Research on the Farm (ROTF) Trial Results

Spring Wheat PGR Use

Madison Kostal on February 5, 2026

Background Information

Since 2018, 56 spring wheat PGR trials have been conducted and harvest data collected.
Two PGRs, Moddus and Manipulator, were utilized in this trial. Manipulator was applied on 47 sites and Moddus on eight sites. An alternative product was also applied to one site.
Site seeding rates ranged from 90 – 170 lb/ac. All utilized varieties had a lodging rating of good or better.

Summary

There was only a statistically significant positive yield response to PGR application at nine (or 16 per cent) of sites. Eight of those sites were sprayed with Manipulator, while one was sprayed with a Kinetin PGR. There was a significantly negative yield response to a PGR application at one site. At the sites with a positive yield response, yields increased on average 3.17 bu/ac. At all sites where a positive significant yield difference was found, the application of a PGR improved returns between $1.43 and $31/ ac, when accounting for product cost only. At sites where no significant yield increases were observed, there was a $17.30/ac loss, when accounting for product cost only.

Superscript letters indicate significant differences

Barley Variety Trials -All

Madison Kostal on February 5, 2026

Background Information

• Trial sites included comparison of both malt and feed barley varieties.
• Variety registration dates ranged from 2009-2021.
• All malting barley varieties utilized in these trials, except CDC Bow, are currently on the CMBTC recommended list.
• All other management practices were kept the same across the entire field.

Results

Reviewing the 2025 growing season data only, the results indicate that high yields are achievable
in difficult growing conditions with all varieties tested. At all sites, the most recently released varieties were the
highest yielding, but differences were only significant at one site (2025-BV02). At this site, CDC Durango yielded
14 bu/ac more than CDC Austenson and would increase net profit by *$60/ac. These are preliminary results and
variety performance differs by location and year. MCA plans to continue this trial next year.

*Feed barley price – $4.32. Difference in seed price is not included in calculation.

Flax Variety Trial-All

Madison Kostal on January 26, 2026

Background Information

Participants compare their normal (i.e., check) variety to newer registered varieties. Growers were encouraged to grow the newly registered flax variety, CDC Esme.
Management practices at each site were consistent across all treatments and with remainder of the field for all practices other than variety.

Summary

Site FV01 did exhibit yield data that proved statistically significant differences between the two varieties. The statistics and full set of data reveal that there is statistical difference between the varieties across four reps, and CDC Esme out-yielded CDC Rowland in each of them. When broken down further, in this site and in 2025 conditions, Esme would narrowly out-yield Rowland 96 per cent of the time.

Site FV02 did not exhibit statistically significant data, though the results show an average four-bushel yield increase in CDC Esme versus NuLin 50. The reason for this is that there was greater variability between trial replicates, making it more difficult to determine if yield differences are a result of varietal traits or external factors. Regardless, confidence was still quite good in this site year, and trial statistics determined that Esme will out-yield NuLin 50 at least nine out of 10 times in this site.

Flax Nitrogen Rate-All

Madison Kostal on January 26, 2026

Background Information

Participants chose their own nitrogen rates, based on what they would normally apply to the field. Their regular rate is considered the “medium N” rate, and they chose the high and low rates that they were interested in exploring. All additional management practices at each site were consistent across treatments and with remainder of the field.

Summary

In 2025, all FN01, 02 and 03 had medium to high soil nitrate levels. High amounts of nitrogen fertilizer were not needed to achieve good quality
and yield, but it does give a perspective on the data collected.

2024 was the first year for the Flax Nitrogen Rate protocol as an experiment by the one participating farmer, who wanted to test the effects of very high nitrogen rates in their flax crop. Yields remained flat, though the “mid” range with 80 lbs N/ac outyielding the higher and lower nitrogen rates by 1.4 bu/ac. This does not reflect an economic benefit to the added nitrogen. There was interest in 2025 to continue this project, but more site years will be required to attain reliable results. Only one in five site years had yield results of statistical significance (2025-FN04). This field did have a significant range in nitrogen rates, so one would expect to have a greater difference in yields to reflect those rates. Incidentally, this field also tested “very high” in spring soil nitrate levels. The addition of high nitrogen rates may have been reflected in yields more in a field that had lower soil nitrate levels..

Malt Barley Protein and Nitrogen rates – Central

Madison Kostal on January 26, 2026

Background Information

Newer malting barley varieties have been released and are starting to account for many of the seeded acres. Understanding the new varieties fertility requirements, specifically for nitrogen is crucial to optimize these varieties for yield and malt selection.

Results

These are preliminary results. Since 2024, enough nitrogen was supplied to the malting barley at the majority of trial sites using farmers’ normal fertility practices, as grain yields were not significantly improved with additional nitrogen fertilizer.

Grain quality analysis for malt selection was assessed by CMBTC. Four out of eight sites had grain protein levels below12.5 per cent. There was an overall trend of increased grain protein with higher nitrogen rates, but this trend was only significant at one site (2024 – BV03). At most sites (88 per cent), kernel plumpness was not significantly impacted by nitrogen rate. At one site (2024-BV01), there was a significant decrease in kernel plumpness with increased nitrogen supplied, although the reduction did not result in grain plumpness going below 85%, the threshold for malt selection.

Weather Info

Sunflower Fungicide Treatment- Central

Madison Kostal on January 22, 2026

Background Information

Sclerotinia is a major disease pest affecting many crops, and farmers rely on genetics and fungicides for control.
Sclerotinia head and stem infections occur when apothecia release ascospores, which land on plant tissue.
There is concern about timing and efficacy of fungicide applications to control sclerotinia head rot in sunflower, specifically.
All fungicides were aerial-applied at R5 stage.

Summary

Fungicides registered in Manitoba for sclerotinia head rot in Sunflower are Acapela, boscalid products (Lance, used in 2024), prothioconazole products (Proline, used in 2024), and Quash. Also available for soil-applied applications is LALSTOP Contans WG.

Zero out of 10 site years have shown statistically significant yield differences between treatments in the Sunflower Fungicide Treatment trial. Test weights in all 10 site years were extremely consistent, so fungicide treatments appeared to have no effect on seed fill.
Disease assessments were performed for sclerotinia head rot, head and stalk rot combined, and sunflower rust. Assessments were done on 100 plants per replicate in each treatment for every site. Across the 10 site years, no disease patterns were observed between treatments. Six sites had lower or the same number of head rot infections in the untreated check versus the fungicide treatment. Three sites had more head rot infections in the treated replicates, and one location was not assessed. Full plant infections were assessed as well to determine if fungicide treatments were impacting the movement of sclerotinia, but results were inconclusive and varied from site to site.
Sunflower rust was also assessed in 2024 and 2025. At the time of assessments (R9), very minor rust infections were observed on the top four leaves of each plant and these were inconsistent among treatments. Proline 480 SC and Quash SC fungicides were used in several treatments and do claim to have strong effects on rust infections, but no promising results were viewed in these trials.

Weather

Sunflower Fungicide Treatment- Eastern

Madison Kostal on January 22, 2026

Background Information

Sclerotinia is a major disease pest affecting many crops, and farmers rely on genetics and fungicides for control.
Sclerotinia head and stem infections occur when apothecia release ascospores, which land on plant tissue.
There is concern about timing and efficacy of fungicide applications to control sclerotinia head rot in sunflower, specifically.
All fungicides were aerial-applied at R5 stage.

Summary

Weather

Winter Wheat Seeding Rate-Central

Madison Kostal on January 22, 2026

Summary

Significant differences in fall plant stands were found at 69 per cent of trial sites. At all those sites the highest seeding rate treatment had the highest plant stand count. Comparatively, only 20 % of sites had significant spring plant stand differences. No significant grain yield differences between treatments was detected over the last two years at any site.

Note: Trials were established in the fall of the year previous.

Weather

Spring Wheat FHB Fungicide Timing – Parkland

Madison Kostal on January 22, 2025

Background Information

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a serious fungal disease that mainly affects wheat (including durum), barley, oats and corn
One key FHB management practice as part of an integrated management approach is timely fungicide application when the risks are high. Application timing of crop protection agents can strongly influence product effectiveness.
Trial compared producers normal timing of fungicide application to 3-5 days after the recommended timing.

Summary

Trials were conducted from 2018-2021. There was one site conducted in the interlake region. This site did not have an untreated strip and there was no significant differences between the treatments.

Superscript letters indicate significant differences

Weather

weather data based on Manitoba Agriculture weather information. % normal based on 30 year averages. Beginning April 15.

Spring Wheat FHB Fungicide Timing – Interlake

Madison Kostal on January 22, 2025

Background Information

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a serious fungal disease that mainly affects wheat (including durum), barley, oats and corn
One key FHB management practice as part of an integrated management approach is timely fungicide application when the risks are high. Application timing of crop protection agents can strongly influence product effectiveness.
Trial compared producers normal timing of fungicide application to 3-5 days after the recommended timing.

Summary

Trials were conducted from 2018-2021. There was one site conducted in the interlake region. This site did not have an untreated strip and there was no significant differences between the treatments.

Superscript letters indicate significant differences

Weather

weather data based on Manitoba Agriculture weather information. % normal based on 30 year averages. Beginning April 15.