There was a good crowd on hand Tuesday for Agriculture Canada’s Forage & Grazing Tour at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.

Research Scientist Dr Allan Iwaasa talked with the group about rejuvenating pastures by re-introducing sainfoin which is a non-bloating legume.

"That has the ability to fixate nitrogen as well it has very good grazing preference by the animals. Re-introducing sainfoin into some of your mono-culture pastures such as just a crusted wheat pasture. By having sainfoin, which is a non-bloating legume into some of these grass pastures you help the fertility, you help the forage quality as well as the soil health."

Rejuvenating pastures with younger plants and new growth can help during dry springs, hot summers or years with poor snowfall.

He notes native pastures with more bio-diversity will allow producers to better utilize some of their tame pastures that may not be producing as much as you had hoped due to dry conditions.