Reading Time: 2 minutes A federal research scientist has developed “a hint of a tool” for predicting roundworm risk in Alberta pastures. “The question we came up with late at night was: Can we make a correlation between egg counts, antibody levels, and environmental parameters and build a GIS map that would give us an idea of what the […] Read more
Researcher finds a way to calculate roundworm risk in Alberta pastures
Weather matters a lot when it comes to predicting where roundworm infestations are likely to be worst
Doing a better job of turning grass into grain — and saying so
Growing more forage is the right thing to do. Is the beef industry prepared if it happens?
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you’re looking for proof that there is no such thing as bad publicity, beef may be a good example. For years it’s been painted as a public health and environmental villain, and recently there were more reports on how bovine frontal and rearward methane emissions are a major source of climate-altering greenhouse gas. All […] Read more
Swath grazing cereals saves half of overwintering costs in beef cattle
With new higher-yielding, higher-quality forage cereals in the works, there has never been a better time for beef cattle producers to try swath grazing cereals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Swath grazing cereals could save producers almost half the cost of overwintering cattle, says a federal forage researcher. “Extended grazing practices like swath grazing, bale grazing, and grazing second-cut grasses in the fall are one of the most effective ways to reduce your overwintering costs of beef cows,” Vern Baron said at the Lacombe Field […] Read more
Don’t be fooled by imitations, Mountainview sainfoin not for sale yet
Forage producers are eager to get their hands on AC Mountainview, but it won’t be for sale until 2016
Reading Time: 2 minutes A new variety of sainfoin holds great promise in Alberta forage systems, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. “The development and release of the new AC Mountainview sainfoin has caused a bit of a stir in the forage world,” said Linda Hunt, who works in the Stettler branch of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. […] Read more
Alberta abbreviated crop report as of Aug. 19
Reading Time: 3 minutes This is Alberta Agriculture’s abbreviated crop report for Apr. 19. Click here for full report with tables and moisture map. Harvest operations are beginning across the province. While swathing of most crops is underway in all regions, combining is just starting in some areas, particularly for canola. Approximately, 5.1 per cent of spring wheat, barley, […] Read more
More time granted to repay MCGA cash advances
Prairie grain and oilseed growers who took out cash advances in the 2013 crop year through the Manitoba Corn Growers Association (MCGA) now have more time to repay. The federal government on Tuesday announced a stay of default on repayment of advances made through the MCGA for crops in 2013 — resetting the repayment deadline […] Read more
Bloat no problem with the right genetics
Managing bloat comes down to the right genetics, right feed, and right mineral products
Reading Time: 3 minutes The fear of bloat costs the livestock industry more than the condition ever does, says a well-known grazing consultant and researcher from Idaho. “I’ve seen the figures from the States, and something like two one-hundredths of one per cent of the total cattle herd dies each year from bloat,” Jim Gerrish told attendees at a […] Read more
Is your pasture ready to graze? Start counting leaves
Grazing a pasture for six weeks costs about half of the annual production potential for your forages
Reading Time: 3 minutes Deciding when to graze a pasture has nothing to do with plant height, says an Idaho-based grazing expert. “Height doesn’t tell us very much,” Jim Gerrish said recently at a Foothills Forage and Grazing tour near Acme. “What we really want to know is, physiologically, is a plant ready to be grazed?” And leaf stage […] Read more
World Cup on faux turf discriminatory, top women players warn FIFA
Toronto | Reuters — Some of the world’s top women soccer players say FIFA’s proposal to play the 2015 Women’s World Cup finals in Canada on artificial turf instead of grass is discriminatory and violates human rights. The World Cup finals for men and women, contested every four years, have always been played on natural […] Read more
Estimating the value of a standing hay crop
Buyer and seller can make a two-part agreement, with final payment made after harvest
Reading Time: 3 minutes “The month of July is usually the most difficult time of year to determine hay prices,” says Ted Nibourg, farm business management specialist, Ag-Info Centre, Stettler. “Yields and quality are uncertain and demand is an unknown factor. July of 2014 is no exception.” Last summer’s hay production was variable in quality, says Nibourg. “Two long […] Read more
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