Profitable Pastures 2012

Conference Partners

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency

Ontario Cattlemen's Association

Ontario Forage Council

Conference Sponsor

Speare Seeds

Break Sponsors

Agricorp®

Cangrow Crop Solutions Inc.

Lindsay-Tuesday, February 28 and Elmwood- Wednesday, February 29

To register: Call 877-892-8663 by February 23 with your Visa or Mastercard.

Keys To A Profitable Forage Program

Dr. Garry Lacefield

Professor of Plant and Soil Science

University of Kentucky

P.O. Box 469

Princeton, KY 42445

Forage typically accounts for over half the cost of production of forage-consuming livestock and provides most of their nutrition, thus have a major impact on both expenses and income.  While forage programs vary greatly due to differences in soils, topography, climate, type of livestock, and producer resources and goals, there are certain approaches taken by, or characteristics exhibited by, producers who have the most profitable livestock operations, and these are the focus of this presentation.  Producers who have the most profitable operations:  (1) know their forage options and the nutritional needs of their animals; (2) exercise attention to detail during forage establishment; (3) soil test, then lime and fertilize as feasible; (4) use forage legumes when feasible; (5) emphasize forage quality; (6) prevent or minimize pests and plant-related disorders; (7) strive to improve pasture utilization; (8) minimize stored feed requirements; (9) try to keep storage and feeding losses low; and (10) continually strive to improve their operation.  This presentation provides a discussion as to why each of these key points is important, and provides insight as to how they relate to each other.

Ron Reid will be talking about grassland and how improved pasture management aligns with productive livestock performance, while providing habitat for native plants and animals.  He will focus on the bird species that live in grasslands and their requirement to have the grassland maintained as grassland rather than reverting to deciduous plants, brush and ultimately woodlot.

Ron is a recognized authority on grassland birds and has an extensive background in working with all the partners in a landscape.

Doug Yungblut will be highlighting the value of forage in a livestock or grain and oilseed farm management scenario.  Forages play a major role in farm management from the value they contribute to soil health and over all environmental health.

Doug’s second talk will be about Roundup Ready Alfalfa and his findings that came from the study that he did for the Saskatchewan Forage Council.  The outcomes of this study were neither a pro or con position but rather the considerations that individuals and industry groups should consider as they move forward.