2009
Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs
Ten Keys to a Profitable Forage Program
2008
A New Twist on Cropping - Living Legume Mulches
Fertilizer Prices Affect the Value of Hay and Straw - Sept 2008
California Passes Bill to Protect Farmers From Lawsuits - Sept 2008
BC Forage Council Supports Roundup Ready Alfalfa Position Statement - Sept 2008
Roundup Ready Alfalfa - Federal Court Upholds Ban on Genetically Engineered Alfalfa - Sept 2008
Roundup Ready Alfalfa - CFIA Allows Testing in Canada
Grass and Legume Seed Market Update - May 2008
Prices for some grass and legume seed species have moved up a bit, in anticipation of lower production this upcoming year. A reduction in seed acres, not only in the Peace region but also in western Canada and throughout the world, is keeping the trade wondering how much production is in store for this year. The worldwide phenomenon of increasing cereal and oilseed production will affect the grass and legumes seed for the next few years.
2008 Interim Wildlife Damage Compesation Program
The 2008 Interim Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (IWDCP) will compensate qualifying cattle and forage producers whose unharvested forage crop intended for livestock feed has been damaged by wildlife.
Pacific Coast Native Seed Development – Spring 2008
In 2003, 2004 and 2005 seed of the most successful species was transferred to Pickseed Canada Inc., so that they could begin field-scale, commercial seed production if they chose to do so. Commercial seed production began in August, 2007. Seedling emergence was variable in the fall of 2007 for six of these species, which were seeded to small field-scale production. Some were very successful, while others required interseeding to fill out the fields. This 2007 emergence should result in seed production this summer, so there will be native BC coast grass seed on the market by the winter of 2008/09, and BC coast reclamation can take a major step forward to true “ecological restoration” in the near future
2007
Pacific Coast Native Grass Development Update, SPRING 2007
In 2003, 2004 and 2005 seed of the most successful species was transferred to established seed merchants, and they began large-scale multiplication of these seeds, so that they could then enter field-scale, commercial seed production. This multiplication was successful; and commercial seed production will commence shortly in 2007 for six of these species. If this is successful, there will be native BC coast grass seed on the market by the late summer/fall of 2008, and BC coast reclamation can take a major step forward to true “ecological restoration” in the near future. As yet, the precise species to be seeded to field-scale production have not been determined, but the choice is from eleven selections.
2006
Grazing Annual Forages
When it comes to winter annuals used for grazing, the most popular crops are fall rye, winter wheat and winter triticale. The more common annuals are oats and barley. There are also instances when heels of seed left over from seeding are mixed and seeded for grazing. In this case almost anything can make it into the mix for grazing, wheat, peas, canola, etc.
Development of Native Grass Seed for the West Coast of British Columbia
Sound ecological restoration includes the use of native species. However, on the west coast of British Columbia, native seed for large-scale reclamation purposes has neither been available in sufficient quantity, nor at a reasonable price. Thus, in 1996 a ten-year applied research program was initiated with the following goals: (1) to determine which west coast native grasses could be utilized in revegetation; and (2) to establish which native grasses produce sufficient seed for commercial seed production and sale at a reasonable price
That's Not Dirt - it's Soil
A list of interesting soil facts ...
Relay Cropping Produces Top Forage; Benefits Environment
Italian rye grass inter-seeded with corn in the spring is helping B.C. Lower Mainland farmers use surplus soil nitrogen and at the same time produce an excellent forage for livestock, says a Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Researcher at Agassiz. Relay cropping further benefits the environment by significantly reducing the amount of nitrogen lost through leaching and to the atmosphere. The research project, co-ordinated through the Pacific Field Corn Association, is supported in part with funds from the federal Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program for Canadian Agriculture (GHGMP).
2005
The Effect of Winter Cattle Feeding Systems on Soil Nutrients, Forage Growth, Animal Performance, and Economics
Beef cattle producers in Western Canada compete at an economic disadvantage relative to other regions in North America due to high winter feeding costs. Our ability to compete with these regions may relate to how effectively we can reduce these costs by managing manure nutrients, machinery use and fuel/fertilizer consumption more efficiently yet still maintain acceptable levels of beef cattle production. Producers have been responding to these issues by moving from traditional wintering systems in which the cattle are kept in pens and the manure is hauled out to those in which the cattle are fed in the field and the nutrients stay in place.
Cutting and Grazing Management of Orchardgrass
Cutting and grazing management greatly influences forage quality, productivity, and persistence. Quality is most affected by maturity stage at harvest. To obtain high-quality preserved forage (hay or silage), harvest orchardgrass at early boot stage. Delaying harvest until head emergence or early bloom increases yield but reduces quality and regrowth.
Manure Powers Forage Crop Benefits
When it comes to hay and pastureland productivity, Paul Cowger and Brian Clarke have seen the power of manure. The B.C. Peace River Region farmers both describe a dramatic difference in forage stands on their respective farms after manure application. The producers from the Fort St. John area participated in a multi-agency funded forage and nutrient management project. Part of that funding came from the federally funded Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program (GHGMP).
Calibrating Sprayer Saves Money and the Environment
Statistics Canada figures show only about 50% of Canadian producers calibrate sprayers at the beginning of the season, and fewer do it between application of different pesticides. At the same time, calculations also show calibrating a sprayer can save producers hundreds of dollars in crop input costs.
Alfalfa Economics to be Assessed in 2005 Grazing Demonstrations
Perennial legume crops such as alfalfa, clovers and others have long been regarded as productive and environmentally sound forages with great potential for livestock production provided the risky bloat-issue could be managed. Availability of an effective bloat control product opens a wide range of opportunities for Canadian beef producers who have either limited or avoided the use of forage legumes due to the high risk of animal losses from bloat.
Pasture Management
Mixes are more common in pasture seedings, and are often more complex, with many species being included on the theory that given the variable conditions that often occur in pastures (e.g. wet areas, hilltops, etc.) the species most adapted to a particular part of the pasture will eventually dominate. Unfortunately, what usually happens is a great many species will try to grow initially, usually at the expense of the most productive species. The primary recommendation for pasture mixes is to keep it simple, with no more than 2 to 4 species in the mix.
2004
Advanced Silage Corn Management Book
A production guide for coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
Expert Committee on Forage Crops
National meeting of forage specialists held February 4 & 5, 2004 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2003
New Forage Cultivars Tailored for BC Production
This article discusses three traditional forages: alfalfa, cicer milkvetch and orchardgrass; and two non-traditional forages: perennial cereal rye and fenugreek.
When Bugs Come to Dinner
All organisms have inbuilt natural defenses to combat attack by other organisms. Plants, being immobile, have evolved complex mechanisms to counteract diseases and pests. This article discusses what is disease and why it really attacks a plant, what conditions make a plant more prone to attack and what we as growers can do to minimize the onslaught.
2001
Check Your Orchardgrass Fields For Virus Now
Over the past few weeks we have received several reports of cocksfoot mottle virus (CMV) appearing in orchardgrass fields in the Fraser Valley. This disease is not new to the region, but more people are beginning to notice it. Late March to early April is the best time to detect this disease in your fields.
Soil Aeration on Grassland Receiving Slurry Application: Pros and Cons for Water Quality
Will aeration of a sloping soil with a permanent grass cover, prior to applying manure, reduce the nutrient and sediment load in runoff ?
