BarleyBin Field Lab Program Grows in 2026 with 14 On-Farm Trials Across Saskatchewan
For Immediate Release
(May 11, 2026) Saskatoon, SK – Saskatchewan barley producers continue to show strong interest in on-farm research, with SaskBarley’s BarleyBin Field Lab program growing again for the 2026 crop year.
A total of 14 projects are moving forward across the province. The selected trials reflect a mix of priority agronomic questions and practical, field-scale validation of research that matters directly to producers.
The 2026 protocols focus on practical, field-scale questions that matter on farm, including:
- Optimizing plant growth regulator (PGR) use for improved standability and yield
- Fine-tuning fertilizer management strategies to balance yield and agronomic management
- Evaluating seeding rate strategies to improve establishment and crop uniformity
- Comparing barley varieties under real farm conditions
- Assessing the performance of an alternative seeding system in a commercial setting
Trials are distributed across west-central, northern, north-eastern, east-central, and south-eastern Saskatchewan to capture a wide range of growing conditions and improve the relevance of results.
Additional details on each protocol can be found at saskbarley.com/barley-bin-field-lab.
Launched in 2023, the BarleyBin Field Lab program was designed to bridge the gap between small-plot research and real-world farm conditions. Since its inception, participation has steadily increased, and several protocols—particularly plant growth regulator trials—are beginning to generate consistent, actionable results.
“We’ve seen strong uptake in the BarleyBin Field Lab program since it launched in 2023, and that momentum is continuing into 2026,” said Mitchell Japp, Research and Extension Manager with SaskBarley. “What’s encouraging is that we’re now starting to see consistent results across multiple sites, especially in areas like PGR use. That’s where this program really starts to deliver value—when farmers can look at results generated under real farm conditions and apply them with confidence.”
By working with producers and agronomists across different regions, SaskBarley is building a stronger understanding of how management practices perform under varying environmental conditions.
The result is research that reflects the realities of Saskatchewan farming—helping producers make more informed decisions backed by local data.
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For more information:
Serra McSymytz
Communications Manager
SaskBarley
smcsymytz@saskbarley.com
