The sixth annual Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference was held in Saskatoon on November 17 to 19.

Onward and upward for the CFGA

Notes from the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association annual conference

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association drew the year to a close on a high note coming out of its annual conference at Saskatoon in November. As the theme, “Capturing the Intensity” suggests, the event offered a lineup of insightful presenters on an array of topics from intensive forage management systems and soil health to […] Read more

wheat and barley heads

Wheat versus barley in feedlot rations

Researchers ask if you can get 
away with more wheat in a ration, when it pays

Research scientists at Ag Canada’s Lethbridge Research Centre have put wheat to the test every which way and found that it could replace all the barley in feedlot finishing rations with no measurable negative effects on growth or carcass quality. In a nutshell, there’s a tendency toward lower feed intake and improved feed efficiency with […] Read more


Some second growth for October grazing on Kevin Stebeleski’s pasture.

Multi-species silage is like free insurance

As spring turned to summer without giving up much rain, Kevin Stebeleski really started to wonder about his decision to give multi-species silage a try for the first time. Those worries turned moot as July rains and warm weather transformed the 100-acre field into a smorgasbord of forages that landed 8.5 tons to the acre […] Read more



"Certain groups of bacteria seem to become more abundant in the rumen of bloated cattle." Elnaz Azad, researcher at the University o Manitoba.

Rumen microbes and bloat in cattle

Key to the prevention of bloat is understanding the role the bacteria community plays

Bloat is marked by impairment in the ability of cattle to expel gas from the rumen, a process known as eructation. Gases including carbon dioxide and methane are produced during normal fermentation and their accumulation in the rumen causes severe distention of the first two compartments of a cow’s stomach, compressing the lungs and heart […] Read more

Harvey Brink, Bentley, Alta. rancher.

Help where help is needed

Harvey Brink looks to service specialists for expert advice on feeding fababeans and other chores

When Harvey Brink needs help he goes shopping instead of advertising. Rather than having a full-time employee or seasonal helpers, he counts on the services of his cattle buyer, beef nutritionist, grain marketer and crop agrologist. A financial adviser may be next as he and his wife, Coby, start thinking about their succession plan. Handling […] Read more


cattle in a pasture

Intensive cell grazing for times of drought: It works!

I learned a long 
time ago you 
cannot plan 
for a drought in 
a drought. 
If that is your 
plan, you are 
way too late

In 2002, we had the worst drought in 80 years; 2003 was also dry and the grasshoppers were insane. In 2008, we had another drought. 2009 was also very dry and it was the only year I had to destock early. Now we are in 2015 and we have a severe drought in my area. What do […] Read more

Hay Bale Landscape

Measuring feed quality in the field

A new system allows for bale-by-bale feed value testing

In challenging economic times it is more important than ever to know the value of the alfalfa forage you are feeding your dairy or beef cattle. Whether you are blending alfalfa in a ration to maximize lactation, fertility and calf growth, or utilizing lesser-quality hay for dry cattle or replacements, you want to know that […] Read more


different grasses for grazing

Planned grazing for livestock

Planned grazing describes the process we use to plan our grazing in holistic management. Planned grazing was developed by Allan Savory. It is based on two key points. The first is that overgrazing is due to time not the number of animals. It is vital that we understand this point if we want to have […] Read more

cow eating alfalfa forage

Will late-summer swath grazing maintain alfalfa?

Background: Numerous studies have shown that maintaining 40 per cent alfalfa in a forage stand is the most economical way of improving soil fertility, forage yields and animal grazing performance. Unfortunately, alfalfa drops below the 40 per cent threshold level after several years of grazing. Alfalfa drops out of perennial pastures partly due to over-use […] Read more