Coordinating agronomist: Alyssa Krawchuk
Organization: Lakeland Agricultural Research Association
Practice: Rotational grazing
Trial started: Spring 2027
Barrier: The dry conditions in the Lakeland region of Alberta has led to reduced feed sources and overgrazed pastures. Since overgrazed pastures may produce less the following year and require additional management strategies (including reduced grazing days) to ensure long-term pasture viability, this project examines two extended fall grazing options to potentially address this.
Description: This randomized strip trial with four replications will compare two spring-seeded treatments: 1) soft white spring wheat only, silage harvested, stubble grazed and 2) soft white spring wheat under-seeded with Italian ryegrass, silage harvested, stubble grazed to measure the potential that under-seeding Italian ryegrass into a silage ration may have as an extended fall grazing option. Biomass, forage quality, and regrowth the following spring will be assessed and economic analysis will be performed.