to stress caused by the wet year in 2020 and the drought in 2021. The varroa mite is also increasing its detrimental effects on local honey production and pollination. Tame bee hives are in high demand and short supply. Pollination services from honey producers may not be readily available to help with crop production. Maintaining buffer zones next to water features and habitats for wild native pollinators is imperative. Bee nests provide a place to lay eggs and rear young. About 80% of native bees nest in the ground, and 5% do not make nests. Having undisturbed lands adjacent to

SARDA Ag Research has set up two bee houses to encourage wild bees to live and reproduce in the area. While two bee houses will unlikely affect the production of a quarter section of canola, we wanted to see if we could encourage the bees to set up residence in our houses. Bee houses can be a welcome addition to yards and gardens, providing aesthetic and pollination services.

Plan on attending the free SARDA Ag Research Pulse and Cereal Plot Tour on July 19 to view our bee houses and learn about the many different crop trials.

by Megan Allard, Research Coordinator

Bio stimulant Trial Each treatment consists of the traditional fertility application of N, P, K, S based on soil sample recommendations. The 6 nutrient application treatments are being tested on wheat, canola, and field peas. Methodology for this trial is detailed through the treatment list below: 1. Check - standard fertility application of N, P, K, S 2. Advanced PGR Application 3. APT Nutrition – Chemtrition System 4. Alpine Canada - Phazed Nutrition Program 5. Stoller Enterprises - Canada Advanced Program 6. Penergetic Canada Prior to seeding treatments of each product package begins with either a seed treatment and/or soil application prior to seeding. This can be in the form of a liquid or powder seed treatment, as for soil it can either be applied as a foliar application or an infurrow liquid fertilizer application. The idea of using the full package nutrient system is to take advantage of being able to tank mix the nutrient applications with a herbicide or fungicide foliar applied.

he bio stimulant trial began its first year in May of 2020. SARDA Ag Research is working with two other research associations on this project which include Farming Smarter out of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Battle River Research Group from Forestburg, Alberta. The objective of the trial is to test the full package system of some fertility and bio stimulant companies to determine it’s potential for improve crop yields. To better understand the scope of this trial, it is helpful to have some background information on bio stimulants. It has been stated that bio stimulants have the potential to increase a plant’s growth. Additional benefits would include a plant’s ability to recover from stress due to climatic conditions, improving the quality of the crops seed, access to water more efficiently from increased root growth, and to improve a plant’s metabolism to enhance the crops yield production. 11

SARDA Ag Research News

Based on the findings from 2020 the bio stimulant trial, results have been showing a slight difference when a nutrient product is applied to a specific crop. It is important to note that although there are slight yield fluctuations within the treatments that are being shown in the graphs. The statistics had shown that there were no statistical differences. This means that based on the statistics there were no differences between either of the treatments; or in other words neither application was better or worse than the other. Unfortunately, at this time the 2021 bio stimulant results have not been made available due to the extremely low yields from the lack of precipitation throughout the year. Due to this it had made it difficult to collect the necessary data to calculate accurate yields for the treatments. SARDA Ag Research, Farming Smarter, and Battle River Research Group will be completing the bio stimulant trial this year. Final data results will be available in February of 2023. These results will include additional data collected throughout the years such as, plant population, vigor ratings, biomass of plant and root tissue, plant heights, growing dates (start/end of emergence, start/end of flowering, seed filling dates, and maturity dates.), yield (kg/ha, bu/acre), bushel weights (kg/hL), and seed moisture at the time of harvest.

Β-glucan Oat Variety Trials By Shelleen Gerbig, BSA, P.Ag., SARDA Ag Research and Sandeep Nain, GRO

These photos are showing the affects of the lack of precipitation on the bio stimulant trial for 2020 and 2021.

Photo above taken July 21, 2020.

Photo above taken July 7, 2021.

eta-glucan (β-glucan) is a type of soluble fibre responsible for many of the healthpromoting properties of foods like oats, wheat, and barley. It has been studied extensively for its effects on heart health, cholesterol levels, boosts immunity and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Another potential benefit is that it may enhance the activity of natural killer cells, a part of the immune system that recognizes and attacks cancer cells. A minimum of 4% β-glucan is required for companies to be able to label their products with the Heart Healthy Claim. This trial investigates the impact of genotype (variety) and growing conditions on the yield and β-glucan content of milling oat varieties in Northern Alberta. One trial was set up in the South Peace Region and one trial in the Westlock area from 2016 to 2021 13

SARDA Ag Research News

Oat production in Alberta has been on a relatively steady decline since 2011. Many millers will not accept oats from Alberta or look to Alberta only after Manitoba, and Saskatchewan’s supply is depleted. The two main varieties grown in Alberta, Morgan and Derby, contain low amounts of β-glucan. Therefore, oat producers in Alberta need an oat variety that can consistently beat the yields of Morgan and Derby but has the higher β-glucan levels that the oat miller desire.

Test weight is the most commonly used indicator of grain quality, and buyers desire high test weights. However, functional attributes such as β-glucan solubility and viscosity are the main criteria for the processing industry. The β-glucan content in oat may vary with changes in growing conditions (Perez Herrera et al., 2016). The current trial will provide valuable agronomic information for the producers in Alberta to grow oat varieties with higher yields and increased β-glucan levels.

Oats are a valuable part of crop rotation and are beneficial to producers. They provide disease and insect breaks for wheat, barley, and canola. Their rapid establishment and growth provide excellent weed suppression. Oats also work well as a “catch crop” for taking up and storing excess nitrogen, and the straw provides a nutrient source for the following year’s crop. The straw also protects against soil erosion and contributes to increasing the soil’s organic matter content (Campbell et al., 1991). Well-planned management and appropriate variety selection make oats a profitable crop due to their low input requirements, high productivity and favourable effects on succeeding crops in a rotation.

We saw significant effects from the location and variety on yields and β-glucan levels in 2016-2021. Environmental conditions affect the yield capacity more than the effect on Beta-glucan levels. Although β-glucan levels were affected by growing degree days, the inherent genetic makeup of the variety had a greater effect. Fortunately, the environmental conditions over the five years hit both extreme high moisture, extreme drought and points in-between. The following tables summarize the results of both yield and β-glucan levels throughout the trial years in both locations.

Yields from 2016 to 2021 Variety Milling Oats AC Morgan CS Camden CDC Seabiscuit OT3112 CDC Ruffian AC Summit CDC Arborg ORE3542M CDC Norseman CDC Endure CDC SKYE CDC Orrin Souris CDC Minstrel Triactor Akina Kalio AAC Douglas ORE3541M

Yield

Average

% of Morgan Yield ( bu/ac) 100 98 103 87 100 92 101 98 102 100 92 99 86 92 104 101 69 73 56

204 200 211 177 203 189 206 199 208 203 188 202 175 188 212 206 141 148 115

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

161 150

203 211 205 213 206 178 208 183 190 194 211

243 241 239

226 206 212

212 226 208

178 167 189

219 245 244 214 222 249 237

207 203 221 201 213 226

245 217

193 167

218

221 194 202 208 222

168 155 174 172 176

143 115

238

229 221

Milling Oats

Mean

AC Morgan CS Camden CDC Seabiscuit OT3112 CDC Ruffian AC Summit CDC Arborg ORE3542M CDC Norseman CDC Endure CDC SKYE CDC Orrin Souris Kara CDC Minstrel Triactor Akina Kalio AAC Douglas ORE3541M

3.8 4.3 4.2 5.2 3.5 4.1 4.1 4.0 4.5 4.6 4.6 3.8 4.3 4.2 3.7 4.1 4.4 3.7 3.9 3.7

2021

2020

2019

2017

2016

3.5 4.0

3.7 5.2 4.2

3.9 4.4 4.4

3.4 3.8 3.7

3.8 4.4 4.6

4.2 4.6 4.6

3.9 3.7 3.7

4.1 3.9 3.7

5.1 3.9 3.4 4.2

3.7 4.6 4.3 4.2 4.4 4.7 5.0

3.6 4.3 4.4 4.0 4.5 4.7

2.7 3.7 3.8 3.5 3.8 4.2

3.9 4.4

2.7 3.6

3.3 3.7

4.5 4.2

3.6 4.3 4.2 3.8 4.7 4.5 4.5

3.8 4.3

4.1 4.0

3.8 4.3 4.0 4.8 3.5 4.5 3.6 3.8 4.6 4.6 5.0

3.9 4.4 4.5

4.9 3.3 3.4 3.8

3.9 4.7 4.6 6.1 4.3 4.8 4.6 4.4 4.8 5.2 4.9

4.1

3.4

4.4 4.8

4.0 4.0

4.4 4.9 4.3 3.9 4.4 5.0

4.0 4.4 5.0 4.3 4.5 4.9

3.2 3.6 3.6 2.9 3.5 3.8

3.7 4.4 3.7 3.5 3.7 3.7

4.1 3.6 3.7 3.6

4.3

3.8 4.1 3.8

Thank you to our program sponsors

141 148 115

2018

We want to thank our partners and funders of this project; GRO (Gateway Research Organization), SARDA Ag Research and POGA (Prairie Oat Growers Association).

193Yield ( bu/ac)167

140 147 121 150

Beta-glucan (%) contents in milling oats from 2016 to 2021 Westlock (W) Peace (P)

2022 Board of Directors

Simon Lavoie -Chair

St. Isidore

Leonard Desharnais - Vice Chair

Falher

Whitney Boisvert - Secretary

Girouxville

Mathieu Bergeron

St. Isidore

Kenny Stewart

High Prairie

Lionel Gauthier

McLennan

Alain Anctil

Girouxville

Neil Maisonneuve

Valleyview

Luc Levesque

Falher

Dale Smith

MD of Greenview

Garret Zahacy

Big Lakes County

Peter Harris

County of Grande Prairie

Paula Guindoin

MD of Smoky River

Jason Javos

Northern Sunrise County

Staff

Vance Yaremko

Executive Director

manager@sarda.ca

Shelleen Gerbig, P.Ag.

Extension Coordinator

extension@sarda.ca

Calvin Yoder, P.Ag.

Forage Seed Specialist

calvinyoder123@gmail.com 780-864-7663

Krishanthi Vithanage, MSc. P.Ag.

Research Coordinator

research@sarda.ca

Surendra Bttarai, PhD

surendra@sarda.ca

Victor Gauthier

Field Technician

field@sarda.ca

Amber Fennell-Drouin

Administrative Assistant

admin@sarda.ca

780-837-2900 or www.sarda.ca

We send 1-2 emails per week on agronomy, research, events, and agricultural interest articles geared towards the Peace Region agricultural producers.

SARDA Ag Research

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