Forages Archives | Country Guide

Researchers with AAFC say they are close to developing a perennial grain and forage rye.

Perennial cereal rye 2.0

After setbacks with an earlier program, Lethbridge researchers are making progress in developing a dual-purpose grain and forage rye

By Jeff Melchior November 1, 2019

Reading Time: 5 minutes It sounds ideal like the ideal crop. It produces grain every year, has no annual seed and planting costs, provides excellent weed control and you can also use it for forage. Too good to be true? Maybe not. Efforts to develop perennial wheat continue their slow pace with commercialization pegged at around 15 years from […] Read more

Contrast in control of Roundup Ready alfalfa with herbicides applied in early fall (foreground) compared to late fall (background).

Crops, Forages

Pest Patrol: Killing off Roundup Ready alfalfa

#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA

By Mike Cowbrough September 18, 2019

Reading Time: 3 minutes Six tank-mix partners are recommended for the removal of Roundup Ready alfalfa, and since they vary significantly in cost (Table 1 below), their effectiveness was evaluated in a trial conducted at the Elora Research Station in 2018-19. Growing degree day accumulation after herbicide application appeared to have the greatest effect on the control of Roundup […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Forages, Livestock

Five tips for grazing corn this winter

November 16, 2018

Corn grazing is becoming more popular across Canada because producers can grow more biomass on less land. If you are planning on grazing corn this winter, here are five tips to help you make the most of the corn grazing season:

The Green Gold program focuses on quality rather than quantity for the first cut, but it’s also helped producers harvest more cuts per year.

Crops, Hay

Knowing when it’s ‘hay day’

A provincial sampling program helps producers decide the best time to cut alfalfa for maximum RFV

By Duncan Morrison October 5, 2018

Reading Time: 3 minutes An alfalfa-monitoring program designed more than 20 years ago continues to pay dividends for Manitoba dairy producers and the domestic and export dairy hay industry. Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association’s (MFGA) “Green Gold” program just wrapped up the program’s 23rd year of helping to predict “Hay Day” — the date when harvested pure alfalfa stands[...]
Read more

Crops, Forages, Weather

Drought’s effects linger on Prairies

By Ashley Robinson - MarketsFarm July 27, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — After a dry growing season last year in Western Canada, effects of the drought are still evident with news that most livestock producers won’t be doing a second cut of hay. “Pastures and hay fields didn’t get the moisture that they needed to really recharge over that winter period and get a[...]
Read more

Crops, Hay, Weather

Hay shortage could make for difficult winter

By Terry Fries October 3, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Many cattle producers looking for local feed this winter might have a difficult time, according to a Saskatchewan provincial forage specialist. However, producers further north in the grey and black soil zones, and those in Alberta producing high-quality feed for export, saw near-record hay production. Terry Kowalchuk of Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina[...]
Read more

Ray Robertson, of the Ontario Forage Council, says foreign markets are an opportunity for Canadian forage growers.

Forages, News

Rain means much of Ontario first cut hay is yet to be harvested

Forage quality declining with each passing day

By John Greig July 4, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes Wet weather that has much of the Ontario first cut hay crop still standing in the field hasn’t yet changed the price for hay. Typically, the first cut hay harvest is mostly complete by the first of July, but regular rains in June this year have left hay in the field and declining in quality each[...]
Read more

Crops, Forages, Weather

Manitoba forages fight past winterkill, pest issues

By Dave Sims June 22, 2017

Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada — The first hay cut is well underway in several parts of Manitoba as favourable weather conditions set the stage for what could be a decent forage season. “Generally speaking they’re (forages) all doing well,” said Pamela Iwanchysko, farm production extension specialist with the provincial government in Dauphin. “The rains were timely.” What[...]
Read more

Drought conditions in North Dakota are causing spring alfalfa to wilt.

Crops, Forages, News

Should drought-stressed alfalfa be clipped?

Clipping drought-stressed alfalfa will not help it regrow faster when rainfall or moisture comes back

By North Dakota State University June 7, 2017

Reading Time: 2 minutes North Dakota State University – Many parts of the state where alfalfa is grown are experiencing moderate to severe drought, which is causing spring alfalfa growth to wilt, and shoots and leaves to dry. “During drought, forage is likely in short supply and farmers are likely to try to get as much forage as possible,”[...]
Read more

Corn, Dairy Cattle, Forages

Forage fed vs. corn silage in dairy cattle

Quebec researcher says that since dairy farmers are paid based on components, forage-fed cattle can outperform those fed on corn silage

By Ray Ford April 19, 2017

Reading Time: 3 minutes Corn silage use is trending on Quebec’s large dairy farms, but Valacta’s Robert Berthiaume argues farmers who run against the herd can bulk up their bottom line with perennial forages. “If you make the best use you can of perennial forages, you can make a lot of money, at least as much or more than[...]
Read more

Prairie livestock vet named B.C.’s chief veterinarian

U.S. livestock: Hog futures weaken, cattle futures advance

Beef Breeds Council becomes arm of CCA

GFM Network News