Canola Performance Trials
Canola Performance Trials represent the next generation in variety evaluation for Western Canadian canola growers.
The trials provide:
- Relevant, unbiased and timely performance data that reflects actual production practices.
- Comparative data on varieties with the greatest market share and newly introduced varieties.
- Detailed reporting on agronomic characteristics such as yield, height, lodging, maturity and economic performance, and site specific performance variables including weather, soil type, crop nutrition, seeding and harvest management.
Who runs the program?
The three Prairie canola grower groups – Alberta Canola Producers Commission, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Manitoba Canola Growers Association – fund the program. Seed trade companies that participate pay entry fees. The B.C. Grain Producers Association is conducting trials in the Peace as their means of participation.
Dr. Rale Gjuric coordinates the trials under the guidance of a governance committee which oversees approval of varieties, protocol design, data collection, analysis and reporting, and financial management. Governance committee members include representatives from the provincial grower groups including B.C.; provincial oilseed specialists from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta; three commercial Canadian Seed Trade Association representatives; and the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). The CCC is delivering the program on their behalf.
Participants in the small plot trials consist of line companies, independent retailers and seed companies including Viterra, Bayer CropScience, Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences, Cargill, Canterra Seeds, BrettYoung Seeds, FP Genetics and SeCan. For 2011, Monsanto,Bayer CropScience, Canterra Seeds and Dow AgroSciences are also participating in the field‑scale component of the program.
How are the trials conducted?
The program includes 26 small plot trials and 111 field scale trials for 2011. The map on this factsheet shows small plot trial locations and provides numbers by province for the field scale trial sites. Site distribution is based on seeded acres in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The program includes 26 small plot trials and 111 field scale trials for 2011. The map on this factsheet shows small plot trial locations and provides numbers by province for the field scale trial sites. Site distribution is based on seeded acres in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Small plot trials include varieties with the greatest market share and varieties that are newly introduced. The new small plot system ensures that:
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All varieties are treated with appropriate commercially associated herbicides and seed treatments.
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An independent third party representative inspects all trials.
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Varieties are in blocks based on maturity. That way, harvest occurs at the most appropriate time to minimize harvest losses due to maturity differences.
Field scale comparisons add extra perspective for assessing consistency in variety performance.
Ensuring quality data
The technical committee established protocols and developed research plot designs to ensure that the data is representative. Performance objectives were established to provide guidelines on timely field operations and data collection. All sites are inspected to verify these guidelines were followed to allow a fair comparison among the varieties tested.
Audits of field scale projects give growers the confidence that the protocol was conducted in a scientifically sound manner and that comparisons are appropriate. Qualified professionals with extensive background in conducting field scale research trials perform the audits.
How are results reported?
Small plot and field scale data are presented separately. Results provided are:
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Yield, height, lodging and maturity for each variety at each site.
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Variety performance by soil zone and season zone.
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Data analysis based on CV (coefficient of variation) and LSD (least significant difference) to allow proper interpretation of
variety differences.
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Site specific data on weather, soil type, previous crop, fertility, seeding date and rate, and harvest date.
Where can you get the results?
Results will be available through an online interactive tool at www.canolacouncil.org. The interactive tool will allow growers to explore many agronomic factors, and to search for trial data in specific geographic areas near their farming operations. Details on management, operations and environmental data for each individual site will be reported online. The online tool will have an Economic Calculator that includes the costs associated with growing the selected variety to assist growers in determining potential profitability.
Results may also be accessed online through the provincial growergroup websites. Data will also be available in booklet form and can be obtained from your local agri-retailer.