The DumpDek serves as an intermediate stage between the forage trucks and the silo. It allows the driver to dump a load immediately upon arrival at the silo.

DumpDek force feeds forage blower’s blast

The machine helps those using upright silos move forage faster with dump wagons

Glacier FarmMedia – Keeping expensive equipment running during peak season is vital in all types of farming operations, including hay harvest. A forage hauler sitting waiting for something to happen is not good. In a typical forage harvest, the forage-collecting tandem trucks and trailers are sometimes seen waiting to dump their load so it can […] Read more

Yield shouldn’t be the only determinant of corn silage hybrid purchase.

Putting value on the effect of undigestible forage fibre

Using highly digestible fibre corn hybrids usually makes financial sense, says researcher

Dairy farmers who put digestibility at the top of their corn hybrid decision-making process should see more profit over those who look solely at yield. Mike Miller, a researcher at the W.H. Miner Institute in New York, says that a multi-year study that looked at the economics of emphasizing digestibility in hybrid decisions, shows that […] Read more

The RB565 baler from Case IH is capable of forming both silage and dry hay or straw bales.

Case IH baler capable of silage, dry hay operation

New model designed to be an “all purpose” baler for producers

Glacier FarmMedia – The new RB565 Premium HD round baler is designed for the “ultimate crop flexibility,” says Case IH, which means it’s capable of being used to put up wet silage bales as well as dry hay and straw. “The RB565 Premium HD round baler is equipped with components to efficiently handle wet hay […] Read more

Red clover is one option to plant for forage, but its challenge is volume and drydown time.

Finding alternative forage options to alfalfa

High alfalfa winterkill levels this spring led growers to consider other species to get enough feed

High winterkill in forage this spring meant farmers looked for other species to provide feed for livestock. OMAFRA forage and grazing specialist Christine O’Reilly and University of Guelph forage research technician Donna Hancock took the opportunity to review some different forage options at the FarmSmart Expo at the Elora Research Station in July. Why it […] Read more

Be on alert for nitrate levels in silages

Ontario Field Crop Report for the week of July 29

Nitrates in silage Fast-growing crops can accumulate nitrates under dry weather conditions. This is most common in corn, but sorghums, sudangrass, millets, cereals, and Italian ryegrass can all accumulate high levels of nitrates and potentially cause nitrate poisoning in livestock. Why are high nitrate levels a problem? Nitrates (NO3-N) are converted to nitrites (NO2-N) in […] Read more


Editorial: In praise of hay

The Ontario Forage Expo is one of my favourite farm events of the year. It’s outside, in the heat of the summer, it’s usually well attended and there’s lots of equipment to look at. Haybines, rakes, tedders, balers of all sorts and forage equipment are all working in the field at this event, which means […] Read more

Wheat in southeastern Saskatchewan on May 31, 2019. (Leeann Minogue photo)

Saskatchewan extends greenfeed seeding deadline

Saskatchewan farmers who still want to put in cereal crops for greenfeed with crop insurance coverage will get an extra couple of weeks to do so. Saskatchewan Crop Insurance on Wednesday announced an extension on the June 30 deadline for seeding crops for greenfeed, to July 15. Producers who have crop insurance will now be […] Read more

The RB Series balers have more European-type styling.

Silage baler a first for Massey Ferguson

The baler is especially made to handle the tougher conditions of silage bales

Massey Ferguson has announced its new RB Series Silage Baler, the company’s first ever silage-specific baler. AGCO and Massey Ferguson have designed the new RB Series Balers with a modern look, similar to European style balers with the rounded profile rather than a traditional square design. Another notable design feature that you’ll notice upfront is […] Read more


This bale handler helps the Steele family manage a large number of sheep on multiple properties, mostly outdoors.

Made at home inventions can be best — and cheapest

The Steele family manages 2,000 ewes on multiple properties near Norwood, Ont., and it has had to find innovative ways to feed them. The farm uses 850 acres on 15 properties in the area. That means moving feed and animals around. Five greenhouse shelters are on the farm, most dating back 20 years, but they […] Read more