 Forage and Livestock
eNews
Updates and information from across
the industry
April 24,
2009 - Vol 1, Issue
7 | |
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| Dear Leanne |
 The grass is
starting to green up, the birds are singing and
hopefully all of your dugouts are full! While
most forage and livestock producers welcomed the extra
moisture from the larger than normal
snowfall, it has taken a long time to disappear and
the spring work schedule is now a bit
behind. If you are planning to seed
forage crops this spring, you will find some last minute
advice on successful seeding and establishment in this
issue of the Forage and Livestock eNews as
well as information about some upcoming events and
information on hybrid alfalfa varieties available in
Saskatchewan. As
always, feel free to share this publication with anyone
you think may be interested, or encourage them to join
our mailing list.
Please contact us if you have comments or questions
about our e-newsletter. Also, let us know if
you have ideas for upcoming issues. We
welcome your
input! | | |
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| Successful Forage Crop Establishment:
A Valuable Resource for Forage Producers
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 Establishing forage crops can certainly
be a challenge. Careful planning and attention to detail
are necessary to ensure your seeding is a
success. Land managers looking for tips and
suggestions on seeding forages will find the fact sheet
Successful Forage Crop Establishment provides
valuable technical information on the seeding and
establishment of these perennial crops. The Saskatchewan
Forage Council was pleased to work with a number of partners
to develop this practical resource tool that is available both
in print and online at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102558671336&s=256&e=001x0oKWu0yMRAuAzWYQm_ZjIkztJds-Spjo4IrxANwjzhiZbx5Xc13gggnqmuzUGL-EqheHfV3ZEgW3AovKduqd36Nri5TVPAd2OWtNFpLDznxKVqGGNsbGA==. Successful
Forage Crop Establishment highlights issues related to
successful forage seeding including species and cultivar
selection, seedbed preparation, weed control, cover crops,
seed quality, seeding rates, seeding equipment and evaluation
of stand establishment. The fact sheet has
received favourable reviews from producers who find the
information practical and user friendly. Anyone planning
on seeding forage crops this spring will find useful tips in
this publication to help make their seeding a
success! Funding for this project was provided by
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Greencover Canada Program.
Project partners included Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation. To order
a print copy of this publication please
contact: Saskatchewan Forage Council Phone (306)
966-2148 or office@saskforage.ca
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| Multi-Species Grazing: Profitable for your
Land, Profitable for You!
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Submitted by: Charlotte Ward - Saskatchewan Ministry
of Agriculture
Producers are invited to a multi-species grazing seminar
in Moose Jaw on June 3-4.
This seminar will
explore the economics and science of diversifying the beef
herd with the addition of sheep.
The keynote
speaker is Dr. Dean Anderson, Research Animal Scientist at the
Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico,
USA.
Sponsored by Saskatchewan Agriculture
and the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, the seminar will
include a variety of speakers who will introduce tools and
resources needed to help producers make sound production and
economic decisions related to multi-species
grazing.
Speakers will address the impact of
multi-species grazing on forage production and pasture
health. Sessions will include market outlooks for sheep
and cattle, multi-species production economics, livestock
behavior, predation behavior and management, and nutrient
considerations for managing multi-species herds.
Participants will also have the opportunity to
tour a multi-species grazing operation.
Cost of
the seminar is $100 per individual or $175 per couple.
Please pre-register by May 26 by phoning the Saskatchewan
Sheep Development Board at (306) 933-5200. A block of
rooms has been set aside at the Heritage Inn in Moose
Jaw. To receive the special rate, book before May 3.
For more
information
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Phone Jessica Podhordeski, Livestock Development Specialist,
Livestock Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Saskatoon, (306)
933-5099;
or
· Phone
Charlotte Ward, Regional Forage Specialist, Regional Services
Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Outlook, (306)
867-5559.
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Spotlight on Our Sponsors:
Selecting the Right Alfalfa -
BrettYoung |
As a frequent feature in
the Forage and Livestock eNews, "Spotlight on
Our Sponsors" will highlight information provided by a
Saskatchewan Forage Council sponsor. The
Saskatchewan Forage Council acknowledges the support of our
sponsors, without whom publications such as this
e-newsletter, would not be possible!
Selecting the right alfalfa variety is an important part
of a grower's decision making process when establishing a new
stand for forage production. It is important to find a
hardy variety that fits your production requirements. Alfalfa
varieties can differ in a few significant characteristics.
BrettYoung offers a number of variety types to
accommodate Western Canadian grower's needs. We have a
group of regional account representatives and dealers who are
very pleased to help you make the right decision.
One of the important developments that we have
embraced in the past few years is the use of hybrid technology
in alfalfa. Dairyland seeds developed the world's first
hybrid alfalfa Hybriforce 400 and it is sold in Canada by
BrettYoung. It provides hybrid vigor for great
establishment results as well as increased yield and regrowth
that is a must for most alfalfa production
situations. Alfalfa varieties rely heavily on a
healthy crown and root structure for regrowth and
productivity. Alfalfa varieties can be characterized as
being tap rooted like Hybriforce 400 for hay and pasture
production and branched rooted types for production under high
water table situations. Sunken crown types are recommended for
pasture production under heavy traffic situations. Creeping
rooted types are for hay and pasture production under moisture
deficient situations. For more information
contact: Rene Mabon, Product Manager BrettYoung 1 800
665 5015 Rene.mabon@brettyoung.ca http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102558671336&s=256&e=001x0oKWu0yMRCPaIE-di_G60mqvVDSZdfj2ua038kZfYfhL19PirxZTeheIzCQXGEmzc6_M47KqHg9wCwfSQ1iUGrrya6qjLjgawZF7NPluWRE4-YTL47ZTQ==
The picture below shows the establishment vigor of a
hybrid alfalfa (right side of picture) relative to a standard
synthetic variety (left side of picture).
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| Register Soon for the
2009 Saskatchewan Pasture School!
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The sixth annual Saskatchewan Pasture School will take
place June 17 and 18, 2009 in Saskatoon.
 This
two-day event provides a forum for grazing managers to gain
practical knowledge and expand their management skills through
seminars, producer panels, hands-on exercises and pasture
tours. Agenda highlights include sessions
on grass growth, grazing management principles, calculating
stocking rates, using profitability calculators and grazing
from a business perspective. Producer Panel discussions
will be conducted on grazing management practices and "tricks
of the trade" for grassing yearlings.
Participating organizations include Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada-PFRA, Ducks Unlimited Canada,
Saskatchewan Forage Council, Saskatchewan Ministry of
Agriculture, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and Western Beef
Development Centre. Attendance at the
School is limited to 50 participants. Demand for
participation in the Saskatchewan Pasture School has been high
in the past. Organizers anticipate a full school this
year, so anyone wanting to attend should register early to
avoid disappointment. Registration
forms and the full agenda are available on the Saskatchewan
Forage Council website http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102558671336&s=256&e=001x0oKWu0yMRAuAzWYQm_ZjIkztJds-Spjo4IrxANwjzhiZbx5Xc13gggnqmuzUGL-EqheHfV3ZEgW3AovKduqd36Nri5TVPAd2OWtNFpLDznxKVqGGNsbGA==. For
more information, contact: Saskatchewan Forage
Council Phone: (306) 966-2148 e-mail: office@saskforage.ca Top
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Leanne Thompson - Editor
Forage and
Livestock eNews
Forage and Livestock eNews is
published by the Saskatchewan Forage Council (SFC).
Opinions
and information are provided by the authors and
publication does not imply endorsement by the
SFC. |
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The
Saskatchewan Forage Council recognizes the support of
our Annual Sponsors:
 
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Financial support for this project has
been provided by:
the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the
Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food
Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program. Funding for the
ACAAFS program is provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada
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