The Manitoba Zero Tillage Research Association (MZTRA) is a non-profit, producer directed research farm that conducts zero tillage related research and demonstration activities. The Association was established in 1992 as a combined initiative of zero tillage farmers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Parkland Agricultural Research Initiative (PARI) and Ducks Unlimited Canada. The direction of the farm is determined by the MZTRA membership and is governed by a 12 member board of directors. This board consists of seven producers, two of whom are representatives of the Manitoba North Dakota Zero Till Farmers Association, and an advisor from Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Manitoba, and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration.

The Farm relies on strong partnerships with government, industry, and wildlife organizations, as well as producer and industry membership to remain viable. The current research is focused on “whole farm” scale research. In 2002, the Association started year one of a long term crop rotation study. A crop rotation was developed along with goals and objectives to be achieved through the implementation of the rotation. The farm consists of eight 40 acre fields, split into 2 replicated cropping systems, four of which comprise an annual cropping rotation, with the other four designated as a livestock based rotation. The livestock rotation consists of annual crops as well as short term alfalfa forage stands which are both hayed and grazed. A farm protocol was drafted by the board of directors to use a guideline for farm management decisions. This ensures that the cropping systems will be managed consistently to maintain the integrity of the long term study. Current research projects conducted at the MZTRA Research Farm include; a whole farm analysis of energy, inputs, and economics of the two cropping systems, soil and environmental assessments, as well as various greenhouse gas emission and carbon sequestration measurements at various landscape positions.

FARM PROTOCOL

OBJECTIVES OF CROP ROTATION

CROP ROTATIONS