hay Archives - Page 2 of 11

Beef cows need to have a good body condition score going into the winter.

Early-gestating beef cows need good nutrition

Better Bunks and Pastures: Two-stage use of minerals over the fall and winter can help cows maintain body condition at a better cost

By Peter Vitti December 31, 2024

Late autumn is when many spring calves are weaned and removed from their moms. The remaining cow herd is now in its earliest weeks of gestation and requires a modest level of nutrition. It is an opportunity to feed some of the most cost-effective forage diets. But as time goes on, beef cows’ nutrient requirements […] Read more

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

Features, Forages

Pastures, hayland get a leg up with legumes

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

By Heather Smith Thomas March 22, 2024

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

Cattleman’s Corner, Columns, Rancher’s Diary

Making a wish list of bulls for next breeding season

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

By Heather Smith Thomas December 19, 2023

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.

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

Crops, Forages, Weather

Saskatchewan to top up some claims for wildlife-damaged forage

Affected producers in southwestern, west-central areas eligible

By Dave Bedard, GFM Network News May 18, 2023

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.

Columns, Crops, Hay, Pasture

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”

By Les Henry May 10, 2023

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)

Livestock, Reuters, Weather

Alberta ‘crossing fingers’ for rain amid wildfires

CN mainline traffic west of Edmonton suspended

By Rod Nickel, GFM Network News May 9, 2023

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.

Equipment, Machinery

New large square baler from John Deere

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

By Scott Garvey March 8, 2023

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

Equipment, Machinery

New forage harvesters from John Deere

New 18-litre engine powers 9000 series models

By Scott Garvey February 7, 2023

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.

Cattleman’s Corner, Hay

Tips for protecting hay quality over winter

Research shows single bale rows are better than a pyramid stack

By Heather Smith Thomas October 25, 2022

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

GFM Network News

Huge crops in South America says analyst

U.S. livestock: ‘Cattle on feed’ report supports prices

U.S. grains: Wheat trades near contract lows under ample global supply

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