Cicer milkvetch at the Siklenka farm. The forage is becoming increasingly popular with producers, despite the long establishment time.

Forage seed producers hold steady in changing industry

With nearly 40 years producing forage seed, the Siklenka family has seen some varieties fall in and out of favour, but other things remain the same

Forage seed production may not receive the attention of many other parts of the beef industry, but it plays a crucial role. Nathan Siklenka and his father, Darrel Siklenka, own and operate Siklenka Seed Farm together near Glaslyn, Sask. The farm has been in operation since 1985. Siklenka Seed Farm is well known for its […] Read more

Pasture sage doesn’t affect pasture production, says an agrologist, but too much of it may be a sign that a producer needs to nourish grasses.

Native plant 411 for livestock producers

The native plants in your pasture tell a story about everything from disturbances to soil quality

Southwest of Calgary, Alta., as the jagged peaks of the Rockies level out to the Prairies, rough fescue grows in dense tufts. This native plant is Alberta’s provincial grass and a tasty meal for livestock in the fall and winter. Saskatchewan’s provincial grass is needle-and-thread grass, named after its sharp seed tip and long awn. […] Read more


A plot of alfalfa at Ag in Motion in 2023. Producers are generally underusing legumes in forage mixes, says one expert.

Do you know what’s in your forage mix?

Understanding the benefits and risks of different forages, and whether they fit your goals, are vital to success

Every forage plant holds some sort of risk without proper management, and it’s becoming harder for producers to get the right information. After an extensive career working with beef and dairy herds across Texas and South Carolina, Dr. Dan Undersander, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, still likes travelling around North America to talk […] Read more

Mark Hoimyr stands in front of his cattle as he addresses attendees at the Canadian Farm Writers Conference in September of 2022.

Box H Ranch explores severe grazing

Laura and Mark Hoimyr focus on longer rest periods on their ranch in southeastern Saskatchewan

It’s a September afternoon when a large charter bus coasts down the back roads near Gladmar, Sask. The hills roll like waves, and the bus rolls with them, inducing nausea. Before long, the bus slows, then stops. Farm journalists and communicators, part of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation annual conference, file off the bus and […] Read more


Riparian field schools outline the importance of riparian areas, plus how to identify and manage them through grazing.

Grazing riparian areas judiciously

The thinking on riparian area protection has evolved from excluding grazing to carefully grazing to manage plant growth while protecting water courses

Riparian areas used to be thought of as areas of exclusion when it came to grazing. But those days are over. “In the past, a lot of the water courses were suffering bank or shoreline damage because they weren’t being protected,” says Greg Paranich, agriculture field specialist with the Grey Wooded Forage Association, based in […] Read more

Grazing over-mature forages cuts feeding and corral-cleaning costs and retains nitrogen on the land.

Grazing over-mature forages

Fall grazing has many benefits, but make sure the cow and calf’s nutritional needs are being met

Grazing mature cattle on mature forages and crop aftermath late into fall are options that reduce overall feeding costs. Kaliel and Kotowich (2002) reported that 60 per cent of production costs in a cow-calf operation are associated with winter feeding. Extending the grazing season reduces costs but there are limitations on what can be done.  […] Read more


Rebuilding or replacing forage stands

Rebuilding or replacing forage stands

By evaluating current and past management practices, you can avoid repeat mistakes

Before attempting to rejuvenate or replace pasture, we must evaluate the pasture or hay field that is in poor condition. Start by determining the plant species that are present and the number of plants per square foot. Collect information from 10 different locations within the pasture to get a good overview of populations. Also, record […] Read more

Degraded pastures or pastures converted to cropland offer more opportunity to increase soil carbon.

More grass, less gas, more money

Good grazing management pays dividends for both farmer and the environment

As Canada works to reach the goals set in its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, many industries, including agriculture, are looking at ways to cut emissions, but discussed less often are measures to prevent them in the first place.  Alberta rancher and custom grazier Steve Kenyon is the lead grazing mentor in the Canadian Forage and […] Read more


VIDEO: What does a healthy pasture look like?

VIDEO: What does a healthy pasture look like?

Rangeland biologist answers the question, ‘can cattle be trained to eat spurge?’

A number of situations – some within a producer’s control, some not – can compromise the health of pastures and grasslands of not being able to grow quality forages to feed livestock. During a field day in July hosted by Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives, Mae Elsinger, a rangeland and pasture biologist with Agriculture and […] Read more

Beef producers know to expect the unexpected when cattle are involved.

Choosing safe days to graze

Using the VBP+ Record of Herbicide or Pesticide Use on Pasture or Harvested Feed to maintain food safety

Pesticides are important tools available to control undesirable species on pasture and cropland. Herbicides, fungicides and insecticides can boost forage or crop yields and reduce toxic or unpalatable weeds in a stand. However, producers must pay attention to pesticide labels to avoid risks to food safety and animal health and performance. (see pesticide record sample […] Read more