A national effort is expected to yield an inventory of Canadian grasslands by the end of 2024. Satellite imagery data of Canada’s grasslands goes back 20 years. That bird’s eye view is available every day now, according to Nasem Badreldin of the University of Manitoba, who has studied and taught soil biology and the regrowth […] Read more
Stories by Catherine Brown
Time, costs limit rotational grazing adoption
There are many terms related to the practice, which a researcher says should be standardized to improve consistency
Cost and lack of knowledge are two of the biggest barriers to rotational grazing, according to preliminary data studied by Brook McWherter, a natural resource scientist at Dalhousie University. Time commitment and/or access to labour, as well as available acreage, were also noted as barriers by Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) participants. The study aims […] Read more
Climate report focuses on best management practices
Farmers for Climate Solutions holds consultations as it looks for ways in which farms can reduce climate change impact
A new preliminary report from Farmers for Climate Solutions is expected to be released in March and will look at more than 50 approaches and best managements practices that can reduce carbon emissions. The sector-wide report is being developed by a farmer-led task force. Its members include agricultural emissions modellers and agricultural economists. The goal […] Read more
Export hay prices show serious decline in 2023
“Violent whiplash,” is how Joshua Callen describes forage markets in the western United States. Callen of the Hoyt Report of Idaho, spoke at the recent Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Convention in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. West coast pricing generally sets the hay price in North America. Its market experienced an extreme high in 2022 […] Read more
Demand for forage knowledge grows
Forages have a place on larger farms but farmers need more information and new management systems to get the most out of them . Ken Wall, a professional agrologist with Federated Co-operatives Ltd., spoke recently at the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association annual meeting in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. He said there is a hunger […] Read more
CFGA founder elected to Canadian hall of fame
Ray Robertson, credited with the founding of the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association in 2010, was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2022. Robertson is the general manager of the Ontario Forage Council. He also was CFGA’s Leadership Award winner in 2022. Robertson said he recognized the need for sharing information across […] Read more
Community support key to surviving wildfires
Alta. and B.C. ranchers say communication also important as they talk about lessons learned this dry, dangerous summer
Planning, community support and being able to move quickly have been integral for ranchers managing grazing cattle as wildfires advance. The Hoffman-Turner family is keeping an eye on the Ross Moore Lake Fire, near Kamloops, B.C., after it forced them to evacuate their home more than five weeks ago. Diane and Grant Hoffman, their daughter […] Read more
