28 FORAGE “Gerrish really emphasized
where you put your water and [in winter] your feed,“ he says. “That helps the cattle to use the pasture properly and not over graze some spots and under graze others.” “I was also interested in
how a diversity of plants in a pasture makes a maximum use of the solar energy,” says Dwayne. Garrish explained in his
presentation how a variety of plants each access different elements of solar radiation and in the end produce more forage value per acre than a monocrop system. As well as more providing value above the soil, the variety of plants with their differing root structures and chemistries each contribute to improve soil health. Dwayne says he has seen
the results of growing a variety of forage in his own fields. “We’ve been playing with different cover crops for three
nfrom page 27
years now, and I can already see the difference in the soil,” he says. “The soil on our ranch is quite sandy, and with the brassicas, I can see there is more organic matter in the soil than there was when we started.”
Feed value Dwayne says cattle gain
weight at a different pace with the non-traditional forage mixes. “The cattle do really well on the different plants like the turnip, radish and barley mix, once they get used to it,” he says. “On the first rotation through the field, they look at you like you’re crazy and they eat what they traditionally eat. The second time through they eat a bit more and by the third rotation they are pulling the turnips out with their teeth and eating them.” Tests show that the forage, which the Schwebs use both for summer pasture and put up for silage fits the bill.
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Western Livestock Marketing Solutions Inc. 250.573.5605
Longhorn Farms Ltd. 250.765.7431
Western Cattle Co. Kamloops 250.851.1255
Contact MLMA 1.250.314.9686 BCBFA
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • OCTOBER 2018
From the ground up: Jim Gerrish explained how different varieties of forage provide differing root structures and chemistries, and how they contribute to overall soil health. BCFC PHOTO
“I sent some away to be tested and the nutritionist phoned me and asked me what it was. He said he had never seen such a balanced silage mix,” Dwayne says. The ranch bale-grazes in
• BEEF • VEAL • BISON • LAMB • GOAT • DEER
the winter and Dwayne calls the regrowth from the combination of nitrogen and hay remnants “amazing.” “Part of that is just from the moisture holding capacity,” he explains. “That’s
how I got started in this. We used to roll out some straw and I noticed that where we had spread the straw out there was double the grass production and I started researching it. … I think there is going to be a real revolution in soil heath over the next few years.” Soil health and the
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resulting forage quality is not something that the cattle industry has looked at very closely, notes Black. “It’s more something that
the dairy and the horse industries consider,” she says. “With cattle using range, it is more of a different system but as we increase the head of cattle we are looking to feed in the province, it will become more important.”
BCBFA BC BREEDER & FEEDER ASSOCIATION
APP (ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM) FOR BC PRODUCERS FEEDER ASSOCIATIONS LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM | BRED HEIFER ASSOCIATIONS LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM
THE ADVANCE PAYMENTS PROGRAM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL BC PRODUCERS.
Producers can apply for an advance on calves, yearlings, lambs, bison, forage and grain up to $400,000.00 with the first $100,000.00 being interest free. Plus, interest relief through the Advance Payments Program is available to association members on their feeder cattle purchases.
Application forms are available at
www.bcbfa.ca or by contacting your local association or the BCBFA office. Financing for feeder cattle, sheep and bred heifers/cows is available throughout B.C. from Co-operative Feeder and Bred Heifer Associations. The Province provides a loan guarantee to the Association’s lender. All persons are eligible who reside in British Columbia, are at least 19 years of age and own or lease a farm or ranch. Financing for feeders is for a one year term. Financing for bred heifers/cows is over a 5 year term. Cattlemen, please contact your local association:
Cariboo Bred Heifer Cooperative Cariboo-Chilcotin Cooperative Feeders Assoc Fraser Nechako Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc
Secretary: Lindy Gilson, Quesnel
Ph 250/992-8483 | Fax 250/992-8489 Ph 250/991-8413 email:
bearvlly@telus.net
Central Interior Feeders Cooperative Assoc Secretary: Audrey Cooper, Vanderhoof Ph 250/567-2049 | Fax 250/567-9049 email:
cifcasecretary@uniserve.com
Okanagan Feeders Cooperative Association Secretary: Michele Lypchuk, Armstrong Tel 250/546-2638 | Fax 250/546-8037 email:
ml@rhllp.ca
North Peace B.C. Feeder Cooperative North Peace B.C. Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc South Peace B.C. Bred Heifer Cooperative Assoc
Secretary: Connie Patterson, Dawson Creek Ph 250/782-6272 | Fax 250/782-1881 Ph 250/219-0791 email:
pcc@neonet.bc.ca
ADVANTAGES TO THE LIVESTOCK PRODUCER
Reliable source of credit available on short notice from the Association.
Interest rate is competitive or better than on an individual basis.
5% deposit on feeders & 10% deposit on bred heifers allows producers to continue during periods of limited cash flow.
The association is controlled by the members.
Livestock mortality insurance. BC BREEDER & FEEDER ASSOCIATION
LINDY GILSON 308 St. Laurent Avenue, Qusenel, BC, V2J 6R1 P 250.992.8483 | F 250.992.8489 email:
bearvlly@telus.net
www.bcbfa.ca
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