Government of Saskatchewan ministries, Crown corporations and organizations are implementing contingency plans to minimize the impacts of postal service disruption.
Les ministères, sociétés d’État et organismes du gouvernement de la Saskatchewan mettent en œuvre des plans d’urgence visant à réduire les répercussions de l’interruption du service des postes.
Google Translate Disclaimer
A number of pages on the Government of Saskatchewan's website have been professionally translated in French. These translations are identified by a yellow box in the right or left rail that resembles the link below. The home page for French-language content on this site can be found at:
Where an official translation is not available, Google™ Translate can be used. Google™ Translate is a free online language translation service that can translate text and web pages into different languages. Translations are made available to increase access to Government of Saskatchewan content for populations whose first language is not English.
Software-based translations do not approach the fluency of a native speaker or possess the skill of a professional translator. The translation should not be considered exact, and may include incorrect or offensive language. The Government of Saskatchewan does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information translated by this system. Some files or items cannot be translated, including graphs, photos and other file formats such as portable document formats (PDFs).
Any person or entities that rely on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk. Government of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any damage or issues that may possibly result from using translated website content. If you have any questions about Google™ Translate, please visit: Google™ Translate FAQs.
November 2024
Have you read about bale grazing and decided it’s not worth the hype? When it comes to bale grazing, there are many potential benefits and ways to mitigate the challenges.
Bale grazing is a valuable extended winter grazing practice that can be used on tame pastures. It can improve areas of low productivity or maintain good production levels, while increasing profitability. Areas that have been bale grazed can see up to a 4.7 times increase in forage dry matter yields in following years.
Bale grazing on pasture allows the soil to capture nutrients from the feces and urine left by the cows and introduces valuable microbial activity to the soil which contributes to soil health. Interestingly, this nutrient capture is greater than manure spread after feeding in corrals.
Leftover hay on pasture, often mistakenly called ‘waste’, is repurposed to benefit soil health by adding nutrients, organic matter and forage seeds to the soil. It also contributes to drought resistance through the added layer of litter which increases water infiltration and moisture holding capacity, while reducing water evaporation and erosion.
The catch phrase ‘work smarter, not harder’ would be fitting for winter bale grazing. Rather than bringing feed to the cows, cows are brought to the feed, reducing or eliminating the need to deliver bales daily during the winter months. Further, the cattle can earn their keep by spreading the manure and urine exactly where it needs to go, saving the time and expenses associated with corral cleaning and spreading. Winter feeding on pasture using a tractor or bale processor will result in similar benefits to pasture productivity as bale grazing, but it lacks the savings of time and money associated with operating equipment in the winter and manure management.
Operating equipment during the winter is a huge expense that uses a large amount of fuel, not to mention depreciation through wear on the equipment and the struggle of starting the tractor on those cold winter mornings. One study in Canada stated that producers could see up to a 54 per cent reduction in costs associated with feeding, yardage and bedding when using extensive winter grazing options like bale grazing, compared to conventional feeding. These benefits did not include the increase in forage productivity on pastures.
Bale grazing is not foolproof and it is important to know where and when to use it. It is not recommended on native pastures because it can introduce weedy or invasive species and it should be avoided near riparian areas to prevent excess nutrients from entering the water supply. Using this practice frequently on the same pasture is also discouraged. A good rule for beginners to avoid excess nutrient buildup on pastures is to bale graze the same spots no more than one time every five years. For more advanced bale grazers, this can vary depending on the bale spacing and management of previous years. Bale grazing is ideally used on dry or frozen ground because compaction or plugging of soil pores, especially in the area surrounding the bale, can occur on wet ground.
Feed should be rationed with movable electric fence and monitored throughout the season as challenges like drifting or excessive snow can restrict access to feed once bales are opened. In Saskatchewan, a windbreak is required and a water source in addition to snow may be needed. Winter grazing is no exception to the general rules of livestock feeding and management and adapting the plan may be necessary.
It can take some time to learn what works in local conditions. Through experience comes understanding and the ability to identify and address potential challenges. Producers may want to try bale grazing on a small scale when conditions are good with a backup plan in place and then use it on a larger scale down the road with some learning under their belt. More information is available on the practical details of bale grazing (Saskatchewan Agriculture and Beef Cattle Research Council).
There is funding available for extensive winter grazing under the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP). Contact your local agri-environmental specialist for more information or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
We need your feedback to improve saskatchewan.ca. Help us improve
