Forage acres are the foundation for maintaining and building the livestock industry’s national and international competitiveness. They also play a role in expanding crop rotations to break disease cycles and manage soil and nutrient challenges. (Photo courtesy of the Lakeland Agricultural Regional Association
The following article was prepared by Hillary Luchinski, the forage extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture in Tisdale.
The establishment and termination of perennial forage crops can seem daunting to those more familiar with growing annual cash crops. With rising land prices and shrinking commodity margins, the risk of economic loss over the three to five years the forage is in the rotation may seem impractical. However, when we run the numbers and read the research, we now know that forages can be profitable and that the yield benefits can be seen for several years after the stand is terminated.
Economically, adding forages into rotations makes sense. While not as lucrative as a cash crop such as canola or wheat, there is still profit to be made. This is partially because the seeding and input costs (such as fertilizer and pre-seeding weed control) are amortized over the stand lifetime. When income from the resulting hay or silage is factored in, forages show a respectable profit and low risk of crop failure. Research by Jefferey et al. (1993) indicates that pure alfalfa stands terminated after four or five years showed the greatest economic efficiency in a rotation.
Diversifying crop rotations with perennial forages can also be an effective tool to interrupt pest and disease cycles. However, the benefits depend heavily on the species included in the forage blend, the target pest or disease and the environmental conditions of the growing season.
Using and marketing the forage can be a challenge for many annual crop producers. Often, they do not have the harvest equipment or the animals to utilize it. Many livestock producers are happy to have additional feed sources, especially during drought, and may be open to cutting, baling and hauling the forage themselves. Growing perennial forages for seed production is another option to consider as well.
In summary, forages can be an effective tool for extending rotations, managing soil nutrients and interrupting pest and disease cycles while turning a tidy profit with low input costs. To learn more about forage establishment, management and economics, reach out to your local Range Management Extension Specialist or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1(866) 457-2377.
