b"trials are harvested and field books are submitted, I do a qualityis an old variety, many growers have experience with this variety, so check on the data. Then a second quality check is done by mywe included this variety for familiarity.crop coordinator. If the data is approved by myself and the crop coordinator, the high quality data is loaded into the historicalASG: Were there any other changes that you made to database where it's statistically analyzed, tables are generated andthis year's trials?the ARVAC membership is invited to review and comment on theSS: We added a site at Breton, Alberta with the University of draft tables.Alberta. This gives representation in that west central part of the In late November, we hold an AGM where each table is vettedprovince, so were excited about the addition of that new location. and approved by the ARVAC membership. If revisions are needed,We upgraded the seed treatment that we're using in the trial, we're they are made. Then the finalized tables are sent to Seed Worldnow using Teraxxa F4 from BASF. This gives us better protection Group for formatting and publication in the Alberta Seed Guide.against wireworms, along with protection against seed and soil The Alberta Seed Guide is then mailed out to all rural mailboxes inborne diseases, including fusarium. January. Another giant thing for this field season is that we have confirmation of funding for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 field seasons. ASG: When I get the seed guide in my hands with theI really want to put a huge shout out to RDAR and WGRF as RVTs in it, what should I read or look at first? they provide just over half of the cash funding for this program. SS: I advise farmers to look at the tables in their entirety and notThis funding helps us all breathe a little easier to know that it will just the yield column. When growers look at the tables, I wouldkeeping this program going for the next few years.encourage them to start with the trait that is most challenging on Ashley Robinsontheir individual operations. I'll go through an example of using the seed guide to select a variety for my family farm. In my area lodging is a huge issue, its To view a video with Sheri Strydhorst explainingour number one challenge. So I will go to that lodging resistancehow to use the tables to pick a new variety visit:column; I scan the column and look for varieties that have a VGseed.ab.ca/selecting-a-variety-with-the-seed-guide/ rating for standability and narrow it down from there. Then I look at the fusarium head blight resistance of those varieties and then I look at the yield potential of that sub-set of varieties. From Lab to Field!It is also super important for growers to read the preamble, thats the section before the tables. It describes how the trials areLet's talk seed and testing.conducted. For example, RVT trials do not receive a fungicide application. I would say that the best solution on each farm is a genetic solution to the problems or the challenges that a grower is facing. Agronomy can fix a lot of things, but you need to start with the best and most appropriate genetics for the challenges that each farm is facing. ASG: What updates/changes are made to the RVT program year over year to be able to continue providing relevant information to farmers?SS: One of the biggest things that we've done is we keep the check varieties current and meaningful. For example, the spring wheat check is AAC Brandon and I believe that is a variety so many growers have experience with it. It has commanded up to 42 per cent of the CWRS acres in Western Canada. We updated to that variety from Carberry in the January 2022 seed guide. Then we updated the barley check from AC Metcalf to CDC Copeland. And now we're going to re-update the barley check for the January 2024 seed guide to AAC Synergy. Were really trying to stay relevant; we want check varieties that growers have that2020seedlabs.cafamiliarity with.1-877-420-2099We also include two benchmark checks in the trials which are [email protected] acreage varieties. For example, in oats, although AC MorganNisku, Winnipeg & ChileSpring 2024 33"