CARA Hosts Aussie Graziers!

Twenty-four graziers from down under have spent the past 3 weeks meeting with producers and industry across western Canada.

Beginning the first of August, this group of ranchers from many points in Australia visited farms, ranches and dairies at points across southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Their stop at Chinook Applied Research Association on August 21st included a visit to our Dwayne Smigelski crop trial site northeast of Oyen. CARA’s Manager Dianne Westerlund shared some history of the area and discussed how CARA came to be and operates.

CARA Program Agronomist Karin Roen shares information on a trial evaluating spring seeded winter cereals for forage use.

CARA’s Soil Scientist Dr. Yamily Zavala discussed soil health.

Karin Roen, Agronomist and Extension Coordinator, shared highlights of a trial evaluating use of early spring seeded winter cereals for forage. Discussion also included use of poly-crops (annual crop mixes) for grazing as well as soil improvement.

Rancher Pat Rutledge, Monitor area rancher and Board member of CARA, engaged tour participants in a discussion of local grazing practices.

The group was then introduced to ‘taco-in-a-bag’ and enjoyed home-made pie (courtesy of Clay Cup) for lunch at the CARA Center.

After lunch, Dr. Yamily Zavala discussed principles of soil health and demonstrated how infiltration and aggregate stability are influenced by healthy soil characteristics. A tour of the Soil Health Lab completed the day of learning for both the Aussie Graziers and CARA staff.