Forages Archives | Canadian Cattlemen

Prairie hay shortage on horizon

By Marlo Glass 1 day ago

MarketsFarm — While rain across the Prairies has eased concerns of an all-out drought, worries of a hay shortage going into winter haven’t ceased. Darren Chapman, a Virden, Man. producer and chair of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA), explained that regrowth following the first cut of hay has been strong. First-cut hay crops […] Read more

Mogulones crucifer root weevil on houndstongue. This root weevil has been highly successful in  controlling houndstongue in British Columbia.

Features, Pasture

Using insects to control invasive weeds on pasture

Houndstongue biocontrol project in B.C. has been highly successful

By Heather Smith Thomas 3 days ago

Once invasive plants reach a point of domination, elimination is generally not feasible. Land managers sometimes turn to biologic control, a last resort for reducing a widespread weed’s populations to below an economic or environmental damage threshold. Eradicating the weed may be impossible, but biocontrol agents may reduce it to manageable levels. Since 1951, 82 […] Read more

In the foothills south of Calgary, July 14, 2019.

Forages, News

Feed Watch: July 15, 2019

By Staff 5 days ago

As the summer wears on, the precipitation situation varies greatly across the Prairies. Rain has been plentiful in some areas, but other regions are looking at hay yields well below average. Parts of Manitoba are also losing hope for a decent second cut. Alberta The next Alberta crop report won’t be released until July 19. […] Read more

Livestock, Pasture

Alberta to lengthen public leases for ‘exemplary’ ranching

By GFM Staff July 12, 2019

Ranchers who display “exemplary” stewardship as tenants on Alberta’s public lands could soon be eligible for double the term of the usual lease. The province announced Tuesday it expects the new policy to come into effect in late autumn this year and “in the coming months” will release new guidelines on what would be considered […] Read more

Producers must  balance economics and land health when grazing.

Features, Livestock, Pasture

Kenyon: How intensely should you graze cattle?

The key to sustainable grazing is stock density

By Steve Kenyon July 12, 2019

For years, I referred to the type of grazing that I do as intensive cell grazing. I am not sure where I first heard the term or why I used it but that’s what I use to call it. I have also called it sustainable grazing or more recently, regenerative grazing. But the truth is […] Read more

Hay in the swath in northwestern Saskatchewan.

Forages, Hay, Pasture

Feed Watch: July 8, 2019

By Staff July 8, 2019

A dry spring has robbed many Prairie producers of first cut hay yields and lowered carrying capacity on pastures. Still, rain improved pasture conditions in many areas and some producers are cutting poor hay fields to encourage regrowth for a second cut. Overall hay growth and pasture looks better in Alberta than Saskatchewan and Manitoba. […] Read more

Pasture conditions in Bruce County, Ontario, are excellent. Photo: Tom Cunningham

Forages, Hay, Pasture

Feed Watch: July 1, 2019

A look at forage, pasture and feed conditions across the Prairies and Ontario

July 1, 2019

While dry weather has dominated the Prairies until recently, Ontario producers have received too much rain and not enough sunshine. “We’re trying to get some hay off,” said cow-calf producer Tom Cunningham as it rained outside on the Friday before the July long weekend. Cunningham farms north of Wiarton, Ontario, in Bruce County. Cunningham estimated […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Forages, Hay, News

Using an invasive weed to help fill the feed gap

When feed is in short supply, producers may want to harvest kochia.

By CC Staff June 26, 2019

For Prairie cattle producers looking for alternative feed sources this year, one possibility may be kochia. Kochia is an invasive weed, often seen growing on marginal land or tumbling across the Prairies. It’s a prolific seed producer, growing in saline soil and in arid or semi-arid conditions. A recent news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more

Crops, Pasture, Reuters, Weather

Rain gives farmers relief, for now, from three-year drought

By Rod Nickel June 25, 2019

Winnipeg | Reuters — With drought turning Chad Ross’s pastures brown, the southeastern Saskatchewan rancher sent 140 head of cattle to slaughter earlier than usual this spring, as the Prairies’ three-year drought made them too expensive to feed. The ranch and feedlot near Estevan has lost money two straight years. Long-awaited rains that swept the […] Read more

Brian Cunningham’s bison on pasture near Pigeon Lake, Alta.

Forages, News

Feed Watch: June 24, 2019

A look at growing conditions for forage and feed across the Prairies and Ontario

By Lisa Guenther June 24, 2019

Some areas in Western Canada welcomed rain recently. But overall, the Prairies are facing a 200-millimetre moisture deficit, Environment Canada estimates. To turn around the growing season, timing of rain is at least as important as volume, Marlo Glass reports in MarketsFarm. Drought-stricken areas will need a rainy day every week or 10 days throughout […] Read more

Alberta, Ontario sugar beet producers hope for good year

Pea, canola protein processing plant planned for outside Winnipeg

Feed weekly outlook: Grain prices softer ahead of harvest

GFM Network News