Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts in Forage

Have Your Say on Northern Agri-Food!

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Announcements, ForageLeave a Reply

The Ontario government wants your help to identify opportunities to grow the Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Processing sector in Northern Ontario.  Tell us your ideas on how industry and government can work together to drive growth of the sector. The Growth Plan for Northern Ontario identified the Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Processing sector as one of eleven priority sectors that can contribute to the diversification and growth of the Northern Ontario economy.  The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is developing a strategy for growing the sector and has posted a discussion paper to its website and to Ontario’s Environmental Registry. Your ideas are important to the development of a strategy for the sector. First, read the discussion paper . Then, share your ideas with us in one of several ways listed…

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Now a Good Time to Think About Your Pasture

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

The snow can’t last much longer so now is a good time to start thinking about maximizing the performance from your pasture. The OMAFRA Pasture Production publication provides information on improving pastures, including species selection, fertility, rejuvenation and renovation, weed control, grazing systems, fencing and watering.  A free download is available or you can purchase a copy for $10 from ServiceOntario Publications.

Check Out the 2016 FarmSmart Program

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

Check out the 2016 FarmSmart Program. Sheep Producers may be especially interested in these two sessions. Cover Crops: 10 Easy Ideas for Forage and Pasture Dr. Bill Deen, U of G & Jack Kyle, OMAFRA will discuss opportunities to use annual crops and double cropping systems integrated with cash crop production to save soil and produce extra forage or grazing. The Future of Livestock Traceability – Where are we and where we are going?” Albert Botha –Shropshirehills Farm/Trillium Lamb, Terry Ackerman – Canadian Lamb Producers Cooperative, Pascal Bouilly – Grober/Delft Blue Ontario livestock producers have used recent developments in livestock traceability to improve their operations and enhance marketing of their meat products. Panelists will discuss how to make traceability work…

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ON Forage Report – May 14, 2015

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News. Written by Joel Bagg. With warmer temperatures and recent rains, the alfalfa and grass growth and development is now advancing rapidly, despite a slow start in early April. Older, less healthy stands are beginning to become yellow with dandelions. Many fields that were fall cut are seeing delayed growth that will likely result in reduced 1st-cut yields. Grass stands have responded very well to early applied nitrogen with significantly more growth. Most new seedings are in the ground under excellent conditions. With good overwintering, excellent seeding opportunities and strong seed sales, forage acreage appears to have increased. There was some frost May 14th, but likely with very little damage to established alfalfa stands…

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OMAFRA Pasture Production Publication

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

The updated OMAFRA Pasture Production Publication provides information on improving pastures, including species selection, fertility, rejuvenation and renovation, weed control, grazing systems, fencing and watering. It also provides insight into animal pasture management, budgeting, and managing different types of livestock on pasture. Available to download from the OMAFRA website or purchase a copy for $10 at an OMAFRA Resource Centre or through ServiceOntario Publications.

Predation Management with a Focus on Coyotes

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in Forage, PredationLeave a Reply

Make sure you minimize your losses to predators this year.  Alberta Lamb Producers has a good publication covering the basics of predation management planning, the biology and behavior of predators and defense against predators. Click on the picture below to access the publication.    

2014 Grain Corn Ear Mould and Vomitoxin Survey

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in Forage, Health & NutritionLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News. Written by Greg Stewart and Albert Tenuta. The OMAFRA Field Crops team has completed the survey of the 2014 Ontario corn crop to determine ear mould incidence and the occurrence of mycotoxins in the grain. These mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin (DON) produced primarily by Gibberella/Fusarium ear moulds, are grading factors and can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. 202 samples were collected from October 14 to October 17, 2014 from corn fields across the province. In each field, 2 random areas were selected: in each area 10 consecutive ears were hand harvested and bagged. In fields with several hybrids, representative samples were taken from two areas for each hybrid (maximum…

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Suggestions for Keeping Pasture Fresh

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

An optimal rotational grazing system has the livestock moving to fresh grass every 1 to 3 days. If the grazing period is longer, there will be reduced performance by both the livestock and the grass. Think of the pasture field as a feed bunk. Would you expect livestock to perform well if the feed bunk was only filled every five days? Fresh feed encourages consumption and increased consumption which means increased performance. Read more about suggestions for keeping pasture fresh. For additional pasture information visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs pasture page.

Keep Pastures Productive All Summer Long with Rotational Grazing

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

Rotational grazing is a best management practice that farmers can use to increase the health of their pastures and the environment. Moving livestock from paddock to paddock during the grazing season has many benefits, and requires few additional resources. The Rotational Grazing in Extensive Pastures booklet provides examples of different types of rotational grazing, fencing and watering systems, and outlines the benefits of grazing to the environment.  

Forage Report – June 19, 2014

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News. Written by Joel Bagg. First-cut continues with variable yields. Yields are generally good in eastern Ontario. In western Ontario areas where alfalfa winterkill and injury occurred, stands are thin, with many reported yields at 50 – 80% of normal. This has created some concern about producing adequate forage supplies. Considerable acres have been seeded to annual forages such as ryegrass, cereals, cereal-pea mixtures and sorghums. Many of those affected also plan to seed cereals and Italian ryegrass following winter wheat harvest. (Summer Seeding Oats For Forage ) Hay Storage Be sure to monitor hay storages for heating. Hay that is baled at too high a moisture will heat rapidly. Heating occurs from…

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