Levy - Research & Development

Your money at Work for the Turf & Forage Seed Industry


In 2020, for every $1.00 of levy used, the association has been able to leverage $4.29 of industry and government funds overall. Throughout the fall and winter of 2020/21 the association will be working on updating the 5 year strategic plan which will be released in the spring of 2021.

 

Levy funds collected will be used to develop the industry by:

A. Research: strengthening research capabilities in Peace River Region:

1. Agronomy, Rotation & Establishment Trials


Project Contact Year
Comparing Forage, Pea, Canola & Wheat Based Rotations Nitya Khanal & Calvin Yoder 3 of 3
Integrated Crop Management of Grass Seed Crops Nitya Khanal & Calvin Yoder 3 of 5
Population Improvement of Native/ Locally Adapted Species Nitya Khanal & Calvin Yoder 3 of 5
Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Grass Seed Crops Nitya Khanal & Calvin Yoder 3 of 5

 

2. Forage Seed Variety Work


Project Contact Year
Peace Region Forage Cultivar Testring (PRFCT) Nitya Khanal & Talon Gauthier 3 of 5
Creeping Red Fescue Genetic Improvement Nitya Khanal & Calvin Yoder 3 of 5
Aurora Alsike & Boreal Fescue Breeder Plots Nitya Khanal & Talon Gauthier Ongoing
 

3. Insect & Disease Trials


Project Contact Year
Monitoring Insect Pest & Anthropod Biodiversity Jennifer Otani & Keith Uloth 2 of 4
Economic Pests in Alfalfa Seed Production Hector Carcamo/Boyd Mori/Jennifer Otani 3 of 5
Causal Agents Associated with Silvertop Jennifer Otani & Keith Uloth 3 of 5
Improving Disease Resiliency in Turf & Grass Seed Nitya Khanal & Henry Klein-Gebbinck 3 of 5

4. Weed Control & Herbicide Tolerance Trials


Project Contact Year
Herbicide Tolerance Trials on Seedling & Established Grasses Calvin Yoder & Nitya Khanal 3 of 5
Herbicide Tolerance Trials on Seedling & Established Legumes Calvin Yoder & Nitya Khanal 3 of 5
Weed Control Trials: Grass & Legume Seed Crops Calvin Yoder & Nitya Khanal 3 of 5
Grassy & Broadleaf Screening on Perennial Ryegrass Calvin Yoder 1 of 1

5. Herbicide Minor Use Registrations


Compiling data from several site years of herbicide tolerance trials & submitting to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Ottawa. Representing PRFSA at minor use priority setting meetings in Ottawa - Contacts: Yoder/ Limoges - Year 3 of 5.
Membership in Minor Use Consortium.

6. Responding to Industry Issues 


Project Contact Year
Soil Carbon Sequestration in Creeping Red Fescue Talon Gauthier & Kim Cornish 2 of 3
Enhancing Peace Weather Monitoring & Data Use Talon Gauthier/Andy Nadler/Keith Uloth 1 of 2

B. Transferring technology to more growers:

Organizing seminars for growers, ag industry reps & crop advisors in Peace Region of BC & Alberta. Hosted the Canadian Forage Seed Conference in Edmonton February 25th & 26th, 2020.

Organizing tours. July 22nd in Valhalla/Hythe & July 29th in Fahler/Whitemud.

Compiling publications, such as Spring Herbicide Update & The Seed Head Factsheets.

Distributing Forage Seed News magazine to over 500 growers & members in the Peace Region.

Membership in Canadian Forage & Grassland Association, BCAC, PPMU.

Updating forage seed website www.peaceforageseed.ca

C. Ensuring optimal use of funds:

Setting priorities and planning by growers, researchers, and seed companies/ agribusinesses, reimbursing basic director and meeting expenses.

Coordinating extension activities, compiling project proposals, securing matching funds, hiring contractors, organizing site management. 

Reporting to funding partners, and communicating effectively among all agencies and processors involved in levy and PRFSA activities.

Bookkeeping, auditing and ensuring accountability of expenses.