Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta provincial government giving agriculture industry a say through survey in shaping future plastics management.
Alberta looks for ag plastic management input
Survey intended to help shape future policy for agriculture plastics management in the province
Alberta women GRO-ing the farm
Gateway Research creates a quarterly learning series for women in agriculture
Reading Time: 4 minutes Gateway Research Organization (GRO) has begun hosting GRO-ing Women in Agriculture events exclusively for women in agriculture.
CFA’s Hay West program up and running
Program website now online
A revival of the “Hay West” initiative, aimed at shipping feed from Eastern Canada to supplement drought-dented supplies in the West, has gone live. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture on Friday announced its Hay West 2021 initiative is “now operational and seeking applicants to both receive and supply hay.” Applicants interested in either supplying or […] Read more
Hay shortage in Manitoba Interlake reaches tipping point
MarketsFarm — A state of agricultural emergency has been declared in 12 municipalities, mostly in Manitoba’s Interlake region, due to chronically low hay yields. Drought and grasshoppers have hindered crops to the point that hay production is about 25 to 30 per cent of average. “We’ve moved cows out of pastures because the grasshoppers ate […] Read more
Hay losses will be especially costly this year
Winter can be hard on both the weight and quality of hay — and push up feeding costs
Reading Time: 3 minutes Hay goes on a diet in winter, but how much weight it loses depends on how it was stored. “Over the course of a winter, bales weather and lose both weight and quality,” said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “This poses the key question of what kind of value losses occur when storing […] Read more
Don’t stack the deck against yourself
The pyramid style is the worst and the mushroom method isn’t much better
Reading Time: 2 minutes When it comes to stacking bales, a little forethought can go a long way to ensuring a better product. “Storage losses from improperly stacked bales can be anywhere from 15 to 20 per cent of the dry matter yield while protein and energy losses can be anywhere from five to 10 per cent,” said beef […] Read more
Ample hay supplies increase the benefits of storing bales properly
Protecting hay that won’t be fed until the winter of 2017-18 could save you $70 a head in winter feeding costs
Reading Time: 3 minutes Protecting hay from weather damage can significantly reduce the cost of wintering cows. Adequate moisture conditions in most of the province have resulted in larger-than-normal yields resulting in bigger stacks and rows of hay bales. If the winter is normal and cow numbers remain static, there could be a large surplus of hay carried over […] Read more
Don’t spoil your hay — store it properly
Forage expert offers tips for reducing spoilage, and makes a pitch for having a hay shed
Reading Time: 2 minutes While hay quality varies across the province, how to store that hay for the best results doesn’t. “We’ve got a mixed bag this year,” said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “Some people cut their hay early, got caught with the rains and had it discolour before it even got into the bales. Others […] Read more
For safety’s sake, read this list and check it twice
Haying often means rushing to beat the weather, and that ups the danger, says farm safety expert
Reading Time: 2 minutes Baling season is once again in full swing. Many producers equate baling with hot summer days and a rush to beat the weather. While getting hay baled and off the field is a top priority, doing the job safely should take precedence. “To increase the safety of baling procedures while ensuring the job gets done, […] Read more
What to ask when purchasing hay
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hay supplies and prices have been at a premium, but when purchasing hay it is important to keep quality in mind. There is always a risk when buying hay from unknown sources, including poor nutritional quality; a different species mixture than you expected; excessive dust or mould; or a high proportion of weeds. Here are […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
