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Producer Research and Evaluation Program: "I do what I do because I love farming" | How on-farm research improves productivity

RDAR talks to 3rd generation Peace River region farmer Claude Lavoie about his experience with RDAR's Producer Research and Evaluation Program (PREP).

In Northwestern Alberta, 16 kilometers from the town of Peace River, lies the charming hamlet of St. Isidore. In the mid-1900s, seven families from Northern Quebec made the long trip by rail with the great Albertan sky on the horizon. Drawn by the promise of fertile land and guided by connections to the local church, these pioneering families settled in the Peace River region, establishing what would become this close-knit farming community. With them they brought their traditions, their livestock, and a determination to make a new life in the West. Today, the legacy of those families is cemented in the streets of St. Isidore, each named after one of the original settlers. The name Lavoie is proudly among them.

Claude Lavoie’s father was only 2-years-old when his family took the CNR train from Quebec. 71 years later, Claude, now a third-generation farmer, remains dedicated to improving the land and livestock of his family farm. As the Lavoie family has grown over the years, Claude has always maintained innovation as an integral part of his farming philosophy, an “instinct to discover” passed down from his grandfather. “I don’t like the idea of just doing things because that’s how they’ve always been done” he mentions, reflecting on early days setting up field trials. This drive to improve inspired Claude to take an active role in agronomic research:  identifying the optimal feed for dairy cows, beef cattle, and cow-calf pairs to enhance the growth, productivity, and sustainability of his livestock.

Thanks to his involvement with the Producer Research and Evaluation Program (PREP), Claude has been able to expand his efforts. “I’ve always believed that better feed leads to better growth,” he explains. He takes pride in raising some of the finest dairy cows in North America, but never stops asking, “What can I do better for my cows?” This quest for improvement and his dedication to research made him an ideal candidate for PREP, a program he learned about during a chance encounter at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. RDAR Research Program Manager – Livestock, Dr. Janelle Fouhse, saw the potential in Claude’s work and encouraged him to participate.

Dr. Fouhse said “you’re exactly the type of producer we are looking for’” Claude recalls. This serendipitous meeting led to a fruitful collaboration, giving Claude additional financial and technical support to continue and refine his trials.

Now in his second year of on-farm research, Claude’s trials have been focused on improving feed quality. This year, he has set up 10 test plots, each 12 acres in size, to grow two varieties each of wheat, oats, millet, silage corn, and sunflowers, along with field plots of barley, peas, and alfalfa. By conducting lab analyses on protein content, fiber levels, and other nutritional components, Claude can identify the crops that offer the most value per acre for cattle feed. He is methodical in his approach, taking samples every 5 to 7 days to capture the moment a plant is at its peak nutritional benefits. “The components in the crop type matter,” Claude says, aiming to identify which crops provide the best feed quality for his cows while maximizing yield.

However, crop type isn’t the only factor the affects quality cattle feed. One of the most surprising revelations from Claude’s research has been the impact of rainfall on feed quality. While weather is often an obvious factor in crop production, Claude discovered that timing and the amount of rain have an even more profound effect than crop type or soil quality. “The biggest effect on feed quality isn’t the crop—it’s 100% rainfall,” he says. Well-timed rainstorms can drastically affect the nutritional value of feed, making weather the most unpredictable variable in his trials. The realization shifted Claude’s approach to his research. By studying how different crops respond to changing weather patterns, he hopes to develop strategies that can withstand Alberta’s unpredictable climate and ensure better results year after year.

Claude never expected his on-farm research to attract so much attention - now the subject of discussions at conferences and curiosity among fellow producers. “It’s definitely new for me,” he admits with a chuckle. But with a growing recognition of his work, he remains focused on contributing to the future of farming in Alberta. For other producers considering on-farm research or applying for PREP funding, Claude’s advice is simple: “Make sure you understand what and why you’re doing it. Don’t just follow your neighbor or the scientist. Make sure it makes sense to you.”

Lavoie’s commitment to improving the livelihood of his animals through crop research is a testament to the innovative spirit of Albertan producers. At the heart of it all, Claude remains driven by a simple but powerful motivation: “I do what I do because I love farming,” he says, “it’s my heart, my soul, my passion”. It is this passion, passed down through generations, that keeps him striving for better ways to farm—not just for his family, but for producers across Alberta.

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Are you a producer already conducting field trials or curious about starting your own on-farm research? Discover how the Producer Research and Evaluation Program can support you in exploring innovative solutions for your operation. Whether you're refining your practices or just beginning, PREP can help you unlock new potential on your farm.

Learn more about RDAR funding opportunities and PREP here.

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