The BC Forage Council conducted the variety trials (2009-2012) to provide producers with data on new forage varieties, so producers could select the most suitable varieties for their specific agronomic conditions. The study established four research sites across the Cariboo-Chilcotin, and tested new varieties of perennial grasses and legumes, as well as non-traditional legume crops sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil, and varieties of annual crops. This factsheet focuses on the legume trial results of the study.

forage, legume, variety trials, hay, alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, sainfoin, cicer milkvetch, clover

In agriculture, soil quality is assessed through its capacity to support high, sustainable yields, and mitigate pests and disease. Producers have a strong understanding of the chemical aspect to soil health (e.g. nutrients, pH, CEC, etc.), but measuring physical and biological traits of soils can provide the whole picture, and help explain plant growth issues or concerns. The Soil Quality Test Kit can provide the support that is needed to make this link; the kit was first developed by the USDA for use in annual cropping systems in Iowa. To determine which aspects of the kit would be most valuable to local producers, UNBC researchers partnered with producer associations to test the kit in predominantly perennial systems throughout the Bulkley Valley (2015) and in the Peace River (2015- 2017). This factsheet outlines how these test kit might be adapted for use in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region.

soil health, test kit, soil biology,

The goal of the research was to provide information that will help all growers with tomato production in Quesnel and in the north, thereby opening doors for future projects centered on small-scale food production in the region. Horticulture and agriculture are becoming increasingly viable and important in our region, and there is currently a lack of scientific research specific to northern regions around the best practices and viability of commercial tomato production in unheated greenhouses.

tomatoes, heirloom, greenhouse, horticulture