Allowing livestock to graze riparian areas may be an option this year if dry conditions continue.
Norine Ambrose, the program manager for the cows and fish program within the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, said such areas could be productive if managed carefully now.
“Many riparian areas can be grazed effectively but still they are going to be carefully monitored for the timing and intensity of grazing has to be in balance,” she said.
“You want to think about long term sustainability so it will continue to be productive. If you graze it heavier, you will need rest in the future.”
Read Also
August rain welcome, but offered limited relief
Increased precipitation in August aids farmers prior to harvest in southern prairies of Canada.
Riparian areas are only about two to five percent of the prairie land base but can provide 80 percent of forage.
Pasture managers want people to think about minimizing the amount of time cattle spend beside channels to protect water quality and avoid stream bank erosion from hoof damage.
Ambrose recommends using off site waterers or placing cattle oilers and salt away from the water body.
This year’s pastures have been slow to grow and may look patchy. There may be less litter protecting the soil and there may be more wild roses, sage and silver willow appearing, especially on sandy soil.
Sage often indicates tougher soil conditions, drought or heavier grazing. It is not palatable and competes well with other plants, said Ambrose.
Less desirable plants may be more noticeable this year because grass has not grown well.
“Pastures that have been grazed leave those forbs behind,” she said.
Dow Agro Science is testing a new herbicide to remove troublesome plants that take up moisture and prevent cattle from getting the forage that grows around thorny plants like roses.
Spraying is another input cost but Dow researcher Candace Manshreck said there is a future payoff.
“I truly believe it is money in your pocket. The longer you’ve got your cows out on pasture, the better yielding pastures you have, the healthier pastures you have and the better off you will be in the long run,” she said, during a pasture tour in the municipal district of Rocky View near Calgary.
The product called Reclaim is expected to be released in 2010 and is being tested against Grazon. It has a long term residual effect over three to five years and costs about $10 per acre per year to control shrubs and broadleaf weeds.
