Reduce cropping risks by making the most of Seed Manitoba
Pam de Rocquigny, Crops Knowledge Centre, Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives, Carman, MB R0G 0J0
E-mail: pamela.derocquigny@gov.mb.ca

Grain producers can reduce their cropping risks and increase profitability by choosing varieties appropriate for their farming operation. In recent years genetics has developed into one of the most advertised crop inputs so selecting the varieties based on available data can be challenging. Independent, third-party variety evaluation trials have become increasingly important as producers look to these sources to assist with variety selection. In Manitoba, variety evaluation trials are coordinated by the Manitoba Crop Variety Evaluation Team (MCVET) and are conducted at various locations across Manitoba. The generated data are available in a suite of tools which assists producers with variety selection. The most well-known and popular, Seed Manitoba, is an excellent source of unbiased, local variety information. The other on-line tools, www.seedmb.ca and Seed Interactive (www.seedinteractive.ca), provide resources that compliment Seed Manitoba to assist producers make variety choices.

Yield potential is generally the first factor considered when selecting a variety. Yield is based on the genetic potential and environmental conditions in which the crop is grown. Producers should use long term, multi-site data when comparing variety performance and need to exercise caution when looking at single site years of data. Varieties that perform well under one set of environmental conditions may not perform as expected under the next year’s conditions. And although yield is generally the first factor considered, producers should also compare varieties for maturity, standability, disease tolerance and other agronomic factors. Understanding their own farms’ needs or limitations such as frost free days, tillage practices, pest problems including insect or disease pressure, and straw management will help with the variety selection process. Information published in Seed Manitoba and the complimentary on-line tools will be used to demonstrate how improved variety selection can reduce cropping risks and increase productivity and profitability.