Use Small Grain Stubble Fields To Boost Forage Supply

Aug 28, 2017

By Jared Goplen and Eric Mousel

Now is the prime time to be seeding small grain stubble fields with a cover crop to be grazed this fall, winter or next spring. One of the many benefits of incorporating small grains into the crop rotation is the ability to get a forage cover crop established by the end of August, which is a great way for beef and dairy producers to add value to their crop fields by extending the grazing window or adding to the forage supply.

The amount of forage produced by cover crops will vary widely depending on establishment success, precipitation, and growing degree-day accumulation from seeding to harvest. There are a number of cover crops well-suited for livestock grazing or mechanical forage harvesting. Some crops work better than others depending on your specific objectives and field scenarios. Before selecting cover crop species, determine what you want from the crop.

Do you want to graze or harvest the forage this fall, next spring, or both?
What is more important, forage yield or forage quality?
Are you planning to graze the cover crop or chop it as haylage?
Do you want the crop to winterkill or to regrow next spring?
How much are you willing to spend on seed?
Are there grazing restrictions for herbicides applied earlier in the year?
These are all questions that need to be addressed when selecting species or species mixtures. There are several great resources available online to help make your decision easier.

Source: umn.edu

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta