The majority of Canadian beef production takes place in the three prairie provinces of western Ca... more The majority of Canadian beef production takes place in the three prairie provinces of western Canada and seeded pasture and hay land provides a large proportion of the feed for these cattle. This region is characterized by low to moderate rainfall (300-500 mm annually) and extremely cold winters; thus, forage species grown must have high tolerance to cold and drought. Perennial grass breeding for the region began in 1922 and has continued for ninety years in two programs. Major seeded grass species were introduced into Canada from Eurasia. Significant developments from this program include: the development of Fairway crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) (1932) which was used to revegetate more than 0.5 million ha of eroded land; the introduction and development of improved cultivars of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) (1987) which were rapidly adopted by beef producers, making it the most popular grazing species in the prairie provinces; the development of hybrid br...
in forage nutritive value (Belanger and McQueen, 1996) and in head and stem length (Kunelius et a... more in forage nutritive value (Belanger and McQueen, 1996) and in head and stem length (Kunelius et al., 1996) at A market for timothy (Phleum pratense L.) hay exists in Asia and sites in eastern Canada. However, no information on is adapted under irrigation in southern Saskatchewan, but variation cultivar differences for these traits has been reported among cultivars for the
Abstract: Zero-till seed drills are readily available for crop seeding in the prairie region of w... more Abstract: Zero-till seed drills are readily available for crop seeding in the prairie region of western Canada but have not been evaluated for sod-seeding in perennial forage. Sod-seeding a legume, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), into the existing perennial grass vegetation improves forage yield and quality for ruminant livestock grazing and production. Suppression of the existing vegetation with herbicide has been reported to increase alfalfa seedling establishment. We evaluated six commercially available zero-till seed drill openers by sod-seeding alfalfa into a crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] pasture with or without glyphosate suppression of the existing vegetation in Lanigan Saskatchewan. Alfalfa seedling establishment (52.2 vs. 21.9 seedlings m−1 ± 6.8), alfalfa composition (42.5% vs. 0.2% ± 8.6), and alfalfa yield (1105 kg·ha−1 vs. 12 kg·ha−1 ± 206) in 2011 were increased by the application of herbicide. Seed drill openers performed similarly for al...
Introduction The agricultural region of Saskatchewan was developed from native prairie grasslands... more Introduction The agricultural region of Saskatchewan was developed from native prairie grasslands and Parkland mixed grassland and forest sites by plowing and cultivation during European settlement. Within 50 years after the start of cultivation, perennial forage crops were not recommended for rotation with annual crops in the Prairie region (Brown soil zone) of Saskatchewan but were recommended in the Parkland region (Black soils) (Campbell et al. 1990). Perennial forage crops in Brown soil zone rotations depleted soil moisture and subsequent annual crop yields. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) utilized soil water to 3 m depth or more in the dry prairie region (Jefferson and Cutforth 2005) and the subsequent wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield was depressed in the first crop after alfalfa compared to wheat after wheat (Cutforth et al. 2010). Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown after alfalfa/grass mixtures experienced drier soil conditions and lower grain yield than barley grown after gras...
Condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) improve forage digestion and reduce the ris... more Condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) improve forage digestion and reduce the risk of ruminant bloat caused by grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the forage dry matter yield (DMY) and persistence of newer sainfoin cultivars in mixtures with alfalfa, and to determine the impact of harvest frequency on the persistence of sainfoin. Sainfoin cultivars ‘AAC Mountainview’, ‘AAC Glenview’, ‘Delaney’, ‘Shoshone’, and six experimental populations were compared with ‘Nova’ and ‘Melrose’ at Lanigan, SK, from 2016 to 2018. Field plots were seeded in either monocultures of sainfoin at 33 kg·ha−1 or sainfoin–‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa mixtures at 16:9 kg·ha−1 in alternate rows. Forage DMY was greater (P = 0.001) in mixtures than in sainfoin monocultures in all harvests. The proportion of sainfoin in mixtures at Cut 1 declined from 4.1% to 1.3% of total DMY from 2016 to 2018, and 19.0% to 4.8% in Cut 2, which was less than the recommended l...
Annual legumes have been shown to enhance the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by following rotat... more Annual legumes have been shown to enhance the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by following rotational crops. However, there is lack of information on the effect of perennial forage legumes included in rotation for a short duration on yield and P uptake of crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) grown after the forage legume. A field study was conducted in four soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada to assess: 1) the effect of two years of forage legume versus annual cereal, oilseed and grain legume on yield and P uptake of wheat and canola grown in the two subsequent years and 2) the effect of the complete four-year rotation on soil P dynamics and P balance. Four different crop sequences (alfalfa-alfalfa, red clover-red clover, barley-pea and barley-flax) employed over the first two years of crop rotation were compared as treatments followed by wheat and canola. Wheat grain yield was improved 32%-60% by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) rotations at three of the four sites (P = 0.008, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001) compared to annual grains, while grain P uptake was enhanced 38%-43% by red clover and alfalfa rotation at two sites (P = 0.013, P = 0.033). In the following year, positive yield benefits (55%-64%) of having two years of alfalfa and red clover were observed at three sites. Four years of continuous cropping with a limited addition of fertilizer P resulted in a negative soil P balance and significant depletion of soil P fertility at all locations.
A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gest... more A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows on their prepartum performance and birth weight of progeny. Each year, 75 multiparous (≥3 calving) pregnant Angus cows were stratified by BW (663 ± 21.5 kg) and BCS (2.6 ± 0.12; 1 to 5 scale) and randomly assigned to 1 of 15 outdoor pens. Subsequently, each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 (n = 5) treatments: a low-fat diet (LF; 1.4 ± 0.12% EE) consisting of grass-legume hay, barley straw, and barley grain, or 1 of 2 high-fat diets (HF; 3.3 ± 0.20% EE) that included either a canola seed (CAN) or a flaxseed (FLX) based pelleted feed. Diets were formulated to meet the requirements of pregnant beef cows during the last 2 trimesters of gestation (0.183 ± 4.8 d), adjusted for changes in environmental conditions, and offered such that each pen on average received similar daily amounts of DE (31.2 ± 2.8 Mcal/cow), CP (1.36 ± 0.13 kg/cow), and DM (12.9 ± 1.0 kg/cow). Data were...
ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the effects of fat supplementation and source on... more ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the effects of fat supplementation and source on reproductive performance of young lactating Angus beef cows grazing cool-season grass (CSG) pastures. Materials and Methods Over 3 yr, 36 second- and third-calving, lactating (38 ± 1.5 d postpartum) Angus cows (554 ± 15.5 kg of BW) were assigned randomly to 9 paddocks (4 cows per paddock) of CSG pastures. Each paddock was assigned randomly to a nonsupplemented control (CON) or 2 supplemented (SUP) treatments in which cows received 300 g/cow per day of supplemental fat (ether extract) from a canola seed–based (CAN) or flaxseed-based (FLX) pellet for 42 d before start of the breeding period. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design contrasting the effects of fat supplementation (CON vs. SUP) and fat source (CAN vs. FLX). Results and Discussion Results indicate that cows in CON had greater (P = 0.01) forage utilization and tended (P = 0.08) to have greater estimated forage DMI compared with cows in SUP, whereas no difference (P ≥ 0.76) was observed between CAN and FLX treatments. By the end of the trial, all treatments resulted in positive ADG, maintained or increased BCS and s.c. fat thickness, and reduced serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations with no difference (P ≥ 0.20) among treatments. No differences (P ≥ 0.12) were observed for pregnancy rate, calving distribution, and calving-to-calving interval. The failure to find treatment differences in growth and reproductive performance is likely a result of greater-than-expected nutrient content (CP: 12.5 ± 2.5%; TDN: 56.5 ± 2.9%) of CSG pastures and similar nutritional status across treatments. Implications and Applications These results indicate that prebreeding fat supplementation and source had no beneficial effects on reproductive performance of young, lactating Angus beef cows grazing good quality CSG pastures.
Seasonal dynamic of forage quality and yield has a major impact on livestock production. A sound ... more Seasonal dynamic of forage quality and yield has a major impact on livestock production. A sound evaluation on quality and quantity of forage is useful for cost-effective utilization of forage. However, forage quality and yield can vary with forage species, harvest seasons and yearly climate conditions. To improve forage use efficiency, a field experiment (2008-2010) was conducted in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dry matter yield and quality indicators (fiber, protein, digestibility and minerals) were measured for nine cool-season grasses harvested in June, August and October. The interrelationships and attributes among quality indicators were determined by principal component analysis (PCA) and the weights of quality indicators were calculated by entropy weight (EW) method. To synthesize different attribute indicators into a comprehensive index that reflects quality ranking of different forage species, an integrated multi-index decision analysis method, i.e., PCA-based TOPSIS with EW, was used in this paper. The evaluation process and results showed that the interrelation patterns and positive or negative attributes for quality indicators were consistent with years and harvest seasons, whereas the rankings of most grasses in yield and comprehensive quality varied with years and harvest seasons. According to the yearly and seasonal rankings of forage quality and yield, flexible production tactics and adaptive management techniques should be considered within the western Canadian prairie region. For instance, Northern wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) can be recommended to be mixed with high quality forages due to its high yield in any harvest season. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus Riparius) can be recommended to be mixed with high yield forages due to its high quality in summer and fall. These findings will provide valuable information for forage breeders, and livestock and forage managers to maximize grass utilization efficiency while balancing yield and quality.
Adaptation to climate warming is a key strategy for sustainable agriculture. Analysis of long-ter... more Adaptation to climate warming is a key strategy for sustainable agriculture. Analysis of long-term trends in the provincial average hay yield in Saskatchewan from 1967 to 2011 has reported a decline since the 1970's and changing agronomic and economic variables were only partially effective in explaining the trend. In this paper, I examined the relationship between Global temperature difference and hay yield in Saskatchewan. Collinearity was determined by regression and principal component analysis. The beef cow number, fertilizer price, hay hectares, CO 2 concentration, and Global temperature difference are generally increasing with time in the dataset and exhibited collinearity with time. The residuals from the hay yield predicted from April, May and June (AMJ) precipitation were regressed on Global temperature difference. The significant (P < 0.001) relationship indicates that precipitation is becoming less effective (water use efficiency is declining) as global temperatures increase. Future hay crops must become better adapted to warming temperatures to reverse this trend.
The cultivation of native grass cultivars developed for Montana and North Dakota has been propose... more The cultivation of native grass cultivars developed for Montana and North Dakota has been proposed in the prairie region of western Canada. Cultivars of 6 warm-season and 4 cool-season grass species that had been selected for North Dakota or Montana were evaluated at a range of sites in western Canada for stand establishment, persistence, aboveground biomass, seed yield, and competitive ability. Warm-season grass cultivars were not adapted to sites above 51 ˚N latitude. At locations below this latitude, cool-season grasses produced more biomass than warm-season grasses. The occurrence of these warm-season grasses in native rangeland of this region is frequent but often restricted by landscape position or soil texture. Thus, they will likely have a minor role in revegetation seedings. Mammoth wildrye exhibited the highest biomass production on the highest productivity sites. All native cool-season grass cultivars evaluated were adapted to the prairie region of western Canada.
Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs a... more Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs among diploid and tetraploid crested wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatum and A. desertorum). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 851–855. A study was conducted over 4 yr (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) at Swift Current to evaluate the forage preferences of steers grazing five different crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars: Kirk (2n=28), Fairway (2n=14) and Parkway (2n=14) [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.], Hycrest (2n=28) (A. cristatum×A. desertorum) and Nordan (2n=28) [(A. desertorum (Fisch. Ex Link) Schult.)]. Animal grazing frequencies for each CWG cultivar patch were converted to percentages (Grazing%) for each grazing time period. Grazing% for Kirk and Hycrest CWGs were similar with Nordan having higher (P<0.05) Grazing% compared with the hybrid and diploid CWGs. Contrasts revealed no differences (P=0.48) in Grazing% between diploid versus hybrid cultivars, while higher (P<0.01) Grazing% were obse...
Añez-Osuna, F., Penner, G. B., Larson, K., Jefferson, P. G., Lardner, H. A. and McKinnon, J. J. 2... more Añez-Osuna, F., Penner, G. B., Larson, K., Jefferson, P. G., Lardner, H. A. and McKinnon, J. J. 2015. Effect of rumen degradable energy supplementation on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool season perennial grass pastures. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 255–265. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing rumen degradable energy using blended by-product pellets that differed in starch and degradable fiber content on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool-season perennial grass (CSPG) pastures. Forty-five yearling crossbred steers (334±23.5 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to one of nine pastures (five steers/pasture) of mature cool-season perennial grasses. Each pasture was randomly assigned (n=3) to one of three treatments: no supplement (CON); low-starch/high degradable-fibre (LSHF; 40.3% starch; 29.5% NDF) pellet and high-starch/low-degradable fibre (HSLF; 48.6% starch; 2...
Jefferson, P. G. and Larson, K. 2014. The relationship between Saskatchewan hay yield and changin... more Jefferson, P. G. and Larson, K. 2014. The relationship between Saskatchewan hay yield and changing cropping practices. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1157–1160. A previously reported decline in Saskatchewan hay yield statistics was re-examined with additional data. The decline in hay yield was confirmed in the new analysis, but the rate of decline was lower than previously reported. Several agronomic and economic variables were examined for their relationship to hay yield and precipitation use efficiency. Precipitation use efficiency for hay yield was correlated to summerfallow area, which has declined by 75% in Saskatchewan during the study period. Perennial hay crops are deep-rooted and therefore able to exploit soil water and nutrients at depth in previously summerfallowed land that was unavailable to grain and oilseed crops. We suggest that declining hay yield is due to less summerfallow land in modern Saskatchewan crop rotations.
Ten cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) of northern and southern origins that had demon... more Ten cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) of northern and southern origins that had demonstrated adaptation to North Dakota were evaluated for biomass production, cellulose concentration, and nutritive value in the southern Canadian prairie region: Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In this region, cultivars adapted to northern latitudes present interest for biomass production. Latitude of origin of the cultivars was positively correlated to stand density (r=0.83,P<0.01), biomass production (r=0.69,P<0.01), and cellulose (r=0.84,P<0.01), and negatively correlated with organic matter digestibility (r=−0.86,P<0.01) and N (r=−0.85,P<0.01). Dacotah and ND 3743, the northern origin cultivars, were more persistent in Brandon, MB (94 to 100% stand density) and exhibited higher cellulose and hemicellulose concentrations than southern cultivars. Southern cultivars produced higher biomass than northern-origin cultivars until they suffered significant stand and biomass decline. ...
Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium albo-atrum occurs in many irrigated alfalfa (Medica... more Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium albo-atrum occurs in many irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) fields in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, but is very rare in dryland stands. A trial was established in 1994 to determine if incidence of VW is affected by the amount of irrigation water applied. A line-source irrigation system was used to produce an irrigation water gradient on two adapted alfalfa cultivars, Beaver (VW-susceptible) and Barrier (VW-resistant). The irrigation gradient was subdivided into six irrigation level treatments within each cultivar plot. Irrigation plus precipitation from April to August averaged 265, 291, 309, 330, 351, and 353 mm for irrigation levels one to six, respectively, over 3 years. A 1-m-wide strip through the center of each subplot was inoculated with a spore suspension of V. alboatrum before the first harvest in 1995. Plant density (ground cover) and incidence of VW-diseased plants per subplot were recorded and forage yield was assessed...
Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski] accessions in the U.S. National Plant G... more Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski] accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System have not been adequately characterized for agronomic and morphological traits. Such characterization would be helpful in development of improved cultivars. Objectives of this study were to (i) measure consistency of dry-matter and seed yields as well as plant height and vigor of 65 Russian wildrye accessions and four cultivars at three diverse test sites, (ii) characterize phenotypic diversity among these accessions using duster analysis, and (iii) define needs for future evaluation and collection of Russian wildrye germplasm. Field tests were conducted at
Bericht ii her die Arbeitstagung der Vereinigung Osterreichischer Pflanzenzilchter. BAL Gumpenste... more Bericht ii her die Arbeitstagung der Vereinigung Osterreichischer Pflanzenzilchter. BAL Gumpenstein, Gumpenstein, Austria. Weber, W.E. 1979. Number and size of cross progenies from a constant total number of plants manageable in a breeding program. Euphytica 28:453-456. W rick e, G., and W.E. Weber. 1986. Quantitative genetics and selection in plant breeding.
Gaertner] ( Knipfel and Heinrichs, 1978; Holt, 1996) and is used for summer and fall season grazi... more Gaertner] ( Knipfel and Heinrichs, 1978; Holt, 1996) and is used for summer and fall season grazing of stockpiled Grass tetany or hypomagnesemic tetany in cattle (Bos taurus ) is forage by beef cattle. Spring grazing in twice-over rotacaused by an imbalance of K, Ca, and Mg in the diet. Indications of tional grazing systems may increase forage quality by grass tetany range from reduced milk yield or weight gain to severe convulsions and death. The risk of grass tetany dramatically increases reducing seed head density and increasing the proporwhen the K/(Mg ϩ Ca) ratio of forage exceeds 2.2, especially for tion of leaf tissue in forage biomass stock-piled for sumdams during early lactation. Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea mer or fall use (Holt, 1996). (Fisch.) Nevski], a valuable forage species, has ratios well above this Grass tetany or hypomagnesemic tetany is characterlevel. Our objectives were to determine the mineral concentration and ized by low Mg concentrations in plasma or cerebrospiratio values for 65 accessions of Russian wildrye to select germplasm nal fluid of cattle that results in reduced milk production sources with low tetany ratio and to determine the effects of year, of lactating females, reduced weight gain of feeders on location, and their interactions with accessions. Seedlings of each pasture, or, in acute cases, convulsions, coma, and death accession and two checks, Syn A and Mankota, were established in of affected animals (NRC, 1996). Tetany occurs most replicated space-plant nurseries at Logan, UT, Mandan, ND, and often in early-lactating cows because of the large de-Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Years-within-location effects generally produced the largest variance component, while the acces-mand for Mg during lactation and the limited ability to sion variance was larger than location ϫ accession and location ϫ mobilize Mg reserves. Magnesium content of the diet accession ϫ year interaction variances for K, Ca, Mg, K/(Mg ϩ Ca) must be adequate on a daily basis to avoid chronic ratio, and Reduced Tetany Potential (RTP) index. Selection for these hypomagnesemic symptoms. Many environmental and traits in Russian wildrye germplasm will require multiple years to edaphic factors may affect grass tetany but mineral concharacterize adequately accessions, breeding lines, or synthetics. The centrations of Mg, Ca, and K in the ruminant diet are K/(Ca ϩ Mg) ratio of the accessions tested ranged from 2.2 to 3.0 important to determining the risk of occurrence (Maywhen averaged across sites and years for V4 growth stage. A similar land and Grunes, 1979). Kemp and 't Hart (1957) rerange of ratio values and ranking of the accessions was observed at ported that tetany symptoms rarely occurred when the the E2 growth stage. The three tetraploid accessions evaluated were tetany ratio of K/(Mg ϩ Ca), in equivalent units, was among the five accessions with the highest tetany ratios. Previously reported forage yield and seed yield means were significantly corre-less than 2.2, but the incidence of tetany increased raplated with K, Mg, and N concentrations and K/(Ca ϩ Mg) ratio. The idly when ratio values exceeded this threshold. RTP index was not correlated with forage yield, seed yield, or N Tetany ratio of Russian wildrye was highest in early concentration. Therefore, selection in Russian wildrye should be based June and declined for the remainder of the growing on increased RTP index rather than K concentration or K/(Ca ϩ Mg) season at Swift Current, Saskatchewan (Lawrence et al., ratio to avoid concomitant unintentional selection of reduced forage 1982). The ratio values observed in that study were yield and seed yield. above the threshold level from the first sampling date in mid-May to the early-July date and ranged from 2.20 to 2.78. Karn et al. (1983) also reported tetany ratios R ussian wildrye grass is a valuable cool-season, greater than 2.2 for Russian wildrye sampled in May ceaspitose forage species of the Northern Great and June at Mandan, ND. Asay and Mayland (1990) Plains and Intermountain regions of North America found that Russian wildrye had tetany ratio values of (Rogler and Schaaf, 1963). It has higher forage quality, 3.2 to 4.6 suggesting that lactating beef cattle grazing it both protein and digestibility, in the summer and fall in spring will be at risk of developing grass tetany. than crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Increasing K content from 6 to 24 and 48 g kg Ϫ1 resulted in decreased Mg absorption by 24 and 61%, P.G. Jefferson, Semiarid Prairie Agric. Res. Centre, Agriculture and respectively, in wether lambs (Greene et al., 1983).
The majority of Canadian beef production takes place in the three prairie provinces of western Ca... more The majority of Canadian beef production takes place in the three prairie provinces of western Canada and seeded pasture and hay land provides a large proportion of the feed for these cattle. This region is characterized by low to moderate rainfall (300-500 mm annually) and extremely cold winters; thus, forage species grown must have high tolerance to cold and drought. Perennial grass breeding for the region began in 1922 and has continued for ninety years in two programs. Major seeded grass species were introduced into Canada from Eurasia. Significant developments from this program include: the development of Fairway crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) (1932) which was used to revegetate more than 0.5 million ha of eroded land; the introduction and development of improved cultivars of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) (1987) which were rapidly adopted by beef producers, making it the most popular grazing species in the prairie provinces; the development of hybrid br...
in forage nutritive value (Belanger and McQueen, 1996) and in head and stem length (Kunelius et a... more in forage nutritive value (Belanger and McQueen, 1996) and in head and stem length (Kunelius et al., 1996) at A market for timothy (Phleum pratense L.) hay exists in Asia and sites in eastern Canada. However, no information on is adapted under irrigation in southern Saskatchewan, but variation cultivar differences for these traits has been reported among cultivars for the
Abstract: Zero-till seed drills are readily available for crop seeding in the prairie region of w... more Abstract: Zero-till seed drills are readily available for crop seeding in the prairie region of western Canada but have not been evaluated for sod-seeding in perennial forage. Sod-seeding a legume, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), into the existing perennial grass vegetation improves forage yield and quality for ruminant livestock grazing and production. Suppression of the existing vegetation with herbicide has been reported to increase alfalfa seedling establishment. We evaluated six commercially available zero-till seed drill openers by sod-seeding alfalfa into a crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] pasture with or without glyphosate suppression of the existing vegetation in Lanigan Saskatchewan. Alfalfa seedling establishment (52.2 vs. 21.9 seedlings m−1 ± 6.8), alfalfa composition (42.5% vs. 0.2% ± 8.6), and alfalfa yield (1105 kg·ha−1 vs. 12 kg·ha−1 ± 206) in 2011 were increased by the application of herbicide. Seed drill openers performed similarly for al...
Introduction The agricultural region of Saskatchewan was developed from native prairie grasslands... more Introduction The agricultural region of Saskatchewan was developed from native prairie grasslands and Parkland mixed grassland and forest sites by plowing and cultivation during European settlement. Within 50 years after the start of cultivation, perennial forage crops were not recommended for rotation with annual crops in the Prairie region (Brown soil zone) of Saskatchewan but were recommended in the Parkland region (Black soils) (Campbell et al. 1990). Perennial forage crops in Brown soil zone rotations depleted soil moisture and subsequent annual crop yields. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) utilized soil water to 3 m depth or more in the dry prairie region (Jefferson and Cutforth 2005) and the subsequent wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield was depressed in the first crop after alfalfa compared to wheat after wheat (Cutforth et al. 2010). Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown after alfalfa/grass mixtures experienced drier soil conditions and lower grain yield than barley grown after gras...
Condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) improve forage digestion and reduce the ris... more Condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) improve forage digestion and reduce the risk of ruminant bloat caused by grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the forage dry matter yield (DMY) and persistence of newer sainfoin cultivars in mixtures with alfalfa, and to determine the impact of harvest frequency on the persistence of sainfoin. Sainfoin cultivars ‘AAC Mountainview’, ‘AAC Glenview’, ‘Delaney’, ‘Shoshone’, and six experimental populations were compared with ‘Nova’ and ‘Melrose’ at Lanigan, SK, from 2016 to 2018. Field plots were seeded in either monocultures of sainfoin at 33 kg·ha−1 or sainfoin–‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa mixtures at 16:9 kg·ha−1 in alternate rows. Forage DMY was greater (P = 0.001) in mixtures than in sainfoin monocultures in all harvests. The proportion of sainfoin in mixtures at Cut 1 declined from 4.1% to 1.3% of total DMY from 2016 to 2018, and 19.0% to 4.8% in Cut 2, which was less than the recommended l...
Annual legumes have been shown to enhance the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by following rotat... more Annual legumes have been shown to enhance the growth and phosphorus (P) uptake by following rotational crops. However, there is lack of information on the effect of perennial forage legumes included in rotation for a short duration on yield and P uptake of crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) grown after the forage legume. A field study was conducted in four soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada to assess: 1) the effect of two years of forage legume versus annual cereal, oilseed and grain legume on yield and P uptake of wheat and canola grown in the two subsequent years and 2) the effect of the complete four-year rotation on soil P dynamics and P balance. Four different crop sequences (alfalfa-alfalfa, red clover-red clover, barley-pea and barley-flax) employed over the first two years of crop rotation were compared as treatments followed by wheat and canola. Wheat grain yield was improved 32%-60% by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) rotations at three of the four sites (P = 0.008, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001) compared to annual grains, while grain P uptake was enhanced 38%-43% by red clover and alfalfa rotation at two sites (P = 0.013, P = 0.033). In the following year, positive yield benefits (55%-64%) of having two years of alfalfa and red clover were observed at three sites. Four years of continuous cropping with a limited addition of fertilizer P resulted in a negative soil P balance and significant depletion of soil P fertility at all locations.
A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gest... more A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of level and source of fat in the diet of gestating beef cows on their prepartum performance and birth weight of progeny. Each year, 75 multiparous (≥3 calving) pregnant Angus cows were stratified by BW (663 ± 21.5 kg) and BCS (2.6 ± 0.12; 1 to 5 scale) and randomly assigned to 1 of 15 outdoor pens. Subsequently, each pen was randomly assigned to 1 of 3 (n = 5) treatments: a low-fat diet (LF; 1.4 ± 0.12% EE) consisting of grass-legume hay, barley straw, and barley grain, or 1 of 2 high-fat diets (HF; 3.3 ± 0.20% EE) that included either a canola seed (CAN) or a flaxseed (FLX) based pelleted feed. Diets were formulated to meet the requirements of pregnant beef cows during the last 2 trimesters of gestation (0.183 ± 4.8 d), adjusted for changes in environmental conditions, and offered such that each pen on average received similar daily amounts of DE (31.2 ± 2.8 Mcal/cow), CP (1.36 ± 0.13 kg/cow), and DM (12.9 ± 1.0 kg/cow). Data were...
ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the effects of fat supplementation and source on... more ABSTRACT Objective The objective was to evaluate the effects of fat supplementation and source on reproductive performance of young lactating Angus beef cows grazing cool-season grass (CSG) pastures. Materials and Methods Over 3 yr, 36 second- and third-calving, lactating (38 ± 1.5 d postpartum) Angus cows (554 ± 15.5 kg of BW) were assigned randomly to 9 paddocks (4 cows per paddock) of CSG pastures. Each paddock was assigned randomly to a nonsupplemented control (CON) or 2 supplemented (SUP) treatments in which cows received 300 g/cow per day of supplemental fat (ether extract) from a canola seed–based (CAN) or flaxseed-based (FLX) pellet for 42 d before start of the breeding period. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design contrasting the effects of fat supplementation (CON vs. SUP) and fat source (CAN vs. FLX). Results and Discussion Results indicate that cows in CON had greater (P = 0.01) forage utilization and tended (P = 0.08) to have greater estimated forage DMI compared with cows in SUP, whereas no difference (P ≥ 0.76) was observed between CAN and FLX treatments. By the end of the trial, all treatments resulted in positive ADG, maintained or increased BCS and s.c. fat thickness, and reduced serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations with no difference (P ≥ 0.20) among treatments. No differences (P ≥ 0.12) were observed for pregnancy rate, calving distribution, and calving-to-calving interval. The failure to find treatment differences in growth and reproductive performance is likely a result of greater-than-expected nutrient content (CP: 12.5 ± 2.5%; TDN: 56.5 ± 2.9%) of CSG pastures and similar nutritional status across treatments. Implications and Applications These results indicate that prebreeding fat supplementation and source had no beneficial effects on reproductive performance of young, lactating Angus beef cows grazing good quality CSG pastures.
Seasonal dynamic of forage quality and yield has a major impact on livestock production. A sound ... more Seasonal dynamic of forage quality and yield has a major impact on livestock production. A sound evaluation on quality and quantity of forage is useful for cost-effective utilization of forage. However, forage quality and yield can vary with forage species, harvest seasons and yearly climate conditions. To improve forage use efficiency, a field experiment (2008-2010) was conducted in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dry matter yield and quality indicators (fiber, protein, digestibility and minerals) were measured for nine cool-season grasses harvested in June, August and October. The interrelationships and attributes among quality indicators were determined by principal component analysis (PCA) and the weights of quality indicators were calculated by entropy weight (EW) method. To synthesize different attribute indicators into a comprehensive index that reflects quality ranking of different forage species, an integrated multi-index decision analysis method, i.e., PCA-based TOPSIS with EW, was used in this paper. The evaluation process and results showed that the interrelation patterns and positive or negative attributes for quality indicators were consistent with years and harvest seasons, whereas the rankings of most grasses in yield and comprehensive quality varied with years and harvest seasons. According to the yearly and seasonal rankings of forage quality and yield, flexible production tactics and adaptive management techniques should be considered within the western Canadian prairie region. For instance, Northern wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) can be recommended to be mixed with high quality forages due to its high yield in any harvest season. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus Riparius) can be recommended to be mixed with high yield forages due to its high quality in summer and fall. These findings will provide valuable information for forage breeders, and livestock and forage managers to maximize grass utilization efficiency while balancing yield and quality.
Adaptation to climate warming is a key strategy for sustainable agriculture. Analysis of long-ter... more Adaptation to climate warming is a key strategy for sustainable agriculture. Analysis of long-term trends in the provincial average hay yield in Saskatchewan from 1967 to 2011 has reported a decline since the 1970's and changing agronomic and economic variables were only partially effective in explaining the trend. In this paper, I examined the relationship between Global temperature difference and hay yield in Saskatchewan. Collinearity was determined by regression and principal component analysis. The beef cow number, fertilizer price, hay hectares, CO 2 concentration, and Global temperature difference are generally increasing with time in the dataset and exhibited collinearity with time. The residuals from the hay yield predicted from April, May and June (AMJ) precipitation were regressed on Global temperature difference. The significant (P < 0.001) relationship indicates that precipitation is becoming less effective (water use efficiency is declining) as global temperatures increase. Future hay crops must become better adapted to warming temperatures to reverse this trend.
The cultivation of native grass cultivars developed for Montana and North Dakota has been propose... more The cultivation of native grass cultivars developed for Montana and North Dakota has been proposed in the prairie region of western Canada. Cultivars of 6 warm-season and 4 cool-season grass species that had been selected for North Dakota or Montana were evaluated at a range of sites in western Canada for stand establishment, persistence, aboveground biomass, seed yield, and competitive ability. Warm-season grass cultivars were not adapted to sites above 51 ˚N latitude. At locations below this latitude, cool-season grasses produced more biomass than warm-season grasses. The occurrence of these warm-season grasses in native rangeland of this region is frequent but often restricted by landscape position or soil texture. Thus, they will likely have a minor role in revegetation seedings. Mammoth wildrye exhibited the highest biomass production on the highest productivity sites. All native cool-season grass cultivars evaluated were adapted to the prairie region of western Canada.
Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs a... more Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs among diploid and tetraploid crested wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatum and A. desertorum). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 851–855. A study was conducted over 4 yr (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) at Swift Current to evaluate the forage preferences of steers grazing five different crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars: Kirk (2n=28), Fairway (2n=14) and Parkway (2n=14) [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.], Hycrest (2n=28) (A. cristatum×A. desertorum) and Nordan (2n=28) [(A. desertorum (Fisch. Ex Link) Schult.)]. Animal grazing frequencies for each CWG cultivar patch were converted to percentages (Grazing%) for each grazing time period. Grazing% for Kirk and Hycrest CWGs were similar with Nordan having higher (P<0.05) Grazing% compared with the hybrid and diploid CWGs. Contrasts revealed no differences (P=0.48) in Grazing% between diploid versus hybrid cultivars, while higher (P<0.01) Grazing% were obse...
Añez-Osuna, F., Penner, G. B., Larson, K., Jefferson, P. G., Lardner, H. A. and McKinnon, J. J. 2... more Añez-Osuna, F., Penner, G. B., Larson, K., Jefferson, P. G., Lardner, H. A. and McKinnon, J. J. 2015. Effect of rumen degradable energy supplementation on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool season perennial grass pastures. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 255–265. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing rumen degradable energy using blended by-product pellets that differed in starch and degradable fiber content on forage utilization and performance of steers grazing stockpiled cool-season perennial grass (CSPG) pastures. Forty-five yearling crossbred steers (334±23.5 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to one of nine pastures (five steers/pasture) of mature cool-season perennial grasses. Each pasture was randomly assigned (n=3) to one of three treatments: no supplement (CON); low-starch/high degradable-fibre (LSHF; 40.3% starch; 29.5% NDF) pellet and high-starch/low-degradable fibre (HSLF; 48.6% starch; 2...
Jefferson, P. G. and Larson, K. 2014. The relationship between Saskatchewan hay yield and changin... more Jefferson, P. G. and Larson, K. 2014. The relationship between Saskatchewan hay yield and changing cropping practices. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1157–1160. A previously reported decline in Saskatchewan hay yield statistics was re-examined with additional data. The decline in hay yield was confirmed in the new analysis, but the rate of decline was lower than previously reported. Several agronomic and economic variables were examined for their relationship to hay yield and precipitation use efficiency. Precipitation use efficiency for hay yield was correlated to summerfallow area, which has declined by 75% in Saskatchewan during the study period. Perennial hay crops are deep-rooted and therefore able to exploit soil water and nutrients at depth in previously summerfallowed land that was unavailable to grain and oilseed crops. We suggest that declining hay yield is due to less summerfallow land in modern Saskatchewan crop rotations.
Ten cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) of northern and southern origins that had demon... more Ten cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) of northern and southern origins that had demonstrated adaptation to North Dakota were evaluated for biomass production, cellulose concentration, and nutritive value in the southern Canadian prairie region: Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In this region, cultivars adapted to northern latitudes present interest for biomass production. Latitude of origin of the cultivars was positively correlated to stand density (r=0.83,P<0.01), biomass production (r=0.69,P<0.01), and cellulose (r=0.84,P<0.01), and negatively correlated with organic matter digestibility (r=−0.86,P<0.01) and N (r=−0.85,P<0.01). Dacotah and ND 3743, the northern origin cultivars, were more persistent in Brandon, MB (94 to 100% stand density) and exhibited higher cellulose and hemicellulose concentrations than southern cultivars. Southern cultivars produced higher biomass than northern-origin cultivars until they suffered significant stand and biomass decline. ...
Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium albo-atrum occurs in many irrigated alfalfa (Medica... more Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium albo-atrum occurs in many irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) fields in southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, but is very rare in dryland stands. A trial was established in 1994 to determine if incidence of VW is affected by the amount of irrigation water applied. A line-source irrigation system was used to produce an irrigation water gradient on two adapted alfalfa cultivars, Beaver (VW-susceptible) and Barrier (VW-resistant). The irrigation gradient was subdivided into six irrigation level treatments within each cultivar plot. Irrigation plus precipitation from April to August averaged 265, 291, 309, 330, 351, and 353 mm for irrigation levels one to six, respectively, over 3 years. A 1-m-wide strip through the center of each subplot was inoculated with a spore suspension of V. alboatrum before the first harvest in 1995. Plant density (ground cover) and incidence of VW-diseased plants per subplot were recorded and forage yield was assessed...
Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski] accessions in the U.S. National Plant G... more Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski] accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System have not been adequately characterized for agronomic and morphological traits. Such characterization would be helpful in development of improved cultivars. Objectives of this study were to (i) measure consistency of dry-matter and seed yields as well as plant height and vigor of 65 Russian wildrye accessions and four cultivars at three diverse test sites, (ii) characterize phenotypic diversity among these accessions using duster analysis, and (iii) define needs for future evaluation and collection of Russian wildrye germplasm. Field tests were conducted at
Bericht ii her die Arbeitstagung der Vereinigung Osterreichischer Pflanzenzilchter. BAL Gumpenste... more Bericht ii her die Arbeitstagung der Vereinigung Osterreichischer Pflanzenzilchter. BAL Gumpenstein, Gumpenstein, Austria. Weber, W.E. 1979. Number and size of cross progenies from a constant total number of plants manageable in a breeding program. Euphytica 28:453-456. W rick e, G., and W.E. Weber. 1986. Quantitative genetics and selection in plant breeding.
Gaertner] ( Knipfel and Heinrichs, 1978; Holt, 1996) and is used for summer and fall season grazi... more Gaertner] ( Knipfel and Heinrichs, 1978; Holt, 1996) and is used for summer and fall season grazing of stockpiled Grass tetany or hypomagnesemic tetany in cattle (Bos taurus ) is forage by beef cattle. Spring grazing in twice-over rotacaused by an imbalance of K, Ca, and Mg in the diet. Indications of tional grazing systems may increase forage quality by grass tetany range from reduced milk yield or weight gain to severe convulsions and death. The risk of grass tetany dramatically increases reducing seed head density and increasing the proporwhen the K/(Mg ϩ Ca) ratio of forage exceeds 2.2, especially for tion of leaf tissue in forage biomass stock-piled for sumdams during early lactation. Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea mer or fall use (Holt, 1996). (Fisch.) Nevski], a valuable forage species, has ratios well above this Grass tetany or hypomagnesemic tetany is characterlevel. Our objectives were to determine the mineral concentration and ized by low Mg concentrations in plasma or cerebrospiratio values for 65 accessions of Russian wildrye to select germplasm nal fluid of cattle that results in reduced milk production sources with low tetany ratio and to determine the effects of year, of lactating females, reduced weight gain of feeders on location, and their interactions with accessions. Seedlings of each pasture, or, in acute cases, convulsions, coma, and death accession and two checks, Syn A and Mankota, were established in of affected animals (NRC, 1996). Tetany occurs most replicated space-plant nurseries at Logan, UT, Mandan, ND, and often in early-lactating cows because of the large de-Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Years-within-location effects generally produced the largest variance component, while the acces-mand for Mg during lactation and the limited ability to sion variance was larger than location ϫ accession and location ϫ mobilize Mg reserves. Magnesium content of the diet accession ϫ year interaction variances for K, Ca, Mg, K/(Mg ϩ Ca) must be adequate on a daily basis to avoid chronic ratio, and Reduced Tetany Potential (RTP) index. Selection for these hypomagnesemic symptoms. Many environmental and traits in Russian wildrye germplasm will require multiple years to edaphic factors may affect grass tetany but mineral concharacterize adequately accessions, breeding lines, or synthetics. The centrations of Mg, Ca, and K in the ruminant diet are K/(Ca ϩ Mg) ratio of the accessions tested ranged from 2.2 to 3.0 important to determining the risk of occurrence (Maywhen averaged across sites and years for V4 growth stage. A similar land and Grunes, 1979). Kemp and 't Hart (1957) rerange of ratio values and ranking of the accessions was observed at ported that tetany symptoms rarely occurred when the the E2 growth stage. The three tetraploid accessions evaluated were tetany ratio of K/(Mg ϩ Ca), in equivalent units, was among the five accessions with the highest tetany ratios. Previously reported forage yield and seed yield means were significantly corre-less than 2.2, but the incidence of tetany increased raplated with K, Mg, and N concentrations and K/(Ca ϩ Mg) ratio. The idly when ratio values exceeded this threshold. RTP index was not correlated with forage yield, seed yield, or N Tetany ratio of Russian wildrye was highest in early concentration. Therefore, selection in Russian wildrye should be based June and declined for the remainder of the growing on increased RTP index rather than K concentration or K/(Ca ϩ Mg) season at Swift Current, Saskatchewan (Lawrence et al., ratio to avoid concomitant unintentional selection of reduced forage 1982). The ratio values observed in that study were yield and seed yield. above the threshold level from the first sampling date in mid-May to the early-July date and ranged from 2.20 to 2.78. Karn et al. (1983) also reported tetany ratios R ussian wildrye grass is a valuable cool-season, greater than 2.2 for Russian wildrye sampled in May ceaspitose forage species of the Northern Great and June at Mandan, ND. Asay and Mayland (1990) Plains and Intermountain regions of North America found that Russian wildrye had tetany ratio values of (Rogler and Schaaf, 1963). It has higher forage quality, 3.2 to 4.6 suggesting that lactating beef cattle grazing it both protein and digestibility, in the summer and fall in spring will be at risk of developing grass tetany. than crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Increasing K content from 6 to 24 and 48 g kg Ϫ1 resulted in decreased Mg absorption by 24 and 61%, P.G. Jefferson, Semiarid Prairie Agric. Res. Centre, Agriculture and respectively, in wether lambs (Greene et al., 1983).
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