Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Long-term agronomic studies

Long-term studies are an extremely valuable source of scientific information. They can increase our understanding of sustainability, yields, economics, and crop rotations. Certain parameters require many years to see, as environmental conditions can vary widely and have a much greater impact on data from short-term studies. There are many difficulties in maintaining long-term studies. These include continued funding, ensuring practices and equipment can be consistent or comparable and ensuring the data produced continues to be meaningful. The University of Manitoba has several long-term studies that are well established and studies that are in the early stages with the goal of continuing for many more years.

Our studies

Glenlea plots with crops growing and a tractor in the background.

The Glenlea Long-term Rotation

This study began in 1992 and is the oldest study of organic cropping systems in Canada. This study compares two crop rotations under organic and conventional management.

Arial view of the PFP plots in Carman Manitoba

Pesticide Free Production

The Pesticide Free Production (PFP) study began in 2000 to investigate the effects of reducing pesticide use on weed populations and crop performance in two fully phased rotations. The goal is to maintain the productivity of a cropping system while reducing pesticide applications. A new phase of the study is looking at row spacing and seeding density to control weeds.

Corn crop with poor growth beside corn that is growing well

NCLE Field Lab

The goals of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) are to further the economic and environmental sustainability of integrated livestock and crop production. This field trial compares the impacts of several types of manure and manure management on annual and mixed annual/perennial cropping systems.

Plot of kernza beside a plot of wheat at the NGNT study in Carman Manitoba.

Next Generation No-Till Rotation

Optimizing Systems Productivity, Resilience and Sustainability in Major Canadian Ecozones is a future long-term study that began in 2018. The study is in partnership with AAFC and is one of seven sites in three ecozones that will look at six carefully designed cropping systems and determine the best one for each ecozone. This site is located at the Ian N. Morrison research farm in Carman, MB.

Row of small radish plants between rows of soybeans.

Cover Crops Rotation

Cover crops are being grown in Prairie Canada, but there are still questions to be answered about the viability, impact, and benefits of this practice in this region. This project evaluates cover crops in several four-year rotations in MB, SK, and AB. This project began in 2019 with the goal to continue it over several 4-year rotation cycles.