February 2023
Research Results
This study looked at the potential for direct seeding legumes into existing forage stands alone and in combination of varying nutrient treatments to determine a potential BMP for pasture rejuvenation following damage from extreme heat and drought.
Lack of results due to drought conditions
Due to drought conditions experienced on-site, there was poor overall yield and high variability within treatments. Researchers deemed performing a partial economic analysis would not generate meaningful information.
Multi-year study recommended
A multi-year study is recommended to further evaluate the various treatments and legume establishment within an aged grass stand, as one year of data collection did not provide enough information for producers to make informed decisions on pasture rejuvenation practices.
Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
2021 was an incredibly challenging year for producers across Alberta, due in large part to severe and unusual weather conditions. Prolonged periods of extreme heat, coupled with notably low levels of moisture resulted in an extreme feed shortage for the beef sector as hay and silage yields were significantly reduced and pastures lacked both quantity and quality. Although the east central Alberta is identified as a semi-arid area, the conditions in 2021 were far more severe than what producers are accustomed to.
Strategic management of these lands is critical to return to normal production. Thoughtful grazing strategies will be important and rejuvenation of some stands will be required. Rejuvenation methods in east central Alberta often include tillage and reseeding with suitable mixes of perennial species. This requires considerably expense and loss of at least one production year to have successful re-establishment of forage material. Adding perennial legumes directly into the stand may require less investment and result in improved production of a high quality feed source in a more timely manner. Legumes are known to add nutritional quality to both hay and grazing. Soils in east central Alberta are typically low in many plant available nutrients.
Growth of the legumes may be enhanced by application of various nutrient treatments. This research will evaluate a total of 14 treatments and combinations of individual legume crops or mixed with various nutrients.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
Economic benefits including reduced expense of rejuvenating pasture or hayland by cutting herbicide costs, increased return per acre due to better productivity, and better quality forage stands will reduce the need to purchase/import feed.
Environmental benefits include reduced chemical use and reduced risk of contamination of sensitive wildlife habitat, reduce diesel use and carbon footprint, less disturbance of wildlife habitats, improved soil health due to crop diversity and maintaining perennial cover year round, and less erosion potential.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.