Research at Cook Agronomy Farm Research at the Cook Agronomy
Farm involves more than 20 scientists. It focuses on cropping
techniques that optimize inputs, such as fertilizer and fuel,
and protect natural resources, such as soil, but are productive
and profitable. Productivity of spring grain crops was mapped on
the farm to a very fine scale in the 1999 and 2000 crop years.
In 2001 a long-term direct seed cropping systems study was
initiated using six three-year crop rotations: spring and winter
wheat are planted two out of every 3 years, with the third crop
either spring canola, winter lentils, spring or winter peas, or
spring or winter barley. The focus is on making a profit with
continuous or near continuous cereals without depending on
conventional tillage or stubble burning. In addition to this
basic management plan, numerous types of treatments are applied
and data collected at specific sites within the farm. To help
monitor the specific experimental sites, a 90-acre portion of
the farm has been intensi