All Resources

Silage varieties for Alberta

Description

Cattle producers grow ever increasing amounts of annual crops for feed (silage, green feed and swath grazing). Measuring those crop varieties that produce the highest forage yield becomes... More ≫

Description

Cattle producers grow ever increasing amounts of annual crops for feed (silage, green feed and swath grazing). Measuring those crop varieties that produce the highest forage yield becomes increasingly important. Silage is an integral forage source in feedlots across the province and has become more prevalent in cow herds as well. With many producers trying to lower production costs, swath grazing of cow herds has increased dramatically in the last few years. It could also be argued that there is more grain forage than cereal grain fed to take a market animal from conception to plate.

Tags

Irrigation scheduling for alfalfa hay in southern Alberta

Description

Irrigation management is about controlling the rate, amount, and timing of applied irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. With good irrigation management, an alfalfa hay crop can have... More ≫

Description

Irrigation management is about controlling the rate, amount, and timing of applied irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. With good irrigation management, an alfalfa hay crop can have high yield and quality potential.

Tags

Irrigation scheduling for timothy hay in southern Alberta

Description

Irrigation management is about controlling the rate, amount, and timing of applied irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. With good irrigation management, a timothy hay crop can have... More ≫

Description

Irrigation management is about controlling the rate, amount, and timing of applied irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. With good irrigation management, a timothy hay crop can have high yield and quality potential.

Tags

Fertilizer and nutrient management of timothy hay

Description

Timothy has a relatively high demand for nutrients. Under excellent moisture conditions or irrigation and when supplied with the optimum nutrients, timothy is capable of producing yields in the... More ≫

Description

Timothy has a relatively high demand for nutrients. Under excellent moisture conditions or irrigation and when supplied with the optimum nutrients, timothy is capable of producing yields in the range of 5 to 6 tons/ acre, typically 3 to 3.5 tons for first cut and 1.5 to 2 tons for second. With reasonable precipitation, non-irrigated timothy will produce 2 to 4 tons/acre annually.

Tags

Perennial forages for saline seeps

Description

Planting perennial forages into saline seep areas is one of several recommended practices for salinity control. Forages differ in their salinity and flood tolerance, with several appropriate... More ≫

Description

Planting perennial forages into saline seep areas is one of several recommended practices for salinity control. Forages differ in their salinity and flood tolerance, with several appropriate species available depending on the specific farm situation. This fact sheet discusses how to choose which salt tolerant forage or forage mixes to grow in saline seeps, which will depend on the desired land use for the affected area.

Tags

Fertilizing grass for hay and pasture

Description

An important part of efficient livestock production is ensuring there is sufficient grass for both hay and pasture. However, low soil nutrient levels often limit forage production. With good soil... More ≫

Description

An important part of efficient livestock production is ensuring there is sufficient grass for both hay and pasture. However, low soil nutrient levels often limit forage production. With good soil fertility and fertilizer management, the productivity of many hay and pasture fields can be greatly improved.

Tags

Soil and nutrient management of alfalfa

Description

Ensuring adequate soil fertility levels and effectively managing nutrients are two keys to growing alfalfa successfully in Alberta. Alfalfa can produce from 2 to 7 tons of dry matter per acre... More ≫

Description

Ensuring adequate soil fertility levels and effectively managing nutrients are two keys to growing alfalfa successfully in Alberta. Alfalfa can produce from 2 to 7 tons of dry matter per acre depending on water and nutrients levels. Climate, soil type and management will also affect alfalfa’s potential yield. Alfalfa has a high demand for nutrients compared to other crops. Table 1 gives the approximate amount of each nutrient removed per ton of dry matter alfalfa. Alfalfa also requires 4 to 5 inches of water for each ton of dry matter produced.

Tags

Perennial forage establishment in Alberta

Description

The first step to a productive perennial forage stand is strong seedling establishment. Before the seeding equipment enters the field, several factors must be considered.

Tags

Tall fescue seed production in western Canada

Description

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is used for forage and turf purposes around the world. Native to central Europe, the plant was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s and into Canada in... More ≫

Description

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is used for forage and turf purposes around the world. Native to central Europe, the plant was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s and into Canada in the early 1920s from England. Before the early 1980s, tall fescue varieties were developed mainly for forage production, but since that time, more turf-type varieties have been developed for recreational uses.

Tags

Timothy seed production in Western Canada

Description

Timothy seed is used primarily in mixes for hay, pasture or silage. It is also used in solid stands for the hay compaction industry. Most seed produced in Western Canada is used in North America;... More ≫

Description

Timothy seed is used primarily in mixes for hay, pasture or silage. It is also used in solid stands for the hay compaction industry. Most seed produced in Western Canada is used in North America; however, some proprietary varieties are grown under contract and shipped overseas, mainly to Europe.

Tags