Calgary (Rural Roots Canada) – An Alberta Grains program bringing research to the farm is gaining in popularity.
Agronomy Program Specialist Lara de Moissac says the trial list for the Plot2Farm program is full for the 2025 growing season.
As a result of the demand for the program, they are now accepting applications for winter wheat trials this fall. Farmers also have the option of joining the queue for 2026.
The Plot2Farm program, launched in 2020, has helped producers test agronomic practices under real-world conditions.
de Moissac says the program’s engagement is outstanding.
“They are curious about certain practices that maybe they hear about in a conference like Prairie Cereals Summit. If there was a Spotlight on Research and they thought, oh, I would like to try that, but I don’t want to go all in, of course. So Plot2Farm is a good way to try something out,” says de Moissac
de Moissac says they ask themselves a couple of questions when evaluating proposals.
“Will it be a benefit to a majority of farmers in that region? Is it going to be a benefit to farmers all across Alberta?”
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Now, in its fifth year, Plot2Farm has completed 25 trials, including nine trials this past growing season.
One standout was a fungicide timing trial in Stoney Plain, says de Moissac, agronomy program specialist with Alberta Grains.
“What stood out actually wasn’t anything necessarily about the trial itself, but unfortunately, that area was a hit for precipitation during the growing season. Yield was not great, but protein was through the roof. So it just alluded to those environmental conditions that can affect trial results. And I always like to think that no result is still a result.”
Plot2Farm shows how adapting small plot research for field-scale trials can drive innovation and help farmers make informed decisions for better productivity and profitability.
More info about the program is available on the Alberta Grains website.
