How One Barley Variety Hit 135 Bushels an Acre — Even in Tough Years

For Camrose-area farmer Russel Wildeman, the six-row smooth-awn barley variety AB Tofield has proven to be a reliable and versatile choice for both grain and silage production.

“We picked this variety up when it was first released by SeCan,” Wildeman says, pointing the crop on display during the WCI Field Day in Lacombe this past summer. “Our intention was to replace Amisk, another six-row variety. What we liked about AB Tofield was that it offered the standability of Amisk but with more disease resistance and a yield bump as well.”

Standability is a key consideration in Wildeman’s operation — and for growers across the province.

“Lodging creates a lot of problems for swathability,” he says. “For feedlot guys and those in the beef or dairy industry, it can cause real issues when trying to silage. Keeping the heads off the ground also helps reduce sprouting and disease pressure.”

AB Tofield has delivered consistent results in both good and challenging years. “Last year was very dry, but it was still our top yielder,” Wildeman says. “It’s bushel weight even outweighed our two-row barley, which is uncommon. That showed me this variety was really bred for Alberta conditions.”

Yield potential has been another strength.

According to Wildeman, AB Tofield has consistently produced more than 100 bushels per acre on his farm, and in favourable years has reached 125 to 135 bushels. For silage production, yields of 12 to 14 tons per acre have also been achieved.