As farmers make seeding decisions for the upcoming production year, consider making the switch to new small red lentil, yellow pea, and green pea varieties for improved yields. New pulse varieties have demonstrated higher yields and improved characteristics, such as increased protein content, seed quality, standability, and bleaching, when compared to historic varieties.
Small Red Lentils
Across Saskatchewan, CDC Maxim Clearfield® (CL)* is the dominant variety since it was released in 2007 but is steadily declining year over year as growers turn to newer, higher yielding options. Replacing CDC Maxim with one of two newer small red lentil varieties, CDC Simmie CL and CDC Nimble CL should result in higher yields in across Saskatchewan.
*Clearfield is a registered trademark of BASF; used under license by BASF Canada Inc. © 2022 BASF Canada Inc.
% Yield of CDC Maxim CL by Variety for Small Red Lentil
CDC Simmie CL
CDC Simmie CL is the highest yielding small red lentil overall. It yields 109% of check in brown and dark brown soil zones and 103% in the black and dark gray soil zones (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). It has comparable agronomic and disease resistance characteristics to CDC Maxim CL and is plump which is beneficial for dehulling and milling.
CDC Nimble CL
CDC Nimble CL is the highest yielding small red lentil in black and dark gray soil zones, at 107% of check. Compared to check, CDC Nimble CL yields 108% in brown and dark brown soil zones (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). This variety is slightly taller than CDC Maxim CL and has a thick seed coat which is good for dehulling.
Yellow Peas
There are several historic varieties including CDC Meadow that are being outpaced recently by newer and better performing varieties, when comparing yields. Yellow pea growers have three newer and improved variety options to consider for the upcoming production season.
% Yield of CDC Amarillo by Variety for Yellow Pea
AAC Profit
AAC Profit is the highest yielding yellow pea in the north at 110% of check (CDC Amarillo) and 120% of CDC Meadow, in northern black and dark gray soil zones. In brown, dark brown and southern black soil zones, AAC Profit yields 110% of CDC Meadow (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). It has high protein, 0.8% higher than Amarillo and 1.3% higher than CDC Meadow and is rated good for seed coat breakage.
CDC Canary
CDC Canary yields 99% of the check in brown, dark brown and southern black soil zones, and 101% in northern black and dark gray soil zones, which translates to a 6% yield advantage when compared to CDC Meadow in the south and 11% in the north (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). It has excellent standability and is rated good for seed coat breakage. CDC Canary matures early, which is a benefit especially in the northern areas where growing season is shorter or where growers are looking for a variety to get off early without jeopardizing yield or quality.
CDC Lewochko
CDC Lewochko yields 103% of check in northern black and dark gray soil zones and 102% in brown, dark brown and southern black soil zones. Compared to CDC Meadow, it yields 113% in the north and 109% in the south (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). It has excellent standability and great seed quality as it is rated good for seed coat breakage, greenness, and has high protein content.
Green Peas
The dominant varieties in the green pea market class have been CDC Limerick, CDC Greenwater, and CDC Raezer. CDC Forest, a new and improved variety released five years ago, should be considered for next season.
% Yield of CDC Amarillo by Variety for Green Pea
CDC Forest
CDC Forest is the highest yielding green pea available, at 102% of the yellow seeded check in northern black and dark gray soil zones, and 101% of check in brown, dark brown and southern black soil zones. In the north compared to other green pea varieties, this represents a 11% yield advantage over CDC Limerick, 9% advantage over CDC Greenwater and a 22% yield advantage over CDC Raezer (Varieties of Grain Crops 2022). CDC Forest is rated good for seed coat breakage, dimpling and bleaching.
Visit the SPG’s pulse regional variety trial portal to access up-to-date data and information for pulse varieties in Saskatchewan, as well as performance data for specific regions and years.
Pulse Regional Variety Trial portal