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Tag Archives grazing

Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Sweeter forage grasses may benefit milk production

Different classes of livestock can make better use of forage mix

By
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
File: Grazing land.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

A two-step (plus) grazing plan

Use the grass, but don’t abuse it — allow for recovery time

By
Often I see people’s eyes glaze over and a sense of disconnect when talking about grazing plans — surely after caring for cattle all winter, we can just turn them out in the spring and go round them up in the fall. Like most of agriculture now, the pressure for returns on a land base […] 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
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
It takes more than water and sunshine to grow grass — you need to
also plan for it.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Where does grass come from?

Aside from the obvious answer, it is important to have a grazing plan

By
We do some apparently strange things on our operation. We are short on cropland and long on native rangeland in our resource mix, so we run smaller cows and calve later than many of our neighbours. We also try to extend our grazing season, particularly the grass component, for as long as is humanly or […] Read more
New crops equal new feeding practices
Crops, Features

New crops equal new feeding practices

Adding corn to rotations is changing livestock 
feeding practices in Western Canada

By
As corn moves into Western Canada, so does the opportunity for livestock producers to diversify and improve the diet of their animals. Beef and dairy producers in the west have embraced corn as part of their animals’ ration and are increasing corn acres rapidly. Traditionally, beef cattle in the west have been fed with one […] Read more
(GullLakeSK.ca)
Forages, Livestock, Pasture, Weather

Wildfire-damaged grazing areas up for Saskatchewan aid

By ,
Saskatchewan’s provincial disaster assistance program (PDAP) will be opened up to cover southwestern grazing areas damaged by this fall’s wildfires. The province’s government relations minister, Larry Doke, on Wednesday announced producers who incurred wildfire damage on “tame and native lands” intended for grazing may now apply for assistance to get feed for affected livestock. Winds […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Crops, Hay, Weather

Hay shortage could make for difficult winter

By
CNS Canada — Many cattle producers looking for local feed this winter might have a difficult time, according to a Saskatchewan provincial forage specialist. However, producers further north in the grey and black soil zones, and those in Alberta producing high-quality feed for export, saw near-record hay production. Terry Kowalchuk of Saskatchewan Agriculture in Regina […] Read more
This grass cage with rain gauge is on a multi-species pasture with 
three species of legumes and three grass species.
Cattleman’s Corner, Forages, Livestock

Multi-benefits of multi-species pastures

Collecting plenty of solar rays above ground benefits soil health below ground

By
I am a big fan of diversity in both perennial and annual grazing situations. In some ways multiple species are more difficult to manage than less-diverse plant communities. In a multi-species scenario every action and in particular its timing will favour one species over another and shift the balance of power in the pasture. The […] Read more
(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)
Beef Cattle, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Saskatchewan offers provincial pasture leases to patron groups

By ,
Cattle producers using provincial pastures heading into the final three years of the Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP) will get the first chance at leasing them. The province announced in March it would wind down the SPP, kicking off a public consultation process. Based on those consultations, the province confirmed Thursday it will grant the 50 […] Read more
Ian Mitchell-Innes, centre, talks to Manitoba producers about how to use selective grazing to improve 
soil health and productivity during a three-day workshop in Manitoba last year.
Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

The profit potential of selective grazing

High stocking density, short-duration grazing helps put carbon back into the soil

By
No matter where he speaks in the world, Ian Mitchell-Innes carries a message to beef producers about achieving optimal animal performance, reducing costs, and ultimately becoming more profitable. Animals instinctively know where they can get the highest level of energy — from the top third of the plant, Mitchell-Innes, a South African rancher, told producers […] Read more

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