Revitalizing old pastures
- Project No: FRG.02.21
- Lead Researcher(s): Vern Baron (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Emmanuel Mapfumo (Concordia University of Edmonton)
- Collaborators: Darren Bruhjell, Bill Houston (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada); Serena Black (B.C. Forage Council); Campbell Dick (producer)
- Year Started: 2021
Background
It is well known that pasture or hay stands decline in yield over time. High costs associated with breaking and re-seeding, along with the uncertainty of establishment of new seed means that many pastures and hay stands are left in production well past their quality and yield prime. The addition of legumes is one way to increase forage stand quality without breaking old stands.
Objectives
The objectives of this study are to:
- Increase the forage yield and quality of hold hay and pasture stands through the inclusion of legumes
- Determine the least cost and best legume fit for old grass stand renovation
- Ascertain if trends in forage productivity and soil health differ between hayed and grazed systems with and without the inclusion of legumes
Implications of the research
This project will shed more light on pasture rejuvenation techniques and may result in lower risk solutions to improving the quality of forage stands.
This project is also supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Beef Cattle Research Council and Results Driven Agriculture Research