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Forages

Body weight, stage of production, environmental factors and forage quality will play key roles in determining the winter feed needs of a cow.
Forages, Livestock

Now is the time to estimate winter hay needs

Getting a handle on waste can reduce losses and save money

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Harvested forages are a critical component of winter feeding programs for many cattle herds. “Conducting a hay inventory now will give producers a good idea of possible deficiencies and allow time to develop the best options for the upcoming feeding season,” says Janna Block, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist. The first step
(File photo)
Crops, Forages

Manitoba to cut Crown forage lease rates

Previous years' forage conditions a factor, province says

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The rents paid by Manitoba producers using Crown lands to produce perennial forages will be cut in half next year and by smaller amounts the following two years. Provincial Ag Minister Derek Johnson on Wednesday announced the forage lease rent on agricultural Crown land will be reduced by 50 per cent in 2023, 33 per
Manitoba Agriculture Forage and Livestock specialist Elizabeth Nernberg speaks on test plots of various annual forages.
Forages, News

Annual forages best in dry years

Trials show better production during drought, says provincial livestock specialist

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When you think of forages, you often think of perennials like alfalfa, clover or timothy, which are there for the long haul and perfect for baling or silage. While they have many strengths, one weakness became evident last year. They don’t do well when it’s really hot and dry. [READ MORE] Nitrate risk comes from
Forages, News

Teff a promising forage in dry year

Results so far are from small plots in short trials

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James Frey of the Parkland Crop Diversity Foundation stands in a plot of teff grass, an African annual that’s new to the province and to the Parklands. In a small plot trial, it shows promise as a warm-season forage. “It originally comes from northeastern Africa, sort of in the Ethiopian area, where it is grown
Forages, News

Nitrate risk comes from variety of sources

It’s not just a drought that increases risk to the herd

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When a forage crop is stressed, it can accumulate nitrates. Elizabeth Nernberg, provincial forage and livestock specialist, says this can occur in any season and from a variety of conditions. “Last year we did see some higher levels because any kind of plant stress can cause that.” she said. “Typically hail or frost are the
Sorghum or milo is a potential nitrate accumulator and should be tested prior to haying or grazing.
Forages, Livestock

Test forages for nitrate prior to haying or grazing

High temperatures combined with adequate moisture can impact metabolism and cause nitrate to build up in plants

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Although much of the region has received adequate moisture this summer, it is important to remember there is still potential for nitrate toxicity in many forage crops, including small grains, brassicas, millet, sorghum/sudangrass and corn harvested for hay. “Nitrate is a common form of nitrogen found in the soil, which is taken up by plants
Scattered hay market leaves price questions
Feed markets, Forages, News

Scattered hay market leaves price questions

Growers are struggling to tease out a fair price for hay this year

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Manitoba hay growers are debating what they should charge for bales this year, given plentiful forage but difficult harvest conditions. “We’ve got a fairly good crop of hay out there, as far as the number of tonnes or bales, but the other thing that we’re seeing is that there is a lot of hay that
Alfalfa patches poke from a sea of grass at a Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives site north of Brandon.
Forages, Livestock

A marginal pasture takeover

Three years of trials, one drought and two potential methods for inserting legumes in a faltering pasture

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Not every attempt to improve a sandy, weed-wracked pasture north of Brandon has been successful for the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI). But four years after an experiment on marginal land improvement ended, some plots are going strong. “The goal was really to look at the success of different methods of introducing alfalfa into an existing grass
VIDEO: What does a healthy pasture look like?
Forages, Livestock

VIDEO: What does a healthy pasture look like?

Rangeland biologist answers the question, ‘can cattle be trained to eat spurge?’

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A number of situations – some within a producer’s control, some not – can compromise the health of pastures and grasslands of not being able to grow quality forages to feed livestock. During a field day in July hosted by Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives, Mae Elsinger, a rangeland and pasture biologist with Agriculture and
Alfalfa can fix up to 250 pounds of nitrogen per year, helping to build soil fertility and increasing crop yields.
Forages, News

Pitching forage as a cash crop

Adding perennial forages to annual crop rotation can pay big dividends, in more than just your bank account

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Grain farmers can harvest a heap of benefits by cycling perennial forages through their crop rotations, says an agronomist with Federated Co-operatives Ltd. Ken Wall said the economics of growing forage as a cash crop have changed significantly in recent years due to market conditions and a sharp increase in the price of fuel. Hay

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