Let’s talk weed control
Weed control starts by inspecting fields, knowing what weeds are present and whether they will be a problem.
Scouting fields every year and keeping a record of weeds helps to identify control problems quickly.
“Ox-eye daisy, tall buttercup, Canadian thistle, wild caraway and scentless chamomile are particularly hard to control in forage crops. The key to controlling and stopping these weeds is to keep them from getting established,” said Fred Young of Alberta Agriculture.
Fertility and healthy crops can keep some of these weeds from getting a root hold in the field. To understand how fertility can be used as a control agent, examine how certain weeds like to grow.
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By comparing ideal growing conditions for weeds to ideal growing conditions for the intended crop, you get an excellent picture of how the weed and crop will interact.
“Let’s consider Canada thistle. It favors unshaded, moist, generally well-aerated clay loam soils,” said Young.
“This thistle starts out slowly and can only establish if competition is limited and the light intensity is high. A healthy forage stand can compete well with thistle seedlings and a good fertility program helps ensure a healthy stand.”
However, once established, Canadian thistle responds well to nitrogen fertilizer.
Ox-eye daisy doesn’t grow well when fertilized. In research trials at Evansburg and Winfield, ox-eye daisy was successfully removed after two years of fertilization. This incredible response was partly because the hay crop also responded to the fertilizer and helped eliminate the daisy.
“Scentless chamomile is another example of a plant that cannot compete very well in an aggressive and healthy forage stand.”
– Alberta Agriculture
Monitoring at calving time
Cattle producers should check their herd’s condition going into calving season, says the Prairie Feed Resource Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
A poor fall and severe winter have reduced feed reserves and stressed cattle, especially pregnant animals or those in poor condition.
Vern Racz, co-ordinator of the centre, said bad weather restricted grazing at the same time that cattle needed extra energy to keep warm.
“If there is any indiction of poor condition, adjust your cattle’s energy intake at once,” Racz said.
“But be aware that although increasing feed intake must start immediately, it must be done through a gradual process.”
Increasing the grain allowance must be done slowly to avoid overload. If producers wait too long, it might be impossible for cows to eat enough to reach proper condition before calving.
After calving, they’ll need larger amounts of quality feed to milk well. Failure to maintain an adequate body condition results in lower conception rates and delays in returning to estrus.
A 1,200-pound cow after calving needs 11 lb. of total dry nutrients for normal winter maintenance and 15.5 lb. for nursing after calving.
An example of a post-calving diet is free choice of cereal straw and cattle mineral, 7.24 lb. of barley grain, a half pound of protein supplement and eight to 10 lb. of grass legume.
An alternative is 18 lb. of grass legume hay, six lb. of barley, six lb. of cereal straw and free choice of cattle mineral.
– U of S news
