From Alberta Canola Growers
Results are in for the 2014 Canola Performance Trials (CPT). Data from the science-based, third-party variety evaluations have been uploaded to the online comparison tool at
http://www.canolaperformancetrials.ca . A summary booklet is also available for download at the website.
The online tool includes interactive maps and the ability to refine searches by season zone, herbicide tolerance (HT) type, yield, days to maturity, lodging and height. Users can also compare results from 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
“With this cumulative data, you can use the online tool to compare varieties based on how they performed under the varying conditions we’ve experienced over the past four years,” says Franck Groeneweg, chair of the CPT governance committee and chair of the SaskCanola board of directors. “No one else is providing canola growers with this level of independent information on leading genetics.”
The three Prairie canola grower groups —the Alberta Canola Producers Commission, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and the Manitoba Canola Growers Association — provide funding for the CPT program. The B.C. Grain Producers Association conducted trials in the Peace as their means of participation. The Canola Council of Canada delivers the CPT program.
“The whole program ends up costing each canola grower only $4,” Groeneweg says. The total cost to run the trials, analyze the data and distribute the results is around $10 per grower, of which $6 is covered by seed companies through a fee to participate in the trials. “This is excellent value and will provide a significant return on investment, given how important it is for growers to choose the right seed for their specific needs.”
Line companies, independent retailers and seed companies, including Bayer CropScience, BrettYoung Seeds, Canterra Seeds, Cargill, DL Seeds, Monsanto, Proven Seed/Crop Production Services and Syngenta participated in the 2014 trials.
Haplotech, led by Dr. Rale Gjuric, coordinated the trials under the guidance of a governance committee that oversees approval of varieties, protocol design, data collection, analysis and reporting, and financial management.
The CPT program includes both small plot and large field scale trials. Results for 2014 are based on 25 small plot trials and 101 field scale trials across the Prairies.
The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.
Source: Alberta Canola Producers Commission