Sheep and Goat Production

Sheep and Goat Production

Discussing current topics in Ontario sheep and goat production

All posts tagged forage

August 2020 Forage Report

August 2020 Forage Report

Posted on Author Christine O'Reilly, OMAFRA Forage & Grazing SpecialistPosted in Forage, Forage

Photo: Many winter wheat fields were planted to an annual forage crop after harvest this year. Premiums for summer-seeded New Forage Seeding insurance are due to Agricorp September 15. Silage corn growers should check fields for rootworm resistance to Bt hybrids Scouting for corn rootworm injury in silage fields is important to detect potential resistance to rootworm Bt traits and to plan management options for the next growing season. It is especially important to report any fields showing signs of suspected resistance to your corn agronomist and the provincial entomologist. High Risk Fields for Resistance to Occur Include: Scouting Guidelines to Determine Possible Rootworm Resistance are available on Field Crop News. Scouting should occur in early September, before silage harvest. Rotating out…

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Ontario Forage Review 2018

Ontario Forage Review 2018

Posted on Author Christine O'Reilly, OMAFRA Forage & Grazing SpecialistPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

Fall and Winter Conditions Rain delays in 2017 pushed harvest in some areas into the critical fall harvest period. Root reserves that contribute to winter hardiness and promote spring growth were reduced. Many fields across the province were harvested when soils were still wet from frequent rainfall. Soil compaction in forage fields was a silent yield thief in 2018; research has shown compaction can reduce yields between 6-75% in grass stands. Winter conditions were equally challenging: across the province, several freeze-thaw cycles occurred between January and April. While agronomists report most of the province experienced less alfalfa winter-kill than expected, northeastern Ontario had severe winter-kill in alfalfa and grasses. Winter injury was most common in low-lying areas, heavy-textured soils, and…

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Is the Production Insurance Forage Rainfall Program right for you?

Posted on Author ONswinePosted in ForageLeave a Reply

The Production Insurance Forage Rainfall Program may be a good fit for you. The forage rainfall plan uses rainfall as an indicator of quantity and quality of forage.  There are two coverage options available: •Insufficient rainfall •Excess rainfall  Insufficient Rainfall The insufficient rainfall option protects against insufficient rainfall only. If the measured rainfall at the station you choose during the insured period is less than 85 per cent of the long-term average rainfall for your area, a claim may be paid.  The producer can chose the rainfall collection station data to use. Excess Rainfall The excess rainfall option provides protection against excess rainfall during the chosen harvest period.  The producer selects a rainfall threshold of 5 mm or 7 mm. If you…

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An Introduction to Managed Grazing

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

Looking to improve pasture management this summer?  Alberta Lamb Producers has a good publication covering the basics of plant growth, seeding, renovation, grazing behavior, setting up a system and grazing issues. Click on the picture below to access the publication.

Frost-Damaged Corn Silage

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News Written by Joel Bagg. Late planting dates, low Crop Heat Unit (CHU) accumulations, and early frost may result in situations where corn is killed by frost before it reaches the normal stage of maturity and moisture for silage. Some fields planted for grain may not mature adequately for optimum yield, moisture and quality. Farmers may be looking at salvaging these crops by harvesting or selling some of those fields for silage.  The key to making the most of frost-damaged corn silage is to harvest it at the correct moisture. Nutrient Quality Slightly immature, frost damaged corn that has dented can make good silage. Energy is partitioned differently in immature silage than…

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Harvesting Corn Silage At the Right Moisture

Posted on Author Delma KennedyPosted in ForageLeave a Reply

This article was originally posted on Field Crop News Written by Joel Bagg. The importance of harvest moisture and maturity to corn silage quality and animal performance is often underestimated. Not only is it important to minimize fermentation dry matter and spoilage losses, it is difficult to compensate for poor forage quality in ration balancing and animal performance. Don’t get caught harvesting corn silage outside the range of optimum moisture and maturity. In areas that are extremely dry, optimum moisture may occur before optimum maturity. Focus on harvesting at the correct moisture. Importance of Correct Moisture Ensiling at the correct whole plant moisture and optimum stage of maturity is critical. Corn maturity is very dynamic. As corn matures from dent to…

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