b'Here, experts from across the industry will discuss issues that are top of mind, share technical advancements, talk about tips for success and provide perspective on policy.AGRONOMY SOLUTIONSHow to Utilize Data When Selecting Seed VarietiesERNIE NYCHOLAT Manager of Agronomic ServicesNutrien Ag SolutionsNutrienAgSolutions.caFOR MANY GROWERS these days, its important to getOnce youve completed your variety research, the next step is accurate, current and regional information on new seedto apply this data to your own situation. No two farms are alike, varieties in order to stay competitive.so its important that any varieties you select mesh with your There are a lot of places growers can find data to helpoperation.inform their seed-buying decisions, as government agencies,Yield is always a key consideration when choosing a seed universities, industry groups and seed companies are all goodvariety, but depending on where you farm, it may not be the sources of variety information. most important. Soil types and local growing conditions need With so many options to consider, how do growers knowto be taken into account, as well as which weeds, insects and whats the best way to get the seed information they need? diseases pose the greatest threats in your area and if you have My advice is to consider the big picture first.any weed or pest resistance issues in your geography. For Looking at data from third-party sources, such as the Canolainstance, midge tolerant wheat varieties will only be top of your Performance Trials and the Alberta Regional Variety Trials forlist if midge is a concern for you.cereal and pulse crops, is a great place to start. The AlbertaThere also needs to be a match with your farming system and Seed Guide does an excellent job of packaging this information,other factors, such as maturity, plant height, and standability, and many growers consider it their go-to source for finding outand the end-use qualities youre seeking in your crop are what seed varieties offer in terms of yield, agronomic and pest/ important considerations as well.disease resistance attributes. When it comes to making a final decision about which variety This information is particularly useful, not only because itsto choose, I believe local input is invaluable. This is where unbiased, but because the field trials are often conducted overdiscussions with your neighbours, agronomist, ag retailer and a wide area. Youll see performance data for a variety, but youseed grower come in. may also get a sense of the consistency of the trial results andIts really important to talk to everyone, particularly if youre how well that variety performs under different conditions. fortunate to have a trusted advisor you rely onask questions Of course, seed companies also provide a lot of data, andabout new varieties you may be considering and whether other resources such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada andtheyre a good fit for your farm. Its a conversation thats well university Ag programs can be very useful as well when seekingworth the time. out variety information. Fall 2019 63'