Evaluation and adaption of controlled traffic farming in Alberta

The Challenge

Although Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) is a common practice in Australia and the UK to increase yield and decrease input costs, the practice is unfamiliar within Alberta.

The Project

Develop a strategy and plan to support the implementation of CTF into Alberta producers cropping systems, which includes delivering a resource base of extension information and baseline data on CTF.

The Results

Implementing CTF is an investment decision that improves soil quality by combating soil compaction and gaining soil quality characteristics, potentially providing long-term benefits and yield increase. It has increased fuel savings, field efficiencies, timing precision and accuracy.

Grower Benefits

CTF has the potential to help farmers manage risk and improve crop production by creating efficiencies in operations while nurturing crops through reduced soil impaction, increased water infiltration and storage, and improved nutrient and water use efficiencies.