Get reliable rangeland science

The purpose of this project is to increase our understanding of extensive winter grazing management systems. This knowledge is required due to the spatial variability of soil nutrients and corresponding forage productivity following bale grazing. This variability originates from the non-uniform deposition of bale residue, manure and urine and may result in a site having excess nutrients near where bales were placed (resulting in increased forage production, environmental risk and nutrient loss) and insufficient nutrients between bales (resulting lower forage production). With the exception of 2015, forage production has been significantly greater (P<0.05) since 2013 on areas directly impacted by the bale when compared to the areas between the bales. While forage production was higher on all sites the year following bale grazing, it was only significantly higher on the early Caroline bale site. By 2015, while production was still higher on bale impacted sites, it was no longer significant (P>0.05). The impact of bale grazing on forage quality varied depending on site. Relative feed value (RFV) at the Caroline site was greater on both bales in 2013 and 2014 at the late season bale location. It was however significantly lower in 2014 at the early bale grazed location. Relative forage quality (RFQ) and crude protein was also variable, RFQ was significantly higher at the late grazed location in 2013 and significantly lower at both bales in 2014. Crude protein (CP) was only significantly different (higher) at the early grazed location in 2014. At the Vermilion site, RFV was only significantly higher at the late grazed bale location in 2014 while RFQ was significantly lower at the early bale location in both 2013 and 2014. CP was significantly higher at both bale locations in 2014.