Have you ever wanted to conduct on-farm research independently? Want to experiment with new crops, or improve soil health? We’ve made the process a little easier!
Take a look at our brand new research templates, developed in partnership with the Climate & Agriculture Initiative BC.
Improving Soil Health Through Enhanced Water Filtration
This template introduces the value of adequate water infiltration for crop production and walks through the steps to carry out a research trial.
It provides tips on:
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Deciding what to test
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Finding the best location for test plots
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Laying out test plots
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Collecting and analyzing data
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Interpreting results
The template includes a case study of a producer who tested the effect of forage radish mixed with an annual forage crop of triticale, oats and peas. The goal was to improve water infiltration under dryland conditions.
Take a look at our own field trials: Rock Creek’s 2019 Soil Health & Cover Crops, along with Rock Creek’s Dryland Forage: Tillage Radish & Water Infiltration.
Download the template
Using Mulches to Reduce Water Use
This template introduces the value using mulches to reduce water use and adapt to hotter and drier conditions and walks through the steps to carry out a research trial.
It provides tips on:
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Deciding what to test
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Finding the best location for test plots
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Laying out test plots
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Collecting and analyzing data
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Interpreting results
The template includes a case study of producers who tested the effect of hay mulch on drip-irrigated cherry trees, with the goals of improving soil moisture and reducing water loss.
Check out KBFA’s own field trial last summer: Irrigation & Orchard Mulching Trial
Download the template
Testing New Crops
This template introduces the value of testing new crops to adapt to climate and walks through the steps to carry out a research trial.
It provides tips on:
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Deciding what to test
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Finding the best location for test plots
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Laying out test plots
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Collecting and analyzing data
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Interpreting results
The template includes a case study of a producer who tested two varieties of the drought-tolerant species sorghum-sudangrass, seeded at two different rates under dryland conditions. The producer’s goal was to extend fall grazing on dryland pasture.
