Assessing current soil-test-based fertilizer recommendations for direct seeding systems to optimize crop production and contribution margin

Project lead:
Dr. Kabal S. Gill, Research Coordinator, SARDA

Start Date: April 2013

End Date: March 2016

Alberta Barley’s contribution: $3,000

Partners:

• Alberta Barley

• Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association

• Alberta Canola Producers Commission

Total funding from other partners: $25,000

Summary:
The project aims to assess seeding systems by soil-test-based fertilizer rate interactions for canola and cereal production. Combinations of two seeding systems and four fertilizer rates are being tested using a barley-canola rotation.

Benefits for farmers:
The project will provide barley farmers with information on the right fertilizer rates for direct seeding systems and indicate whether a different rate is required for conventional seeding systems. This will allow barley farmers to determine the right fertilizer rates for their seeding systems and to maximize profit from their barley fields.