Research continued this past summer into crop diversification issues in the Mossbank and Coronach areas of south central Saskatchewan. A normal year would produce less than desired crop residue after some crops were grown, especially low residue crops like pulses and oilseeds. Two years ago, a study was begun to help farmers manage residue by looking at rotations including wheat and these crops that may be new to the area. A portion of the study conducted under the Agri-Food Innovation Fund included looking at low disturbance seeding systems as they applied to crop rotations.
In 1998, fairly extensive methods were undertaken to try and measure differences between a number of treatments on each of the plot sites. Aerial photographs, plant root simulators, protein samples and soil nutrient measurement samples were all tried along with visual looks of the field scale plots. Field days were held at which time farmers in the area visited the field and could see for themselves what the treatments were and the early results estimated.
Some surprising things emerged from this first year of the study, especially in terms of the most economical combinations of seed rates and fertilizer rates in the plots. Some equipment limitations were experienced when larger amounts of fertilizer were to be placed in close proximity to the seed. This would have meant seedling damage under normal moisture conditions. In particular, wide differences were noticed in the protein contents of durum from strip treatments as close as one combine header width.
1999 saw the continuation of this re-cropping study after oilseeds and pulse crops, but under wetter than normal crop conditions with some adjustments in fertilizer application time, there were very good yields experienced in the Mossbank trials. While complete results are unavailable at time of printing, early indications show yields of around 56 bu. per acre in some treatments. This year of high rainfall also produced some flooded out areas in the plots. In general, plot treatments that had higher rates of fertilizer applied showed a corresponding increase in yields. Grain protein samples were drawn as last year, but results are unknown yet. Actual yields were determined using a PFRA weigh wagon at each field site. Area farmers stopped as the harvest progressed to witness the procedure. Frost was a factor at the Coronach site and affected yield and quality as well as maturity, but yields again seemed to vary with the seed rate and fertilizer level.
More detailed results will be published soon and winter meetings will be held with the area farmers to discuss these and other results and programs.