Determining the best fall-seeded cover crop mixtures for field rejuvenation and cost effectiveness

Determining the best fall-seeded cover crop mixtures for field rejuvenation and cost effectiveness

Coordinator: Serena Black, BC Forage Council 
Region: British Columbia
Practices: Rotational grazing

Barrier: There is a lack of data on the use and management of cover crops, their impacts on subsequent crop performance, and the economic costs and returns on investment for this practice. 

Description: Fall-seeded cover crop mixtures will be planted either following annual forage crop harvest or as part of initiating a field rejuvenation cycle in a typical B.C. mixed farming rotation with limited irrigation. The trial will compare a single-species cover (e.g. fall rye), more diverse cover crop mixtures (e.g. fall rye with Austrian winter peas), and a control plot with no cover crop seeding. Cover crop establishment, biomass, soil health, forage quality, and subsequent crop performance will be measured, and an economic analysis will be conducted.

An economic comparison of different extended grazing strategies

An economic comparison of different extended grazing strategies

Coordinator: Serge Pageau and Émilie Blondeau, Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères
Region: Quebec
Practices: Cover crops, Rotational grazing

Barrier: There is limited local economic and agronomic data to guide farmers on strategies to effectively extend the fall grazing season while reducing labour and feeding costs. Without comprehensive comparisons to conventional confined hay feeding, farmers lack the support needed to make informed decisions about integrating beneficial management practices like grazing cover crops.

Field Trial description: This trial compares three late-fall grazing strategies in a cattle operation: stockpiled forage, standing cover crops, and bale grazing on pasture. Forage yield and quality, dry matter intake, and labour requirements will be recorded. The economics of these extended grazing systems will be compared with the established costs and labour associated with the industry-standard practice of feeding stored forage in confinement. Results will help farmers evaluate whether these strategies can improve cost-efficiency and reduce labour, while delivering environmental benefits.