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MAG RESEARCH sERVICES

SMALL PLOT RESEARCH
BUILT FOR THE PRAIRIES

RCBD

Experimental Design
 

4–5

Replications per Trial

1.6 × 7.5m

Standard Seeded Plot Size (trimmed for precision)

ARM

Protocol & Data Platform
TRIAL PROGRAMS

FULL SPECTRUM FIELD RESEARCH

We conduct single-year and multi-year trials from discovery through commercial-stage evaluation. Every program is built around a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4–5 replications, generating data with the statistical power to support regulatory submissions, product claims, and internal development decisions.

Crop Protection Efficacy

Herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide evaluations across all application timings — seed treatment, pre-seed, pre-emerge, and foliar. Includes crop safety and phytotoxicity assessments alongside weed control and disease suppression ratings.
Herbicide Fungicide Crop Safety Tolerance

Biostimulant & Inoculant Research

Evaluation of biological and non-biological growth-enhancement products applied as seed treatments, soil applications, or foliar sprays. Trials are placed on sites selected for nutrient deficiency or environmental stress to maximize treatment response.

Seed-Applied Soil-Applied Foliar Biologicals

Nutrient & Fertility Trials

We run rate, timing, and placement studies for fertilizers, micronutrients, and plant growth regulators, with a dual-cone system that delivers two products or rates in seed row and side band simultaneously. Need to maximize response? We offer the option to place trials on nutrient-deficient soils when available.
Rate Studies Placement Micronutrients PGRs

Cost-Equivalence & Value Comparison

Head-to-head product comparisons designed to quantify economic return and value positioning. These studies directly support commercial messaging and provide the ROI data your sales team needs for grower conversations.
ROI Analysis Product Positioning Economic Data

Carry-Over & Rotational Impact

Multi-year re-cropping studies that screen subsequent crops for herbicide residue sensitivity and rotational effects, helping you understand how today’s applications impact tomorrow’s crop choices.

Recropping Plant-Back Residue Screening

Seed Treatment Trials

Designed to compare the performance of multiple crop varieties across different locations within a region, helping determine which varieties are best adapted to your area. Plant counts and early-season assessments are captured on a per-plot basis to ensure reliable, detailed performance data.

Chemical Biological Emergence Vigour
Eqipment & Methodology

Purpose Built For
small plot protection

Our equipment fleet and field protocols are designed specifically for replicated small plot research not adapted from farm-scale machinery. Every tool in the system is calibrated for plot-level accuracy.

Fabro Small Plot Seeder

Fabro Small Plot Seeder Precision cone seeder with sunflower openers and dual-cone fertilizer delivery, enabling simultaneous application of two fertilizer products or rates in seed row and side band.

Application Equipment

Backpack sprayers (2m and 4m boom widths) for small-area treatments plus a 52 ft plot sprayer for full trial-block applications. All spraying calibrated per protocol specifications.

Plot Combine & H2 Harvest Master

Dedicated plot combine equipped with an H2 Harvest Master weigh system for on-the-go yield data capture, kg/plot, grain moisture, and test weight (kg/hL) recorded at harvest.

UAV / Drone Platform

Aerial imagery and spatial analysis throughout the growing season. Drone flights provide NDVI, stand counts, canopy coverage, and visual documentation at key crop stages.

Plot Maintenance Fleet

Mower, rototiller, and roller for plot establishment, inter-row maintenance, and post-harvest residue management. GPS-referenced plot layout and field mapping.

Standard Trial Design

Design
RCBD
Replications
4–5 (scalable)
Plot Dimensions
1.6m × 7.5m
Harvest Length
~7.0m (trimmed)
Location Types
Dryland & Irrigated
Protocol Platform
ARM Software
Field Data Entry
Smartsheets
Data & Reporting

from raw data to
actionable insight

Every trial is managed through ARM software from setup through final reporting. Field data is captured in real time via Smartsheets and subjected to the statistical analysis specified in your protocol.

Protocol Tracking

Trial setup, treatment randomization, and application scheduling managed in ARM. Every assessment window, spray timing, and data collection event is logged and traceable.

Statistical Analysis

ANOVA and other specified analyses appropriate to your design. Summary tables, figures, and treatment comparisons delivered with the statistical rigour your submission or product claim requires.

Final Deliverables

Project presentation with analysis, summary tables and figures, and written interpretation aligned to your protocol objectives. Reports delivered to your format and timeline.
CROP COVERAGE

Prairie Crops
We Know Best

Our primary crop portfolio covers the major field crops of western Canada. We also take on specialty crop projects on a case-by-case basis, contact us to discuss your target species.

Primary crops

Spring Wheat Winter Wheat Barley Oats Fall Rye / Triticale Canola / Mustard Field Peas Lentils

Project Dependent

Corn Chickpeas Beans Hemp Camelina Faba Beans

Ready To Run Trials?

Drive better agricultural outcomes. Connect with us to explore a partnership.