Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) is working alongside Trochu Motors and Precision Planting to compare the agronomic and economic impact of using a precision planter compared to a conventional air seeder during canola seeding in a field trial.
A precision planter places individual seeds, which could help with seed-to-soil contact. An air seeder uses a fan to spread seeds. Using a paired sampling method, numerous crop assessments like compaction, germination, plant competition, soil moisture, soil temperature, insect pressure and disease pressure will take place throughout the growing season.
Determining the agronomic impact of using a precision planter for canola as compared to a conventional air seeder.
Calculating and comparing the economic impact of using a precision corn planter to a conventional air seeder to seed canola.
Funders/Partners: Trochu Motors, Precision Planting, NSERC CCIP, PrairiesCan
Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) teamed up with Trochu Motors and Precision Planting in 2024 to evaluate the agronomic and financial impact of using a precision planter to plant canola compared to the conventional method of using an air seeder. Canola is one of the most expensive crops in Western Canada due to high input costs, and in 2022, it was the most expensive crop to plant in Alberta.