Collaborating Producer: Garry & Trudy Gurtler, Manning Alberta
Research Coordinator: Dr. Akim Omokanye
From: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association 2011 Annual Report
In recent years, many farmers have found that grazing on productive pastures can be very profitable. However, many pastures are not as productive as they could be, as the amount and quality of forage do not meet the needs of the growing livestock. Adding new forage species to a pasture can improve its productivity. In particular, adding a legume such as alfalfa can increase the yield and nutritional quality of the forage and add nitrogen to the soil. There are many ways to add new species to a forage stand. One effective method includes terminating the existing pasture and seeding a new forage stand by direct seeding (sod seeding). In sod seeding, machinery and fuel costs tend to be lower compared to a conventional tillage system. By decreasing the amount of fuel used, farmers can lower energy costs, boost the efficiency of farm operations and decrease the amount of harmful emissions released into the environment. The objective of this project was to examine the establishment of forages and fuel savings of seeding perennial forages back into sod without tillage.
Methods
The site located near North Star, AB, was used strictly for pasture for many years. It was sprayed in the fall of 2010 using glyphosate @ 1liter/acre. Soil samples were taken to determine nutrient levels.