A Collaborative Research Project
The B.C. Forage Council is engaging in collaborative research to explore the benefits and/or impacts of different tillage practices on soil health and annual forage production. We have connected with agricultural producers from the North Cariboo, Central Interior and Skeena regions to join us as on-farm research partners for the 2025 growing season (with a possibility of extending the project for up to two years).
Background
This initiative emerged from producer engagement and industry consultation completed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, through the Regional Extension Committee, which identified reduced tillage practices for improving soil health and reducing operational costs as a priority. Conservation tillage has been identified as a practice with potential benefits for soil quality, moisture conservation, and sustainable forage production, and there is a need for regional demonstrations to support adoption in northern BC conditions.
Objectives
This project will implement three on-farm demonstration sites, one in each the North Cariboo, Central Interior and Skeena, to compare different tillage intensities for annual forage establishment. Each site will feature side-by-side comparisons ranging from no-till to conventional practices, with comprehensive monitoring of soil health, agronomic performance, and economic implications. The project aims to provide producers with practical insights into the benefits and challenges of adopting conservation tillage practices in their operations.
Project Activities
Over the winter of 2024-2025, farm partners will collaborate with the BC Forage Council to prepare for spring demonstration plot installation. This includes the co-development of site-specific implementation plans, outlining required equipment and inputs, and securing required materials for installation. In the spring, baseline soil health assessments at each location will be completed using the BC Soil Assessment Protocol. Agronomic data will be collected throughout the growing season, and a field day will be organized at each site prior to harvest. The BCFC team will provide ongoing support for plot establishment and monitoring, with regular check-ins throughout the growing season.
Each farm will receive a detailed Site Plan, technical support for implementation, and a honorarium upon project completion. Farm partners will be required to support project installation through labour and available equipment; the project has limited funds to support equipment rental, with site-specific agreements being completed prior to installation. Farm partners will receive individualized reports for their operation. Data collected from the project is expected to be published in fact sheets and/or case studies in the future.
Expected Benefits
Participating producers will receive:
- Detailed soil health assessments and monitoring
- Technical support for implementing reduced tillage practices
- Economic analysis of different tillage systems
- Access to equipment specifications and operational guidance
- Connection to a network of producers exploring conservation practices
- Regular agronomic support and monitoring of forage establishment
B.C. Forage Council 