Our goal with this newsletter is simple; to provide Alberta farmers and agronomists with timely, relevant and valuable agronomic knowledge sourced from science-based research and projects funded by the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions. You will also find a few opinion articles addressing management perspectives and other agronomic pointers to help you make informed agronomic decisions.
This monthly newsletter will include written articles, audio interviews and videos. Additionally, impromptu information may be released to address timely agronomic problems in Alberta. We hope the agronomic information from these newsletters brings value to your farm. Have agronomy questions? Feel free to reach out by emailing me at the address below.
Cheers!
Jeremy Boychyn
Research Agronomy Extension Specialist
growingpoint@albertawheatbarley.com
New wireworm control option available
CMBTC recommended malt barley varieties
I had a seed fungi test done: will Aspergillis spp. and Penicillium spp. results affect germination?
Warm winter weather and the impacts to winter wheat stands
The new Blue Book website is live with an advanced ordering system for spring shipping
Register for the Virtual Agronomy Update event from January 19 – 20, 2021
Bacterial leaf streak and black chaff of cereal crops in the Prairies
Cereal Straw: a hidden value on your farm
Can the peduncle determine cereal pre-harvest glyphosate timing?
In The Field Webinar: Herbicide resistance management with Dr. Charles Geddes
RealAg Wheat School: Pre-harvest glyphosate timing
Effects of frost on cereal crops
Fall fungicides on winter wheat provide yield but don’t pay
RealAg Wheat School: A plan for winter wheat success
Scouting for fusarium head blight post fungicide application
Wild Oat Resistance in the Canadian Prairies
Prairie Pest Monitoring Network’s new website has your back
Missed our ‘In the Field’ webinar series? It’s not too late to check out these valuable resources
Emergence expectations (Wheat School)
Thousand Kernel Weight (Wheat School)
Plot2Farm: Moving the research to your farm
In The Field Webinar: Early season weed control considerations with Dr. Breanne Tidemann
Seed treatment impacts early season abiotic resistance
Management tools for spring volunteer weeds from an overwintered crop
Unharvested acres: what producers need to know as spring approaches
Enhanced on-farm inspection procedures help keep producers safe during COVID-19
A step-by-step guide to growing malt barley
Is your drill out yet? Ultra-early seeding proves successful in Western Canada
Applied Research Associations bringing value to wheat and barley growers
Wireworms – we’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg
Fusarium Head Blight of barley and wheat
On January 7-8 2020, Alberta Agriculture conducted another edition of their long-standing Agronomy Update in Red Deer Alberta. The proceedings included presentations for lead researchers across Alberta and Western Canada. Not to mention a cameo from Hugh Beckie. Below you will find the presentation from each of the presenters. A huge thank you goes out to the planning committee, Alberta Agriculture, all of the presenters, and the wonderful attendees that make each Agronomy Update a success.
– Jeremy Boychyn, Agronomy Research Extension Specialist
Agnew – Smart Farming & Glimpse into Future
Bartley – Importance of MRLs
Beckie – Herbicide Resistance – AB & Australia
Beres – Ultra Early Wheat Systems
Boles – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Bowness-Davidson – Pulse Disease Update
Crop Rotation Panel
Foster – Results from Seed Lab
Geddes – Wild Oat Cross-resistance & Testing
Gorzelak – Mycorrhizas
Heaney – Evidence Based Agronomy
Hennig – Clubroot Update
Jensen – Basic Soil Properties
Leeson – AB’s Current Weed Survey Results
Meers – Provincial Insect Update
Mezbahuddin – Evaluation of Enhanced N Fertilizers
Mori – Insect Monitoring with Pheromones
Otani – Beneficial Insects
Strydhorst – CWRS Wheat Mtg for Yield & Protein Goals
Tidemann – Keeping it Clean with Glyphosate
Tidemann – Tank Mixing & Multiple Modes of Action
Turkington – Cereal & Oilseed Disease Update
Turkington – Crop Rotation
Zuzak – Biosecurity
Using the seeding rate calculator for seeding success
Picking a new variety? The Seed Guide is a helpful resource
Get timely agronomy tips from Canola Watch
Alberta Insect Pest Monitoring Network
The Alberta Climate Information Service
Applied Research Associations – an Emerging Agronomy Diamond
CMBTC Update: Winter Storage Recommendation – January 9, 2020
A reminder to farmers: check your bins. The difference between feed and malt can be $1.50/bushel or more!
With the challenging 2019 harvest behind us (at least for most) an important consideration for farmers with malting barley this winter will be properly storing and monitoring the grain to ensure quality does not deteriorate. Even barley that did not appear chitted at harvest is showing signs of pre-harvest sprouting when tested, and in some cases this is resulting in a loss in germination. If your barley has excess moisture levels (i.e. above 13.5%) and/or has not had a chance to cool down since harvest, it is at risk of heating, loss of germination and other issues such as mold and mildew.
Generally speaking, the industry standard for germination in malting barley is minimum 95%, and good storage conditions can help maintain malting barley vigour. Heating, mold and mildew can also lead to barley being rejected for selection as malt.
What to do?
Questions?
You can submit a sample to your local malting barley buyer to check the germination level of your barley. Questions can also be directed to:
Saskatchewan
Jill McDonald, SaskBarley
jmcdonald@saskbarley.com
Alberta
Geoff Backman or Jeremy Boychyn, Alberta Barley
gbackman@Albertawheatbarley.com
jboychyn@Albertawheatbarley.com
Manitoba
info@mbwheatandbarley.ca
CMBTC
Peter Watts
pwatts@cmbtc.com
We are into December and the majority of crop in Alberta is in the bin. However, there are significant acres in the northwest and Peace region that still require harvesting. On top of this, the challenges and impacts of low falling number (FN) continue to impact producers in Western Canada.
Through my discussions with farmers and agronomists over the past couple of months, I have been presented with a number of questions regarding FN. Some common questions relate to mitigation methods, causes for low FN and variety selection in relation to FN. With this in mind, I reached out to Dr. Richard Cuthbert with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to address some of these questions in the most recent edition of The Growing Point Podcast.
As always, if you have additional questions regarding FN or other agronomic challenges, please feel free to reach out to us.
Jeremy Boychyn, Msc P. Ag
Agronomy Research Extension Specialist
Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions
Don’t miss Agronomy Update 2020
Crop Report – June 5, 2019
Wireworm reduced my stand even though I seed treated. What can I do?
Can I roll my barley or wheat during emergence?
What are my options for wheat stem sawfly?
Five things you can do to increase sprayer efficiency
What response can I expect from Manipulator on my wheat?
Assessing cereal frost damage
Biology and management of the top weeds in spring wheat
Assessing cereal frost damage