Hay Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

Alternative feeds could offer big savings this winter, but supplies vary by region and feed testing is a must.

Harvest woes increase supply of alternative feeds

Prices are down and depending on the region, availability is up — but you need to do the math

By Beef Cattle Research Council November 5, 2019

Hay costs vary significantly this year, with prices in some areas with short supplies nearly double those in areas with adequate supplies. On the other hand, there could be numerous options for alternate winter feeds this year as some crops originally intended for grain are being harvested as feed. Alberta feed barley prices have dropped […] Read more

The best way to store bales outside is in rows, with at least a foot between rows and six inches between bales, although you want to stay away from tree lines as that allows more snow to collect.

Hay, Livestock

Proper hay storage can be the difference between a win and a wreck

Pyramid-style stacks are a no-no for your bales

By Jennifer Blair October 31, 2019

How your hay looks heading into winter depends on two things — where you farm, and how badly you were hit by the never-ending rains this summer. If you’re on the Eastern Slopes in southern Alberta where the weather was good, you’re probably in luck. But heading farther east, conditions this summer were dry and […] Read more

Corn, Crops, Forages

Manitoba beef sector faces tight feed situation

By Phil Franz-warkentin October 22, 2019

MarketsFarm — An early snowstorm may have been the last straw for Manitoba livestock producers looking to put up feed ahead of winter. While the foot or more of heavy snow that blanketed much of the province over the Thanksgiving weekend has melted, saturated fields continue to limit corn silage harvests and hay cutting. “Feed […] Read more

Barley, Corn, Crops, Markets

Feed weekly outlook: Barley bouncing back, reducing need for corn

By Glen Hallick - MarketsFarm September 6, 2019

MarketsFarm — This year has been proving good for barley, according to trader Allen Pirness of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. “A lot of acres went in and that takes the edge off of supply,” Pirness said of the barley crop throughout southern Alberta. There had been a switch to corn in feed rations last […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Oats

Oats market steady, watching harvest

By Phil Franz-warkentin August 19, 2019

MarketsFarm — Western Canada’s oats market is stable at prices a bit better than a year ago, as harvest gets underway and participants wait to see how much will move off the combine to the market. Early yield reports range anywhere from 80 to 140 bushels per acre, said Tyler Palmer, grain buyer with Emerson […] Read more

Crops that have high rates of applied nitrogen, such as canola, can have a high amount of soil nitrogen well into July in thin stands.

Crops, Livestock, News

Watch for nitrate accumulation in hailed-out crops

There’s extra value in a salvage crop this year, but nitrates are a risk in crops such as canola and wheat

By Alberta Agriculture And Forestry August 6, 2019

The issue of nitrate accumulation needs to be considered when salvaging hailed-out crops. “Nitrate accumulation occurs in a plant when it is injured and is not able to convert nitrate to protein efficiently after a hail storm,” said provincial beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “In non-legume crops, water and nutrients are pushed into the […] Read more

Crops, Hay

Crop reports stoke hay shortage concerns

By Marlo Glass August 2, 2019

MarketsFarm – Rainfall varied across the Prairie provinces during week ended August 2, as concerns of a hay shortage continue. Approximately 39 per cent of the hay crop in Saskatchewan is now baled or stored. While hay quality is 55 per cent good-to-excellent, yields have been well below normal across the province. According to the […] Read more

The feed situation has been grim for many producers all year long and there’s not a whole lot of relief in sight.

Crops, News

Rains bring some relief to hay markets, but not much

Rain and shortages make for an uneven hay market

By Alexis Kienlen July 29, 2019

Recent rains may result in hay prices softening a bit — but not by much, say experts “We have got rains and some of the pastures are rebounding,” said Ed Shaw, a hay exporter from Olds. “The yields are going to be lower than normal because it was a slow season and it got started […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Hay, Markets, Weather

Prairie hay shortage on horizon

By Marlo Glass July 19, 2019

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

Beef Cattle, Livestock, Weather

Manitoba to open up Crown lands for grazing, haying

By GFM Staff July 9, 2019

Some Manitoba Crown lands not generally used for grazing or haying will be made available for temporary lease to producers this summer and fall. Citing “dry conditions in parts of the province,” the Manitoba government announced Monday that livestock producers “will temporarily be allowed to cut hay and allow animals to graze on Crown land […] Read more

Impossible Whoppers contaminated by meat, suit claims

Knowing your wheat’s falling number critical this year

U.S. grains: Corn, soy slide on South American weather, trade worries

GFM Network News