The microbiomes of animals, on and in crops, and in soil and water are incredibly complex that are intricately interconnected, with each influencing the others in various ways. Dr. Tim McAllister, principal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has spent nearly a decade studying microbiomes, referring to them as the one health microbiome or… Read More
Category: Forage
It can be a challenge to talk about ranching in Canada without also talking about winter. For half the year, in most parts of the country, there is little that grows. That means that livestock feed needs to be grown within a very short timeframe, and the animals consuming it are fed for a lot… Read More
Over the decades, attitudes, thoughts and ideas within the forage and grazing community have shifted; however, the passion that ranchers have for the land and their lifelong commitment to learning have not. While at the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (WCCSHG) at Edmonton, Alta., last week, Grant Lastiwka of Renovo Seed spoke… Read More
For the average Canadian, the long, lonely drive along the Trans-Canada Highway across southern Saskatchewan and Alberta is capital B boring. For those not from the Prairies, the seemingly endless, mostly flat landscape can seem underwhelming when you’re used to rolling hills and mountains or cities and towns. But those who take the time to… Read More
It takes years of dedication and whole lot of patience to develop a strong forage variety. For Dr. Bruce Coulman, his journey into plant breeding started when he was working in the Crop Science Department at the University of Saskatchewan back in high school. Coulman’s enjoyment in working the plots sparked a long career, leading… Read More
Customer feedback is the driving force behind a stack of updates farmers will see in New Holland’s 2025 FR Forage Cruiser self-propelled forage harvesters. Key upgrades include cab interior changes to reduce noise, boost space, and ease operation — there’s also CustomSteer, which allows tailored responses for faster turns on headlands. New Holland has added… Read More
With tight margins and a push for improved soil health being the status quo in most cattle operations, producers are working with researchers to find new and innovative ways to improve economical profitability while also improving soil for the next generation of farmers. While corn stalk grazing is becoming more commonplace in the Prairies, producers… Read More
Growers can best maintain fertility in forage fields to produce optimum grass and hay crops with a little help from the 4Rs of nutrient management, says Nutrien Premium Fertilizer Technologies senior agronomist Lyle Cowell. He says that forage success really starts with the 4Rs and applying the right source of nutrients at the right rate, time… Read More
To borrow a phrase, the first step is always the hardest. Taking the first step in planting cover crops or multi-species forage mixes are no exception and requires some careful analysis before deciding on what’s right. Soil type, soil biology, and rainfall for each farm, as well as goals and expectations of cover crops can… Read More
The Prairie Farmer and Rancher Forum eventually agreed — by consensus — on 36 policy recommendations it wants to see put forward. But that doesn’t mean that all the attendees of the forum agreed with each other at the outset. Instead, the forum worked hard to find areas of common interest and support to create… Read More