Cattle & Forage
Cattle & Forage is supporting the co-development, testing, monitoring, refinement and adoption of BMPs associated with grazing season extension and winter-feeding strategies in BC’s forage and cattle sector.
Forage consists of herbaceous plant material, such as hay or pasture, used to feed domestic animals. Most forage is grown and fed on the same farm. Cattle and other livestock are raised throughout British Columbia. BC’s farmers and ranchers supply beef and other animal products to local, national, and international markets. There are approximately 460,000 beef cattle, divided amongst approximately 3,300 farms. Cattle in BC account for about 5% of the national beef herd.
Includes: Beef, Forage, Other Livestock
Who is Involved?
- BC Cattlemen’s Association
- BC Forage Council
What Practices are Being Developed & Researched?
- Annual/alternative cover crops for winter grazing
- Standing crops for winter grazing
- Refined nutrient budgeting
Resources
- Assessing BMPs for Extended Winter Grazing: Economic Performance in British Columbia
On May 7, Cattle & Forage hosted a webinar with Serecon Inc. going over the results of a recent study. The results are based on detailed information provided by BC Ranchers practicing these BMPs. - Extended Grazing on BC Cattle Ranches
Field Day Recap On ranches spanning the Interior from Grand Forks to Prince George, producers and researchersare exploring: How can corn and multi-species cover crops extend fall grazing while reducinglabour, equipment use, and emissions? A field day at the southernmost trial ranch in the BCLiving Lab brought ranchers and researchers together to explore innovative approaches… Read more: Extended Grazing on BC Cattle Ranches - Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 1
The BC Living Lab Cattle & Forage project hosted a Winter Webinar Series “Extended Grazing Practices: Will They Work for You?” during January and February 2024. This is a recording of the first webinar “BC Living Lab, the Role of Soil Carbon and Soil Health & On-Farm Practices,” hosted on January 30, 2024. The BC… Read more: Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 1 - Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 2
The BC Living Lab Cattle & Forage project hosted a Winter Webinar Series “Extended Grazing Practices: Will They Work for You?” during January and February 2024. This is a recording of the second webinar, “Bale Grazing: Is this a Practice That Will Work on Your Ranch?” hosted on February 6, 2024. The BC Living Lab… Read more: Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 2 - Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 3The BC Living Lab Cattle & Forage project hosted a Winter Webinar Series “Extended Grazing Practices: Will They Work for You?” during January and February 2024. This is a recording of the third webinar, “Grazing Standing Corn” hosted on February 13, 2024. The BC Living Lab is a collaborative project being undertaken by the Investment… Read more: Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 3
- Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 4
The BC Living Lab Cattle & Forage project hosted a Winter Webinar Series “Extended Grazing Practices: Will They Work for You?” during January and February 2024. This is a recording of the fourth webinar, “Annual and Alternative Forage Cover Crop for Grazing” hosted on February 20, 2024. The BC Living Lab is a collaborative project… Read more: Cattle & Forage Winter Webinar Series: Webinar 4