[July 06, 2009] Government of Alberta: Interactive web-based tool helps grain growers Tweet Edmonton, Jul 06, 2009 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- A new web-based tool lets cereal, flax and pulse growers collect and compare data on adapted crop varieties that are best suited to their areas and production conditions. The website, www.abbcvarinfo.com , is interactive and utilizes current and historical crop, climate and geographic information across the province. It also includes information about the Peace River region of northeastern B.C., which has similar growing conditions to a large part of northwestern Alberta. The web tool is being promoted as a useful way for producers to make decisions on crop rotations, product diversity and market access, based on best scientific research and practices. The web utilizes information collected from crop trials coordinated and managed by the Alberta / British Columbia Grains Advisory Committee (ABCGAC). Special features of the website include: - A 'one-stop' source for variety information about cereal, oilseed and pulse crops that features Variety Reports for each grain crop. Users can see what varieties have best performance, according to three selectable traits. Data includes yield information and tables with performance indicators for areas of Alberta and northeastern B.C. under different production conditions. - A feature called Variety Compare allows users to find yield data for individual regional crop variety trials of interest to their own location, and for past years where information is available. This interactive search feature allows selection of crop varieties and comparisons with other varieties and locations. - Growers can also view a Google-based map of Alberta and B.C. locations showing trial varieties growing in the current season, and users can click on locations to see what crops and varieties are being tested in the current crop year. Printed versions of the Variety Reports will remain available through extension offices in Alberta and B.C. Backgrounder: Interactive web-based tool helps grain growers Interactive web-based tool helps grain growers - A new web site, www.abbcvarinfo.com gives grain growers a research tool to choose best adapted varieties of cereal, flax and pulse crops that are suited to production conditions found throughout the province and British Columbia's Peace region. - Information provided is collected from trials coordinated and managed by the Alberta / British Columbia Grains Advisory Committee (ABCGAC). This is a group of collaborative partners from industry, seed companies, grain producer groups, government, applied research organizations, university and private enterprise with a common goal of providing best scientifically-based description of grain variety adaptation in Albert and north-eastern B.C. - Primary leadership for the project is provided by Gayah Sieusahai, Coordinator of Regional Variety Testing and Surveillance with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Design and structure of the web component was provided by project consultant Keith Briggs, CEO of GrainTek and former chair of ABCGAC, and database development and programming was provided by John Kirtz, Snowy Owl Software. - Project sponsors include: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development; Alberta Barley Commission; Alberta Pulse Growers; Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; British Columbia Grain Producers Association; British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Land; British Columbia Peace River Development Council; Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. CONTACT: Gayah Sieusahai, Coordinator, RVT/Surveillance, Agriculture and Rural Development Tel: +1 780 427 9945 ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]