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Welcome to the Canola PODcast, sponsored by BASF’s InVigor® hybrid canola.
In this episode, we delve into the world of Demonstration Strip Trials (DST) conducted by BASF. Join us as we explore the benefits of these trials, featuring insights from Sheldon Toews, a member of BASF’s Technical Service team, and John Badry, a fourth-generation grower from central Alberta. In this episode you’ll discover how DST programs empower farmers to make informed decisions when selecting high-performing InVigor canola hybrids for their farms.
To begin, John Badry provides a glimpse into his farm’s history and shares his reasons for participating in the DST program. Farming just four miles away from his great grandparents’ homestead, John operates the farm alongside his wife, three young boys, and hired help. Their crop rotation includes wheat, malt barley, and canola, with the recent addition of faba beans. Badry’s search for a crop that fits his four-year rotation and exhibits improved standability led him to explore the potential of faba beans.
Next up, hear from Sheldon Toews, an integral part of BASF’s Technical Service team, offers his expertise and background. As a Technical Services Specialist, Sheldon collaborates with growers and farmers across Western Canada, overseeing trials like the DST program. Toews’s role involves working closely with cooperators like Badry to ensure trial success and effective knowledge transfer.
The process for the DST program begins in the fall, with planning sessions involving marketing and discussions on main competitors in the canola landscape. In February, decisions are made regarding which hybrids to use. As spring arrives, cooperators are identified, and approximately 100 replicated trials are set up across Western Canada. These trials cover various regions, facilitated by local Technical Services Specialists who collaborate with the sales team and key growers.
Following harvest, samples from each trial strip undergo grading to evaluate moisture content, dockage, and green seed analysis. The replicated data of the trials allows for statistical analysis, ensuring that the observed yield reflects the genetic potential of each hybrid accurately. Trial results, including yield data and agronomic comments, are compiled and made available to other growers on InVigorResults.ca. In addition, weather data from approximately 60 locations, encompassing temperature ranges and moisture events, is shared to provide growers with valuable insights.
Reflecting on his three years of participation in DST trials, Badry says trial results have impacted his hybrid selection process. Prior to the trials, he exclusively grew clubroot-resistant varieties. However, witnessing the performance of different hybrids side-by-side in the trials allowed him to embrace Pod Shatter Reduction varieties, enhancing his crop selection and optimizing farm productivity. The opportunity to assess hybrids’ yield potential, standability, and combining ease has provided Badry with the confidence to make well-informed decisions for his specific farming conditions.
BASF’s Demonstration Strip Trial program has become an invaluable resource for farmers like John Badry. By participating in these trials, growers gain hands-on experience with InVigor canola hybrids and competitor varieties, enabling them to choose the best-performing hybrids for their farms. BASF’s commitment to providing comprehensive trial data, coupled with technical support, empowers farmers to make informed decisions and achieve optimal results for their canola crops. To access additional resources and timely videos on growing canola, visit canolaschool.com.
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