Staff at the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) have good-naturedly described the research plot on Mike Groot’s Crediton-area farm as “crazy strips.” Groot is hoping the soil quality data it gathers will eventually show that including pasture in a cash crop rotation isn’t crazy at all. He has an ally in Christine O’Reilly, […] Read more
Tag Archives grazing
Test plot measures effects of grazing in crop rotation
Groot family’s Wholesome Pastures is part of Living Labs study
Pasture knowledge refined to reflect Ontario’s climate
University of Guelph, OMAFRA research uses rising plate meters to accurately measure pasture yield
A team of researchers aims to fine-tune recommendations for rotational grazing in Ontario and a key piece of that research is a tool called a rising plate meter. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) forage and grazing specialist Christine O’Reilly outlined use of the rising plate meter during a plot tour Sept. […] Read more
Could rotational grazing go virtual?
Wireless fencing technology that keeps dogs near home could also work for cattle
Glacier FarmMedia – A University of Alberta researcher wants to determine if virtual fences can work when moving cattle within a pasture. She says beef producers are only limited by their imaginations when it comes to the potential benefits of technology that uses virtual rather than physical fences. Why it matters: Virtual fencing could help […] Read more
Nuffield scholar explores high-stocking-rate rotational grazing
Manitoba farmer touts benefits in soil-building and land preservation
A transition toward high stocking rates on pastures followed by longer recovery periods has spurred profitability on a Manitoba beef farm, attendees at the recent Profitable Pastures online conference learned. Day three of the conference, hosted by the Ontario Forage Council, featured 2019 Nuffield Scholarship participant and Brandon-area farmer Ryan Boyd. Through the program, Boyd […] Read more
Long-term study shows benefits of planned rotational grazing
Planned grazing can reduce feed costs and eliminate need for fertilizer
Six years of comparison data between planned rotational grazing versus conventional grazing has produced sufficient evidence for Manitoba researchers to abandon the conventional approach in 2022. Instead, they plan to introduce a modified rotational approach on a research farm that has been conventional acreage. This should allow the cattle to help rejuvenate what is now […] Read more
Feed weekly outlook: Heat reducing potential yields, raising prices
MarketsFarm — The hot and dry summer that has enveloped all of Western Canada is already bringing down projected yields for feed grains, creating an inverse effect on prices. “We’re losing the crop here right now with the heat and lack of moisture across the Prairies and the northern Plains of the United States,” said […] Read more
Saskatchewan raises salvage threshold for parched crops
Stock watering program also boosted; APAS, Tories' ag critic had called for more drought aid
Saskatchewan’s provincial crop insurance agency is raising the yield threshold at which drought-damaged crops can be grazed, baled for greenfeed or cut for silage with no penalty on future coverage. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. said Wednesday it would double the “low yield appraisal” threshold values on cereal or pulse crop acres put to feed. SCIC […] Read more
Grass management is important for successful pastures
Timing of livestock introduction play important role in limiting overgrazing
Getting the most nutrition from a dynamic rotational grazing system involves understanding and maintaining healthy and productive grasses. Why it matters: Rotational grazing can be an economical use of land and forages for some livestock farmers. Above ground, forage species are ready to be grazed when they reach three or four leaves, but below ground […] Read more
Manitoba forage, grassland growers burned by drought
MarketsFarm — An ongoing lack of precipitation, which is showing no signs of letting up in the coming months according to weather forecasts, is already causing problems for Manitoba’s forage and grasslands. Growers in the province have had to deal with three straight years with lower-than-normal precipitation. In 2019, multiple rural municipalities in Manitoba’s Parkland […] Read more
Let nature direct ecosystem health
Researcher says agriculture needs to learn from how water, soil function in nature
I have learned more from observing Nature than by trying to change it,” said Dwayne Beck. Beck, the research manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) in Pierre, South Dakota, spoke at the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association conference. Why it matters: Learning how to manage for better soil health is critical for future generations […] Read more
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