The Regional Silage Trial was initiated in 2009 with six Applied Research Associations (ARAs) and Forage Association (FAs) participating with funding from the Alberta Beef Producers from 2009 – 2011. Since then, the Regional Silage Trials have continued to be a valuable resource for Alberta producers through current, unbiased regional information on annual cereal yield and quality for forage production. The ability to assess varieties and species regionally, allows Alberta producers to make the most economic decisions for their farms productivity and profitability.
These trials continue to evolve with the ever-changing needs of producers. Starting in 2020 alternative crops will be evaluated for yield and quality along with a number of winter/spring cereal mixtures.
14 barley varieties, 10 oat varieties, 10 triticale varieties, 12 Winter/Spring cereal mixes, 10 alternative crops and 12 pulse mixtures were to be evaluated in 2020 for yield and quality at WCFA's research sites. Nine additional sites were evaluated by other Applied Research Association's.
| Barley | Oats | Triticale | Cereal Mixes | Alternatives | Pulse Mixes |
| CDC Austenson | CDC Baler | Taza | Prima/Austenson | Chicory | CDC Austenson (Check) |
| AB Advantage | AC Morgan | AAC Awesome | Prima/Baler | Forage Brassica | CDC Baler (Check) |
| AB Cattleac | AC Juniper | AAC Delight | Prima/Taza | Forage Kale | Taza (Check) |
| AB Wrangler | CDC Arborg | AAC Paramount | Wildfire/Austenson | Forage Radish | Austenson/CDC Meadow |
| Altorado | CDC Haymaker | AC Andrew | Wildfire/Baler | Forage Turnip | Baler/Meadow |
| Amisk | CDC Nasser | AC Sadash | Wildfire/Taza | Japanese Millet | Taza/Meadow |
| Canmore | CDC Seabiscuit | Alderon | Bobcat/Austenson | Phacelia | Austenson/CDC Jasper |
| CDC Bow | CS Camden | Bunker | Bobcat/Baler | Plaintain | Baler/Jasper |
| CDC Cowboy | Murphy | Sunray | Bobcat/Taza | Red Siberian Millet | Taza/Jasper |
| CDC Maverick | ORE3542M | T256 | CDC Baler (Check) | Sorghum Sudangrass | Austenson/Snowbird |
| Claymore | CDC Austenson (Check) | Baler/Snowbird | |||
| SR18524 | Taza (Check) | Taza/Snowbird | |||
| Sundre | |||||
| TR18647 |
Due to moisture levels at the Yellowhead County site, the pulse mixtures did not get seeded. The alternative crops were seeded in late July at the Yellowhead County site and did not mature enough for yield or quality data to be collected.
The barley, oat, triticale and winter/spring cereal mix trials were seeded June 11, 2020 at the Brazeau County site. Yield and quality data was collected for these in September. Results will be available soon.
To view PDF versions of results please click the year below.
