Birdsfoot Trefoil is a bloat free legume best suited for pasture situations. (ID 40113183 © Tt Dreamstime.com)

By Alice McFarlane

Forage Options

Finding the right forage species

Mar 9, 2020 | 1:01 PM

Producers wanting to seed forages should start thinking about what would be best suited their farm or ranch.

Ministry of Agriculture Agri-Environmental Specialist Hillary Luchinski said when deciding what species will make up a forage blend, it’s important to consider which varieties are better suited to meet the environmental challenges unique to each farming operation.

“Whether the mix is intended for pasture, hay, or dual-purpose, the intended time of use will impact which species you choose. Some species mature earlier and are more palatable early in the season, other species mature later and are better for pastures being stockpiled for later,” she said. “Smooth brome grass is better suited to hay production than grazing, while meadow brome grass has better regrowth potential and is better suited to a pasture setting.”

Salinity is one of the biggest production limitations for forage crops. Luchinski said in these areas it’s important to include saline-tolerant species.

“Knowing the level of your salinity and discussing blends with your local agronomist is the best way to ensure proper seeding rates and seed bed preparation for optimal establishment. The same steps are to be considered when choosing species for moisture limitations,” she said. “Differentiating between plants better suited to drought conditions versus excess moisture will ensure your stand not only establishes, but also persists for many years.”

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Luchinski said adding legumes like clovers, alfalfa, vetches or sainfoin is a good way to take advantage of natural plant interactions and increase the stand’s persistence.

“The addition of legumes to forage blends is common because of their value both for animal nutrition and stand fertility. Their natural ability to form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria to fix nitrogen into plant-available forms benefits the non-nitrogen fixing plants in the mix,” she said.

Luchinski said legumes must be managed for animal health and nutrition to steer clear of bloat.

“Bloat concerns with alfalfa or clovers can be avoided by using other non-bloating legumes such as cicer milkvetch or sainfoin. While these legumes do not typically yield as well as alfalfa, they will still provide high quality forage,” she said.

Luchinski said if soil stability is a concern and your soils are at risk of erosion from wind or water, choosing grasses with creeping roots is a good idea.

“Bunchgrasses have many benefits but when it comes to soil stability, creeping-rooted species are the most efficient,” she said.

Luchinski said farmers and ranchers can access funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership through the Farm Stewardship Program to convert highly erodible or saline land from annual grain production to permanent cover.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF