Reading Time: 3 minutes What is the real value of soil carbon? And how much carbon do cattle producers store in the soil? These are two questions that will be answered in a carbon soil mapping project conducted by researchers from the universities of Alberta and Saskatchewan. “The reason for the project is that carbon in the atmosphere is […] Read more
Massive soil carbon mapping could change views about cattle
Five-year, $3.2-million study will determine how much carbon is stored in pastures thanks to grazing
Give cover crops a shot and have some fun, says soil health expert
Despite challenges in our climate, there are ways to profit from this much- discussed practice
Reading Time: 4 minutes Cover crops aren’t a magic bullet but they’re worth a try. That was the message an American expert delivered to a group of Alberta producers who considered whether the much-hyped soil health practice can work during the short growing season. “Cover crops don’t solve everything,” said soil scientist Abbey Wick. “It’s not all puppies and […] Read more
Appeal to grazing leaseholders
Reading Time: < 1 minute The bid to reform the rental rate formula for grazing leases has hit a snag — not enough producers filled in a grazing lease cost survey. The Alberta Grazing Leaseholders Association and other groups have been lobbying the province for years for changes to the rental rate formula “so that it would reflect the true […] Read more
Ribbon Creek Ranch garners top award
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ribbon Creek Ranch is the 2022 winner of Alberta Beef Producers’ Environmental Stewardship Award, which shines a spotlight on producers “whose natural resource stewardship practices contribute to the environment and enhance productivity and profitability.” The mixed cow-calf and grain farm with a backgrounding operation is located near Linden, on land purchased by Jerry Baerg’s grandfather […] Read more
Care required when introducing the horse to spring pastures
Rich spring forages can lead to discomfort and health issues, and should be managed carefully
Reading Time: 3 minutes It is tempting to allow horses unlimited access to pastures as soon as the grass turns green, particularly after a long winter. Yet mindful management of this transition is crucial to the well-being of the horse. In natural rangeland conditions, new spring grasses are covered with a dry forage mat from the past growing season. […] Read more
There are low-cost ways to bring a tired pasture back to life
Caring for ‘baby plants’ and managing land with your cows are two pillars of pasture rejuvenation
Reading Time: 4 minutes Fertilizer and fuel prices got you down? If you have unproductive pasture, the high cost of a total redo may have you unsure of what to do. But there are low-cost possibilities, says a longtime forage extension specialist. “Everything is an option when it comes to pasture rejuvenation,” said Grant Lastiwka. One of the first […] Read more
A swath-grazing sabbatical can be a way to redo worn-out hay land
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
Rotational grazing doesn’t make rain, but it helps to keep it, study finds
Five-year, project finds high-intensity grazing boosts water infiltration by up to 30 per cent
Reading Time: 3 minutes Rotational grazing isn’t just good for the soil — it turns out the practice results in a huge bump in soil water infiltration. “What we were finding for water infiltration was that AMP (adaptive multi-paddock) grazing was adding about 30 per cent more water infiltration into the soil,” said Timm Döbert, who was part of […] Read more
You don’t want to hear this — but delay grazing, say experts
Even good moisture this spring won’t easily overcome the effects of drought
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you’re a cattle producer, you may be counting down the days until you can turn your cows out on grass. But three experts are telling you the best thing you can do is wait. “Watch what the plants tell you,” said Grant Lastiwka, a forage specialist with Union Forages. “A perennial pasture has a […] Read more
Sharpen your grazing game plan in 2022
Reading Time: < 1 minute Do you have a ‘grazing game plan’ for the coming year? Three experts are offering their tips and suggestions in a Feb. 9 webinar hosted by the Beef Cattle Research Council. “An important first step in developing a plan includes defining goals and objectives for the entire grazing operation. This webinar will cover the basics […] Read more
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