MAY 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


37


Weather skews results in Peace variety trials Wet spring, dry summer give researchers a taste of production challenges


by MYRNA STARK LEADER


DAWSON CREEK – Unusual weather meant limited results from the 2017 variety trials the BC Grain Producers Association conducted last year. A wet spring following a wet fall in 2016 meant only one of two test sites were seeded, a situation not seen in more than 20 years. The more southern Dawson Creek location lay fallow because it was too wet to get seeding equipment into the field. Instead, trials slated for there shifted an hour’s drive northwest to Fort St. John, where 3,377 plots were planted. However, seeding occurred at the end of May, about three weeks late. Challenging field conditions made


for an interesting year for William Shaw, the association’s new research director. Shaw says they managed to get almost everything harvested but took the crops a little green to ensure they were in the bin to avoid the risk that an early snow would nix the harvest and leave them with nothing. “I would like to say we came upon something groundbreaking. Unfortunately, we didn’t. I tend to think the decrease in our average rainfall in Fort St. John led to us seeing less separation in yields over this past growing season,” says Shaw. While Dawson Creek faced surplus


moisture, Fort St. John recorded 200 ml of precipitation during the growing season, about 80 ml short of the


in the field and 2017 will make the association’s trial data more reflective of actual production in varied growing conditions.


Research committee Shaw’s plans for 2018 include


recruiting producers to revive the association’s research committee. “Ideally, we would like to keep the separation between the (BCGPA) board and the research committee to share the workload and be relevant,” he notes. They are planning to host four open houses this year to generate more interest in the research trials. Shaw remains committed to doing


research that local growers feel they need in the relatively short growing season of the Peace. To date, he’s heard from one farmer who would like some comparisons between newer and older varieties of barley. “I want the work we do to be as


Last year’s wet spring meant Fort St. John was the only test site for the BC Grain Producers Association variety trials in 2017. BCGPA PHOTO


average. Test plots in 2017 included varieties


of barley, canola, wheat, durum, oats, peas, triticale and winter wheat. “Looking at the canola and the wheat, there wasn’t a lot of separation between the varieties and I’m attributing it to the late start and the


dry conditions,” explains Shaw. “It affected how the grain filled out. Normally, there’s a five to six-day difference in maturing. Last year, it might have been two.” Shaw says 2017 should contribute


to a more realistic five-year average. He notes that farmers face odd years


relatable to farmers as we can and to try to get more grower input on the trials. If they have interest in something, then we should be doing it,” he says. Shaw will use the committee’s


recommendations to revamp the research program beginning in 2019. BCGPA has hired a new employee to co-ordinate the program and associated workload. Results from the annual variety trials are available online.


of summer BEST PART


It’s the


LARGEST AGRICULTURE SHOWCASE COME CELEBRATE AT BC’S


PNE 4-H FESTIVAL AUGUST 18–21


Off ering over 30 types of project competitions as well as provincial programs for judging, speak and show and educational displays. Travel assistance off ered to clubs outside of the Fraser Valley through the


BC Youth in Agriculture Foundation. ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 29, 2018


FARM COUNTRY AUGUST 18–SEPTEMBER 3


Come out and experience BC’s


remarkably diverse agriculture industry. Featuring the crowd favourite Discovery Farm exhibit, pig racing, BC Dairy Association’s Dairy Zone, and


BC Egg Marketing Board’s Egg Laying Exhibit, plus a whole barn full of exciting animal displays.


604-252-3581 • agriculture@pne.ca •


PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOW AUGUST 22–SEPTEMBER 3


Competitions in:


Extreme Trail, Junior Amateur Jumping, Draft Team and Indoor Eventing along with Canadian Horse


Demonstrations and much more! ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 27, 2018


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