January 2014
Agdex 100/32
Varieties of Cereal and Oilseed
Crops for Alberta
T
his publication provides information on cereal and
oilseed variety performance within Alberta and
northeastern British Columbia. Important agronomic
characteristics are provided in tabular form for varieties of
wheat, oat, barley, rye, triticale, flax and canola.
The Alberta Regional Variety Testing program is co-
ordinated by the Alberta/British Columbia Grain Advisory
Committee (ABCGAC) and Alberta Agriculture and
Rural Development. Funding for the program is provided
by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, the
Alberta Seed Growers’ Association, the
Association of Alberta Co-op Seed
Cleaning Plants, the Alberta Wheat
Commission and entry fees for the
varieties being tested.
Data for this publication is contributed
by numerous applied research
associations, the Prairie Grain
Development Committee, the Canola
Council of Canada, CPS Canada Inc.,
Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada as
well as Alberta Agriculture and Rural
Development. Every year, the test results
and updated tables are reviewed and approved by
members of the ABCGAC. Sincere thanks are extended to
all individuals and organizations who contribute to this
important publication.
Test yield categories
The defined range for each Yield Test Category is
provided in bushels per acre. Variety yields are reported
based on the site means relative to the check in two ways:
•
As the overall average yield for all data available to the
AB/BC testing program, with the number
of site-years of data indicated. When there
are limited data for a new variety, yield information
may only appear in the Overall Yield column.
•
As the average yields in Low, Medium, High and Very
High Test Yield Categories for comparison with the
check for productivity regimes and environments that
may be anticipated.
Varieties that are statistically higher (+) or lower (–)
yielding than the standard check are also indicated. No
symbol after the yield figure indicates that there is no
statistical difference. Caution is advised
when interpreting the data with respect
to new varieties that have not been fully
tested.
Test Yield Categories allow producers to
fine tune their variety choices for the
productivity levels expected in particular
fields in the coming season. This
approach is similar to that used when
making decisions on the levels for other
inputs. Scientific studies conducted on
crop varieties in Western Canada show
that Test Yield Category analysis
provides a more stable description of variety yield
performance than descriptions organized by geographic
groupings.
To make effective use of the yield comparison tables,
producers first need to assess a realistic target yield for the
season and determine if it fits within the Low, Medium,
High and Very High Test Yield categories. It should be
noted that the indicated yield levels are those from small
plot trials, which are often 15 to 20 per cent higher than
yields expected under commercial production.
Also remember that yield is not the only factor that affects
net return. Be sure to consider the other important
agronomic and disease resistance
Cereal and
oilseed variety
performance
tables can help
producers plan.
agriculture.alberta.ca