MarketsFarm — While rain across the Prairies has eased concerns of an all-out drought, worries of a hay shortage going into winter haven’t ceased. Darren Chapman, a Virden, Man. producer and chair of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA), explained that regrowth following the first cut of hay has been strong. First-cut hay crops […] Read more
Prairie hay shortage on horizon
Does genetically engineered alfalfa have a place in Alberta?
There are advantages to GE alfalfa — but for most Alberta producers, the benefits don’t outweigh the risks
Reading Time: 6 minutes Genetically engineered alfalfa is gaining traction in Ontario — but don’t expect to see it in Alberta any time soon. During its June board meeting, the Alberta Forage Industry Network reaffirmed its 2016 position that Alberta should remain GE alfalfa free. That decision was an easy one, said Strathmore-area hay grower and marketer John Bland. […] Read more
Creep feeding can mitigate hay shortage
If calf prices stay around current levels, creep feeding could generate nearly $200 in extra revenue
Reading Time: 2 minutes The potential for a poor hay crop is high, and producers facing a shortage should consider creep feeding, says a provincial beef and forage specialist. “Stress on plants from last summer and fall, as well as this spring’s weather across most of Alberta has slowed forage growth in pastures and hayfields,” said Barry Yaremcio. “If […] Read more
Forage supplies starting to dip on dry Prairies
CNS Canada — Forage supplies are starting to dwindle across Western Canada following a long, cold, winter and rain is needed soon to make for a good forage crop this year. “People tended to kind of blend hay this year and they managed to get through. But the prolonged cold spring really I think put […] Read more
Innovative rancher recognized for leadership
Reading Time: < 1 minute Madden-area rancher Graeme Finn is the 2018 recipient of Alberta Forage Industry Network’s leadership award. It recognizes individuals showing leadership “in the areas of research, extension or promotion of the economic and environmental benefits of native rangeland, seeded pasture or hay land,” the forage network said in a press release. The organization cited Finn’s passion […] Read more
Saskatchewan, B.C. areas up for livestock tax deferrals
Livestock producers in several more parched municipalities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia will be able to defer income from sales of animals on their 2017 tax returns. The federal government on Tuesday announced its final list of designated regions for 2017, including 20 more municipalities in Saskatchewan and seven in British Columbia. The initial list, […] Read more
AgriRecovery in place for farms in B.C. wildfire zones
Farmers and ranchers whose operations were hit or evacuated during British Columbia’s particularly destructive wildfire season can expect up to $20 million in AgriRecovery funds toward repair, rebuilding and livestock feeding costs. The federal and B.C. governments on Tuesday laid out more details for the 60-40 cost-shared program, which was announced in principle in mid-August. […] Read more
Lots to see on cow forage tour
Field Day Aug. 22 at the Lacombe Research Centre
Reading Time: < 1 minute Several on-pasture demonstrations will be held during a field day co-hosted by Livestock Gentec and the Lacombe Research Centre. The Aug. 22 event at the research centre will focus on better understanding the interactions among cows, forage, and genomics and on optimizing cow/forage production. The demonstrations include a multi-site legume tour; high- and low-vigour cows […] Read more
Forage champion Doug Wray receives national award
Reading Time: < 1 minute Irricana rancher and long-term forage advocate Doug Wray is the winner of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association’s 2016 Leadership Award. “Wray is committed to continued education about grassland and forages,” the association said in a news release. “He travels extensively locally and abroad to observe grassland, forage and livestock management; and frequently shares his […] Read more
If you’re going to feed hail-damaged crop to livestock, test it first
Doing a feed test ‘is much cheaper than losing an animal,’ says beef extension specialist
Reading Time: 2 minutes Hail damage this summer is approaching an all-time high — and with many producers putting livestock on their ruined fields, the risk of nitrate poisoning is also shooting up. So be sure to do a feed test first, said a beef extension specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “A feed test is much cheaper than […] Read more
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