Looking for Extra Forage

Sometimes market conditions may dictate that you feed more livestock or feed longer than you normally would. This means sourcing additional feed. Maximizing the use of pasture can make a significant contribution to increasing on farm feed supplies. There are several different approaches that a producer might take to make the most of on farm resources.

Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing will give increased production. Utilizing a rotational system from the beginning of the season will give the greatest benefit, but even in mid season you will realize improved grass production. The value in rotational grazing comes from the rest period or non-grazing period that allows the grass to re-grow after being grazed. A re-growth period of approximately 30-40 days should be the goal. Rotational grazing will also help reduce losses due to tramping and encourage the animals to consume all the grass rather than being selective in what they eat.

Nitrogen Fertilizer

Nitrogen fertilizer will give a boost to grass production in a pasture. It is necessary to get a rain following application to incorporate the nitrogen into the soil. If the nitrogen prills lay on the soil surface without rain, much of the N will volatize into the atmosphere. An application of 50 to 75 kgs of N/ha should be made. Nitrogen amounts lower than this will not promote significant growth - the grass will turn green but extra growth will be limited. Nitrogen recommendations for pasture are detailed in the Forage section of the Agronomy Guide for Field Crops available online or contact the AICC to purchase a copy.

| Top of Page |

Stockpile Grazing

Stockpile grazing can be used to extend the grazing season into the late fall and early winter. Stockpile grazing means allowing the forage to grow and accumulate through the late summer and early fall for use as pasture after the growing season ends. Research and experience has shown that a non-lactating beef cow can survive very well on stockpiled forage and even gain weight. This practice can reduce the need for stored forage for several weeks or up to several months depending on how you apply it to your farm. The OMAFRA Factsheet "Stockpiling Perennial Forages for Fall & Winter Grazing" provides details.

Extra Pasture

Second and third growth in hay fields can be grazed if the hay is not needed. Select fields that have been established for a few years as your first choice.

Look for alternate grazing areas on your farm and in your community. Temporary electric fence can be easily erected to make use of an area that has not traditionally been pastured.

In some parts of the province there are fields that have not been cropped or pastured for a number of years, investigate the possibility of utilizing some of these for extra forage. There will be a cost for fencing, but that will need to be balanced against the value of the extra pasture that you will achieve.

| Top of Page |

Cereal Forage

Consider harvesting cereal crops as forage rather than grain. These crops make excellent forage and greatly increase the amount of feed that is realized from the crop. Cereals are most successfully harvested as baleage or silage at or before the kernel reaches the soft dough stage and while the leaves are still green.

Early harvested cereal fields can be re-seeded to a cereal to provide forage in about 6 weeks time. Seeding should be done by mid-August and requires sufficient soil moisture to germinate and grow the new plants. Oats work well for this but barley will also produce good late-season forage. Drill the seed or broadcast the seed and work lightly to get good seed to soil contact.

Stubble Turnips

Stubble turnips are another alternative for early August seeding into a hay or cereal stubble. Stubble turnips will produce excellent quality grazing for the fall period. Livestock will graze both the tops and the tubers or roots of the turnips.

There are a number of ways to add to or stretch your forage supply for the coming year so that the need to sell animals due to shortage of feed can be avoided. Look at all the opportunities that are available to you and utilize the ones that will best fit your operation.

Related Links

• Forage Section, Publication 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
• Stockpiling Perennial Forages for Fall & Winter Grazing, Order No. 99-009

| Top of Page |