Forages & Production Tips

A feed shortage is a big financial hit, but how much depends on how you respond and the particular situation on your ranch.
Photo: Michael Moskaluk, special to Alberta Farmer

Four options to help deal with a feed shortage

By Alberta Agriculture September 12, 2018

What is your best option if you’re short on feed? “Each farm is different and therefore doing your numbers as they pertain to your situation is paramount,” said provincial economics extension specialist Herman Simons. “In addition, each option has different pros and cons, which should be listed and taken into account when determining the best […] Read more

Some farmers forced to use up winter fodder supplies. Photo: dageldog/Getty Images

Hay, Livestock

Straw prices soar, piling pressure on N.Europe livestock farmers

In some areas straw now more expensive than grains

By GFM Network News August 9, 2018

Hamburg | London | Reuters – Livestock and dairy farmers across northern Europe are paying soaring prices for straw used in food and bedding for cattle, as hot, dry weather across the region reduces crops. The higher bills put further pressure on farmers already facing one of their toughest summers ever; many have had to […] Read more

Drought conditions in Canada at June 30, 2018. (Agr.gc.ca)

Crops, Forages, Weather

Drought’s effects linger on Prairies

By GFM Network News July 27, 2018

CNS Canada — After a dry growing season last year in Western Canada, effects of the drought are still evident with news that most livestock producers won’t be doing a second cut of hay. “Pastures and hay fields didn’t get the moisture that they needed to really recharge over that winter period and get a […] Read more

Crops, Hay, Weather

Prairie hay crops look thin in many areas

By GFM Network News July 19, 2018

CNS Canada — Many farmers taking off their first hay cuts are also gathering more talking points to grumble over at coffee row. While many producers are still working to get the first cut done and the situation could change with the second cut, many regions are already reporting below-average yields. “In areas of the […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Machinery

Amid trade uncertainties, Linamar builds up ag unit

By GFM Network News June 13, 2018

CNS Canada — When Linamar announced it was purchasing MacDon Industries at the end of last year, there was trade uncertainty for Canada. Since then, the issues have ballooned, but Linamar isn’t panicking. “We’re trying to look past (the trade uncertainty) a little bit because there’s a lot going on there and we don’t know […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Weather

Forage supplies starting to dip on dry Prairies

By GFM Network News May 16, 2018

CNS Canada — Forage supplies are starting to dwindle across Western Canada following a long, cold, winter and rain is needed soon to make for a good forage crop this year. “People tended to kind of blend hay this year and they managed to get through. But the prolonged cold spring really I think put […] Read more

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Sweeter forage grasses may benefit milk production

Different classes of livestock can make better use of forage mix

By Debbie Chikousky March 22, 2018

Spring is the time of rebirth. This year our livestock is not scheduled for babies till late spring so we have more time than usual to study, read, and plan our 2018 pasture season. While reading over garden catalogues my mind keeps turning to old ideas of turnip grazing, mangels (large beet) or potato choppers. […] Read more

Crops, Forages, Wheat & Chaff

Successful forage establishment

Q & A with CPS

By Nathan Trowell March 8, 2018

Q: What are the top factors for successful forage establishment? A: To grow a productive forage crop, consider important factors like soil, weeds, previous crop and herbicide residues. Identify and consider the impact of soil factors like flooding, drainage, low pH (acidity), texture and salinity that may impede establishment, productivity or species/variety selection. Control winter annual, biennial […] Read more

Stockpiled forage for late fall and winter grazing can be produced by not grazing a pasture at all until late fall,  or by grazing it early in the season and then “resting it” — bringing cows back when the snow flies.

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

More details on Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan

Use the grass, but then give it a chance to recover before coming back

By Sean McGrath March 2, 2018

Step 3 of the two-step grazing plan could also be titled, “How To Not Graze,” as this by far seems to be the biggest challenge facing pastures in Western Canada and perhaps around the world. In order for grazing to be successful, we first have to grow forage, and in order to do this to […] Read more

Forages, Livestock, Weather

Saskatchewan, B.C. areas up for livestock tax deferrals

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News February 6, 2018

Livestock producers in several more parched municipalities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia will be able to defer income from sales of animals on their 2017 tax returns. The federal government on Tuesday announced its final list of designated regions for 2017, including 20 more municipalities in Saskatchewan and seven in British Columbia. The initial list, […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Hog futures hit contract highs on shock herd decline

Alberta Crop Report: Harvest more than three-quarters finished

NFU says proposed plant breeders’ rights come at farmers’ expense

GFM Network News