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2002 Annual Report

Fabric Mulch Demonstration (Site #1)
Pocket Gopher & Richardson Ground Squirrel Control Demonstration (Site #2)
Silage Variety Demonstration (Site #11)
Pasture Sage Control Demonstration (Site #14)
Watering Systems Demonstration – Winter (Site #21)
New Forages for Grazing Demonstration (Site #25)
Horn Fly Control Demonstration (Site #28)
Perennial Forage Varieties Demonstration (Site #29)
Cow Supplementation Project (Site #31)

Newsletters

Newsletter #1
Newsletter #2
Newsletter #3
Newsletter #4

2002 Directors

Extension Activities

Acknowledgements

Contact Us

Project Summary: A number of different crops and varieties have been tested each year since 1994 to determine which are the best for silage quality and yield. In 2002, 8 different types of crops, and 37 different varieties were tested. There has been no definite variety that has stood out above the rest. Depending on the weather, some varieties grow better than others.

Objectives:

·        To demonstrate different varieties and types of crops suitable for silage.

·        To provide first-hand information to local producers on crops available for silage.

Co-operators:  Plot Site - Steele Bros. (2002)

                          Dale and Larry Swanson (1999-2001)

                          Don Hawken (1994-1998)

Co-operating Agencies:

Agriculture Service Board

Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD)

Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA)

Donald Selte                                                   SeCan

Keith and TerryLee Degenhardt                     Smithson Seed Farm

Provost Co-op Seed Cleaning                        Blue Tag Seeds

Progressive Seeds                                         Haney Farms

Quality Assured Seeds                                   United Grain Growers

Zwack’s Seed Farm Ltd.                                 David Blume

Leonard Solick                                                Dwayne Schug

Agricore                                                          Raynda Seeds Ltd.

Danny Cameron                                             Burt Forbes

Project Advisors: Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA)

                               Burt Forbes (M.D. of Provost Ag. Fieldman)

                               AAFRD staff

Land Location: NE-22-39-3-W4 (plot site)

                           SW-4-42-6-W4  (1999-2001)

                           NW-25-39-4-W4 (1994-1998)

Background/Project Description: Throughout the years, the East Central Alberta Forage Association has conducted a series of silage variety trials. This year our association evaluated many different varieties. SeCan also added some of their varieties to the site this year.

E.C.A.F.A Varieties:

Barley: Westford, Duel, BZ 593-159, Jaeger, Tukwa, CDC Bold, Falcon, Brier, CDC Silky

Oats: Waldern, CDC Pacer, Radisson, Medallion, Derby, Triple Crown, CDC Baler, Calibre, AC Mustang, CDC Bell, Foothills

Triticale: Banjo, AC Ultima, Pika Winter, AC Alta, Pronghorn, Bobcat

Wheat: CDC Clair winter wheat

Rye: Fall Rye

Peas: Carneval, Nugget, 40-10 silage pea

Mixes: Seebe Barley and 40-10 Silage pea

Millet: Golden German Millet, and Siberian Millet.

Other:  Fenugreek

Plot Information

The silage variety trial was seeded on June 25, 2002, with CARA’s plot seeder. The spacing for these varieties varied from 0.9 to 3.8” spacing at a depth of 1.75-2.0 inches.  The fertilizer used was 11-52-0 at a rate of 34 lbs/acre on the Millets and 28-26-0 at a rate of 33 lbs/acre on the remaining cereals. Weeds that were present in the plot were Wild Buckwheat, Redroot Pigweed, Lamb’s-quarters and some volunteer chickpeas and cereals.

Rainfall recorded at this site from June 6, 2002 - August 20, 2002 was 8.95 inches. 5 sample clippings of each variety were taken.  .25 meter-squared samples were taken and sub samples were weighed from the main samples. Samples were taken on August 29, 2002.

Observations:

Silage varieties at this site were seeded on June 25, 2002. Due to a cool spring and the odd shower we were late in borrowing the seeder and obtaining technicians from the Chinook Applied Research Association. The varieties planted at this site had a rough start. Rainfall later in July and August pulled the silage varieties through.

Weed pressure noted in the silage varieties was around 5% in most of the varieties. In the fenugreek there was up to 45-50% weed pressure. We found it necessary to weed this area in order to give the fenugreek a better chance. 

In this silage variety plot many of the varieties of oats and barley headed out at approximately the same time. The triticale varieties AC Alta and Pronghorn had also headed out.  Westford Barley had not headed out quite yet. The Siberian Millet and Golden German Millet had not headed out at the same time as the other cereal varieties, they headed out 3 weeks later.  The Winter Triticale varieties, Fall Rye and the Winter Wheat were only at the 4-5 leaf stage on August 21, 2002.

Clippings of these varieties were taken on August 29, 2002. Varieties where no clippings were taken: SeCan’s varieties, Fenugreek, Pika and Bobcat winter triticale, the fall rye, and CDC Clair winter wheat.

Overall we were quite pleased with the way our silage varieties turned out. With our late seeding and dry year, we were surprised that our varieties turned out the way they did. The rain we received in August brought our varieties back to life.  This year we also had problems with grasshoppers.  They caused a large amount of damage to many of our varieties.

The rain gauge readings for 2002:

• The following Table has the wet and dry weights for each of the varieties.

E.C.A.F.A. variety plot:

*Tons/ac on a dry matter basis

Future Plans: The association will continue trying new varieties and types of crops for silage. And we will continue to share our information on the varieties that may be most appropriate for this area.