Wheat Research

Measuring wheat straw yields in Ontario wheat performance tests
John Rowsell, University of Guelph, New Liskeard Agricultural Research Station

Straw is becoming more valuable in the bioeconomy. Straw yield differences between varieties are difficult to estimate and are better measured. The objective of this project is the development and verification of an efficient and economical system to measure straw yields from research plots, principally the Ontario Cereal Crop Committee Wheat Performance Trials.

We measured straw yields by hand in 2007 and then using a partially completed weighing system in 2008. There was poor correlation between straw yield and either grain yield (figures 1 and 2) or plant height (figures 3 and 4) amongst the varieties included in the performance tests re-affirming that straw yields are best measured rather than estimated using either grain yield or plant height in wheat.

The system will be refined to include automatic straw ejection and potentially moisture estimation. Once refined, another unit will be built and attached to the plot combine at the University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus. This will allow straw yield data to be included in the wheat variety performance reports as published on the GoCereals website and as distributed in the OMAFRA infosheets.

This project is supported through ORD.