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Forages

“We knew early on, like everyone else, that hay was going to be in lots of trouble — and was in lots of trouble — in 2021.” – David Van Deynze, MASC.
Forages, News

MASC puts hard numbers to sky-high forage claim season

The insurer saw a fivefold increase in total claim values over the 2021 season

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The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) saw a multimillion-dollar spike in forage claim payouts during the 2021 drought, the Crown corporation has reported. MASC reported $48.3 million in forage program indemnities for 2021, over five times higher than the previous year. MASC reported $9.2 million in indemnities in 2020. Why it matters: Higher forage insurance
Manitoba producers now have new options to insure multi-species forage mixes.
Forages, News

Multi-species forage gets insurance safety net

A long ingredient list no longer necessarily precludes that greenfeed recipe from being insured

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Producers will have a few new options when it comes to forage insurance in 2022. The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) has added or expanded two programs geared towards producers diversifying their annual forage. Why it matters: Two new or expanded forage insurance options will be on offer this year for producers looking to mix
It is important to wait until mid-October, or a killing frost, whichever occurs first, to hay late-season alfalfa.
Crops, Forages

The ins and outs of late-season alfalfa

With late-summer rains, alfalfa stands have seen new growth

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Due to the impacts of the drought, livestock producers throughout the region are in search of additional feed. “Some areas have received rain in late August and early September causing alfalfa fields to green up,” says Miranda Meehan, North Dakota State University Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist. “Producers are asking what the risks and rewards
A project aims to create alfalfa management tools after creating a database tying management to crop performance.
Forages, News

National effort underway to level the playing field for alfalfa

Data-driven project aims to boost the bottom line of producers — and reverse slide in forage acres

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Glacier FarmMedia – A new initiative designed to improve alfalfa producers’ access to precision management tools could boost the crop’s popularity and increase production, industry officials say. Data collection has started for two new alfalfa artificial intelligence (AI) decision management tools across Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Manitoba. The project aims to create the database
In general, research indicates that soybean forage should not make up more than 50 per cent of the total diet.
Forages, News

Drought-stressed soybeans offer forage options

Don’t wait too long to make the decision as feed quality is declining daily

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Although many areas across the region have received much-needed moisture recently, the ongoing drought and lack of forage options for beef producers is still a concern. “One potential forage source is drought-stressed soybeans that can be grazed or harvested for hay or silage,” says Janna Block, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension livestock systems specialist at
(GFM file photo)
Crops, Forages

CFA’s Hay West program up and running

Program website now online

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A revival of the “Hay West” initiative, aimed at shipping feed from Eastern Canada to supplement drought-dented supplies in the West, has gone live. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture on Friday announced its Hay West 2021 initiative is “now operational and seeking applicants to both receive and supply hay.” Applicants interested in either supplying or
A field tour participant examines the wider corn rows and multi-species intercrop that will provide extended grazing for MBFI’s herd later this year.
Crops, Forages

Tweaking the recipe for higher-quality, lower-labour corn grazing

Intercropping could reduce grain overload and need for supplemental hay

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An intercropped corn-grazing trial at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative (MBFI) is hoping to improve on an already cost-effective way to winter cattle. Organizers say there’s still some work to do, but the demonstration research farm north of Brandon added yet another year of data to their ongoing study mixing corn grazing with a mixed-species forage intercrop. Researchers
“We’re going to see something similar to what we saw last year and other years where the asking price might be 12.5 cents, but the market will only be able to bear somewhat less than that price, and if that happens, then we’re going to continue to see a reduction in the number of cattle that are being overwintered.” – John McGregor, MFGA.
Forages, News

Little relief expected from second cut hay

Hay will cost producers a pretty penny, what little there is

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If producers were hoping the second cut might take the sting out of Manitoba’s feed crisis, they’ll be disappointed. Conditions vary, according to Carson Callum, general manager of the Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), but anecdotes suggest that second cut will be “very poor or non-existent,” depending on region. Why it matters: With all the stressors
“Price and quality of alternative forages will play a key role in determining whether they can be used in a given production situation.” – Zac Carlson, NDSU.
Forages, News

Going non-traditional on forage

Tips and considerations for putting up atypical sources of livestock feed

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Many producers are seeking alternative, possibly non-traditional, sources of forage such as cattails, flax, kochia, millet varieties and soybeans in light of continued drought. “With limited forage on the market and high prices, it may be a better option to evaluate local hay options,” North Dakota State University Extension beef cattle specialist Zac Carlson said.
Lurking nitrates and noxious weeds threaten to be yet another fly in the ointment as livestock producers continue to struggle for every scrap of annual crop or hay they can get their hands on.
Forages, Livestock, News

Feed hazards lying in wait

Feed testing an absolute must for cattle producers sourcing greenfeed, straw: experts

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Cattle producers are urged to get greenfeed and straw tested for potentially deadly nitrates this year. “Basically, we know there’s going to be nitrates in some of the feed. Especially cereal,” said Jo-Lene Gardiner, who works with the Border Agriculture Stewardship Association and is a cattle farmer in the Clearwater area. “It’s just been that

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