| | Pastures and hay fields have been very stressed this year. Moisture between now and spring will be a crucial factor for forage production in 2010. How these stressed forages were managed in 2009 will also be a key factor in forage stand responses next year. Low vigor stands versus moderate vigor stands have shown almost twice as long a recovery period. This means that grazers need to plan conservatively for forage production in 2010.
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To help rejuvenate pastures and hayfields and make them more productive:
- plan to start grazing later
- find more pasture land to use
- fertilize what you have
- start looking at various options for reducing next year's winter feed period
For pastures, planning to start the grazing season a month later is the most cost effective rejuvenation plan. This means feeding for one month longer and, for many, that isn't affordable. Winter annuals seeded this fall, stockpiled forage or swath grazing held back for spring use may need to be considered.
"Looking for pasture elsewhere does provide some good opportunities," says Grant Lastiwka, razing/forage/beef specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. "Most community pastures will have openings. Trucking costs limit this option, but if you own your own truck, can get into a close enough pasture, or find a back haul, this may work. If renting pasture from someone who has sold their cows, these pastures often are overgrazed and will need rejuvenation. Before agreeing to a rental price, discuss a mutually agreed on grazing plan. Lower stocking rates, rotational grazing, and sacrificing areas that are most resilient are extremely important pasture management practices."
The drop in fertilizer prices currently being experienced makes fertilization of hayland or pasture this fall a sound economic consideration. It is recommended to do a soil test to ensure that you are making the best use of your fertilizer dollar. However, unless you are planning to fertilize in early spring, it is too late to get an analysis back in time to fertilize this fall.
"If you decide to fertilize this fall, use some nitrogen, phosphorus and possibly sulphur," says Lastiwka. "When some phosphorus is added in with nitrogen on grass pastures, there is a shift to higher yielding and more drought tolerant grass species, for example, more smooth brome and less bluegrass. Sulphur needs are especially great on Gray Wooded soils, but it is now often found that sulphur is needed on black soils as well."
Grazing is half the price of winter feeding, so it's prudent to plan for grazing alternatives as a way to address next year's winter feed bill. Stockpiled forages on excess pasture, swath grazing, annuals for fall or spring, crop aftermath grazing, bale grazing, are ideas to look into.
"Winter feeding has to be done, but only when necessary," says Lastiwka. "Start planning now for next year's forages. Options need to be considered and decisions made if producers want to get their forage stand healthy again. Fertility should not be forgotten as returns from an investment in forages need to be fully considered. Since grazing is half the cost of winter feeding, planned grazing is a key."
Contact:
Grant Lastiwka
403-556-4248 |
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