“We are working with farmers to determine their research priorities. This is an opportunity to transform how we do research and attract investment from the private sector. I see world-leading agricultural research happening here, either by leveraging work happening in existing facilities or building brand new ones,” Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry said.

There are six public engagement sessions throughout the province. The government will be seeking input on:

• what farmer-led research means to Albertans
• farmer-led research priorities
• governance models for delivering farmer-led research

The online survey is open until Jan. 31.

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“With yield differences in a field, areas with a low yield will be dry and ready to bale while areas of that field with higher yield potential may need more time to dry and cure before baling,” said Yaremcio. “Baling too soon could result in mouldy, heated feed that is lower in quality compared to what is in the windrow.”

• Read more: Prairie hay crops look thin in many areas

With hot weather, baling hay during the day can result in high leaf loss especially, if there are significant amounts of legume in the stand.

“Leaves and flowers are the highest-quality components of a plant,” said Yaremcio. “If there are significant amounts of fine material behind the baler where the bale is dropped, or a lot of leaves are visible on the ground where the windrow was, it might be beneficial to bale the hay at night when temperatures are lower.

“Baling from midnight to 8 a.m. may reduce leaf loss and improve the overall quality of the hay. It can also increase overall yield because more leaves are retained in the bale.”

Moisture content is critical when storing bales, he said.

“The large round bales should have 15 to 16 per cent moisture while the large squares should be down to 12 per cent.”

When it is hotter than normal, the hay temperature in the swath is higher, and the heat is retained in the bale. It provides a great environment for microbial growth, which leads to spoilage. For every 10 C increase in temperature, bacterial growth rates double.

“Thus with higher temperatures, safe moisture levels for baling decrease because of the retained heat in the bale,” said Yaremcio. “The bales will go through a sweat for three to four days after baling, which also causes an increase in bale temperatures. Leave the bales out in the field for a couple of weeks so that the evening and overnight winds can cool the bales and reduce the risk of spoilage.”

While hay may look and smell fine, it needs to be physically evaluated to determine if it is cured.

“Take a small sheath of hay — one-half to three-quarter inch (one to two centimetres) in diameter — out of the middle of the swath and try to break it, just like breaking spaghetti into a pot. If it breaks after bending the stalks, and you can hear it snap and crackle, the plants are cured.

“The second physical test is to take a sheath of hay and hold it in both hands – as done in the breaking test. With hands three to four inches (seven to 10 centimetres) apart, rotate the hands in the same motion as when pedalling a bicycle. If the stems break and it is possible to separate your hands after three or four revolutions, the hay is cured and ready to bale.”

While moisture probes work reasonably well with cured hay, a false moisture reading is possible when used on uncured hay.

“The meters measure the electrical current from one side of the tip to the other. Moisture content in the hay is calculated using equations that are contained in the unit. The amount of current is directly related to moisture present on the outside of the stems and leaves. Moisture content in the centre of the stem could be significantly higher than what is found on the leaves and outside of the stem.”

The use of an inoculant can reduce the wait time before baling.

“Adding inoculant to the hay windrow where yields are heavier, and usually with higher moisture content, allows hay to be baled when moisture content is two to three per cent higher than recommended,” said Yaremcio. “Each product is different so following label instructions is required.”

This article was originally published on the Alberta Farmer Express.

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“Storage losses from improperly stacked bales can be anywhere from 15 to 20 per cent of the dry matter yield while protein and energy losses can be anywhere from five to 10 per cent,” said beef and forage specialist Barry Yaremcio. “You spend a lot of time putting up a good-quality hay, so why risk losing 10 to 15 per cent of your productivity by just not stacking the bales properly?”

Before bringing bales into the yard, mow the grass to reduce both moisture on the ground and soil-to-bale contact. The storage site should be on higher ground to prevent run-off from accumulating at the base.

Yaremcio recommends leaving two to three feet between rows of bales and stacking them from northwest to southeast (or wherever prevailing winds come from).

“This way, when the snow comes, the wind will be able to blow away the moisture so it’s not between the bales come spring.”

When stacking bales in the field, the poorest method is the pyramid style (three bales on the bottom, two in middle, and one on top).

“If it rains after the stacks are made, or if snow melts during the winter, all that moisture will works its way through the stack from the top down, and cause spoilage wherever the bales contact each other,” said Yaremcio.

The mushroom stack (with the bottom bale flat and the second one on top) is better but still will end up with a lot of damage.

“The best method, however, if you have the space, is to put single bales in rows with the individual bales in the rows separated by about six to 10 inches so they don’t touch.”

If using a tarp, leave the ends open so air can blow between the tarp and bales.

“That way, the wind can carry any moisture that has evaporated out of the bales and condensed on the inside of the tarp away before it drops back onto the bales and causes damage.”

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With significant rains across the province, particularly in the South and Central Regions over the past two weeks, most of the agricultural lands in Alberta have seen at least near-normal amounts of precipitation to date.

Provincially, crop growing conditions improved by two per cent from last week to 83 per cent good to excellent, compared with the 5-year average (2011-2015) of 71 per cent.

About 83 per cent of spring wheat, 81 per cent of barley, 91 per cent of oats, 83 per cent of canola and 80 per cent of dry peas are in good to excellent condition. In terms of crop development, most cereals across the province are in the flowering stage.

Due to recent rainfall, surface and subsurface soil moisture ratings across the province improved by six and five per cent from a week ago, respectively. Provincially, surface soil moisture was rated at 87 per cent good to excellent and two per cent excessive. This compares to 30 per cent good to excellent a year ago, with no excessive and the 5-year average of 69 per cent good to excellent with two per cent excessive.

Subsurface soil moisture conditions across the province are now rated as 80 per cent good to excellent with almost one per cent excessive, compared with 22 per cent good to excellent last year with no excessive and the 5-year average of 68 per cent good to excellent with one per cent excellent.

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“With volatile weather comes storm damage and, for some producers, this means salvaging crops for feed,” says Andrea Hanson, beef extension specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Airdrie.

Hanson cautions producers to use care as salvaged crops may have high levels of nitrates that are toxic to ruminants and emphasizes the importance of testing salvaged feed to establish quality and nitrate levels prior to feeding.

“Sometimes producers want to wait to see if the crop will recover before salvaging it for feed. That’s when the balancing act starts. The nitrate levels in those damaged crops that were heavily fertilized or manured to optimize yield will have the highest accumulations.”

Hanson says it takes about four to five days after the damage for the nitrates to build to the highest levels. If the plants start to recover, the nitrate levels will return to a lower level about two weeks after the damage, depending on their growth rate. The true balancing act starts when the leaves start to brown off and the plants begin to deteriorate, losing leaf material and yield.

Unless a perennial hay crop is fertilized at high rates, the risk of accumulating nitrate is much lower than in annual crops, Hanson says. “Alfalfa is a plant that only takes up as much nitrogen as it requires on a daily basis. The excess is stored in the nodules. Nitrate accumulation in alfalfa is extremely rare.”

Nitrates accumulate in plants when the plant is stressed. Drought, hail and frost are all stressors that can cause nitrate toxicity. Photosynthesis is disrupted because of the damage to the plant but the roots of the plant are undamaged. As long as the roots are still alive, they continue to push nitrogen to the leaves. With damaged leaves, photosynthesis is disrupted, and the nitrogen (in the form of nitrates) accumulates.

“If a producer does decide to salvage the crop, it’s essential that the nitrate levels are known before any of the feed is used,” says Hanson. “Getting a feed test done is cheap compared to losing an animal to something that can be managed. Once the plant has been cut, the nitrate level is fixed and a feed test can be taken. Be sure to check out Foragebeef.ca for useful information on how to properly sample feed for testing.

Hanson also stresses the importance of finding out from the feed testing laboratory what type of nitrate test was carried out as the limits are different depending on how the nitrate level is reported. “AF’s factsheet Nitrate Poisoning and Feeding Nitrate Feeds to Livestock is a good reference that has the conversion chart for different reporting systems. Often the laboratory will provide the recommendations based on the level outcome.”

“Feeds containing nitrates can be fed depending on the levels of nitrates and the other feed stuffs available,” adds Hanson. “A strategy for feeding high nitrate feed is needed well before creating a feeding plan to reduce the risk of nitrate poisoning.”

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Anthrax is a contagious and infectious soil-borne disease caused by spore-forming bacteria that can infect mammals, primarily herbivores, resulting in the rapid onset of severe disease within a few hours.

Anthrax is a federally reportable and provincially notifiable disease in Alberta. The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry will assist with diagnosing the disease and will work with your private veterinarian to help manage the case.

If you suspect an animal might have anthrax or have a sudden, unexplained death of an animal:

• Call your veterinarian immediately. Getting a prompt and accurate diagnosis will assist in preventing the spread of the disease within your herd and to other herds.
• Remove surviving animals from the pasture.
• Do not move dead animals, and do not call for deadstock pick-up.
• Try to prevent scavenging of carcasses by covering them with a secured tarp or heavy-duty plastic. Stake the edges to secure the plastic or tarp.

If there is suspicion of anthrax, your veterinarian will collect the appropriate samples and send them for testing. After samples are collected, obtain and follow the veterinarian’s instructions regarding deadstock disposal. Proper disposal is very important to limit the spread and recurrence of anthrax. Natural disposal and deadstock pickup both increase the risk of future anthrax outbreaks by spreading the spores over a wider area.

Although animal cases pose minimal risk to humans, caution should be exercised when handling animals or carcasses suspected of having anthrax. Humans can become infected by direct or indirect contact with infected animals or carcasses, or exposure to infected or contaminated animal products. This can lead to serious disease, complications and potentially even death. Contact your local Public Health Office if you have handled infectious animals or animal products for assistance in determining the risk of anthrax and the need for interventions like antibiotics, if necessary. If you think that you are actually infected or sick with anthrax, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In animals, anthrax can be prevented by vaccinating susceptible animals. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccination, as he/she can assist you in making a decision whether it is appropriate based on the risk of disease in your area.

More information on anthrax can be found at the links below:

http://www.albertabeef.org/uploads/anthraxforwebsitepdf-361.pdf

http://www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/anthrax-62.

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In three fields, incidences ranged from 15-90 per cent but severities were low, ranging from 5-20 per cent.

Spring wheat development is advancing rapidly, ranging from grain fill to soft dough stages so spraying to control stripe rust is no longer an option. However, it is unlikely that the stripe rust will have any impact on yield and quality in spring wheat this year.  

The only exception may be in late-seeded, stripe rust-susceptible spring wheat varieties since conducive infection conditions may continue for the next few weeks. Winter wheat is ripening and, hence, is no longer vulnerable to stripe rust.  Producers are encouraged to monitor their fields for stripe rust symptoms before making management decisions to control this disease.
 
For producers seeding winter wheat this fall, attention should be made to select stripe rust resistant varieties. Seed of ‘Moats’, a new stripe rust resistant variety from the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, resistant will be available this fall.

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Alberta has seen the return to more seasonal temperatures over the past several weeks following the hot weather experienced two weeks ago. Sporadic light and heavy showers were reported in all areas maintaining high surface and sub soil moisture ratings.

Crop ratings remain at exceptional levels with 85-95 per cent of crops rated in good or excellent condition. Crop development is within normal ranges due to the warmer weather with spring crops in the early to mid pollination stage. Winter cereals are in the late milk to early dough stage. Canola is 61 per cent podded with field peas at 76 per cent.

Initial yield projections indicate the potential for above average production in all regions. Early yield projections have spring and winter wheat averaging 47.8 bushels/acre, durum wheat at 44.0 bushels, barley at 66.9 bushels, canola at 41.8 bushels and field peas at 43.4 bushels/acre.

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“Moisture probes measure the electrical conductivity or movement of electricity across the outside of the stems based on the amount of moisture there,” says Barry Yaremcio. “If the outside of the stem is dry, producers will get a very low reading and indications from the probe will be that the hay is ready to be baled."

Yaremcio says the problem is that alfalfa and some of the grasses that have only been cut for a few days are not properly cured. There is more moisture on the inside of the stem that’s not being measured. A day or two later, that moisture will migrate to the outside of the stem, raise the moisture content in the bale and heating, mould formation and heat damage to the protein can occur.

"This will result in a substandard product, compared to the very high quality product that would have been baled if baling had been delayed by another two or three days.”

Instead of relying only on moisture probes to take a reading, Yaremcio recommends conducting a microwave test. This is done by taking a representative sample out of the bale, cutting it into small pieces and using the microwave test to double check moisture contents.

“If you have a bale probe that is used for core sampling bales, get a representative sample, weigh out 100 grams, look on Alberta Agriculture’s website for information about determining the moisture content in hay. Use the microwave and moisture probe test results to establish the difference between the probe reading and microwave results. If the probe is reading 14 per cent and the microwave is at 18 per cent, then you know how to interpret the probe information.

There are also the manual break tests to establish if the hay is cured. Take a handful of hay between your hands and try to break it in half or twist it in a circular motion; if the stems snap, that tells you that hay is cured.

“The main message here is that if the weather patterns look good, and producers aren’t quite sure of moisture content, err on the side of caution and give the hay another day or two to cure before baling.”

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These areas are roughly centred around Edmonton and Grande Prairie. Several stations recorded overnight temperatures that dipped below 0 C, across two large areas; one centred roughly around Edmonton and the other centred roughly around Grande Prairie. Generally a “Killing” frost occurs at or below about -2 C.

Overnight lows appeared to be sustained for at least a couple of hours, with some of stations seeing temperatures sustained near the -2 C degree range. In these areas, wide spread frosts of -2 C, for this time of year, are estimated to occur between once in 10 to once in seven years. Low-lying areas likely saw temperatures lower than what is depicted in this map.

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