Reading Time: 4 minutes Whenever horses are grazing on pastures where clover is present, certain health concerns for the horse need to be kept in mind. It is of value to recognize the type of clovers present in the pasture, as well as the type of health problems that might ensue with ingestion of particular types of clover. Clover […] Read more
Overconsumption of clovers can affect horse health
Horse Health: There are clear symptoms to watch for when there’s clover in a horse’s diet
High-quality forages tougher to find this year
CNS Canada — There seems to be no shortage of forages in Western Canada this year, as wet weather has allowed grasses to keep progressing at a steady rate. Finding high-quality hay could be the challenge, however, according to crop watchers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. “It’s been tough for guys to put four to five […] Read more
Six limiting factors in your soil that will make or break your operation
Without these six key ingredients, your soil — and your farm — could be in trouble
Farms and grazing operations — organic or otherwise — are only as good as their worst resource, according to Oregon-based grazier Abe Collins. “Soil is our primary infrastructure on the farm,” said Collins, who spoke at the recent Organic Alberta conference. “Biologically, chemically, and physically, you need to be looking at the limiting factors in[...]
Read more
Read more
Know a leader in the forage and grassland sector?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Nominations for the Canadian Forage & Grassland Association Leadership Award are now open. This award recognizes individuals — as well as groups or organizations — who exemplify or enhance the goals of the association, and whose leadership in the forage and grassland sector has impact of national and/or international significance. The recipient will be invited to make a[...]
Read more
Read more
New non-bloating legume can power up your pastures
After years of development, a new and improved sainfoin variety is being field tested across the province
Reading Time: 2 minutes High-legume pastures can be profitable and productive, but many cattle producers are scared to use them because of the risk of bloat. That’s why Alberta Agriculture and Forestry along with the Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta have teamed up to do sainfoin trials across the province. “Sainfoin is a non-bloating legume,” provincial beef[...]
Read more
Read more
Grazing cattle on legumes offers unique benefits
Reading Time: 2 minutes There is a risk of bloat from grazing high-legume pastures, but it can be done with planning and attention. “I’ve heard it said that there has been more money lost due to fear of bloat than has ever been lost due to bloat itself,” said Ian Murray, an Acme rancher and chair of the Agricultural[...]
Read more
Read more
Perennial grain: It’s two — yes, two — crops in one
It’s been a decades’ long search, but researchers believe the finish line is in sight for a crop that can be both grazed and then harvested for its grain
Reading Time: 4 minutes As concerns grow over sustainability in modern farming, researchers are looking to the past in search of crops that can both meet the needs of farmers and consumers as well as the environment. Thinopyrum intermedium — commonly known as intermediate wheatgrass — is one of the fruits of that research. It’s been nearly three decades[...]
Read more
Read more
How to establish a fair price for standing hay
Buyers should pay by the ton, not the acre, and there should be 10 to 30 per cent allowance for weather risk
Reading Time: 2 minutes Determining a fair price for standing hay isn’t an exact science, says a provincial farm business management specialist. “Hay prices are difficult to establish as they are affected by a combination of factors such as spring inventory carry-over, pasture conditions, feed competitors, cutting date, quality, yield, and location,” said Dean Dyck. “As we saw in[...]
Read more
Read more
Sugar is sweet for increasing cattle gain
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle that consume forages with higher sugar content have higher rates of gain, improved performance, and better rumen health. In a Beef Cattle Research Council webinar, two forage experts give tips for increasing sugar content in forage, such as cutting forages in late afternoon as sugar content peaks 11 to 13 hours after sunrise and why[...]
Read more
Read more
Warm weather boosts crop emergence, surface moisture ratings good
Alberta crop conditions as of June 7
Reading Time: 2 minutes Crops and forages throughout the province benefitted from the warmer weather of the past week as temperatures rose into the mid to high 20’s and even the low 30’s in southern Alberta. The warm temperatures enhanced crop emergence to 91 per cent germinated and allowed emerged crops and forages to take advantage of the good[...]
Read more
Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
