hay bales in a field

Making hay when the sun isn’t shining

The 2024 forage season is looking much different in the Prairies than the last few years. As the season started, we were quite worried about the lack of moisture we had in Western Canada in the last few years, which drastically reduced forage and grain yields.  However, we have generally had a lot of moisture […] Read more


Finding a forage to fit your farm

Finding a forage to fit your farm

What do you need to think about when you’re considering a cover crop or a perennial legume

Last summer, Canadian Cattlemen caught up with Graeme Finn, rancher and founder of Union Forage, at Ag in Motion. Here’s what he had to say about everything from cover crop blends to the “slow ponies” of the forage world — perennials. Know your soil “Before you even start down this journey with cover crops, know […] Read more

Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative event attendees stand in a teff grass field.

Manitoba trials forage grass from Africa

At one of Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiative’s (MBFI) field days this summer, MBFI showed off a new trial — teff grass. Initially grown in a plot trial at the Parkland Crop Diversification Foundation in 2020, MBFI decided to try the crop in a larger trial after seeing the success at the foundation. “I would […] Read more


Haying in Miami, Manitoba.

Timely maintenance can prevent round baler fires

Getting a visual assessment of your baler and tractor is a good place to start

Even though most of North Dakota has received adequate rainfall this summer, reports of round baler fires are occurring. “It seems odd to think about the risk of baler fires right now, as the grass is still green in many areas where hay is still being harvested,” says Tom Clays, North Dakota Forest Service director. […] Read more