Companion cropping is the practice of growing a forage crop alongside a grain crop to optimize land-use efficiency so that a field can be used for hay or as a pasture after the main crop is harvested. Using small plots on a research farm in North Star, AB, this trial aims to determine which of three species of annual clover (White Clover, Crimson Clover, or Subterranean Clover) grown alongside a field crop (CWRS wheat or canola). The clovers are either sown by a disc drill or broadcast over the plot, therefore revealing which seeding method will yield better results for companion cropping.
Demonstration of spring triticale varieties compared to commonly grown cereal crops:
Gunner
Flex 719
Hybrid Surge
Triple Crown Mix
Diverse Mix
Surge
CS Camden oats
CDC Austenson barley
Demonstrations at the NPARA Research Farm in 2024:
Crops Garden
Regenerative Agriculture Lab
Alberta Native Bee Monitoring
East Restoration Project
In collaboration with the Peace Region Living Lab project, we are demonstrating how different cropping systems affect growth, yield, soil health and weed control to see which BMP strategies could be successful in the Peace Region.
Our companion cropping trial involves seeding three different types of annual clover with either canola or wheat:
- Crimson clover
- White clover
- Subterranean clover
Objectives:
1. Investigate if the establishment and growth of annual clover species sown previously to main cash crops such as wheat and canola.
2. Determine which method provides the best establishment of both annual clover species and cash crop: seed drill or broadcast.
3. To evaluate weed control, fertility, soil health and economics.
The following perennial forage trials are ongoing at the NPARA Research Farm:
- Grasses
- Alfalfa
- Sainfoin/Cicer Milk Vetch
- Mixes
The annual forage trials are performed every year to report yield and forage quality of several varieties at each trial type (alternative, oat varieties, and mixes such as spring and cereal and pulse and cereal). This is a project performed with sister associations such as Battle River Research Group (BRRG), Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA), Gateway Research Organization (GRO), Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA), Mackenzie Agricultural Research Association (MARA), Peace Country Beef and Forage Association (PCBFA), and West Central Forage Association (WCFA).
The annual forage trials are performed every year to report yield and forage quality of several varieties at each trial type (alternative, oat varieties, and mixes such as spring and cereal and pulse and cereal). This is a project performed with sister associations such as Battle River Research Group (BRRG), Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA), Gateway Research Organization (GRO), Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA), Mackenzie Agricultural Research Association (MARA), Peace Country Beef and Forage Association (PCBFA), and West Central Forage Association (WCFA).
The annual forage trials are performed every year to report yield and forage quality of several varieties in each trial type (alternative, oat, barley, triticale and wheat varieties as well as mixes such as spring and cereal and pulse and cereal). This is a project performed with sister associations such as Battle River Research Group (BRRG), Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA), Gateway Research Organization (GRO), Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA), Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA), Peace Country Beef and Forage Association (PCBFA), and West Central Forage Association (WCFA).