Herbage productivity and nutritive value of nine grasses in the Peace River region of northwestern Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Fairey
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Peace River ◽  
Primary Growth ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
River Region ◽  
Single Response

Seasonal production profiles are fundamental to the effective utilisation of herbage crops. In the Peace River region of north-western Canada, the seasonal productivity and nutritive value of the primary growth of nine grasses was assessed under conditions of potentially non-limiting N fertiliser (150 kg N ha-1). Yield, digestibility and N concentration of dry matter (DM) were determined for herbage harvested at six dates during primary growth (late-May to mid-August at 2-wk intervals), and regressed on time in the growing season. Herbage DM yield increased exponentially throughout primary growth for each grass although the nature of the relationship differed among the grasses, both with respect to the maximum yield and the amount of early-season production; maximum yields ranged from 3.61 t ha-1 for reed canary to 6.31 t ha-1 for intermediate wheat. The early-season productivity of meadow foxtail and crested wheat was particularly evident, with DM yields in excess of 1 t ha-1 by 24 May compared to less than 0.32 t ha-1 for the other seven grasses. Reed canary and meadow foxtail had high N concentrations, meadow brome and three wheatgrasses had low N concentrations, and smooth brome, timothy and creeping red fescue had intermediate N concentrations. Herbage digestibility during the primary growth could be characterised by a single response curve for the nine grasses; digestibility decreased exponentially during the vegetative to head-emergence stage of growth at an average rate of 4.1 g kg-1 DM d-1, from 830 g kg-1 DM in late-May to 616 g kg-1 DM in mid-July. Herbage N concentration and digestibility were related linearly for each of the nine grasses. Key words: Grasses, herbage, yield, nutritive value, primary growth

STUDIES WITH FERTILIZED PASTURES ON A HEAVY TEXTURED SOIL IN NORTHERN ALBERTA

1961 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Elliott ◽  
C. H. Anderson ◽  
B. D. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Northern Alberta

Yields of herbage, animal gains, carrying capacity and TDN production were determined for three pasture swards grown on a Grey Wooded soil (Albright-Hythe series) in the Peace River region of northern Alberta over the period 1953 to 1956 inclusive. Sheep were used as grazing units. Fertilizer treatments of nil, ammonium phosphate (11-48-0) at 300 pounds per acre and ammonium nitrate (33-0-0) at 100 pounds per acre were applied annually to pastures of creeping red fescue, creeping red fescue-alfalfa and bromegrass-alfalfa.Productivity obtained with unfertilized grass-legume mixtures was almost double that for unfertilized grass grown alone. Increased production attributable to alfalfa was also obtained, although to a lesser degree, where fertilizers were used. Pastures of creeping red fescue seeded alone and with alfalfa responded markedly to applications of nitrogen while responses to phosphorus were negligible. Conversely, bromegrass-alfalfa pastures responded strongly to applications of phosphorus and only slightly to nitrogen.

Effects of water and nitrogen on seed production of creeping red fescue

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Fairey
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Festuca Rubra ◽  
Seed Crop ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Seed Crops

In order to address a paucity of information, a study was conducted in the Peace River region of northwestern Canada to determine the effects on seed production of creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. var. rubra) of six water treatments [natural precipitation and 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200% of the average, cumulative, long-term precipitation (LTP) of 459 mm yr-1] in combination with four N-fertilization regimes (zero + 102, 34 + 68, 68 + 34, and 102 + zero kg ha-1 N for the first + second crops, respectively). The 2-yr seed yield exceeded 2900 kg ha-1 when N was supplied to just one of the two seed crops, viz. with 150 to 200% LTP when N was applied only to the first seed crop, and with 125 to 150% LTP when N was applied only to the second seed crop. Under the prevailing, long-term, moisture environment at the study site (100% LTP), total seed yield over two production years was greatest (2136 kg ha-1) with 68 + 34 kg ha-1 N. The effects of the water and N treatments on seed yield were not associated with the mass of root organic matter recovered after the harvest of the second seed crop. These results confirm, and begin to quantify, numerous visual observations in the Peace River region that seed yields of creeping red fescue are restricted by insufficient precipitation. Key words: Creeping red fescue, Festuca rubra, grass seed production, nitrogen fertility, water, soil moisture

DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANCE IN NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA OF TOADFLAX AND ITS INSECT ENEMIES

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. DARWENT ◽  
W. LOBAY ◽  
W. YARISH ◽  
P. HARRIS
Keyword(s):  
Forage Crops ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Seed Eating ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Seed Yields ◽  
Summer Fallow ◽  
Made In

A survey was conducted during 1971–73 to determine the distribution of toadflax (Linaria vulgaris Mill.) in the Peace River region of northwestern Alberta. A total of 4,189 ha were found to be moderately or heavily infested. Approximately 47% of the infested land was used for perennial forage crops and 45% for annual crops and summer fallow. The remainder occurred on abandoned lands or in farmyards and woodland. Comparison with estimates of toadflax distribution made in 1956 indicates that the weed may be decreasing in a large portion of the survey areas, although increases are apparent on a few farms. Two biological control agents, the flower-feeding beetle, Brachypterolus pulicarius L., and the seed-eating weevil, Gymnaetron antirrhini Payk., accompanied by improved tillage practices appear to be the major factors restricting the spread of toadflax. The weed is not considered a serious problem in cereal crops but is troublesome in forage crops such as creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) where high densities reduce seed yields.

Adapting the CATIMO grass model to meadow bromegrass grown in western Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bonesmo ◽  
V. S. Baron ◽  
D. Young ◽  
G. Bélanger ◽  
Q. Jing
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Canadian Prairie ◽  
Primary Growth ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Grass Model ◽  
Parameterized Model ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

Bonesmo, H., Baron, V. S., Young, D., Bélanger, G. and Jing, Q. 2014. Adapting the CATIMO grass model to meadow bromegrass grown in western Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 61–71. The Canadian Timothy Model (CATIMO) simulates the growth and nutritive value of timothy grown in eastern and western Canada, Norway, and Finland, but has not been parameterized for meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) grown under Canadian prairie conditions. We parameterized and evaluated the CATIMO model to simulate the dry matter (DM) yield and N concentration of meadow bromegrass grown in western Canada with data from sequential sampling in primary growth and regrowth from two field experiments for a total of 5 yr of observation. Primary growth DM yield was simulated well [R2=0.95; normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) =16%; model simulation efficiency (EF)=0.93]. Simulations of the regrowth DM yield (R2=0.49, NRMSE=39%, EF=0.47) were not as successful as that of the primary growth, but they were within expected ranges for regrowth DM yields in western Canada. Forage N concentration was poorly simulated in primary growth (R2=0.32, NRMSE=38%, EF=−0.95) and regrowth (R2=0.27, NRMSE=30%, EF=−2.43). Plant-available soil moisture down to 30 cm was simulated well (R2=0.74, NRMSE=19%, EF=0.50). The parameterized model for meadow bromegrass expands the use of the CATIMO model to drier geographical areas where timothy may not be common, and it represents a first attempt to provide DM yield assessment of meadow bromegrass under Canadian Prairie conditions for whole-farm modeling.

scholarly journals Timing of primary growth harvest affects the yield and nutritive value of timothy-red clover mixtures

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. RINNE ◽  
A. NYKÄNEN
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growth Time ◽  
Primary Growth ◽  
Organically Grown

The effects of partition of growth time between primary growth and regrowth of organically grown mixed (mainly timothy and red clover) leys were studied over two years in Juva, Finland. Primary growth was harvested at three different dates and regrowth on a single occasion from all plots. Dry matter (DM) yield of primary growth increased by 116 kg per ha per day by delaying harvest (P

scholarly journals Development of yield and nutritive value of timothy in primary growth and regrowth in northern growing conditions

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 252 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. NISSINEN ◽  
P. KALLIAINEN ◽  
L. JAUHIAINEN
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Percentage Unit ◽  
Primary Growth ◽  
Organic Matter Digestibility

The development of the yield and nutritive value of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) both in the primary growth and in the regrowth were studied at MTT Plant Production Research, a unit of MTT Agrifood Research Finland, in Rovaniemi (66°35´N) in 1999–2001. The dry matter yield and leaf:stem ratio were measured from the crop samples, and the contents of crude protein and organic matter digestibility of both whole plant samples and leaf and stem fractions were analysed. In primary growth, the most rapid increase of dry matter, 220–240 kg ha-1 per day, was measured around the beginning of the heading stage. There was a very strong positive correlation between the proportion of stems and the amount of dry matter in the primary yield. The daily growth rate of the regrowth was less than half of that of the primary growth. The fastest decrease, 1 percentage unit per day, in crude protein content was measured at the pasture stage (4–5-leaf stage). During the entire sampling period, the average daily decline in crude protein content in the primary growth of timothy was 0.65 percentage units. The main cause for the rapid decline in crude protein content was the high proportion of stem matter and its low protein content. In the regrowth, during the last four weeks before the harvest, the average daily decline in crude protein content was 0.28 percentage units.The average decline in organic matter digestibility from early pasture stage to late silage stage was 0.9 percentage units per day. The most remarkable change was noticed at the growth stage of timothy when about the half of stems were heading and it was then that the digestibility decreased by more than one percentage unit per day. The rapid decline in organic matter digestibility was due to the low digestibility of stem matter. The daily change in forage digestibility in the regrowth was very small, on average 0.11%.;

scholarly journals Butterflies of the Peace River Region of Alberta and British Columbia

Blue Jay ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert G. Kondla ◽  
Edward M. Pike ◽  
Felix A. H. Sperling
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region

Seasonal emergence patterns of Sitodiplosis mosellana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in the Peace River region, Alberta, Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Amanda Jorgensen ◽  
Maya L. Evenden ◽  
Owen Olfert ◽  
Jennifer Otani
Keyword(s):  
Adult Emergence ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Phenological Model ◽  
Sitodiplosis Mosellana ◽  
Peace River ◽  
Wheat Midge ◽  
Emergence Patterns ◽  
River Region ◽  
Accumulated Rainfall

Abstract Wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is an invasive pest of wheat, Triticum spp. (Poaceae), in North America and is found in all wheat-growing regions of the world. Wheat midge biology, particularly post-diapause emergence of adults, varies with geographic region. The biology of wheat midge has not previously been examined in the northernmost area of its range in Canada – the Peace River region of Alberta. Wheat midge adult emergence was compared in situ to two phenological models of wheat midge emergence developed in other geographic regions. In-field adult emergence did not match the published phenological models. In the Peace River region, adults emerged later than are predicted by both models and precision for both models was low. With the Saskatchewan model, accumulated rainfall that was more than 110 mm in May and early June delayed emergence, whereas accumulated rainfall that was less than 43 mm during that period caused earlier than predicted emergence. Multiple peaks of wheat midge emergence, up to 20 days apart, were observed at some sites, supporting the Jacquemin model depicting “waves” of emergence. Including differences in soil temperature accumulation related to precipitation and optimising the model temperature thresholds would improve accuracy of the current Canadian phenological model in the Peace River region.

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