Research

Research Topic: Intercropping/Other

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Lana Shaw, South East Research Farm (SERF), Garry Hnatowich, Jessica Pratchler, Robin Lokken, and Chris Holzapfel, Brian Nybo
• Project Dates: 2019 – 2021
• Abstract/Summary: This project will look at how to grow oat and pea together as a grain crop, how to separate grain components using slotted screens, and the effect of varying oat seeding rates in intercrop with pea on yield and agronomic parameters.Peas and oats are both relatively low value crops in the rotation compared withcanola. They are both beneficial to have in a crop rotation in terms of nitrogen useefficiency and mycorrhizal associations. Intercropping oats and pea in a mixed graincrop may result in a more resilient and valuable product with reduced need forherbicides and nitrogen fertilizer. Oat may have beneficial effects on pea disease orreduce weed pressure, which has implications for herbicide-resistant weeds like kochia. An oat-pea intercrop may be agronomically and economically suitable for many of thecrop zones found in Saskatchewan. An intercrop may reduce the need for glyphosate applications by reducing weed competition and may also improve soil aggregate stability. This project is funded by the ADOPT program.

Research Topic: Fertility/Climate/Environment

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation (NARF).
• Project Dates: April 2022-February 2023 and April 2023-February 2024
• Abstract/Summary: The purpose of this demonstration was to highlight the impact of fertilizer placement and rate on oat establishment, seed yields and quality. Oat response to various macronutrients has been investigated, and research has shown that oats are responsive to additions of nitrogen and sometimes phosphate. Prior research has not included different fertilizer placement methods. Some research in this area has been done on wheat, showing different responses and impacts from various placements. The intention is to demonstrate different fertilizer placements at seeding, and determine where or not these affect plant stands, yields, or crop quality. This project was run for two years (2022 and 2023 growing season) and funded by ADOPT.

Research Topic: Fertility/Climate/Environment

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Mike Hall, through AgriARM
• Project Dates: April 2022 – Feb 2023
• Abstract/Summary: The objective of this project is to demonstrate the response of a modern oat varieties to the historically recommended rate of 60 lb N /ac against the more recently suggested recommendation of 90 lb N/ac, and to determine the relative importance of adding phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) for these different nitrogen (N) recommendations in eastern Saskatchewan. The influence of treatment on oat yield, lodging and test weight will be determined. This project is funded by the ADOPT program.

Research Topic: Variety/Trials

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Aaron Beattie, CDC
  Dr. Allan Feurtado, NRC
• Project Dates: April 2022 – March 2025
• Abstract/Summary: This project will evaluate root system architecture in oat cultivars which vary in lodging resistance. It will evaluate stem and root lodging in field trials; assess impact of seeding rate on key stem and root lodging-related traits; assess the correlation between various root phenotyping methods; and compare root system architecture between Canadian oat germplasm and a diverse set of oat germplasm. Lodging and mechanical failure of the stem or root system is a significant issue for oats, leading to yield reductions for producers. Identifying root and stem traits important for lodging resistance will lead to enhancements in breeding cultivars with high standability. This project is co-funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

Research Topic: Variety/Trials

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Brianne McInnes at the Northeast Agriculture Research Foundation (NARF) and Chris Holzapfel at Indian Head Agricultural Research (IHARF)
• Project Dates: April 2022 – February 2023
• Abstract/Summary: This project will look at the responses of different oat milling varieties to applications ofthe registered plant growth regulators (PGRs) Moddus and Manipulator. Through previous research, both products have been found to decrease plant height, which diminishes the risk of lodging in cereal crops. Lodging has the potential to cause yield losses of 7-35% in cereal crops and can subsequently lead to significant reductions in grain quality. Plant height in oats is often increased with enhanced fertility as more available N results in more rapid plant growth. It is suspected that different varieties will respond differently to PGR applications as a result of different genetics for yield, lodging, and height characteristics.

Research Topic: Variety/Trials

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Mike Hall, through AgriARM (Applied Research Management)
• Project Dates: April 2021 – February 2022
• Abstract/Summary: Many oat millers will no longer accept oats treated with pre-harvest glyphosate. Losing this harvest management tool forces many producers to leave oats standing in the field longer, creating a greater risk of poorer grain quality and higher harvest lost.The objective of this project is to help producers select milling oat varieties that are more likely to maintain yield and grain quality when harvested late. Lodging, shatter loss, grain quality and yield between six commonly grown milling oats will be compared between ideal and late harvest timings. This project is funded by the Saskatchewan Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) program.

Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Kirby Nilsen, AAFC Brandon Research Centre
• Project Dates: April 2018 –March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: Developing milling quality oat cultivars suitable for organic production in western Canada, and potentially across Canada. Dr. Nilsen will evaluate and identify germplasm with high levels of genetically conferred disease resistance, and develop oat cultivars with durable resistance, especially to oat rusts, with acceptable milling qualitysuitable for organically managed production systems in western Canada, and for the ever-increasing organic markets.

Research Topic: Oat Breeding

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Jim Dyck, Oat Advantage
• Project Dates: August 2021 – July 2026
• Abstract/Summary: This private breeding facility has supplied five new oat varieties for the Prairie provinces which contribute to over 200,000 oat acres. This research project is targeting a 10% higher bushel weight, low hull content, high protein, harvest durability, and ultimately high yielding and valued oat varieties. Heavy oats are a focus for Oat Advantage, as the improvement on weight is expected to yield benefits in transportation and storage.

Research Topic: Intercropping/Other

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Peiqiang Yu, University of Saskatchewan
• Project Dates: April 2016 – March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: This project aims to increase and enhance basic knowledge of the optimal nutrient supply to dairy cattle through variety selection, feed processing, and optimal feed ingredient blending. Objectives within this project include: finding the best oat variety or type of oat grain with the highest Feed Milk Value (FMV) for dairy cattle; improving the FMV of oats through processing applications; and finding the maximum or optimum level of oats to replace barley in high production lactation dairy cow diets. Among other things, this project will carry out a detailed metabolic study in dairy cattle to understand the effects of feed processing on rumen fermentation, degradation kinetics, intestinal digestion, and truly absorbed nutrient supply from Prairie oat grains to dairy cattle using various techniques.

Research Topic: Fertility/Climate/Environment

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Elwin Smith and Dr. Danny LeRoy
• Project Dates: April 2018 – October 2022
• Abstract/Summary: While some short rotations are currently profitable, the lack of diversification in a cropping system can be detrimental to maintaining crop yield and profitability. This study will look at determining the net return and the variability of net return, associated with cropping systems of different rotation length and diversity of crops. This project has now been completed.

Research Topic: Fertility/Climate/Environment

• Project Status: In Progress
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Kate Congreves at the University of Saskatchewan
• Project Dates: January 2021 – December 2024
• Abstract/Summary: There is no direct annual data on net carbon footprints of Saskatchewan cropping systems. This project will address this gap by providing spatially and temporally integrated data on greenhouse gas (GHG; N2O and CO2) emissions at the field scale level. This information will be used to determine net ecosystem exchange and the net carbon footprint of the cropping system.

Research Topic: Nutrition/Product Creation

• Project Status: Completed
• Principal Investigators: Dr. Sijo Joseph, AAFC
• Project Dates: August 2020 – March 2023
• Abstract/Summary: The objective of this project is to provide scientific evidence of the specific health attributes of oat protein in reducing abnormal levels of cholesterol and glucose, and thereby generate preliminary data for an oat protein health claim petition. Ultimately, the Canadian oat industry could capitalize on new opportunities for marketing efforts with new evidence promoting the health benefits of adding oats in a diet. This information will enable the Canadian oat industry to meet consumer expectations in search of value-added oat products both at home and worldwide.