Hay Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

Whether you spread out bales or group them in ‘pods,’ don’t worry about the residue left behind — it isn’t wasted.

Bale grazing is having its moment in the (winter) sun

Here are some things to bear in mind when using bales to extend the grazing season

By Beef Cattle Research Council October 29, 2020

Many producers have taken steps to extend their grazing period, and bale grazing is proving to be a popular choice. Bales can be purchased or grown on farm and placed strategically in cells or ‘bale pods.’ In some cases, cattle feed on bales directly where they are dropped from the baler, but in most situations, bales […] Read more

Hay, News

Alberta hay situation much improved

By Alberta Farmer Staff September 8, 2020

After hitting a record high in June 2019, hay prices in Alberta have come down and there should be ample supplies in most of the province, the Beef Cattle Research Council said in a recent blog. However, prices in the north may stay strong because of limited supply and increasing demand. “Northern producers may wish […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Pasture, Weather

Manitoba to open more Crown lands to haying, grazing

Province now taking requests for permits

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News July 25, 2020

Manitoba livestock producers up against dry conditions can now apply for temporary passes to get onto Crown land not normally designated for grazing or haying. The province announced Friday it will make such lands available this year for agricultural use “under certain circumstances.” Permits and land uses will be handled through the Agricultural Crown Lands […] Read more

General, Machinery & Shop, Weather

Manitoba eases load limits for grains, livestock, vegetables, fertilizer

'Essential' commodities allowed at normal axle weights on more roads

By GFM Staff, GFM Network News April 1, 2020

Springtime load limits on certain Manitoba highways will be lifted early this year for transport of crops, livestock, fertilizer and other “essential” goods. Provincial Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced Tuesday that certain essential goods may be trucked at “normal loading” axle weights on highways usually subject to Level 1 road restrictions during spring thaw. Essential […] Read more

Forages, News

Annual forages offer benefits, says forage specialist

Annual pastures allow you to properly rest their perennial cousins and can be used for silage or greenfeed

By Alberta Agriculture and Forestry April 1, 2020

Annual forages offer a couple of advantages for producers, says a provincial forage and beef specialist. “By seeding annual pastures, producers can give stressed perennial pastures a rest,” said Karin Lindquist. “If those pastures are rested early in the spring and following rain, they can produce good amounts of growth later in the summer. However, […] Read more

Crops, News

Spring termination of hay land brings challenges

Fall is the better time as spring termination will delay seeding and will result in moisture loss

By Alberta Agriculture and Forestry March 20, 2020

Producers should consider a number of factors before deciding to terminate hay land in the spring in order to seed an annual crop. “Traditionally, forage stands have been terminated in the fall by using one of three approaches — tillage only, herbicide application combined with tillage, and herbicide application followed by direct seeding into sod,” said […] Read more

Scott Proudfoot took advantage of a forage seed rebate program to rejuvenate  110 acres on his operation near Youngstown.

Livestock

Fostering forage and grasslands in the Special Areas

The region has been hit hard by a multi-year drought so rejuvenating forage stands is a challenge

By Ducks Unlimited Canada January 27, 2020

It’s a bitterly cold day with the wind blowing hard from the north and few trees to hide behind. Scott Proudfoot, though, has grown to cherish the wide-open spaces in the Special Areas of southeastern Alberta. “I’ve fallen in love with it out here. It’s one of the last places in the world you can […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Hay, Weather

Hay disaster benefit kicks in for Manitoba growers

By GFM Staff January 13, 2020

Eligible Manitoba forage growers can expect to share in a $5 million hay disaster benefit (HDB) for the 2019 crop year. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp. (MASC), the provincial crop insurance agency, announced Friday that the HDB has been activated and benefit payments to eligible forage producers on about 1,500 claims will begin “shortly.” The HDB, […] Read more

Moisture content has a big impact on the value of a bale.

Forages, News

Don’t be fooled by moisture content when buying feed

Moisture content is all over the map this year, which makes price comparisons more difficult

By Alberta Agriculture and Forestry December 18, 2019

Knowing the moisture content of feeds is key when comparing prices. “The summer of 2019 was extremely challenging for anyone trying to put up dry forage,” said farm business management specialist Ted Nibourg. “More often than not, hay and greenfeed were baled at moisture contents greater than normal. In an attempt to salvage forage production this […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Machinery & Shop

Vermeer buys TMR mixer maker Schuler

By GFM Staff December 10, 2019

U.S. hay and forage equipment manufacturer Vermeer Corp. is expanding its reach in the cattle feeding business with a deal for fellow Iowa firm Schuler Manufacturing. Vermeer announced Wednesday it purchased Schuler for an undisclosed sum and that Schuler products will still “initially” be sold under the Schuler brand, but with an “intentional transition” to […] Read more

U.S. grains: South American supply issues wane

U.S. livestock: Live cattle climb ahead of USDA report

Feed weekly outlook: Offshore demand still lifting Prairie barley

GFM Network News