Interview with Dr. Monica Klaas on Regional Variety Trials (RVTs)
In December 2023, we met with Dr. Monica Klaas to talk about the status of the RVTs.
Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
According to the Alberta 2020 Greenfeed and Silage Production Survey, there were 13.7 million acres of silage and greenfeed seeded in Alberta. To optimize the productivity of these silage and greenfeed acres, the best performing cultivars for each geographic region must be selected. To inform these decisions, Alberta has small-plot, silage regional variety trials (RVTs) grown at multiple locations across Alberta that compare the performance of varieties with the performance of well-known check cultivars under different environmental conditions.
Currently, the Alberta RVT program is fractured. Prior to 2020, RVTs were overseen by the Alberta Government. In 2021/22, the trials were managed by the Chinook Applied Research Association (CARA). Due to lack of statistical programs, 2021/22 data has not yet been analyzed, and there is no sustainable plan to continue the silage RVTs in future years. Largely, silage RVTs are lacking general oversight. Today, RVTs are managed under the Alberta Regional Variety Advisory Committee (ARVAC). For cereal RVTs, ARVAC fills this role by coordinating the collecting, review and use of cereals and flax performance data for publication in the Alberta Seed Guide.
This project aims to use the learnings from ARVAC and develop a system which will results in high quality, reliable silage RVT data for Alberta farmers and ranchers when adopting new varieties for silage and greenfeed production.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
The RVT program is indispensable to farmers as it provides unbiased information conducted with rigorous consistent protocol. The proposed RVT silage system supports the entire value chain in the seed industry from breeders, seed companies, seed growers and farmers/ranchers.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results of the trials will be published in the Alberta Seed Guide each year, which is mailed to every rural address in Alberta.