Grain Demo Plots / Trials
2024 Spring Cereals Grain Yield Demo / Trials - Barley, Wheat, Durum, Triticale
Our spring plots were seeded late this season on May 27th due to rains through May.
The barley plots were seeded at 30 plants per sq foot, wheat/durum/triticale 40 plants (one triticale plot was at 25) on 7.5" spacing
290 lbs of 46-0-0 and 80 lbs of 11-52 was used.
2024 saw high lodging risk in cereals so our barley plots saw excessive lodging causing yields and bu. weights to be low versus the wheats (in 2023 our plots saw no lodging)
Manipulator PGR was used on the plots and 1 fungicide at heading
We had a pea demo plot but too much water impacted it and we had to mow it out or results would not have meant anything. (It was too close to the faba beans and through a draw. Its hard to plan plots on the same field as cereals!)
For forage information click here Spring Cereals Forage Trials
Our spring plots were seeded late this season on May 27th due to rains through May.
The barley plots were seeded at 30 plants per sq foot, wheat/durum/triticale 40 plants (one triticale plot was at 25) on 7.5" spacing
290 lbs of 46-0-0 and 80 lbs of 11-52 was used.
2024 saw high lodging risk in cereals so our barley plots saw excessive lodging causing yields and bu. weights to be low versus the wheats (in 2023 our plots saw no lodging)
Manipulator PGR was used on the plots and 1 fungicide at heading
We had a pea demo plot but too much water impacted it and we had to mow it out or results would not have meant anything. (It was too close to the faba beans and through a draw. Its hard to plan plots on the same field as cereals!)
- On the barley extreme lodging caused yield numbers to be extremely variable even with more lodging resistant varieties as the combine could not pick up the crop well.
- This is not replicated so not science.
- Forage specific triticale / oats were removed from grain yield numbers.
- AAC Westking CWRS is not available this season (next fall!)
- AAC Oakman VB solid stem CRWS looks comparable versus AAC Brandon (AAC Oakman VB is a VB so about 10% of the variety is AAC Brandon a hollow stem)
For forage information click here Spring Cereals Forage Trials
Barley
Some of the unexpected lower yielding varieties can be due to lodging not being able to pickup as in the past Esma, Sirish, would be in the top yielding varieties. It does show that under adverse conditions the Canadian bred varieties can show well still!
Some of the unexpected lower yielding varieties can be due to lodging not being able to pickup as in the past Esma, Sirish, would be in the top yielding varieties. It does show that under adverse conditions the Canadian bred varieties can show well still!
- TR22669 & FB 23618 are on the market yet.
- Lodging risk - the best varieties currently on the market are: Bill Coors 100, SY Stanza , Asteroid, Sirish, Planet
- Gregs top picks assuming we have more information past just the 2024 demo:
- Feed or Silage on Irrigation / medium to wet soil area: Esma, SY Stanza 2, Sirish
- Dryer soils: Durango
- Smooth awn forage / flex: CDC Renegade, AB Tofield
- Malt: Bill Coors 100, Fraser, AB Dram
- Non GN malt: AB Dram, SY Stanza
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Durum 2024
This irrigated durum demo had just enough lodging pressure to show differences.
Gregs Picks
This irrigated durum demo had just enough lodging pressure to show differences.
Gregs Picks
- Early & yield & standability = Succeed VB
- Yield & standability = Stronghold
- Solid stem = Grainland or Stronghold (Stronghold is better in medium to good yield situations but Grainland better when very dry)
- Best FHB protection = Schrader
- Standability alone = Vantta
- Late maturity caution/risk = Stronghold & Vantta
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Wheat 2024
Lodging was not a plot problem in 2024 partially due to being seeded later and a PGR application (Manipulator)
Gregs top picks from wheat varieties are on the market right now
Lodging was not a plot problem in 2024 partially due to being seeded later and a PGR application (Manipulator)
Gregs top picks from wheat varieties are on the market right now
- Standability: SY Manness was best then AAC Hockley and AAC Wheatland VB
- Water areas or irrigation - SY Manness
- Top yield: AAC Wheatland VB, SY Manness, AAC Hockley, AAC Brandon
- What to look for next season (fall of 2025)
- AAC Oakman VB HRSW with solid stem for sawfly
- AAC Westking - Brandon replacement
- AAC Stoughton VB - a trait mix of Starbuck VB and Wheatland VB
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GP Wheat & Soft Wheat & Triticale 2024
Gregs picks of varieties on the market now:
Gregs picks of varieties on the market now:
- Best Red GP wheat = Alotta
- Best soft white for FHB = Awesome VB
- Best soft white for max yield = unsure because Sadash VB and Awesome have been our top varieties the past couple seasons
- Best grain or forage flex triticale = AB Sunbeam
- What to look for next season (fall of 2025)
- AAC Galore VB SWSW (should replace Paramount, Sadash, Awesome)
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2023 Wheat, Durum, Barley, Triticale Yield Demonstration Trials
Our 2023 grain demo plots were grown on irrigation and seeded late April. We had demonstration lines from the Olds College Field Crop Development Centre in the plots as well, but we removed them from the charts for clarity since they are not for commercial release yet.
We used a Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) later than recommended in the plots and that caused stunting and late tillers. The plots were shorter than normal because of the late PGR impacting yields and causing late tillering. So yield numbers here are harder to compare this season as each variety may respond to stress differently.
A fungicide was used at head timing, prior crop was flax, and we used 280 lbs of 46-0-0 spread on and worked in, plus 90 lbs of 11-52 with the seed. It was seeded on 7.5" spacing with a double disk drill into worked soil and irrigated about a week after seeding.
Link to all of the charts for the grain yield demo & trials results: Trials
My summary:
Although the stunting will make this data less reliable I will need to pull in more large field comparisons to help make decisions and form our opinions. Pricing will come out very late October but you can get on the list for us to get back to you on something:
Blair at 403-634-4349 (call or text) or [email protected]
Barley
The 6 row varieties always seed to handle stress well as long as you have moisture to fill the heads later season as shown here with AB Tofield. The rest of the varieties may be showing stunting effects as they are all pretty similar and that is not what we expected. Generally if you have moisture Sirish has been great, and Esma has been a top variety for medium to high moisture zones. AB Hague seems to fare well on dryland and can be good on irrigation as well.
Best for standing: Sirish & Esma (close second with Bill Coors 100 and CDC Churchill)
Best for forage: CDC Renegade (2 row smooth awn) & AB Tofield (6 row smooth awn) and Esma and Sirish for top end forage yields.
Most finicky: Sirish - needs good environment with moisture and a fungicide pass
Best in drought: AB Hague
Best net returns - Bill Coors 100 has yielded & priced well for our customers with contracts with Canada Malt - (Darren Marsen (403) 809-8670 ) or Molson Coors south of Highway 1 on irrigation with Cody Shick (406) 697-3838
CWRS
SY Manness won our CWRS trial and did very well in the seed production field, it may be more suited for those doing a fungicide and it does seem to have some taller plants in it as part of the variety, but it looks very good. (so be warned you may have a taller plant in your 124 bu avg yield SY Manness crop!! as the seed production field averaged that!) AAC Hockley & AAC Hodge VB did win for some customers, AAC Wheatland VB is still a reliable variety for us.
Durum
AAC Schrader is the new top FHB resistant variety with an I rating. It is taller so it's great for dryland or needs a PGR or 2 on irrigation. Stronghold did well again and CDC Vantta was in the pack.
Dryland we recommend: Schrader (its a hollow stem fyi) or Grainland or CDC Vantta (hollow stem but showing good sawfly resistance)
Irrigation: Schrader (it's tall though), Succeed VB, Stronghold, CDC Vantta (it's short stature)
Soft wheat
We seem to be seeing top yields from AC Sadash VB still as we have come back to it as a variety in our lineup. Its weakness is FHB ratings but it can yield!
Triticale
We did not get the new TriCal Surge into these plots this spring but for grain we have a small amount of Sunray on hand yet and for forage we recommend the Surge.
Below we have each crop type in its own chart with a total plot chart at the bottom:
We used a Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) later than recommended in the plots and that caused stunting and late tillers. The plots were shorter than normal because of the late PGR impacting yields and causing late tillering. So yield numbers here are harder to compare this season as each variety may respond to stress differently.
A fungicide was used at head timing, prior crop was flax, and we used 280 lbs of 46-0-0 spread on and worked in, plus 90 lbs of 11-52 with the seed. It was seeded on 7.5" spacing with a double disk drill into worked soil and irrigated about a week after seeding.
Link to all of the charts for the grain yield demo & trials results: Trials
My summary:
Although the stunting will make this data less reliable I will need to pull in more large field comparisons to help make decisions and form our opinions. Pricing will come out very late October but you can get on the list for us to get back to you on something:
Blair at 403-634-4349 (call or text) or [email protected]
Barley
The 6 row varieties always seed to handle stress well as long as you have moisture to fill the heads later season as shown here with AB Tofield. The rest of the varieties may be showing stunting effects as they are all pretty similar and that is not what we expected. Generally if you have moisture Sirish has been great, and Esma has been a top variety for medium to high moisture zones. AB Hague seems to fare well on dryland and can be good on irrigation as well.
Best for standing: Sirish & Esma (close second with Bill Coors 100 and CDC Churchill)
Best for forage: CDC Renegade (2 row smooth awn) & AB Tofield (6 row smooth awn) and Esma and Sirish for top end forage yields.
Most finicky: Sirish - needs good environment with moisture and a fungicide pass
Best in drought: AB Hague
Best net returns - Bill Coors 100 has yielded & priced well for our customers with contracts with Canada Malt - (Darren Marsen (403) 809-8670 ) or Molson Coors south of Highway 1 on irrigation with Cody Shick (406) 697-3838
CWRS
SY Manness won our CWRS trial and did very well in the seed production field, it may be more suited for those doing a fungicide and it does seem to have some taller plants in it as part of the variety, but it looks very good. (so be warned you may have a taller plant in your 124 bu avg yield SY Manness crop!! as the seed production field averaged that!) AAC Hockley & AAC Hodge VB did win for some customers, AAC Wheatland VB is still a reliable variety for us.
Durum
AAC Schrader is the new top FHB resistant variety with an I rating. It is taller so it's great for dryland or needs a PGR or 2 on irrigation. Stronghold did well again and CDC Vantta was in the pack.
Dryland we recommend: Schrader (its a hollow stem fyi) or Grainland or CDC Vantta (hollow stem but showing good sawfly resistance)
Irrigation: Schrader (it's tall though), Succeed VB, Stronghold, CDC Vantta (it's short stature)
Soft wheat
We seem to be seeing top yields from AC Sadash VB still as we have come back to it as a variety in our lineup. Its weakness is FHB ratings but it can yield!
Triticale
We did not get the new TriCal Surge into these plots this spring but for grain we have a small amount of Sunray on hand yet and for forage we recommend the Surge.
Below we have each crop type in its own chart with a total plot chart at the bottom:
Barley Demo Plots 2023
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CWRS Demo Plots 2023
Durum Demo Plots 2023
Soft Wheat & Triticale Demo Plots 2023
All Plot Chart Demo Plots 2023
2022 Yield Data
Charts Below the Images
Wheat Yield Trials 2022
Soft Wheat Yield Trials 2022
Durum Yield Trials 2022
Barley Yield Trials 2022
2021 Wheat, Durum and Barley Trials
2021 Wheat, Durum, Barley Trial Details
•Seeded late April meaning they were at the perfect time to be impacted by the heat in late June.
•Yields, yield differences, standability may be impacted vs other seasons
•Keep in mind this is not scientific or replicated and is on irrigation
•Dry land recommendations may be different
•The plots were shorter due to heat stunting
•Plots had about 1' of rain on them at maturity.
•Thanks to P & H Vulcan & Cargill Lethbridge for grading
•Flax stubble, some tillage = wind erosion,
•30 plants target on barley (but 1 Bill Coors 100 at 20 plants) = 121 lbs to 184 lbper ac
•40 plants for wheat – 161 to 233 lbs per ac
•April 10 300 lbs 46-0-0
•April 12 120 lbs per ac 11-52 and tilled in
•April 29 seeded.
•June 8 modus stellar and axial
•July 2, prosaro xtr
•Extreme heat in June impacted the plots as the 2 row barley did not head past the boot stage and lodging was not a factor in the crop
Wheatland VB was the leader for HRS wheat with Russel VB, LeRoy VB and Redberry very close.
For Durum Succeed VB and Stronghold where the leaders with Grainland and Alloy very close
For barley it was a tight group other than AB Tofield 6 row
•Seeded late April meaning they were at the perfect time to be impacted by the heat in late June.
•Yields, yield differences, standability may be impacted vs other seasons
•Keep in mind this is not scientific or replicated and is on irrigation
•Dry land recommendations may be different
•The plots were shorter due to heat stunting
•Plots had about 1' of rain on them at maturity.
•Thanks to P & H Vulcan & Cargill Lethbridge for grading
•Flax stubble, some tillage = wind erosion,
•30 plants target on barley (but 1 Bill Coors 100 at 20 plants) = 121 lbs to 184 lbper ac
•40 plants for wheat – 161 to 233 lbs per ac
•April 10 300 lbs 46-0-0
•April 12 120 lbs per ac 11-52 and tilled in
•April 29 seeded.
•June 8 modus stellar and axial
•July 2, prosaro xtr
•Extreme heat in June impacted the plots as the 2 row barley did not head past the boot stage and lodging was not a factor in the crop
Wheatland VB was the leader for HRS wheat with Russel VB, LeRoy VB and Redberry very close.
For Durum Succeed VB and Stronghold where the leaders with Grainland and Alloy very close
For barley it was a tight group other than AB Tofield 6 row
2021 Barley Yield Trials
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2020 Wheat & Durum Trials
2020 Wheat Variety & Durum Trials Details:
LeRoy at 25 plants per square foot observations: finished flowering later, 15% more seed rows per head but 40% less heads per foot of row. Vs the 40 plants.
LeRoy at 40 plants per square foot observations: finished flowering earlier, 15% less rows per head but there is about 40% more heads per foot of row
Thanks to P&H Vulcan (and Winnipeg) for grading the sample 403-485-2727
- Seeded April 30th
- Target rate: 40 plants per square foot = 127-220 lbs per acre use rate (other than the 25 plant pop trials)
- Fertility: 300 lbs 46-0-0 & 80 lbs 11-52 spread on ahead of seeding and worked in
- Season: Irrigation, lots or rain late June, no major wind at maturity, maybe leeching some fertility as lodging was not much different from PGR treated to non PGR treated
- PGR - Manipulator PGR at GS 32 on its own to the back plot (lower portion of the pic above)
- Fungicides: Miravis Ace fungicide at flowering on back plot
- Ergot was not a concern in the plots
- Bacterial streaming was an issue in 2020, Viefield is susceptible so that lowered its yield
- Plots went though 7/8 of rain while standing
- Yield was moisture corrected to 14.5%
- LeRoy VB, Wheatland VB, Redberry and Succeed VB Durum topped the list for the fungicide and PGR treated trials and the non fungicide treated trials
- LeRoy VB, Landmark VB, Redberry, Wheatland VB, RedNet & Alloy Durum topped the non fungicide and PGR treated trials
LeRoy at 25 plants per square foot observations: finished flowering later, 15% more seed rows per head but 40% less heads per foot of row. Vs the 40 plants.
LeRoy at 40 plants per square foot observations: finished flowering earlier, 15% less rows per head but there is about 40% more heads per foot of row
Thanks to P&H Vulcan (and Winnipeg) for grading the sample 403-485-2727
Picking a Wheat Variety:
We are growing midge tolerant varieties mainly because they are good varieties, not because we have midge in our area. It seems like the top new varieties are midge tolerant..
HRSW
LeRoy VB - New! Stands better vs Brandon, about 1"+ taller vs Brandon, MR for FHB, Protein = to checks, Midge resistance
Wheatland VB - New! Stands better vs Brandon, equal height to Brandon, I Rating for FHB, Protein = to checks, midge resistance
RedNet - New! Highest falling number in registration trials, taller (lodging risk), MR for FHB, lowest DON (FHB) accumulation, high protein
Redberry - Early by 2+ days vs others, High protein, some lodging risk (although was equal Brandon in our trials) MR for FHB
Viewfield - Susceptible to Bacterial Streaming in some areas, high yields, I for FHB, stands and height like Brandon
Landmark VB - Stands the best, I for FHB, midge resistance
Brandon - Industry standard - similar to AAC Elie
Durum
Alloy - Top selling durum, some drought tolerance, Strongfield/Brigade are parents, customers with yields over spitfire and other types, MS Rating for FHB
Succeed VB - Stands well, early maturity, midge tolerance, large seed size, MS rating for FHB
Grainland - New! Not in our trial, top solid stem durum for sawfly = Dryland fit
Precision - Industry standard
We are growing midge tolerant varieties mainly because they are good varieties, not because we have midge in our area. It seems like the top new varieties are midge tolerant..
HRSW
LeRoy VB - New! Stands better vs Brandon, about 1"+ taller vs Brandon, MR for FHB, Protein = to checks, Midge resistance
Wheatland VB - New! Stands better vs Brandon, equal height to Brandon, I Rating for FHB, Protein = to checks, midge resistance
RedNet - New! Highest falling number in registration trials, taller (lodging risk), MR for FHB, lowest DON (FHB) accumulation, high protein
Redberry - Early by 2+ days vs others, High protein, some lodging risk (although was equal Brandon in our trials) MR for FHB
Viewfield - Susceptible to Bacterial Streaming in some areas, high yields, I for FHB, stands and height like Brandon
Landmark VB - Stands the best, I for FHB, midge resistance
Brandon - Industry standard - similar to AAC Elie
Durum
Alloy - Top selling durum, some drought tolerance, Strongfield/Brigade are parents, customers with yields over spitfire and other types, MS Rating for FHB
Succeed VB - Stands well, early maturity, midge tolerance, large seed size, MS rating for FHB
Grainland - New! Not in our trial, top solid stem durum for sawfly = Dryland fit
Precision - Industry standard
2019 Barley Yield Trial
Our plots were taken off at the end of harvest, which had the big snow on them that impacted grade and quality. Yield was lower than some of our other fields but that is normal for the field it was on (moving fields next season). I would have liked to have this out sooner but November- December is very busy in the office for me.
Moisture was higher on a malt variety compared to the others, maybe it is a malt type issue.
AB Cattlelac is a new 6 row feed and forge type. It yielded the best for us with good bu weights and all the data on forage yields looks good as well!
The malt variety Bill Coors 100 is being contracted on irrigation in Southern Alberta and Kris will be at our Dec 17 meeting to talk about the Coors program. (our main seed field averaged 153 bu per acre, yield map here)
Moisture was higher on a malt variety compared to the others, maybe it is a malt type issue.
AB Cattlelac is a new 6 row feed and forge type. It yielded the best for us with good bu weights and all the data on forage yields looks good as well!
The malt variety Bill Coors 100 is being contracted on irrigation in Southern Alberta and Kris will be at our Dec 17 meeting to talk about the Coors program. (our main seed field averaged 153 bu per acre, yield map here)
Hard Red Spring Wheat Yield Trial 2019
We took out plots off at the end of harvest so they had the big snow on them and it did impact grade and quality. Yield was lower than some of our other fields but that is normal for the field it was on. (moving fields next season) Look at the falling numbers as well as that has been an issue this season in some areas.
For varieties available now Landmark VB and Redberry did very well. That being said many of our customers really like Viewfield as well.
Next season Wheatland VB, Leroy VB and RedNet will be available. We will have some Leroy VB available this season to do a few trials prior to launch year.
For varieties available now Landmark VB and Redberry did very well. That being said many of our customers really like Viewfield as well.
Next season Wheatland VB, Leroy VB and RedNet will be available. We will have some Leroy VB available this season to do a few trials prior to launch year.
2018 Irrigated Flax Yield Trial
(HRSW Trial Below)
The blend of all varieties did the best. We took the leftovers from seeding the first 3 plots and mixed them together
Of the varieties Prairie Sunshine did the best, we are very happy with this variety and expect it to be the top seller.
Stand ability was best on the Topaz
Yields are very close on all so one season does not necessarily tell the whole story
(HRSW Trial Below)
The blend of all varieties did the best. We took the leftovers from seeding the first 3 plots and mixed them together
Of the varieties Prairie Sunshine did the best, we are very happy with this variety and expect it to be the top seller.
Stand ability was best on the Topaz
Yields are very close on all so one season does not necessarily tell the whole story
2018 Wheat Trial
HRSW yields and now grade retention in a swath due to rain on the plots.
HRSW yields and now grade retention in a swath due to rain on the plots.
Please see the results below. Landmark VB HRSW and Viewfield HRSW will respond favourably to PGR's & Fungicides so i would expect even better yields from those varieties if we had done that. Link to that data below:
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Irrigated Durum Yield Trial Results 2017
Below we have our irrigated durum yield trial results.
One change would be to not use a PGR on a portion of the plots so that stand ability could be looked at. We used Ethrel and all the plots stood great and were about mid thigh - waist high.
The yields were fairly close, the blend of all 6 varieties did well but I expected it to outperform the others.
Below we have our irrigated durum yield trial results.
One change would be to not use a PGR on a portion of the plots so that stand ability could be looked at. We used Ethrel and all the plots stood great and were about mid thigh - waist high.
The yields were fairly close, the blend of all 6 varieties did well but I expected it to outperform the others.
For Canola Trials 2016 click here
For Corn Trials 2016 click here
Wheat Trials 2016
This summer during our field tour we looked at our spring wheat yield demo trials. We harvested them after all of our other cereals were done so they matured on their own. They were harvested after a rain as you can see by the moisture numbers in the chart. We adjusted yields to the same moisture content for each variety.
We were amazed by the yields of the Faller CNHR this season as it preformed as well as the Chiffon soft wheat and Pasteur GP wheat. Gross returns on the Faller and Elie HRSW were comparable. Straw strength of the Faller may be a less than the Elie but that may be its only downside.
Penhold CPS stood excellent and yielded well but there is a pricing gap to HRSW this fall. Some years that price gap is not very wide making CPS a good option.
This is only one trial and some farms / farmers can grow different classes better than others and prices will fluctuate making this gross returns chart change. The chart below’s pricing was done in the Fall of 2016.
For Corn Trials 2016 click here
Wheat Trials 2016
This summer during our field tour we looked at our spring wheat yield demo trials. We harvested them after all of our other cereals were done so they matured on their own. They were harvested after a rain as you can see by the moisture numbers in the chart. We adjusted yields to the same moisture content for each variety.
We were amazed by the yields of the Faller CNHR this season as it preformed as well as the Chiffon soft wheat and Pasteur GP wheat. Gross returns on the Faller and Elie HRSW were comparable. Straw strength of the Faller may be a less than the Elie but that may be its only downside.
Penhold CPS stood excellent and yielded well but there is a pricing gap to HRSW this fall. Some years that price gap is not very wide making CPS a good option.
This is only one trial and some farms / farmers can grow different classes better than others and prices will fluctuate making this gross returns chart change. The chart below’s pricing was done in the Fall of 2016.
