While our Western Canadian growers and ambassadors are preparing for another promising growing season, our Western Canadian Research Coordinator, Britney Gilson, is getting ready for another year of field research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Gilson, research is an integral part of the agriculture industry.
\u201cIt means a lot to me,\u201d she says, \u201chaving grown up on a farm, I was taught the importance of research. I know how much farmers appreciate and value the research that goes on in their areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As soybean specialty crops gain popularity on the Prairies, it\u2019s increasingly important for us to provide growers with seeds designed to thrive in Western Canada\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beginning in May 2020, Gilson has been overseeing four different test plots in Saskatchewan (Marquis, Melfort) and Manitoba (Oakville, Morden). She does the majority of her testing in Oakville and sends each variety to the other sites to test their performance there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each variety begins with single plant selection before it\u2019s moved to a nursery. Gilson observes each plant, and if they perform as expected, they\u2019re moved to a larger observation plot. Finally, the best performing plants are moved to a yield trial at one of four Western locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The yield trials are completely random, so Gilson can observe how each variety performs in certain environments. Every detail is recorded, so she can know exactly how each seed will perform in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explains, \u201cWe\u2019ll take data on them, so flower colour, hair colour\u2026 lodging, maturity dates. Then we look at the seed protein and oil content of each seed. If it looks promising again, we\u2019ll spend the next two years seeding them as breeder ones and breeder twos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For us, these trials are necessary to understand the unique environments of Western Canada. Even in the same province, two locations can behave very differently in terms of soil content, precipitation, pest and diseases, and propensity to mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLocal research allows us to see how the variety is going to react in the soil condition and climate,\u201d says Gilson. \u201cIt also allows the varieties to adapt to the conditions in that area and not at the farmers\u2019 expense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Western producers tend to look for varieties with IDC resistance, uniform pods, pod clearance, little to no lodging, high return, and place particular importance on early maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cManitoba and Saskatchewan have a much shorter growing season compared to places in Southern Ontario and Quebec,\u201d conveys Gilson. \u201cWe need our soybeans to mature on time so we can harvest them and get the best possible return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says the soil content is also a major factor in soybean production: \u201cSandy soils are prone to drought, whereas clay soils can hold water better but can have emergence issues depending on how compact the land is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because conditions across the prairie provinces vary, each soil type must be considered when breeding new varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Varieties that do not do well in our climate and soils are cut from the program,\u201d explains Gilson. \u201cVarieties that show potential are tested again and again to give them time to adapt to our conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not always a straightforward job for Gilson, and she\u2019s faced many challenges.
She quotes Roy T. Bennett, saying, \u201c\u2018When things don\u2019t go your way, remember that every challenge \u2013 every adversity \u2013 contains within it the seeds of opportunity and growth.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s just say I planted a few seeds last year!\u201d laughs Gilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moving into 2021, she\u2019s looking forward to discovering new methods and using new technologies to improve the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrograin will be using drones to do the maturity ratings,\u201d shares Gilson. \u201cI\u2019m always so impressed with how far technology has come in the agriculture industry. Not only will this allow the maturity ratings to be more accurate, but I can now take ratings for more than a few locations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gilson says she\u2019s proud to be part of the ag industry. After working on test plots when studying at the University of Manitoba, working with Manitoba Agriculture, and now working with Prograin, she looks forward to making a difference, allowing local farmers to exceed far beyond their expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n