Calf health closely tied to cow nutrition

Calf health closely tied to cow nutrition

Six problems you may see with calves if cow nutrition is compromised

Many cows came home in 2017 from pastures parched by drought for much of the grazing season. Without proper supplementation of brood cows through the rest of their gestation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies will show up as health issues next spring with economic consequences that often persist for several more. It is well established that […] Read more

Research shows if cattle are given a preference, they want between 60 to 80 per cent of legumes in their pasture.

Legumes are best, but…

Nova Scotia researchers are looking at ways to maintain their percentage in forage mixtures under grazing

Not only are legumes a superfood for humans, but they are a superfood for cattle too. In fact, regardless of what type of livestock producers raise, the animals perform better on a diet of grass mixed with legumes than if just on a diet of straight grass, resulting in better weight gain and increased milk […] Read more



Mike Schellenberg and Alan Iwaasa are evaluating the impact of polycrop mixtures on grazing capacity and soil health in the semi-arid prairie.

Seeking plants with polyculture potential

Choose your species wisely to avoid unintended results

When producers discuss the benefits of growing annual polycultures, also known as multi-species mixes or crop cocktails, the talk often revolves around soil-health and environmental improvements, often­­­times taking forage production for granted. Of course, production does occur, but yield and feed quality may be disappointing if the species chosen target soil problems rather than forage […] Read more


Yikes ­— another crazy winter!

Yikes ­— another crazy winter!

Nutrition with John McKinnon

The winter of 2017-18 is shaping up to be full of unexpected challenges, particularly for those wintering cows in Western Canada. Drought, as well as recent wildfires, have caused many producers to scramble for a forage supply. As well, “old man winter” in all his wisdom has arrived early, with November temperatures in the minus […] Read more

Greg Penner of the University of Saskatchewan, congratulates Dr. David Christensen (right) on winning the 2017 SFC Forage Industry Innovation Award.

Forages were the foundation for researcher’s celebrated career

In a career that already spans more than five decades, Dr. David Christensen, of the University of Saskatchewan, has been a major contributor to the research in support of Canadian forage crops. His substantial contributions on a regional, national and international level were recently recognized by the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC) when he was presented […] Read more


Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro announced provincial funding Dec. 8 for what will now operate as Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station. (LakeheadU.ca)

Lakehead University to operate Thunder Bay ag station

The not-for-profit Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station’s quest for a longer-term operating plan has ended with a new operator, and a new name. The Ontario government recently announced it will transfer the TBARS’s operating and research programming responsibilities to Thunder Bay-based Lakehead University, which will now operate the site as Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station […] Read more

(Government of Alberta via Flickr)

Loans pledged for wildfire-damaged Alberta farms

Ranchers and farmers in two southeastern Alberta municipalities hit by wildfire in mid-October may soon be able to apply for interest-free rebuilding loans. The province’s Agriculture Financial Services Corp. (AFSC) on Wednesday announced loan applications will be available Jan. 8 for eligible producers in Cypress County and the MD of Acadia. Applications under the Hilda […] Read more


MacDon opened a new parts distribution centre in Winnipeg in 2016. (Macdon.com)

Harvestec owner Linamar set to buy MacDon

Canadian harvesting equipment company MacDon is set to join the ag arm of industrial equipment and parts manufacturer Linamar. Guelph-based Linamar Corp., which markets the Harvestec brand of corn harvesting headers in North America, on Thursday announced a “definitive” agreement to buy 100 per cent of Winnipeg-based MacDon and its group of companies for $1.2 […] Read more

One of two new cold-tolerant clovers, FIXatioN Balansa will come into Canada as a cover first, then as a forage.

New cold-tolerant clovers

The first arrivals are cover crops, but forages are on their way

When it comes to trying something new, it’s common for growers who rely on their forages to stick with what works. That’s understandable, given the demands for consistency, especially by dairy producers. Yet standing still is rarely a path to success on the farm. Now, in spite of growing concerns surrounding climate change, one seed […] Read more