This Forage event was an excellent vehicle to extend producer knowledge on issues such as Carbon Sequestration using forages, Forages for Permanent cover and Forage for Export Markets. It also built producer knowledge on these issues and furthered the goal of managing environmental concerns while increasing the efficiency of our livestock production and export forage sectors within Manitoba.

Project Coordinator, Jane Thornton, MAFRI

(204)  729-1387
jane.thornton@gov.mb.ca

Project Partner: Agriculture Sustainability Initiative

Results: Project Report:

Manitoba Hay Day – Research & Opportunities

Hay Day was held this February 17^th in Brandon. Dr. Dan Undersander, researcher and Forage Agronomy Professor from the University of Wisconsin, provided some excellent information on the benefits of grass in alfalfa stands, making good quality hay and new technology in alfalfa breeding resulting low lignin varieties. It has been a number of years since Dr. Undersander’s last visit to Manitoba and it is always a treat to listen to this very knowledgeable speaker. The rest of the day had reports on export markets and information about shipping goods through the port in Churchill.

Preserving Feed Value

Dr. Undersander talked about how important it is to dry hay quickly to preserve the feed value. This is particularly important to dairy producers and for hay shipped to export markets. One very important aspect of getting hay to dry quickly is to widen the swath, something that today’s equipment doesn’t necessarily allow to the degree that he feels is necessary. His recommendation is based on studies that shows that a plant’s stomata, a small opening in the leaf structure allowing gas exchange, closes when the plant leaf does not have access to daylight. By widening the swath more, leaves are exposed to the sun and the plant can shed moisture more quickly through these open stomata. If the swath is narrowed more leaves are shaded causing the stomata to shut hampering dry down as the rest of the leaf has a waxy coating that inhibits moisture loss. You can take about one day off of drying time by using this strategy. Another aspect of rapid dry-down is that the forage will have a higher energy level since the plant respired for a shorter period of time. A plant needs to reach a level of 40 percent moisture for respiration to stop.

Making good quality hay Presentation

Grass/Alfalfa Hay – now Gaining Acceptance

Information from Dr. Undersander confirmed that the dairy industry is starting to accept more grass in alfalfa hay since recent studies show that the fiber in grass it is a more digestible fiber than in alfalfa. New laboratory tests can confirm these findings and relate the information to livestock producers. This is good news for Manitoba hay producers since alfalfa and grass make a viable stand that provides longevity and ease of drying. Another topic discussed was on research of GMO low lignin alfalfa. While the digestibility is better than its standard counterparts Dr. Undersander thinks the real benefit to hay producers will be found in the increased yield that can be obtained due to delayed cutting while not sacrificing quality. Research indicates that yield increases may be 17 to 25% per year. This could be a significant benefit to hay producers.

MB Benefit of grass in alfalfa stands

Low lignin in alfalfa

Export Opportunities?

The day also saw three presentations on market related topics. The first, by Glenn Friesen of MAFRI, discussed the opportunity in Dubai, UAE. This country is currently cutting its water use to agriculture and is in need of high quality hay. Many countries are already supplying the UAE, the USA and Spain being the main ones but opportunity does exist for Manitoba. In 2007 the UAE bought 600,000 tonnes of alfalfa; in 2010-11 it is expected to increase demand to 1.2 million tonnes. The second speaker was Jane Thornton of MAFRI who reported on a trade mission into Florida and Kentucky in early 2009. While some Manitoba producers have marketed to Florida it was found that Manitoba is usually considered to be too expensive due to transportation costs. However it was also found that Saskatchewan and Alberta supply hay to this area which may indicate that Manitoba needs to work on transportation costs since Manitoba is a shorter and more direct route to the southeastern USA than the other prairie provinces. All that said since the trade mission visited Florida and Kentucky the recession has hit those states very hard and it will be some time before the hay brokers will be in a position to resume normal hay volumes. For the time being it looks like Manitoba’s opportunities there will be delayed. Bill Drew from the Churchill Gateway Development Corp. gave a very interesting presentation on the Churchill port. Recent work on the rail line between The Pas and Churchill has ensured that the port will be accessible and further infrastructure is planned for the port. Opportunity exists for Manitoba to ship hay products through Churchill at competitive rates. This could open many markets for Manitoba as it is the only Prairie province with an ocean port.

Churchill Gateway Presentation

United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Presentation

Kentucky Florida Opportunities

MB Forage Marketers Group

Finally Allen Tyrchniewicz presented information from a recent study looking at future options and strategic planning for the Canadian forage industry. This work comes from the recently formed Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA). The CFGA will give the Canadian forage industry a unified voice and the strength to meet large export market demand which will require a coordinated Canadian approach.

Tyrchniewicz