The Manitoba Canola Variety Evaluation Trials (CVET) was launched in the 2024 season by the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) with the purpose of providing farmers with independent third-party testing data for commercial canola hybrids. All seed companies were approached to enter varieties into the program. The 2024 trials were initiated at six different testing locations across Manitoba.
Separate trials were conducted for each herbicide tolerant systems (Liberty Link and Roundup Ready/TruFlex) and all varieties were desiccated and straight cut. Two locations were cancelled over the course of the season: Swan River had to be cancelled due to early season wind and flea beetle damage, and the Rosser location had to be cancelled due to inconsistent stressors across the site causing high data variability. Therefore, data is presented from locations in Carman, Holland, Hamiota and Melita for the 2024 season.
The check variety for each respective trial was chosen based on the highest market share of entered varieties based on the 2023 MASC Variety Market Share Report.
Evolution of Canola Variety Evaluation
In the past, a prairie-wide canola variety testing program (Canola Performance Trials) was run collaboratively by the MCGA, Alberta Canola and SaskOilseeds. This program concluded after the 2022 field season as the program was no longer meeting the needs of canola growers in its current format.
MCGA committed to providing growers in Manitoba access to independent canola variety data in 2023 by re-aligning the program with grower priorities and initiating a Manitoba-specific variety testing program. Unfortunately, due to the limited support received from industry the program would not have resulted in the robust and valuable variety data that is MCGA’s goal for an updated variety testing program.
MCGA conducted a survey of over 400 growers and agronomists during the summer of 2023 to quantify the value of an independent small-plot canola variety evaluation program to our farm members. With overwhelming support from the survey of canola growers and agronomists across Manitoba, MCGA will continue to work towards launching an independent canola variety testing program for the 2024 growing season. Discussions with industry members will work to establish a robust and valuable program, providing support to Manitoba’s canola farmers as they make their variety decisions.
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