Alberta crop rotation and yield averages

Data analyzed by Dr. Sheri Strydhorst (Sheri’s Ag Consulting)

Crop rotation planning can be complex. Stubble, residue, residual nitrogen from pulses, weed control, seeding considerations, and herbicide carryover should all be considered. factors can provide agronomic and economic benefits or challenges to following crops in the rotation.

Order of crop rotation should be done to provide advantages to each crop

Using data collected by AFSC from 2012 to 2021, Table 1 provides a breakdown of the average percent yield of certain crops when seeded into specific crop stubble. Farmers can utilize the table to assess crop rotation in combination with the various other factors impacting rotation decisions.

Using the table:

If selecting where to seed a durum crop, find durum from the columns along the top of the table and compare the values within different stubble types from rows on the left.

For example: if seeding into flax stubble, the average yield of durum in flax stubble is 112% of the average of all stubble types seeded to durum. If seeding durum into lentil stubble, yield averages are 93% of all stubble

types seeded to durum. Therefore, a durum crop is more likely to yield higher when seeded into flax stubble as compared to lentil stubble.

Use this same process for other crops and stubble types