Forage Production Under Variable Moisture Conditions
Farm Research Partner: Dean Wiegand
Growing Season: 2024
Location: 11 km southwest of Westlock, Alberta
Soil Zone: Dark Grey Soil Zone
Accumulated Rainfall (2024): 241 mm
Researcher & Author: Dakota Odgers
On-Farm Research
Seeding & Germination
Dean Wiegand farms in the Dark Grey soil zones of Alberta, approximately 11 kilometres Southwest of Westlock, Alberta. His study field encompassed 132 acres of Full Season Cover Crop.
Pre-burn Application: Roundup + Pardner.
Fertilizer: No synthetic fertilizer was applied with the seed, nor was any synthetic fertilizer pre-applied or incorporated into the soil.
Seeding Date: May 15th to maximize available spring moisture.
Trial Details: Evaluate the cost of production, regrowth & overall economic analysis of a Full Season Cover.
Figure 1: Picture taken of Full-Season August 8th, 2024
On-Farm Research
The Growing Season
The growing season began with adequate moisture, which was not a limiting factor. With Dean’s planting date of May 15th, the moisture in the beginning stage of the crop proved very favourable from May 15th until June 12th, where Dean received 60mm of precipitation.
Following this great start, growing conditions became much more complex, with only 10mm of rain occurring from June 12th until July 23rd. This is when the diversity of plants in the Full Season Cover shined as with the hot, dry conditions presenting themselves, different plants in the blend started to express themselves and extend the vegetative state of the canopy.
On July 24th, the dry cycle broke, and Dean received 52mm of rain, helping develop the plants while they were in symbiosis. This would be the last substantial rain Dean received for the rest of the year.
Accumulated Rainfall (mm)
On Farm Research
Harvest
Dean harvested the headlands of his Full Season Cover on August 1st, one week before the rest of the field for the study; the results are shown in Figure 3 and the feed test under Test 1.
Early Harvest Date (of headland):
Protein: 12.26%
TDN: 65.37
Moisture: 50.13%
Dean harvested the remainder of his Full Season Cover on August 8th, marking 85 days between seeding and harvest. This duration for the crop is suited for producers looking to maximize the tonnage of the crop with the understanding that plants may be farther advanced than under normal conditions of cutting in between 60-70 days. With harvesting at this stage, Dean could maximize forage quantity while maintaining strong feed quality, as shown in the feed test below.
Figure 2. Picture of Full-Season taken August 24th, 2024
Figure 3. Full Season Cover headlands were cut one week before the full field was harvested, and the regrowth picture was taken on August 22nd.
The field total averaged a yield of 6,553.03 lbs/acre, with the following feed analysis results:
Protein: 10.16 %
TDN: 65.45
Moisture: 34.87%
See results of the feed analysis below by clicking on the A&L image.
Test 1. Test 1: Full-Season Cut August 1, 2024
Test 2: Full-Season Cut August 8th, 2024
On-Farm Research
Regrowth
Upon cutting the Full Season on August 8th, Dean left the crop to regrow for 62 days, allowing a living root to capture sunlight and moisture. The regrowth on the cover crop was very strong, so Dean was looking to utilize the regrowth for a fall grazing situation.
Cows in this study averaged 1400 lbs, while calves averaged 400 lbs and bulls 2000 lbs. On October 9th, Dean placed 178 cows,154 calves and 7 bulls on the piece to begin grazing. The livestock were not supplemented at any stage with any additional feed.
For the representation of the study, the only feed source they had available to them was Full-Season regrowth and bordering pastures were excluded from grazing. The study was completed on October 30th when Dean began supplementation of feed while the cattle remained on the piece for the purpose of the study it was completed.
Figure 4. Regrowth of crop photo taken October 2nd, 2024
Farm Research
Cost Of Production Analysis
Table 2. The cost for the seed is based on the March 1st pre-buy deadline. The cost for the sprayer, seeding cost, discbine and baler are all based on the Saskatchewan Farm Machinery Custom and Rental Rate Guide https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/76527.
Bale Wrapper custom cost calculated from 2025 Cost of Production Hay: Round Bale and Silage https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farm-management/cost-production/pubs/cop-forage-alfalfa-hay.pdf
Seed & Inoculant: $79.00/acre (In-season Pricing)
Fertilizer: $0.00/acre
Herbicide & Sprayer Cost: $20.00/acre
Seeding Cost: $35.24/acre
Labour: $13.50/acre
Land Cost: $60.00/acre
Swather: $14.65/acre
Silage Baler & Wrapper 4x4 (5.25 bales/acre): $146.79/acre
TOTAL COST: $369.18/ACRE
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Total PROFIT/Acre
Feed Value (6553.03 Ibs/acre x 0.06/Ib): $393.18*
Feed Replacement Cost ($0.06/lb feed) as compared to regrowth grazing: $93.00/acre
Total Output of Field with Feed and Grazing: $486.18/acre
Total Cost: $369.18
TOTAL PROFIT: $117.00/acre
Group 1: 178 Cows X 1400lbs=249,200 total lbs + 154 Calves X 400 LBS=61,600 total lbs+ 7 Bulls X 2000 lbs=14000 total lbs= 249,200+61600+14000=324800 Total lbs on Field/1000=324.8X21days=6820.80/132=51.67AU/Acre
Feed Replacement Cost=51.67AU X 30lbs dry matter replacement= 1550.10 lbs daily intake X ($.06lbs) =$93.00 added value per acre X 132 acres=$12276.79 total feed savings
On-Farm Research
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dean Wiegand’s Full-Season Cover Crop study on his 132-acre field in Westlock, Alberta, highlights the potential of cover crops for forage production, even in variable moisture conditions. Despite a dry summer, plant diversity supported continued growth with no synthetic fertilizers applied. Under Dean’s farm management system, he feeds his livestock year-round. The fall grazing of the Full-Season allowed him to gain the economic benefit of reducing feed costs while integrating animals into the system. Regarding timing, Dean cut the headlands prior to the rest of the field and feed-tested these sections separately. By doing so, Dean demonstrated through feed tests how staging can impact protein levels of the forage source with an earlier cutting date. This study highlights the many benefits, including economic advantages, soil health, feed quality, and a diversified system that Full-Season Cover Crops can offer to farms across western Canada.