The role of soil microbes in forage growth

What if the secret to better beef starts underground? In this Episode of The Bovine Podcast, host Kara Mastel sits down with Dr. Jonathan Bennett, associate professor of Plant Ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, to explore the complex, unseen world of soil microbiomes and how they are reshaping the future of beef and forage production.

Dr. Bennett shares insights from his research presented at the recent Beef Research Showcase at Lakeland College. His work zeroes in on how soil microbes—especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi—interact with plant roots to influence forage growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance. These microscopic allies can either help plants thrive or hold them back, depending on how they’re managed.

A key theme of the episode is the idea of optimizing plant-microbe interactions. Dr. Bennett explains that while you can’t reseed native rangelands easily, there are opportunities in forage systems to enhance productivity by selecting cultivars that benefit most from microbial partnerships. His greenhouse trials, for example, showed that some alfalfa cultivars grew up to 30 per cent more when inoculated with microbes from old pasture soils, while others saw their growth decline—underscoring the importance of cultivar selection.

He also touches on the role microbes play in tackling challenges like soil salinity and drought. In one project, barley plants inoculated with microbes from saline grasslands showed nearly triple the growth under salty conditions. Similarly, alfalfa and sainfoin plants with strong fungal colonization demonstrated better drought resistance, indicating that breeding for microbe compatibility could be a game-changer.

But it’s not all about lab work—Dr. Bennett is passionate about keeping this knowledge practical and accessible. He emphasizes that producers may not need to buy expensive inoculants. Instead, they could manage their land in ways that naturally boost beneficial microbes, such as introducing “nurse plants” or selecting the right mix of forage cultivars. His long-term goal is to give producers tools to make informed decisions that increase productivity and sustainability—without always relying on external inputs.

For those eager to learn more or apply this research, Dr. Bennett notes that some of his findings are available through producer-led organizations like Alberta Beef Producers and the Beef Cattle Research Council. More detailed studies are also in the pipeline for publication.

Whether you’re managing pastures in a drought-prone zone or looking to cut down on fertilizer costs, this episode offers valuable insights into how looking below the surface could be the next frontier in beef sustainability. Don’t miss this fascinating deep-dive into the soil—your forage might just thank you for it.

Listen to this episode of The Bovine Podcast now, brought to you by Alberta Beef Producers.

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