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Chapter 8.2

more info

AF has several publications relating to winter cereal production, including:

AF. 1998. Direct seeded winter •

wheat. Agdex 112/22-1.

AF. 1999. Winter wheat •

in the Parkland area of Alberta. Agdex 112/11-1.

AF. 2001. Winter cereals for •

pasture. Agdex 133/20-1.

These can be ordered from the Publications Office

(1-800-292-5697) or viewed on Ropin’ the Web.

Another resource is the online winter cereal production manual maintained by the University of Saskatchewan at: www. usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/ winter_cereals/index.php

Ducks Unlimited also has some information available on winter cereal production available at www.wintercereals.ca.

Table 8.2.3 Typical Amounts of Straw and Chaff Produced per Bushel of Grain

Crop Soil Zone

Pounds of Straw Per Bushel of Grain*

Pounds of Chaff Per Bushel

of Grain**

HRS Wheat

Brown 50

20-25 Dark Brown 65 Black, Gray 80

CPS Wheat

Brown 40

20-25 Dark Brown 50 Black, Gray 60

Barley

Brown 30

5-10 Dark Brown 35 Black, Gray 45

Oats

Brown 30

5-10 Dark Brown 35 Black, Gray 45

Canola

Brown 40

15-20 Dark Brown 50 Black, Gray 60

Peas

Brown 40

20-25 Dark Brown 50 Black, Gray 60

* Amount of harvestable straw, assuming about 80% recovery in cereals, and 50% in peas and canola, with 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inch) stubble left.

**Amount of harvestable chaff, assuming little or no weed chaff.

Adapted from: Hartman, M. 1999. Estimating the Value of Crop Residues. AF, Agdex 519-25

Standing stubble increases snow catch and has more benefit than loose, surface residue for wind erosion control. Surface residue that is well anchored with some standing stubble is also very effective for water erosion control, maintenance of good soil structure, increasing infiltration rates and preventing soil drying. Retaining straw and chaff on the surface of a field offers many benefits including increased snow catch, infiltration, reduced evaporation, increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure and plant nutrient cycling, reduced erosion risk and reduction of some weed species.