It was Field Day at the Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) in Lacombe yesterday, an event where researchers share their latest findings in crop science.

There were eight talks throughout the day, covering weeds, diseases to including pulses in crop rotation.

Flavio Capettini is head of research at FCDC. His presentation focused on barley, wheat and triticale varieties over time.

He also shed light on what varieties might be developed to meet market demands in the future. He names Alberta’s growing craft beer industry for one. Grain quality research Lori Oatway says barley for malting purposes requires lower protein content but more starch.

Capettini also points to climate change, and the need for crops that are more resilient to extreme temperatures and moisture levels.

Close-up of some of the barley at the Field Crop Development Centre.

These varieties are developed through selective breeding, Oatway explains.

They take a female plant, remove the anthers (the part of the plant that contains pollen) and let it mature. Then pollen is introduced from another plant. Parents are chosen based on desired characteristics with the hope that they will be reflected in the offspring.

FCDC possesses a wide range of germ plasm from all over the world (genetic line that possesses a desired trait but for whatever reason can’t be sold commercially) that’s used for this procedure, Oatway said.

She adds FCDC collaborates with industry – be it malting, brewing, feed or dairy – to find out what traits they’re seeking. This guides the direction of their research, she said.

There’s a strong push toward nitrogen efficiency, according to Yadeta Kabeta, a researcher on the subject.

Kabeta said nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth and it’s used to maximize yields.

However, it’s also one of the highest input costs for a farmers, he said.

That’s why FCDC is working on barley varieties that take up more nitrogen from the soil and use it more efficiently.

Nitrogen-efficient barley would allow farmers to cut their spending on fertilizer while maintaining high yields, Kabeta said.

As well, the more nitrogen that’s used by the plant, the less of it that is lost into the environment, affecting water and air quality, he adds.

Visitors touring the Field Crop Development Centre.