Baleage does not reach as low a pH as chopped haylage (and other types of silage). This means that greater emphasis must be put on good silage-making processes, especially the exclusion of oxygen. The length of storage time and how long the bales are exposed to oxygen before feed-out must be adjusted to weather conditions. […]
Storing hay outside and exposed can cause large losses due to spoilage, often up to 61%. While precipitation usually takes the blame for spoiled hay, the bales also wick moisture up from the ground. Storing hay under a roof will minimize spoilage. Typical storage losses under a roof are 2%–10%. While an initial capital expense, […]
The storage and handling of livestock feeds in the ensiled form has several advantages. These, however, can only be fully realized if producers select the type of storage structure (silo) most suited to their farm situation. It is important to think of each part of the feed handling picture, from field to feed bunk, as […]
Stage of maturity at harvest is the most important factor in determining the nutritional quality of a forage crop. Forage yield is the amount of dry matter produced. Just like grain crops have industry-accepted moisture contents for standardizing yield (e.g., grain corn is 15.5% moisture, soybeans are 13%), forage yield is always on a dry […]
This article was originally written by Joel Bagg in 2012. It was edited August 22, 2025 by Christine O’Reilly to fix broken links to further resources. Dry weather during corn silking and pollination can significantly reduce grain yield expectations. Inadequate moisture can result in poor ear fill or even corn plants without any ear or […]
Alfalfa weevil is a major alfalfa pest in Ontario. Larvae feeding on alfalfa leaves can reduce both yield and forage quality. The simple answer As alfalfa gets taller it can tolerate more weevils before action is necessary to protect forage yield and quality. Action thresholds for managing alfalfa weevil are as follows: Stem Height Number […]
Potato leafhopper is a major alfalfa pest in Ontario. Yield losses may reach 50%, and crude protein content can drop 2-3% from heavy infestations. Potato leafhopper feeding decreases stand vigour, slows regrowth and increases winterkill. The simple answer As alfalfa gets taller it can tolerate more potato leafhoppers before action is necessary to protect forage […]
Frost seeding is a popular way to renovate an existing forage stand and is most effective in fields where patches of bare soil at least the size of a loonie are visible. With spring around the corner, many producers have questions about how to best use this technique to improve their hay fields and pastures. […]
Winter Conditions 2023/2024 Much of the province had below-average precipitation over the winter, including the Ottawa Valley, the northern and western shores of Lake Huron, and Rainy River District. Temperatures across Ontario were milder than normal, which resulted in reduced snow cover in many areas. Hay and Haylage Above-average levels of alfalfa winterkill occurred in […]
By: Dr. Katie Wood, Associate Professor, Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph and Madeline McLennan, M.Sc. Student, Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph This article was originally published in the October 2024 edition of Virtual Beef. Although forage choppers and bale processors are not new technologies, there is a surprizing lack of data in how they can […]
By Christine O’Reilly, Forage & Grazing Specialist and Tracey Baute, Entomologist, Field Crops Warm fall temperatures have many pests still active and hungry, looking for food resources before overwintering or being killed off by a hard frost. We are aware of at least one significant sighting of blister beetles clustering on the lawn of a […]
Caution! Members of the sorghum family – sorghum, sudangrass, and hybrid sorghum-sudangrass – contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN). A sudden disruption of growth such as frost, drought or cutting, causes prussic acid to be released inside the plant at a more […]
Trendy Triticale By Christine O’Reilly, OMAFA Forage & Grazing Specialist Annual crops have played a larger role in forage production systems in recent years. Annuals often excel at filling production gaps for perennials, such as the summer slump, early spring, or late fall. Despite costing more per tonne of dry matter to grow, their ability […]