Reading Time: < 1 minute Plagued with unproductive hay land? Reseeding to an annual and swath grazing for two or three years might be the answer. The first year start with a rapid growing cereal that is hardy “like an oat or barley, if you choose to put another large seed, stick with a pea,” said forage expert Grant Lastiwka. […] Read more
A swath-grazing sabbatical can be a way to redo worn-out hay land
OPEN TO CHANGE: Trying something new isn’t easy — but it can pay off
Two producers share their experience of heading in a brand new direction and how it played out
Reading Time: 4 minutes Have you ever acted on the recommendations of experts? Many will agree expert advice is great — however, to follow through with it often costs money and time. But Charlie Christie and Terri Mappin are two producers who listened, decided to give it a go and are glad they did. At wit’s end A very […] Read more
Saskatchewan forage rainfall insurance to adjust for hot spells
SCIC also expanding crop roster for contract price option
Saskatchewan forage and corn growers whose crops are insured against below-normal rainfall can expect a beneficial bump starting this year if those crops get cooked in high heat. The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Tuesday announced details for their 2022 crop insurance program — under which average coverage is expected to reach $405 per acre, […] Read more
Lethbridge forage breeder receives top beef research award
Surya Acharya is not only prolific but knows what ranchers need in a variety
Reading Time: 2 minutes Renowned forage breeder Surya Acharya is the 2021 winner of the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation. “Dr. Acharya is respected and appreciated by academics and producers alike,” said Matt Bowman, an Ontario producer and chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. “His work addresses real industry obstacles with solutions that consider producers’ needs through […] Read more
When using canola for forage keep these factors in mind
Nitrates and sulphur are concerns, as are bloat and scours — and regrowth can be perilous
Reading Time: 3 minutes Poor canola stands not worth harvesting can be an alternate forage option. “While canola makes palatable feed, it may take one or two days for cattle to become accustomed to the taste,” said Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. Forage canola has a nutrient content similar to alfalfa, with crude […] Read more
Weed-free forage program relaunched
Some counties are now offering inspections to ensure invasive weeds are not present in hay
Reading Time: 2 minutes A program aimed at preventing the spread of invasive and noxious weeds via hay is getting a second shot. Alberta’s first go-round with a Certified Weed Free Forage program a decade ago never fully took off but the Alberta Invasive Species Council has revived the initiative. “Use of certified weed-free forage is a best management […] Read more
Forage research gets long-awaited boost
Reading Time: < 1 minute Forage research will get a much-needed boost with the creation of a new research position at the University of Saskatchewan. “A 2012 assessment concluded lack of research and development investment in the Canadian forage industry meant advances in forage had not kept pace with developments in other crops,” the Beef Cattle Research Council said in […] Read more
If you’re aiming for pasture perfection, you need a scorecard
Getting maximum production is an elusive target but good records help a lot, says producer
Reading Time: 3 minutes Is your pasture above- or below-average? And if you don’t keep accurate records over time, how do you know? The first step is knowing what your land is capable of producing so you can set a proper grazing rate, says Ryan Boyd. That was driven home for the Manitoba producer when he was awarded a […] Read more
Don’t miss out by neglecting nutrient needs of forages
Nitrogen levels are usually the limiting factor but there are several issues to consider
Reading Time: 5 minutes When you think annual crops, you also think about the fertilizer needs for that crop. But the nutrient needs of the 26-million-plus acres of forages are not often thought of. “Not fertilizing forage stands is often a missed opportunity,” said Ross McKenzie, a former Alberta Agriculture soil and crop researcher. By the end of the […] Read more
Native pollinators want to be your buddies
Some simple things can make your land more attractive to pollinators
Reading Time: 4 minutes There’s no denying that native pollinators are important — and there are things you can do to encourage these keystone species to come live on your land. Native pollinators are critical for forages and crops, agroforestry specialist Luke Wonneck said during a recent Foothills Forage and Grazing Association webinar. “Pollination is plant sex. Because plants […] Read more
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