Swathgrazing polycrops
- Project No: FRG.04.21
- Lead Researcher(s): Akilu Aleumu, Alan Iwassa (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada); Bart Lardner (University of Saskatchewan)
- Collaborators: Jillian Bainard, Karen Beauchemin, Emma Stephens, Tim McAllister, Trevor Coates (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
- Year Started: 2021
Background
Polycrop mixtures (forage stands of several different forage species) may be useful to help achieve several grazing goals, including potential improvements in productivity or soil quality. Much of the work in Canada to date has focused on the use of these diverse mixtures for summer grazing, and although there is more to learn about the optimal species blends and agronomic management of polycrops for summer grazing, very little research has examined using them to extend the winter grazing period.
Objective
The objective of this study is to explore the use of polycrop mixtures for swathgrazing.
Implications of the research
This project will help to identify beneficial management practices to utilize polycrop mixtures for winter swath grazing.
This project is also supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership and NSERC