forages Archives - Page 2 of 7

Drought has meant more demand for forage insurance, but accuracy of measurement based on local conditions is challenging.

Satellite-based insurance may be future of forage risk management

Analysis from above could be an accurate, timely way to measure forage growth

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan March 4, 2024

Glacier FarmMedia — Satellite-based insurance technology could be a way to protect beef producers during times of drought. There’s more interest in forage insurance during recent droughty times on the Prairies, but evaluating local forage risk is challenging. “Weather events are becoming more acute in severity and frequency, you know the drought of 2023, 2021,” […] Read more

Graeme Finn’s cattle on a high-legume pasture at breeding time.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Six areas you should watch to maintain your cows’ fertility

High-quality forage and the right mineral package at the right time can set cows up for success

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan January 25, 2024

As a rancher and a senior forage specialist with Union Forage, Graeme Finn has spent much of his time looking into how feeding cattle affects their fertility. He says it was something drilled into him as a child in Australia. “My grandmother always said, ‘Feed the cattle good at breeding time,’ because that’s when you […] Read more

These barley plants show signs of the damage potassium deficiency can cause.

Crops, Features

Are your fields potassium deficient?

Cases of potassium-deficient soils are on the rise. It could mean a hit to your bottom line

By Jim Timlick December 7, 2023

Most farmers know the importance of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil and the vital role their presence plays in crop development. But what about potassium? Potassium (K) is critically important in helping provide water balance within a plant. The only way a plant can move sugar and nutrients is by moving […] Read more

Dr. Dan Undersander, middle, is the 2023 winner of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Leadership Award. He is joined by Cedric MacLeod, executive director of CFGA, left and Eric Boot, right, chair, international exporters of CFGA.
Photo: Catherine Brown

Crops, Forages

Forage association presents 2023 Leadership Award

By GFM Network News November 30, 2023

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) presented its Leadership Award at its 14th Annual Conference on Nov. 29, in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, to Dr. Dan Undersander of Wisconsin – the first non-Canadian to win this award. As well as being the keynote speaker at the conference, Undersander has worked as a forage […] Read more

A new model of the trailer-style Hustler bale processor on display at the 2023 Ag In Motion Show. The processor comes in various sizes from single bale up to six and eight bale capacity. The single bale processor can attach to the tractor with a patented snap-lock system as well as trailer style.

Cattleman’s Corner, Equipment, Hay

Gentle hay handling does make a difference

Feed, and feed value, can be lost with flail-type bale shredders

By Lee Hart November 28, 2023

Jonathan Karsin figures a Hustler bale unroller has easily paid for itself by more efficient use of hay. Karsin is one of the principals of Karsin Farms Simmentals at Newton, about 20 km southeast of Portage la Prairie, Man. He says they have been able to save at least one large round bale per head […] Read more

Winter feeding bison on top of a patch of foxtail barley has been an effective way for Jacques Saquet to control the weed.

Cattleman’s Corner

Applying management to pasture weed control

Maintaining a healthy forage stand is best defence against weeds

By Lee Hart September 28, 2023

Peter Tokar and Jacques Saquet are two Manitoba livestock producers who have applied changes in management practices to help control some particularly difficult pasture weed infestations. Tokar, who owns a mixed farm — primarily a beef cow-calf operation — near Swan River in west-central Manitoba, deals with patches of burdock on his pastures. Saquet, who […] Read more

Cattle are often susceptible to frothy bloat when grazing lush alfalfa pastures. It is best to ease them into high-risk pastures and even provide some dry hay or straw.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Preventing frothy bloat on early spring pasture

A couple of treatments are available, but management practices can avoid the problem

By Peter Vitti June 9, 2023

As a beef nutritionist, I haven’t heard about many fatal cow bloat cases over the last 10 years, but of the few I’m aware of, it seems it takes only a few things to come together to make bloat deadly. From talking to experienced beef producers, I am also aware that the risk of annual […] Read more

The first profit driver for many operations is to increase yields of biodiverse forages.

Cattleman’s Corner

Looking at key ranch profit drivers

Beef production is a bit more involved than having cattle eat grass, but putting efforts into management produces the best return

By Sean McGrath June 3, 2023

I often think that the ranching business is very simple until you get humans involved. At the most basic level, sun and rain grow forage, cows consume forage and reproduce and ranchers sell the offspring. Pretty simple, until it’s not. Fundamentally, this simple picture does provide some insight into what drives profit on most cow-calf […] Read more

Even without increasing the cow herd size, enhanced grazing management can pay dividends by extending the grazing season.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock, Pasture

The importance of giving grass a vacation

A properly managed rest period should lead to increased forage production

By Sean McGrath March 8, 2023

Often the largest category of costs in a cattle operation is what economists consider fixed costs. These are usually big things such as tractors or land. In most cases, land is the largest cost item in a farm operation. On the other side of this equation are what we refer to as variable costs. These […] Read more

Plan a year or two ahead of planting a perennial forage blend.

Forages, Wheat & Chaff

Picking a perennial forage blend

Q & A with an expert

By Dexter Lethbridge February 9, 2023

Q: How do I choose the right perennial forage blend for my farm? A: Growers should consider several factors when doing this. The first step is to start planning a year or two ahead of planting a perennial forage blend. Part of that planning is making sure weed control is taken care of for both […] Read more

GFM Network News

U.S. grains: Soybeans mixed on doubts over Chinese demand

Tyson Foods to close U.S. beef plant as cattle supplies dwindle

U.S. livestock: Cattle futures dip as Brazilian beef tariffs lifted

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