Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association December Paul Jefferson, H.A. (Bart) Lardner, and Kathy Larson

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Mission: Collaboratively linking lab and land for the competitiveness and sustainability of the cow- calf industry in Saskatchewan. Vision: WBDC is a leader in collaborative applied research for the beef and forage industries; identifying and communicating opportunities for profitable innovation

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Nova sainfoin, 5 experimental lines, AC Grazeland alfalfa (check) Monoculture vs alternate row seeding, small plots (1.5 x 6 m) Simulated grazing in 2012 (sickle mower) Also studied at Lethbridge, Swift Current and Saskatoon

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan

Cover by Daubenmire frame method August

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan

4 sites: Swift Current, Termuende (Lanigan), Saskatoon, Melfort 4 rotations: annual crops (2) vs alfalfa or red clover (2010 and 2011); all rotations grew wheat in 2012 and canola in 2013 Rotation/Year Alfalfa Wheat Canola 2Red Clover Wheat Canola 3BarleyPeaWheat Canola 4BarleyFlaxWheat (N rate) Canola (N rate)

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan

September

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan

Rotation ( ) Canola Grain yield bu/ac Est. N provided kg/ha 1. Alfalfa-A-Wheat- Canola Red Clover-RC- W-C Barley-Pea-W-C B-Flax-W-C25.9 NS (P=0.09)NS SE = 3.6

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Seeded in 2012 Oxley, Oxley II and Veldt vs AC Grazeland alfalfa 3 management systems: Stockpiled for fall, Hay + SP, Simulated grazing Termuende, Saskatoon, and Lethbridge

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan

Dry matter yield and nutrient composition of corn varieties. (Lardner et al. 2012) Item12345Average DM, % DMY, ton/acre DMY, tonne/ha CP, % Whole plant Leaves Cob TDN, % Whole plant Leaves Cob

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Crop Expenses (2011) (Lardner et al. 2012) $ to $226.36

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Grazing results of corn varieties ( ). Item Yield (t/ac) Grazing (day) Paddock Size (acre) Cow Days/acre$/Hd/Day $ $ $ $ $1.02 (Lardner et al. 2012)

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Table 8. Grazing results of corn varieties ( ). Item Yield (t/ac) Grazing (day) Paddock Size (acre) Cow Days/acre $/Hd/Day $ $ $ $ $1.02 Grazing Costs $/cow/day $0.71 to $1.42 (Lardner et al. 2012)

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Acknowledgements Alberta Livestock & Meat Agency Ltd. Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund Pioneer; Hyland; Monsanto

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan 1. Small plot studies in Saskatchewan and Alberta Melfort SK, Scott SK Fairview AB, Evansburg AB 2. Beef cow grazing study Grazing whole plant corn in field paddocks Grazing swathed barley in field paddocks Barley hay fed in drylot pens 3. Calf backgrounding/finishing study - similar treatments as cow study

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Excessive cob intake (pH) Digestive disturbances/grain overload/founder Adapt - feed grain supplement for 7 to 10 d before exposure to corn field Addition of extra roughage (hay/forage bales) Limit daily corn graze time

Working to maximise the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan Questions? Field Day June Termuende Research Ranch 7 miles East of Lanigan, SK