Forage selection should be tailored

Proper grass and legume selection is an important step for a successful forage stand. No simple forage recommendation will apply to all situations. For example, some grasses are best suited to the cooler and moister northern areas of the province, while others are more suited to the warmer, drier climate of the south.

A forage stand should be tailored to your specific requirements. Will the forage be used for hay or grazing? Is it intended to control salinity? Is a grassed waterway planned?

Consideration should also be given to soil factors and climatic conditions. Is the soil sandy? Is the site flooded at any time of the year and for how long? What is the average annual precipitation?

When considering forage selection, keep in mind that native grasses are a natural choice, having adapted to growing conditions on the prairies. They are drought resistant, winter hardy, low maintenance, long-lived, and require little or no fertilizer. Native grasses can be used for seeding rangeland, wildlife habitat, saline and reclamation areas. They are also good soil builders. However, seed for native species is often scarce and more expensive than introduced species.

Introduced grasses are not native to North America, however they have undergone breeding to ensure their suitability to the prairies. Introduced grasses are used for pasture and hay, wildlife, salinity control, grassed waterways and reclamation areas. Each variety has different growth characteristics and tolerances. Choose species and varieties that are suited to your particular soil and climatic conditions.

Legumes are another forage species commonly seeded on the prairies. Legumes serve as soil builders by improving soil tilth. An important characteristic of all legumes is their ability to fix nitrogen if inoculated with the correct rhizobium before seeding. Generally they are used in mixtures with grasses to reduce bloat hazard.

Mixtures of legumes and grasses may be necessary on soils with wide variations in textures and slope to allow for establishment under varied conditions. Grasses produce the major portion of their growth early in the season, usually permitting only one cutting. Pure alfalfa stands usually result in higher hay yields.

Like most important decisions, forage selection requires that you do your homework first. Well-informed, careful planning will help prevent costly mistakes and unsatisfactory results.

For more information on forage selection, contact the PFRA office in your district.