Forage yield trend of alfalfa cultivars in the Canadian prairies and its relation to environmental factors and harvest management

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Ren ◽  
Jonathan A. Bennett ◽  
Bruce Coulman ◽  
Jushan Liu ◽  
Bill Biligetu
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Canadian Prairies

Fall harvest management for irrigated alfalfa in southern Saskatchewan

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 1183-1191
Author(s):  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
B. D. Gossen
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Temperature Tolerance ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Low Temperature Tolerance ◽  
Harvest Dates

Three trials were conducted under irrigation at Swift Current, Saskatchewan to examine the interaction of fall harvest date and alfalfa cultivar. The treatments were five fall harvest dates, 15 Aug., 1 Sept., 15 Sept., 30 Sept. (two harvests per season) and 15 Aug. + 15 Oct. (three harvests per season), on three or four alfalfa cultivars. Trials were seeded on irrigated alluvial clay loam soil in 1979, 1981 and 1987. Low-temperature injury occurred in 1982, 1985, and 1989 in these three experiments, respectively. In Trial I, the effect of fall harvest date on stand and yield loss was greatest for the least winterhardy cultivar, Anchor, and least for the most winterhardy cultivar, Rambler. Forage yield recovered the year after injury, in spite of an apparent permanent reduction in stand density. In Trial II, low temperature injury was extensive in all treatments and the cultivar × date interaction was not significant. In Trial III, Anchor alfalfa harvested on 15 Oct. exhibited the lowest percent survival and shoot density. Heinrichs and Rambler were less affected by winterkill at all dates than Anchor but did exhibit severe yield reduction when harvested three times per season compared to two times. Anchor exhibited greater stand loss and lower first harvest forage yield in 1989 for both treatments that were cut on Oct. 15. There was no significant fall harvest date effect among the four two-harvest regimes in this trial. The observed date effect was due to the three-harvest regime compared to the rest. A fourth experiment was located at Outlook, Saskatchewan, where alfalfa, cv. Beaver, was harvested on 19 Sept., 24 Sept., 2 Oct. and 10 Oct. in 1989. Low-temperature injury was evident in 1990. First harvest forage yield in 1990 was significantly reduced for the third harvest dates compared to two harvests per season. These results do not provide categorical evidence of a "critical fall harvest period" for these two sites. The low-temperature tolerance of the cultivar determines to a large extent its sensitivity to fall harvest management.Key words: Medicago sativa L., winter survival, autumn management

Effects of grazing dates on forage and beef production of mixed prairie rangeland

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Schellenberg ◽  
N.W. Holt ◽  
J. Waddington
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Bouteloua Gracilis ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Forage Digestibility ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Mixed Prairie

Conventional belief is that mixed prairie range is harmed by early spring use but not by moderate grazing after the grasses have flowered. Our hypothesis was that mixed prairie range may be grazed for a limited period in the growing season providing rest is allowed for the remainder of the year. This 6-yr test was established on a rolling site of range pasture, which contained, by area, 65% upland mixed prairie, 5% lowland bluegrass (Poa spp.) and 30% crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). The species mix is commonly found in southern Canadian prairies. The mixed prairie grasses were needle and thread (Stipa comata), northern wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). Each pasture was 1.6 ha and was grazed with yearling beef cattle once a year beginning mid-May; the end of June; mid-August or late September. Forage yields in grazing-exclusion cages averaged 580, 2960, and 1370 kg ha−1 for the mixed prairie, lowland grasses, and crested wheatgrass, respectively. The date of grazing in the previous year did not affect current-year maximum forage yield. The main determinant of maximum forage yield was a combination of spring soil moisture plus April to June precipitation. Available forage for grazing, on average, doubled from mid-May until the end of June for the three forage types. There were year-by-grazing date interactions, which were related to distribution of precipitation. Mixed prairie was the preferred forage at the last two grazing dates. Forage digestibility, N and P content were highest during the May and June grazing period and declined thereafter. Average daily gain of the steers decreased from 0.9 kg d−1 in May and late June to 0.2 kg d−1 by late September. Annual carrying capacity (in standard animal units) was 40 d ha−1 in May and averaged 55 d ha−1 for the other dates, which were not different. Grazing mixed prairie did not have a negative effect on the yield of native grasses when used for only one short period per year. Delayed use from mid May to end of June increased available forage and carrying capacity. Key words: Mixed grass prairie, crested wheatgrass, grazing, weather effects

Performance of short-lived perennial grasses grown with and without alfalfa at a semiarid location in southern Saskatchewan

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Jefferson ◽  
R. P. Zentner ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
R. Lemke
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Elymus Trachycaulus ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Slender Wheatgrass

Tyically, crop rotations in the semiarid region of the Canadian prairies do not include perennial forages because forage termination produces negative effects on subsequent annual crops. Three short-lived perennial grass species, Dahurian wildrye grass (Elymus dahuricus Turcz. Ex Griseb), intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski] and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners), were compared for their forage productivity and persistence as short duration (3 yr) forage stands, either in a mixture with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or in monoculture, in three trials at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Intermediate wheatgrass produced 29 and 22% more forage and was more persistent than Dahurian wildrye or slender wheatgrass, respectively. In alfalfa mixtures, however, the grasses produced similar forage yield in two of three trials. Intermediate wheatgrass was more persistent in mixtures but yield compensation by alfalfa grown with Dahurian wildrye and slender wheatgrass produced similar total forage yield as these grass stands thinned during the third year of each trial. Intermediate wheatgrass and alfalfa mixtures could be utilized for short rotation forage stands in high-input crop sequences where stand termination is achieved with herbicides. Dahurian wildrye and alfalfa mixture has the best potential for short-rotation forages in organic crop systems of this region because it would require less tillage to terminate the stand. Key words: Crop rotation, forage yield

Short-term impacts of winter bale grazing beef cows on forage production and soil nutrient status in the eastern Canadian prairies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Donohoe ◽  
Don Flaten ◽  
Faith Omonijo ◽  
Kim Ominski
Keyword(s):  
Untreated Control ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Large Mass ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Soil Nutrient Status ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
The Impact

The impact of winter bale grazing on forage productivity and nutrient cycling was determined near Winnipeg, MB. Variable distribution of nutrients and forage yield within bale grazed plots on a perennial grass-legume forage field was identified using an intensive grid sampling method. In bale-grazed plots, mean dry matter (DM) yield of forage decreased 68% in year one following bale grazing, with no difference in DM yield in year two following bale grazing, relative to an untreated control. Decreased yield was attributed to the large mass of waste feed and feces (21% of feed delivered) that remained at the centre of each bale-grazed plot, where each bale was placed. Concentrations of crude protein, total digestible nutrients, phosphorus (P), and potassium in forage increased in the first growing season following winter bale grazing compared to the control, particularly at the centre of each bale-grazed plot. Concentrations of residual nitrate-nitrogen and Olsen P in soil were 15 and 2.5 times greater, respectively, at the centre of the bale-grazed plots compared to untreated control plots. Dispersion of waste feed packs when bale grazing in sub-humid climates on clay soils is recommended to minimize smothering and encourage rapid decomposition of waste feed and feces. Long-term studies are needed to determine the potential benefits and risks of bale grazing to forage productivity and soil nutrient status in the eastern Canadian prairies.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Low Heat Unit Corn Hybrids Compared to Barley for Forage Yield and Quality on the Canadian Prairies

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Andrew Lardner ◽  
Leah Pearce ◽  
Daalkhaijav Damiran
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cows ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Heat Unit ◽  
Corn Hybrids ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Winter Grazing

Corn (Zea mays L.) production is expanding in the prairie region of western Canada. The objectives of this study were to compare three new low heat unit corn hybrids to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for forage yield, nutrient profile, and total nutrient production. The study was conducted at 4 sites (Evansburg and Fairview, Alberta; Melfort and Scott, Saskatchewan) with different soil characteristics (Gray Luvisolic, Grey Wooded, Dark Brown, and Black soil zones) over three consecutive years (2012-2014). At each site, annually, 16 plots (2.4×7.2 m) were randomly assigned to one of four forage crops (corn:Monsanto DKC26-25, Hyland 2D093, Pioneer P7443R; barley: cv. AC Ranger) in a replicated (n = 4) trial. Number of cobs per plant was not different (p = 0.23) between corn hybrids averaging 1.22 ± 0.32/plant (mean ± sd). Forage yield among the corn hybrids was negligible (p > 0.05), but the corn hybrids exhibited 40% higher yield (p < 0.05; avg. 11.3 ± 3.6 t/ha on DM basis) compared to barley (avg. 6.7 ± 1.7 t/ha). Corn hybrids were lower (p < 0.05) in CP content [7.6 ± 1.4% versus (vs.) 12.4 ± 0.1%] than barley. No difference was observed between the 4 forage crops in TDN content (68.2 ± 2.8% DM).Study results suggestthat new cool-season corn hybrids can produce high quality forage to meet the nutrient requirements of grazing beef cows in mid- and late-stage pregnancy.New corn hybrids may be suitable alternatives for winter grazing strategies since forage harvest costs would be eliminated.

Nutritive Value and Forage Yield of Alfalfa Synthetics under Three Harvest‐Management Systems

Crop Science ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Vaughn ◽  
D. R. Viands ◽  
C. C. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Harvest Management

Harvest Management Effects on Red Clover Forage Yield, Quality, and Persistence

jpa ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Wiersma ◽  
R. R. Smith ◽  
D. K. Sharpee ◽  
M. J. Mlynarek ◽  
R. E. Rand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Clover ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Yield Quality ◽  
Management Effects

DAMAGE POTENTIAL OF THE SWEETCLOVER WEEVIL, SITONA CYLINDRICOLLIS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE), IN THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES

1978 ◽  
Vol 110 (8) ◽  
pp. 883-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Sweet Clover ◽  
Damage Potential ◽  
Field Cage ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Melilotus Officinalis ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Type Of Injury

AbstractAdults of the sweetclover weevil, Sitona cylindricollis Fähr., injure seedling, vegetative, and yearling sweet clover, Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. In field cage tests an infestation of 1 weevil: 7 seedlings at the cotyledon stage destroyed less than 5%, and an infestation of 1 weevil: 1 seedling destroyed 100% of the seedlings. Significant reduction of seedlings was caused by infestations of I weevil: 3 or 5 seedlings depending upon growing conditions. An infestation of 4.5 to 9 weevils per emergent second-year plant caused a significant reduction, and an infestation of 18 weevils per plant caused almost total destruction of second-year forage yield. In the Canadian mid-west, weevil populations seldom exceed these minimum threshold values, therefore the weevil should not be considered a deterrent to either stand establishment or to stand retention in the second year. Defoliation of vegetative clover by weevils at the beginning of and mid-way through the critical period, which extends from 15 August to 20 September, caused a 50% loss of second-year forage yield. Because of cultural practices associated with sweet clover production in western Canada this may be the most severe type of injury wrought by the weevil.

Utilizing a multi-index decision analysis method to overall assess forage yield and quality of C3 grasses in the western Canadian prairies

2018 ◽  
Vol 222 ◽  
pp. 12-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Alan D. Iwaasa ◽  
Guodong Han ◽  
Chen Gu ◽  
Hong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Analysis ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Multi Index ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
C3 Grasses
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