All Resources

Agronomic management of stockpiled pastures

Description

Stockpiling pasture is a form of deferred grazing. The producer stockpiles the forage grown during the spring and summer for use when the pasture is in short supply or when cows need fall or... More ≫

Description

Stockpiling pasture is a form of deferred grazing. The producer stockpiles the forage grown during the spring and summer for use when the pasture is in short supply or when cows need fall or winter feed. This practice can mean savings for the producer: harvesting, hauling and feeding costs associated with conserved feed are eliminated; and manure does not need to be removed from feeding areas. Winter grazing on native range is common on the southern prairies. Depth of snow cover frequently limits winter grazing of standing forage in the Parkland and Boreal forest regions. However, the grazing season may be extended by several weeks by using stockpiled forage in late fall and early spring.

Tags

Agronomic management of swath grazed pastures

Description

Feed, feeding, cow management and manure disposal can account for up to two-thirds of the total cost of production in a cow-calf operation. Systems that can extend the grazing season and reduce... More ≫

Description

Feed, feeding, cow management and manure disposal can account for up to two-thirds of the total cost of production in a cow-calf operation. Systems that can extend the grazing season and reduce these costs are of great interest to cow-calf producers. One of these systems is swath grazing.

Tags

Effect of bale processing on particle size and potential feeding losses in hay or bale silage

Description

Round bale processors are commonly used for feeding beef cattle over winter. Feeds with a higher proportion of fines after processing may be more susceptible to higher dry matter and nutrient... More ≫

Description

Round bale processors are commonly used for feeding beef cattle over winter. Feeds with a higher proportion of fines after processing may be more susceptible to higher dry matter and nutrient losses due to trampling. This factor raises the question: what is the effect of processing on particle size distribution in the windrow and potential feeding losses? To answer this question, a study was designed by Alberta Agriculture and Food and Agriculture Technology Center specialists to measure the effect of bale processing on particle size distribution in the windrow. Both dry hay and silage round bales were evaluated, and the findings indicate that bale processing will affect the feed.

Tags

Managing cattle feed contaminated with mycotoxins

Description

Mycotoxins are the metabolic by-products of fungi. They can cause serious health problems in cattle and other animals, including reduced weight gain, capillary fragility, reduced fertility,... More ≫

Description

Mycotoxins are the metabolic by-products of fungi. They can cause serious health problems in cattle and other animals, including reduced weight gain, capillary fragility, reduced fertility, suppressed disease resistance and even death. Mycotoxins can interfere with many of the digestive enzymes, causing impaired growth and muscle formation, as well as damaging reproductive hormones resulting in impaired fertility and decreased milk production.

Tags