Preference Grazing and Persistence of New Forages with Dr. Bart Lardner

Dr. H.A. (Bart) Lardner is a Professor and the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in Cow-Calf and Forage Systems at the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Lardner holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Saskatchewan, focusing on forage rejuvenation, nutrient digestibility and ruminant performance in Western Canada. Over the past 30 years his beef and forage research has focused on forage utilization and beef cattle management programs. His research has included improving water quality for beef cattle on pasture, evaluation of annual and perennial forages, pasture rejuvenation, extensive fall and winter grazing systems, nutrient cycling, heifer development and application of genomic technology in beef cattle breeding programs.

Lardner’s work on fall and winter grazing systems and water quality has been widely adopted by producers in Canada and the United States, and his current work evaluating novel forage mixtures and the impact on animal performance, enteric emissions and economics is contributing to changes that will significantly improve beef cattle production in western Canada.

Lardner’s research program works closely with industry and producers to ensure applicability of results back to industry. These activities have resulted in the publication of over 250 articles and fact sheets in popular farm press, numerous YouTube videos and over 75 abstracts and 110 peer-reviewed scientific journal manuscripts. As a Professor, Dr. Lardner has taught numerous forage, range and animal sciences courses, advised over 100 undergraduate students, and guided the research of 55 MSc, PhD and PDF’s during his career.

Lardner’s professional accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Golden Harvest Award (2008), Canadian Animal Industries Award in Extension and Public Service sponsored by Canadian Society of Animal Science (2013), American Society of Animal Science’s Western Section Extension Award (2018), Dean’s Award for Excellence in Outreach and Engagement (2018), Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (2022), and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for Contribution to Agriculture (2022).

In today’s episode with Dr. Lardner we are talking about preference grazing and persistence of new forages.  Dr. Lardner shares a broad overview of this project, which includes a study in cattle’s preference grazing different types of forages, as well as the persistence of these forages to re-grow after intense rotational grazing.

We talk about the potential impact of this research and how it can assist producers economically, as well as improving the environmental sustainability of their farm.

Animal temperament and its impact on grazing behaviour was also studied through this research.

To find out more about this project, or others that Dr. Lardner is working on, please visit:

Western Beef Development Centre Website: http://westernbeef.org/index.htm

Western Beef Development Centre YouTube: @wstrnbeef

Dr. Lardner on X: @DrBart_Beef

Contact Dr. Lardner via phone: 1-306-966-2147

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable 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!

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Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

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