Using Modulated On-farm Response Surface Experiments (MORSE) to develop evidence based, agronomic recommendations for precision
The MORSE design is a viable alternative to RCBD for conducting high-resolution, spatially aware agronomic trials under commercial conditions. The integration of UAV-derived NDRE further enhances the capacity to monitor crop response and support early agronomic decision-making. This approach offers a scalable framework for advancing precision agriculture through evidence-based, field-scale experimentation
Climate-smart canola: quantifying soil- and fertilizer-derived nitrogen sources and greenhouse gas emissions
This study evaluated NUE and environmental losses across a diverse set of canola lines, that included parental breeding lines, experimental hybrids, and a commercial hybrid line.
Collecting the carbon data needed for Climate-Smart agriculture in Saskatchewan
the improved N management reduced N2O emissions, and for The 4-year period the cropping system was C neutral on average. Flipping the system to a net C sink might involve management that supports vigorous crop growth in-season and favours including wheat in the rotation. Our measurements provide some of the first year-round direct measurements of GHGs in a canola-wheat rotation for Saskatchewan and are a valuable starting place to build from and develop further strategies for reducing emissions and supporting crop production on the Prairies.
Using a 4Rs Plus approach to improve growth and sustainability of annual cropping systems in Saskatchewan
4R Nutrient Stewardship is a tremendous success story of a decision support framework that has been widely adopted among Canadian Prairie farmers as an easily understood tool to optimize agricultural productivity through judicious fertilizer use and subsequently manage risk.
Does seeding date and rate of canola effect spring flea beetle pressure, yield, and quality?
To evaluate the effect of seeding date and rate on canola flea beetle pressure, yield and quality a demonstration was conducted near Melfort (NARF), Outlook (ISask), Swift Current (WCA), and Scott (WARC), SK in 2024.
Canola Response to Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizer Products and Blends
Exploring potential benefits of enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) nitrogen (N) products and blends with side-banding was identified as a priority by SaskCanola. In the spring of 2025, field trials to address this topic were initiated at Indian Head, Melfort, Prince Albert, Scott, Swift Current, and Yorkton, encompassing a wide range of soil/climatic conditions.
Evaluating the efficiency of glufosinate and clethodim in varying water qualities in combination with water conditioners in canola
This study examines the interactions between the full and half rates of both glufosinate and clethodim in a tank mix with and without a water conditioner across varying water qualities.
Application of hyperspectral imaging for detection and mapping of small patch clubroot infestations in commercial canola fields
Researchers had a couple of objectives to complete during this project; the first was to identify readily applied diagnostic features for mapping small patch clubroot distributions using hyperspectral data, and to develop a diagnostic tool. Second, they wanted to refine and validate the diagnostic tool for identifying small patches of clubroot infestations.
Process adaptation and assessment of market development constraints for protein products from cold-press, GM canola meal
Canola seed processing in Canada is currently optimized to obtain high quality canola oil for the vegetable oil market, while the canola meal co-product primarily goes into the livestock feed market.
Continuing to watch the winds: the origin and arrival of migrant aster leafhoppers and diamondback moths
Aster leafhoppers and diamondback moths migrate to the Canadian Prairies in spring and early summer on wind currents originating in the USA. Infestations of these insects are tied to migration on the winds since neither of these insects overwinters well in cold Canadian winters.
Shining Light on Digital Agriculture: Linking Soil NIR measurements, Fertility and Crop Yields
Current commercial soil testing relies upon physically removing soil from fields and shipping it to centralized labs for analysis through wet chemistry. The soil is shipped, dried, sifted and then analyzed through chemical treatment.
Foliar N-Fixing Biological Trial for Canola
The objective of this field-scale trial is to determine if farms can see agronomic and economic benefits from applying nitrogen-fixing bacteria product in wheat or canola. Producer-cooperators will determine the value of utilizing this product under the typical management practices and environmental conditions of their operation.
Building bridges to success - Accessing Brassica diploid variation for canola improvement
New opportunities protecting canola yield from biotic and abiotic stress can be developed by harnessing genetic diversity found in crop wild relatives. However, significant barriers prevent breeders from accessing this variation, impeding crop improvement goals.
Prairie Weed Surveys
Weed surveys have been regularly conducted in annual crops in the Prairie Provinces since the 1970’s. In the 1990’s, a herbicide resistance survey program was also started across the Prairies. The most recent set of general weed surveys was conducted from 2019 to 2023, including herbicide resistance surveys on a subset of the same fields.
Demonstrating benefits of seeding date and rate on canola yield and quality
Early seeding typically results in better yielding crops, especially for canola, barley, wheat, peas and oats (Weir, 2019). But not all crops can be seeded early. This demonstration aims to show producers how their canola crop may have performed differently based on seeding date.
Demonstrating the Efficacy of Foliar-Applied Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria for Canola
The project objective was to demonstrate the effects of commercially-available, foliar-applied nitrogen (N) fixing bacteria products on the yield and seed quality of canola grown under varying fertility levels and contrasting environments.
Preserving hybrid vigour through a novel apomixis breeding strategy in Brassica crops
Engineering apomixis, the asexual reproduction through seeds without fertilization, will provide major advances to plant breeding. This is a technology which could quickly capture and maintain valuable genotypes and associated traits without inbreeding depression and help select for traits not available to current breeding strategies.
Quantifying combine auto-adjust capabilities in canola
In a previous 2019 study, the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) completed a survey of canola harvest losses in Western Canada to identify harvest factors had an impact on combine losses.
Utilization of canola meal in the diets of early lactation dairy cows
Greater milk yield is achieved when canola meal replaces soybean meal in the diets of high producing dairy cows. In addition, persistency of milk yield is greater for cows fed canola meal. Part of the explanation for greater milk is because cows fed canola meal consumed more feed resulting in greater milk production.
Revising the crop nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for Western Canada
The nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for crops in Western Canada were last revised in 2001 by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI). This project aimed to develop new nutrient uptake and removal guidelines for 14 annual crops grown in Western Canada, based on measurements taken from straw and seed samples.