SaskBarley is committed to its core functions of research, market development, communication and advocacy. Our research investments in programs and projects address current and future production issues facing Saskatchewan barley producers. Our communications program ensures we are providing trusted, reliable, timely and unbiased information to barley stakeholders.
SaskBarley views the BarleyBin Field Lab as an integration of the research and communication functions. The trials will take the most impactful results from small-plot trials and implement it at field scale. Results from field scale trials will be communicated through our many communication channels.
Overview
SaskBarley launched the BarleyBin Field Lab in 2023. SaskBarley views the BarleyBin Field Lab as an integration of our research and communication core functions.
SaskBarley’s goals for the BarleyBin Field lab are to generate farm-scale research results that complement small plot trials, gather farmer input on research questions facing Saskatchewan barley farmers, and encourage best practices for on-farm trials. Results from field scale trials will be distributed through our media platforms to share with other farmers, agronomists and researchers.
SaskBarley will continue the BarleyBin Field Lab beyond 2023, collaborating with producers and agronomists to adapt research for use on the farm.
BarleyBin Field Lab goals
SaskBarley’s goals for the BarleyBin Field Lab are to generate farm-scale research results that complement small plot trials, build farmer input on research questions facing Saskatchewan barley farmers, enhance the quality and reach of on-farm experimentation, build capacity and encourage best practices for on-farm trials.
Protocols for 2024
SaskBarley is seeking interest from farmers to grow on-farm trials in 2024. We are developing full protocols for three research questions. We are also interested in hearing from you what projects are of interest – we will consider those ideas for the future. We are targeting up to six on-farm research projects in 2024, including one project that is already underway. SaskBarley may not support all projects submitted to SaskBarley. The protocols include:
- Seeding rates (malt or feed)
- Optimizing the target plant density balances seed costs, yield and stand management.
- Fertility rates (malt or feed)
- Optimal fertility rates need refining as newer genetics become more widely adopted that are higher yielding, have improved lodging resistance and lower protein.
- Plant growth regulator (malt or feed)
- Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are tools that can be used to manage lodging and straw in high-yielding environments.
Research support
SaskBarley will be working closely with Indian Head Agriculture Research Foundation (IHARF) to assist with development of the project, implementation, measurement, harvest and analysis of the data. SaskBarley and IHARF will engage as needed with local agrologists to support the projects.
All trials will be randomized and replicated. Generally, the base treatment for each trial will be based on the current practice on the farm operation, with up to two additional treatments to be added, at specific increments.
Results
Partnering Organizations
A special thanks to
Christiane Catellier from IHARF for her role in the organization, management, and data analysis for these trials.