Manitoba Forage Council adds grasslands to name

The Manitoba Forage Council is planning to change its name to reflect the group’s broader focus on those who make their living from all kinds of grass. By calling itself the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, the group hopes to become better aligned with the goals of the recently formed Canadian Forage & Grassland Association.

Rapidly growing forages could cause deadly grass tetany

Rapidly growing forages could cause deadly grass tetany

Sufficient rainfall (greater than average in some regions) has many North Dakota pastures set for abundant, rapid forage growth this spring. “With this in mind, producers with cattle on pasture or planning their spring pasture turnout need to be aware of the possibility of grass tetany,” says Carl Dahlen, North Dakota State University Extension Service


Forced to graze early? Some options for stemming the losses

For every day too early you graze in the spring, 
count on losing three days of grazing in the fall

With previous flooding, drought and now a late spring, many producers will be faced with the question of what to do with pastures weakened by flooding and overgrazing. No matter how you look at it, you may be forced to sacrifice the health of some of your pastures. Let’s take a look at the cost

New sainfoin cultivar promises bloat-free alfalfa pasture grazing

Scientists have developed a new variety of sainfoin that offers bloat-free grazing for cattle when paired with alfalfa in a mixed stand. Development of the new cultivar, tested as LRC 3902, was led by Dr. Surya Acharya of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Lethbridge. Acharya announced the variety and its proposed name of Mountainview


Alberta rancher debuts Power Grazer

Want to try managed grazing techniques to boost grass productivity, but don’t want to spend a lot of time and money driving posts and stringing wires? Norm Ward, a custom grazer and inventor from Granum, Alta., has come up with a self-contained portable electric fencing system that makes dividing up quarter section-sized pastures fast and



Community pasture takeover plan revealed

Proposal calls for a new, non-profit corporation with seven elected 
members to take over former federally managed community pastures

The federal government is pulling out, but a new boss is taking up the reins. A steering committee for the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures, a new not-for-profit group, has developed a business plan for taking over the operation of a million acres of formerly federally managed grazing rangelands in the province. That’s good news,

Building nitrogen on the range through better grazing management

Low rainfall during the growing season is the most obvious factor causing reduced grass production. However, low available mineral nitrogen at less than 100 pounds per acre is responsible for greater than half of the reduction in herbage production. “Most grassland pastures managed with traditional practices have mineral nitrogen available at 60 to 75 pounds


Ten Sask. community pastures transferred in late 2013

Cattle producers now using 10 federally operated community pastures in Saskatchewan will need to be ready to run them in 2014, while a community pasture in southern Alberta will leave ranching to join the army. The federal government on Oct. 19 listed the first 10 Saskatchewan community pastures to be transferred to the provincial government

New Ranchers’ Forum targets wider audience

It’s time to move beyond just moving cattle, say organizers. The Manitoba Forage Council’s annual Grazing School, an event that in years past showcased the latest advances in pasture and forage production, has been renamed Ranchers’ Forum to reflect a new focus aimed at incorporating more aspects of livestock production. “Basically, we’re looking at a