Pasture Cropping Project with Mary-Jane Orr

This week Mary-Jane Orr, General Manager for Manitoba Beef & Forage Initiatives Inc., joins me to discuss the Pasture Cropping Project that took place at MBFI’s Johnson Farm. 

Mary-Jane leads a dedicated team at MBFI to advance Manitoba’s beef & forage industry through engaging stakeholders, evaluating on-farm innovation, and extension for sustainability of farmers, the public, and the environment. She deeply values the opportunity to collaborate with producers, researchers, education providers, extension specialists, conservation groups, and all stakeholders in field-testing management practices and growing understanding of improved production in Manitoba. Mary-Jane holds a PhD from Purdue University in soil microbial ecology in agricultural systems, is a Professional Agrologist, and Certified Crop Advisor. Her experience in ecology and field agronomy gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing agriculture today. 

During this episode, Mary-Jane begins by sharing what pasture cropping is, the land types it may be best suited for and some of the benefits and disadvantages of implementing this on-farm.

The Pasture Cropping Project was implemented using an idea from Australia that allows producers to grow two crops in one year, modified to suit the climate and growing season in Manitoba.  During this trial, two treatments were used to suppress pasture forages and then a crop was planted into the pastureland.  A control strip was also used to determine differences from the untouched pasture.  The harvested forage was used for winter feeding cattle at MBFI.

Mary-Jane shares the outcomes of this project, as well as how this is relevant, and possibly a beneficial practice for Manitoba producers who are looking to add diversity or flexibility to their mixed farming operations.

We would like to thank Imperial Seed and Zeghers Seed for their contributions which made this project possible.

References and Links:

To view the full project report, please visit the “Pasture Cropping Comparison” information at: https://www.mbfi.ca/pasture-cropping

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). 

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

Instagram: @MBBeefandForage

Facebook: @MBBeefandForage

Twitter: @MBBeefandForage

Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011