Canadian breeding programs have developed sainfoin varieties such as AAC Mountainview and AAC Glenview.

Pastures, hayland get a leg up with legumes

Climate program funds allow Canadian-bred non-bloating legumes such as sainfoin to gain ground

A former Alberta provincial forage and livestock business specialist, now working with seed supplier Union Forage, Grant Lastiwka has studied forages in grazing systems for a long time. Over that time, he’s found certain legumes can bring net benefits to pastures and forage stands — significant enough to outweigh the potential drawbacks. Eleven years ago, […] Read more

Making a wish list of bulls for next breeding season

There are always several late fall projects to complete before the ground freezes

October 20 Last week we moved the cows to the lower back field to join the heifers They can all graze there a few weeks. We checked the temporary fence around the deep gully — to make sure it was still secure enough to keep cows out of that gully. It’s so deep and narrow […] 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.

Gentle hay handling does make a difference

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

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

(JPNM/iStock/Getty Images)

Saskatchewan to top up some claims for wildlife-damaged forage

Affected producers in southwestern, west-central areas eligible

Producers in southwestern and west-central Saskatchewan who lost stacked forage to wildlife feeding last winter may see a bump up in their compensation. The Saskatchewan and federal governments on Wednesday announced a “supplemental freight adjustment” to their wildlife damage compensation program, administered by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC). SCIC, the province said, has “reassessed and […] Read more


A typical brome grass field of the many I drive by on the way to Dundurn Farm. In wet years, there are many bales and in dry years only a few bales. The rain or soil moisture is always needed but if fertility is missing, wet years become ordinary years not high-yield years.

Les Henry: New wrinkles when fertilizing grass crops for hay and pasture

One quarter section of fertilized grass could give the same yield as five quarters of “cut what is there”

There are many old grass stands that are mainly brome grass and serve as hayfields with occasional grazing. Many hayfields have never seen a kernel of fertilizer. Perhaps this piece will start folks thinking and will lead to a change in practice. There are many old reports that deal with the topic. The two main […] Read more

Smoke rises from a wildfire near Wildwood, Alta., about 100 km west of Edmonton, on May 5, 2023. (Photo: Alberta Wildfire/Handout via Reuters)

Alberta ‘crossing fingers’ for rain amid wildfires

CN mainline traffic west of Edmonton suspended

Reuters — Firefighters were counting on rain and cooler weather forecast for Monday to help them quell a dramatic start to Alberta’s wildfire season. The province declared a state of emergency on Saturday in response to wildfires in northern and central regions that have displaced nearly 30,000 people and prompted energy producers to shut in […] Read more


The L134R can produce bales up to 30 per cent denser due to increased plunger force, higher tension and longer bale chamber.

New large square baler from John Deere

The L341R high-density baler increases bale weights by up to 30 per cent

John Deere had several new machine announcements to make in January. One of them was the introduction of the new L341R high-density large square baler. This new baler creates high-density bales that are three feet by four feet. When it comes to straw bales, Deere claims farmers can expect bale weight increases of up to […] Read more

John Deere is offering three new 9000 series forage harvesters, which use the brand’s new JD18X diesel engine.

New forage harvesters from John Deere

New 18-litre engine powers 9000 series models

Self-propelled, high-capacity forage harvesters require some serious power under their hoods. In the past, John Deere’s limited range of in-house diesel engines meant the green brand had to turn to engine manufacturers like Cummins to get enough muscle for their largest models. And while their top-end 9800 and 9900 models, which deliver 855 and 956 […] Read more


Different materials can be used to
cover hay, but properly secured
black plastic works well particularly
because snow slides off easily.

Tips for protecting hay quality over winter

Research shows single bale rows are better than a pyramid stack

Several methods can help preserve feed quality and reduce moisture damage in your winter hay supply. Warren Rusche, feedlot and beef management specialist with South Dakota State University, says the ideal way to store hay is under cover in a shed, but this works best for square bales. It’s usually not practical for round bales […] Read more

File photo of a sunrise over an Alberta barley crop. (MNphotography/iStock/Getty Images)

Alberta issues final crop report for year

Harvest over 98 per cent done by region and crop type

MarketsFarm –– For the second year in a row the Alberta harvest wrapped up well ahead of the five-year average. With a gain of three points for the week ended Tuesday, Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development (AFRED) pegged the combining of major crops at 99.2 per cent complete. That’s 22 and a half […] Read more