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Passive seeding technique for improving marginal pasture

 

Project Details

  • Project Lead: Jane Thornton (Manitoba Agriculture - retired)

  • Collaborator: Mae Elsinger (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

  • Years: 2019-2021

  • Project Status: Complete

  • Funding & In-Kind Support: Imperial Seed, Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

  • Location: First Street Pasture

  • Scope: Case Study

  • Keywords: Forage Rejuvenation, Perennial Forages

Purpose

This project introduces legumes into an existing forage stand by broadcast seeding around mineral tubs.

Key Findings

  • Low precipitation in all years impacted establishment success, with 2021 being the worst.

  • It is possible that in some cases germination was delayed until suitable moisture conditions arose.

  • In all years there was a mixture of high, moderate, and low establishment results for alfalfa, and low results for sainfoin. Cicer milkvetch did not do well in 2019 and was not in the seed mix for 2020.

  • One of the best plantings happened in 2019 on the feeding area where cattle were being trained to eat leafy spurge.

  • Good germination also happened near the end of June in 2020 where the big rain event (155 mm) led to a period of high soil moisture.

Alfalfa (upper) and Sainfoin (lower) seedling germination and establishment counts over 2 summers, from a mix of 2 lbs of seed applied to ¼ acre. Seeding dates in 2019 are on the left 2/3 and seeding dates in 2020 are on the right 1/3. Cicer milkvetch was only planted in 2019 and did not account for many seedlings in either year (not shown).

Full Reports:

2020 Interim Report:

2019 Interim Report:

Industry Resources: