Do organic sprays differ in their efficacy against disease in black walnut? 2018 Research Project Disease & Pest Control
Description

Joseph and Jazmin compared organic sprays for managing disease in their young orchard, with the goal of discovering the best organic approach to care for their black walnuts.

Key Findings

  • Disease and insect pressure was low on the young trees measured this year.
  • While there was no statistical difference between the two treatments (neem oil vs copper and biological insecticide). They will continue measurements for a second year.
  • The most significant indicator of fungal infection is early defoliation in the fall. Therefore, observations next year at the end of the season could strengthen their overall conclusions.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
Joseph Imre and Jazmin Bansagi
Pasture-raised chicken breed comparison 2016 Research Project Livestock Breed Selection
Description

Jason Hayes raised groups of Nova Free Ranger and White Rock chickens on pasture and measured feed intake, carcass yield, taste and nutritional quality.

Key Findings

  • From one successful replicate, the Nova Free Ranger group had a lower (better) average feed conversion ratio and greater return to labour ($5.30/kg vs. $5.05/kg).
  • Blind taste tests suggest the taste and texture of Nova Free Ranger meat is preferred by culinary professionals but that the average non-chef customer may prefer the smoother texture of White Rock meat.
  • Average OMEGA 6:3 ratio of one White Rock and one Nova Free Ranger was 9.5:1, higher (worse) than previously published results from pasture-raised chickens but lower (better) than previously published results from non-pasture-raised chickens. Vitamin content was higher than all previously published results.
  • Delayed arrival of Nova Free Ranger chicks allowed analysis of only one replicate in 2016, so additional replicates are needed to draw conclusions​.
  • Evaluating the nutritional quality and profitability of alternative breeds on pasture helps producers choose breeds that are better suited to integrated, pasture-based farming.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
Jason Hayes
Is it possible to breed a delicious winter hardy garden pea for most of Ontario and eastern Canada? 2018 Research Project Seed Production, Selection & Breeding
Description

Duane would like to breed a pea that can be planted in the fall and yield early peas, before the heat and drought set in. He’d like to see early production of high quality peas to supply market gardeners and backyard gardeners without the struggles of early spring planting.

 Progress to Date

  • This breeding project should take 3-5 years to get uniform lines with the combined traits of winter hardiness and quality, which are both complex traits.
  • Varieties derived from this project will be released publicly as per the Breeders Pledge (below).
  • If deemed commercially viable, the resulting varieties will also be licensed to small seed companies.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
Duane Falk
Does planting timing of green mulches affect yield of garlic and labour? 2018 Research Project Cover Crops
Description

This project compared yield and labour for garlic planted into established oats, garlic and oats planted together, and garlic without a cover crop.

Key Findings

  • Garlic survival and proportion of medium garlic was highest when garlic was planted with oats or into bare soil (control); and lowest when garlic was planted into an established oat cover crop.
  • Garlic planted into an established cover crop required more planting labour and delayed emergence.
  • Delayed emergence, in turn, delayed weeding and allowed perennial species to establish.
  • Eric won’t use the oat treatments as tested again; but seeing the biomass of the early oat planting has motivated him to tweak the system to make it work.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
Eric Barnhorst
Systems research for agriculture 2016 Research Manuals & Guides
Description
Web link to free PDF download of SARE’s Systems Research for Agriculture e-book. This handbook is essential reading for research coordinators and all other team members as they navigate the complexities of multifaceted systems projects.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
What is the best variety of sweet pea to grow in southern Ontario? 2018 Research Project Seed Production, Selection & Breeding
Description

Much of the flower seed being produced and used by cut flower growers across Canada is grown internationally in the Netherlands, Israel, and various South American and African countries. This means that varieties are not adapted to the Canadian climate and flower growers can’t support local seed houses. Jessica wanted to assess different varieties from local seed houses to find the best one for her farm, and she enlisted the help of other flower growers.

Key Findings

  • There was not a detectable difference in plant quality among blush or white varieties.
  • While there was not enough data to analyze statistically, Jessica recorded differences in bloom period and vase life. In doing so, she gained insight into the importance of these factors – especially in hot southern Ontario – for future variety trials of Sweet Peas.

Publish Date
February 6, 2018
Farmer(s)
Jessica Gale
Cabbage seed production 2017 Research Project Seed Production, Selection & Breeding
Description
Rebecca and Nicola compared two methods of cabbage seed production:

  • The “Fruition” or “pyramid” method, learned from Petra and Matthew at Fruition Seeds, where the head is trimmed like a pyramid such that leaves are usable but not sellable and;
  • An alternative “Meadowlark” or “chop” method, learned from Beth and Nathan at Meadowlark Hearth Biodynamic Seeds, that removes the head in a way that it can be sold at winter or spring markets.

Publish Date
April 24, 2017
Farmer(s)
Nicola Inglefield and Rebecca Ivanoff