PARKLAND COLLEGE
Research farm field tour goes virtual during pandemic

COVID-19 may have forced the cancellation of this year's Parkland College/East Central Research Foundation (ECRF) research farm field day, but a series of new videos just released to YouTube is taking the tour online.

Research trials are underway this summer on land south of Yorkton provided by the City, and on plots exchanged with the Health Foundation to assist with crop rotation.

"As we typically have about 100 participants at our annual farm tour, we had to cancel due to the restrictions on public gatherings," said research coordinator Mike Hall. "To make up for this, we put together a series of videos to give people a virtual tour of the farm."

The videos are between two minutes and six minutes in length. Research farm staff produced an introductory episode and five segments focusing on individual projects:

Episode 1: Input Management for Malt vs. Feed Barley
Episode 2: In-season Applications of UAN vs. Dissolved Urea for Increasing Wheat Protein
Episode 3: Oat Test Weight
Episode 4: Effect of Nozzle Type & Boom Height on Fusarium Head Blight Suppression in Wheat
Episode 5: Blackstrap Dry Beans Response to Added Nitrogen

The videos can be found on the ECRF's YouTube channel and at www.ecrf.ca.

"We are excited to showcase the great work we are doing at the research farm," said Dr. Gwen Machnee, Parkland College's Coordinator of Applied Research. "And we are looking forward to expanding our research horizons in the future."

Since 2013, the College and the ECRF have worked together on the research farm. Projects vary each year and are supported by numerous funding agencies, producer groups, and private industry.

About Parkland College:
Parkland College provides high quality, learner centred education and training as a foundation for lifelong success. The College offers a superior learning and campus experience for all students through quality programming and services. Students can get started on their careers by completing university classes, full degrees, and skills training and trades certificates. Parkland College also delivers high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/professional development.