It All Begins with Research
PICKSEED operates the most extensive private forage testing program in Canada. This rigorous testing gives us an unmatched ability to identify varieties with superior yield and persistence, faster regrowth, exceptional forage quality and superior disease resistance, specifically for tough Canadian conditions.
We test at three locations in Ontario, three locations in Québec and four locations in Western Canada. Each year 35-45 new alfalfa varieties enter our replicated trials with each trial being harvested two to four times per year (depending on location). We also do forage quality sampling and analysis on our trials and monitor the quality characteristics of our varieties.
PICKSEED’s trials adhere to well-recognized government and university testing protocols, which require replicated testing (four plots of each variety in each trial). This rigourous testing ensures that only the best adapted varieties are advanced. PICKSEED selects and advances one to two elite varieties from this extensive testing program every few years.
The emphasis on development of new forage varieties at PICKSEED provides an unmatched level of genetic advancement. As a result of our constant and steady genetic improvement system PICKSEED is able to continually introduce outstanding new varieties.
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Why We Test Varieties
In-House
When you buy varieties from PICKSEED, you can take confidence in your decision because our performance promise is backed by extensive regional testing. We register an alfalfa variety for sale in Canada only after we have grown it and tested it right across the country. We are not dependent on varieties tested only in the USA or on a limited basis in Canada. When we compare varieties, we compare them head to-head, where the varieties appear in the same trials.
We also conduct tough winter survival trials to screen our varieties for winter hardiness, ensuring that only the most resistant make it to the farmer.
The advantages of this testing regime are proven yield, predictable performance and persistence, all of which allow you to plan with confidence and peace of mind.
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