Drought has been a common occurrence on the prairies and many producers are familiar with the long-term consequences of dry conditions. Dry weather and feed shortages can have consequences that last beyond the summer season. “Drought is not just an issue when you are on pasture,” says Dr. John Campbell, veterinarian and professor at the…
This article was originally posted on the Beef Cattle Research Council’s website on May 23, 2024. Including alfalfa in a grazing stand makes sense. The potential benefits include increased soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, improved plant biodiversity, boosted forage yields and improved animal performance. Alfalfa can also be used to create a hedge against poor…
ABP is excited to feature the writings of Barry Yaremcio, ruminant nutritionist and production management consultant. Barry is a trusted voice in cattle nutrition and forage production, operating Yaremcio Ag Consulting Ltd. This article was originally published on his BYOB Blog, which can be found on his website. Pastures that were grazed intensely last year will take longer…
The NRCB recognizes that many areas of the province are dealing with drought conditions. If these conditions continue into the 2024 growing season, they could cause poor grass pastures, lack of water for livestock, lack of harvestable forage crops, and the summer confined feeding of cow-calf herds may be necessary. Under normal conditions, confined feeding…
Following years of drought and a record-breaking wildfire season, pastures across Alberta are in poor condition. We asked rangeland ecologist Cameron Carlyle to bring us up to speed on the situation and provide some recommendations on how to help pastures recover. Across Alberta, wildfires and drought reduced available grazing acres in 2023, resulting in heavy…
This is the seventh in a series of articles highlighting a selection of ABP-supported research projects that were featured at our Research Showcase in February 2023. Find the previous articles here. When it comes to studying the rumen microbiome of cattle, University of Alberta researchers are old hands. “We have done research to look at…
Where ever your feet are planted – they stand on the future of the beef business. It is the soil that is foundational to the long-term resiliency of our farms and ranches, supporting healthy herds and cattle feeding operations. Grazing management has to compliment that soil and build it up; be that in hard or…
Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives (MBFI) hosted a webinar in early November, and it’s now available to watch at any time. Here’s the description, followed by the video, from MBFI: Cover crops have the potential to bestow numerous agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits on Prairie farms. Despite this, they are often viewed with skepticism by…
For generations, cattle producers have proudly advocated as stewards of the land – protecting native grasslands, watersheds and landscapes in which they reside. In fact, it is quite common for ranchers to profess that our cattle merely play a role in the true focus of our business of growing grass and turning it into a…