For many years, Beaverlodge was part of a network of sites across Western Canada. Seed companies enter grass cultivars into the trials for a fee. The main objective of these trials was to determine the seed production potential and adaptability of grass varieties for contract seed production for the domestic and export market. All attempts have been made to ensure the success of these trials. However, at times weather and environmental conditions may adversely affect the yield results regardless of the management practices followed.

Initially in the mid 1990's, Henry Najda (Grass Seed and Forage Specialist, AAF, Brooks, AB) took the lead and compiled all the data and reports from the grass seed trials conducted under the Western Grass Seed Testing Program (WGST) up until 2006. This data is available on this page or through links to the Alberta Agriculture's Ropin the Web site. Then in 2007, the Peace Region Forage Seed Association took on the responsibility of coordinating and reporting on the WGST, and this arrangement continued until 2012.

In 2012, Rahman Azooz (Forage Seed Technician, AAFC, Beaverlodge, AB) took the lead to transition the grass seed testing trials to Peace Region based trials with the Beaverlodge Research Station as the main focus site. Dr. Nitya Khanal now compiles the data and reports for the forage seed variety trials.

For more information contact:
Talon Gauthier, Coordinator, PRFSA by email: coordinator@peaceforageseed.ca or Dr. Nityananda Khanal, Forage Scientist, AAFC by email: Nityananda.Khanal@AGR.GC.CA

To enter varieties into the 2024 Trials please fill out the following protocol and email to the above contacts.

Peace Region Grass Seed Testing Program Report
2022 CAFTS Report

Peace Region (Western Canadian) Grass Seed Testing Program Reports

• PRGST 2021 Report • PRGST 2019 Report • PRFCT 2018 Report • PRFCT 2017 Report • PRGST 2016 Report • PRGST 2015 Report • PRGST 2014 Report • PRGST 2013 Report • PRGST 2012 Report • WGST 2011 Report • WGST 2010 Report

• WGST 2009 Report • WGST 2008 Repor • WGST 2007 Report  • WGST 2006 Report  • WGST 2005 Report  • WGST 2004 Report • WGST 2003 Report  • WGST 2002 Report  • WGST 2001 Report  • WGST 2000 Report

More Variety Information:
• Alberta Forage Council Annual Report Variety Trials 1996
• Cross Canada Comparison of Productivity of Fodder Galega with Traditional Herbage Legumes
• Diversification with Grass Seed Crops
• Evaluation of Annual Legumes for Seed Production (2007 publication)
• Explanation of Diploid and Tetraploid Plants
• Grass Seed Yield Data 1969-1977
• Herbage Production in the Peace Region: Summaries of Research Results 1970-1980
• Seed Yield Data from Grass Seed Trials at Beaverlodge Research Station 2014
• Seed Yield Performance of Oracle Creeping Red Fescue December 2006
• Western Canadian Grass Seed Testing Program

 

• Altaswede Variety Description
• Aurora Alsike Clover Variety Description
• Boreal Creeping Red Fescue Variety Description
• Dawn Alsike Clover Variety Description
• Norlac Red Clover Variety Description

Fertility 
• Comparison of Nitrogen Timing, Rate & Source in Creeping Red Fescue Seed Production
• Effect of fertilizer on seed yield of alfalfa under irrigation in Saskatchewan
• Fertilizer management for seed production of perennial forages in Saskatchewan
• Use of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate for Fertilizing Smooth Bromegrass and Timothy Seed Stands
• Nitrogen Fertility for Seed Production of Creeping Red Fescure
• Nitrogen Fertility for Seed Production of Tall Fescue
• Use of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate for Fertilizing Smooth Bromegrass and Timothy Seed Stands
• Urease Inhibitor Agrotain: Surface Applied Urea for Fescue
• Variety Specific Management for Seed Production of Creeping Red Fescue

Crop Establishment
• Cereal Companion Crops and Forage Seed Production
• Companion Crops for Forage Seedlings
• Effect of Grass Species and Row Spacing on Dandelion Establishment and Growth
• Effect of Row Spacing on Seed and Hay Production of 11 Grass Species
• Effects of Row Spacing and Seeding Rates on Seed Yield in Clover and Trefoil
• Effect of Seeding Date and Companion Crops
• Establishment of Cultivated Grasses and Legumes on Burned-Over Land in Northern Canada
• Forage Seeding Depths
• Legume Seed Establishment
• No-Till Establishment of Forage Crops into Grain Stubble (1995 Report)
• Plant Spacing for Seed Production of Creeping Red Fescure
• Plant Spacing for Seed Production of Tall Fescue
• Sensitivity of Several Species of Grasses and Legumes to Soil Acidity
• Sowing Rate for Seed Crops of Perennial Ryegrass
• The Selection and Seeding of Grasses and Legumes in Alberta
• Timely Hints- Methods of Seeding Grasses and Clovers

 
• Forage Seed URMULE Updates 2005 to Nov 2023
• ACIDF Final Report- Fall vs. Spring Herbicide on Grass
• AgriFax- Weed Control in Forage Crops
• Experiments in Control of Weeds in Grass Seed Crops
• Experiments in Control of Weeds in Grass Seed Crops 1971-1996
• Fall Herbicide Application for Effective Control of Problem Perennial Weeds in Grass Seed Crops
• Fall Applications of Herbicides on Creeping Red Fescue Seed Fields for Control of Group 2 Resistant Narrow-leaved hawk’s-beard
• Guidelines for the Conduct of Chemical Weed Control Trials in Forage Grasses Grown for Seed
• Narrow-leaved Hawks'beard Group 2 Resistance: Greenhouse Trials
• Northern Research Group News Fertilizing Grasses for Seed Production 
• Optimal Weed Management in Timothy, Meadow Bromegrass and Hybrid Bromegrass Grown for Seed and Timothy Export Hay Market
• Spring Applied Herbicides on Creeping Red Fescue (2006)
• The Biology of Canadian Weeds
• Tolerance of Established Alsike Clover Seed Crops to Viper and Solo
• Tolerance of Fine Leaved Fescues to Herbicide (1997 - 2000)
• Tolerance of Seedling Creeping Red Fescue Seeded with Canola to Roundup
• Weed Control in Forage Seed Crops

• 
  • Annotated Bibliography (full list of references)
• • Effects Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on Established Creeping Red Fescue Seed Crop
• • Effects Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on Established Meadow Bromegrass Seed Crop
• • Effects Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) on Established Timothy Seed Crop
  
• • Growth Regulator on Established Red & Alsike Clover Seed Fields in the Peace Region
  • SH#9 Growth Regulator Overview
  • SH#10 Growth Regulators on Red Clover Seed Crops
   • SH#11 Growth Regulators on Alsike Clover Seed Crops
  

• 2015 CABI Report: Biological Controls of Oxeye Daisy
• 2016 CABI Report: Biological Controls of Oxeye Daisy
• 2017 CABI Report: Biological Controls of Oxeye Daisy
• Causal Agents of Silver Top and Other Types of Damage to Grass Seed Crops
• Cutworms in the Peace Region
• Damage to Grasses in the Peace Region by the Spittlebug
• Endophyte Content of Turf Grass Seed Stands
• Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada – Identification and Management Field Guide
• Micro-leps causing mega-trouble: The trials, tribulations, challenges of a new pest
• Symptoms of Stem Eyespot

Red Clover Casebearer
• Casebearer Larvae SARDA
• Casebearer Life Cycle
• Clover Insect Pests - European Flare for Damage Poster
• Sex pheromone of female red clover casebearer Poster

The Insect Pest Monitory Network is a prairie-wide, coordinated insect monitoring program designed to keep the Canadian agriculture industry informed of the risks to crop production from pest species and to highlight and conserve their natural enemies. The Prairie Pest Monitoring Network also produces the Weekly Update e-bulletins during the growing season that summarize emerging prairie-wide pest issues, and includes monitoring tips, risk warnings, and forecasts in order to support in-field monitoring and sound pest management decisions for growers across the Canadian prairies. Contact Jennifer Otani at 780-354-5132 or via email at Jennifer.Otani@agr.gc.ca. Check out the PPMN blog to stay current!

Archived PPMN and BC Pest Monitoring Updates

2016
• June 15, 2016

2015
• July 3, 2015
• June 5, 2015

2014
• August 27, 2014
• August 20, 2014
• August 13, 2014
• August 5, 2014
• July 30, 2014
• July 16, 2014
• July 9, 2014
• July 2, 2014
• June 25, 2014
• June 18, 2014
• June 4, 2014

2013
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - May 27 -31, 2013

2012
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - July 21 -27, 2012
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - July 7 -14, 2012
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - June 22 - 29, 2012
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - June 15 - 22, 2012

2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - August 29 - September 2, 2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - August 2 - 5, 2011 
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - July 25 - 28, 2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - July 4 - 8, 2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - June 1 - 7, 2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - May 30 - June 3, 2011
• Prairie Pest Monitoring Network Weekly Update - May 24 - 27, 2011

 

Check here on how to identify grasshopper nymphs.
The 2014 Canola Survey is now available.

Harvest
• An Evaluation of Five Methods for Determining the Moisture of Grass Seeds
• Harvesting Grass Seeds
• Native Seed Harvesting and Marketing
• Study of Moisture Content and Harvesting

• Legume Seed Crops- Harvest and Post-Harvest Management

Post Harvest Management
• Effect of Rolling Creeping Red Fescue Prior to Fall Glyphosate Applications
• Post Harvest Management of Creeping Red Fescue
• Post Harvest Management of Grass Seed Crops
• Non-Tillage Removal of Creeping Red Fescue
• Plowdown- A Strategy for the Future
• Plowdown- Encouraging Results
• Variety Specific Management for Seed Production of Creeping Red Fescue

• Alsike Clover and Annual Crop Production 
• Crop Rotations: The Role of Legumes
• Crop rotations with perennial forage seed crops: a beneficial low-cost option for the Peace Region
• Forage Based Rotations & the Impact on Seed Production of Annual & Perennial Crops

•Alfalfa Seed in the Peace
•Alfalfa Production in the Peace Region 1980
•Alfalfa Seed Production in the Peace Region 1988
•Alfalfa Seed Production in the Peace Region 1989
•Alfalfa Seed Production in the Peace Region 1990
•Alfalfa Seed Production in the Peace Region 1992
•Hard Seed Content of Alfalfa Cultivars Grown in Canada

Weed Control
•Pre-Harvest Roundup on Alfalfa- Long Version
•Pre-Harvest Roundup on Alfalfa- Short Version

Leafcutter Bees
•Alternative Floral Sources for Leafcutting Bees
•Detection of Chalkbrood in Leafcutter Bee Cells in the Peace River Region
•Management of the Alberta Leafcutter Bee in Northwestern Canada
•Reproduction of Leafcutter Bees Foraging on Alfalfa, Clovers and Canola

Irrigation Potential in the B.C. Peace
• Climate Action Overview 2017
• Evaluation of Irrigation Potential in the Peace- Report
• Evaluation of Irrigation Potential in the Peace- Summary
• Irrigation Fact Sheet 1 2017
• Irrigation Fact Sheet 2- Site Specifics 2017
• Irrigation Fact Sheet 3- Economics 2017

Weather in the B.C. Peace
• Peace River Weather Data- Report

Runoff, Drainage & Erosion in the B.C. Peace
Factsheet 1: Project Overview
Factsheet 2: Erosion Risk Mapping
Factsheet 3: Conversations About Runoff, Drainage & Erosion
Factsheet 4: Soil, Water & Residue Management

Grazing and Wildlife Damage
• Grass Seed Residues for Beef Cattle
• Literature Review - Effects of Grazing on Grass Seed Production
• Wildlife Damage on Fescue Study
• Wildlife Damage Study Final Report May 2012

• Agriculture in the Peace- Past, Present and Future
• Forage Research in the Peace River Region- Quotes from the Good Old Days
• Forage Seed Production Opportunities for the Peace Region
• Northern Agriculture- The Peace River Area