Exploring Multispecies Silage: Innovation in Forage and Soil Health

On September 19, 2024, we visited El-Shaddai Dairies Inc. to spend the day with Dieter Gagelmans—a forward-thinking producer who has transitioned entirely to multispecies silage. Dieter’s work is redefining forage systems in regenerative dairy production, and his on-farm experiments offer valuable insights into how diverse cropping can build soil, boost yield, and improve animal health.

The day wasn’t just about seed mixes or soil tests—it was about how producers like Dieter are leading innovation where it matters most: in real-life conditions, with real-time feedback. This approach reflects the core principles of the Living Lab model: user-centered innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experimentation in real-world contexts.

A Forage System Rooted in Diversity

For the past few years Dieter has been experimenting with multispecies cover crops as a foundation for his silage system. Moving away from monoculture crops like barley and corn, he began incorporating a dynamic blend of species, including:

• Peas

• Kale

• Radish

• Clovers

• Chicory

The results have been striking:

• Increased Yield: In a particularly dry year—Dieter harvested six to seven tons per acre, nearly double the usual two to three tons in similar conditions. His best-performing field to date yielded an impressive 12.5 tons per acre, without the use of added fertilizers or manure.

• Improved Milk Quality: By allowing cows to graze on the regrowth from cover crops post-harvest, Dieter has seen notable improvements in herd health and higher milk fat.

• Cost Efficiency: The multispecies system reduces the need for purchased feed and helps manage weed pressure through natural competition and regrowth, leading to meaningful input savings.

He’s been layering in a diverse blend of species into his cover crop and silage systems, creating multispecies forage mixes that deliver more than just feed. His fields are living examples of how plant diversity can amplify soil health, boost organic matter, and draw carbon out of the atmosphere.

Recent research backs this up: multispecies cover crops can sequester 1.64 tonnes of CO₂e per acre annually—1.53 tonnes more than a typical no-till crop. With Alberta's vast silage acreage, that difference adds up fast. One simple shift in cropping practice could result in over 20 million tonnes of CO₂e sequestered if broadly adopted across all non-mixed grain silages.

Multispecies Silage vs. Traditional Corn

While corn silage remains a common forage crop across Alberta—thanks to its high yield potential and relatively low production costs—Dieter has opted to take a different path. He no longer grows monoculture corn, choosing instead to invest fully in multispecies silage.

This decision is grounded in practicality: the multispecies system provides comparable or even superior forage yields, better soil coverage, and resilience to dry conditions—all without relying on synthetic inputs. It's a win-win for both soil and livestock.

A Living Lab Approach to On-Farm Innovation

Dieter’s forage system offers a clear example of the Living Lab innovation cycle in motion:

• Co-Development: Blends and strategies are shaped through collaboration with agronomists, soil experts, and animal nutritionists.

• Testing: Everything is tested under real farm conditions, not in controlled plots or simulations.

• Evaluation: Each season builds on the last, with yield data, livestock outcomes, and field observations driving iterative improvements.

This is not passive adoption—it’s active co-creation. Dieter’s farm becomes the lab, and his livestock, soil, and silage are the metrics of success.

Conclusion: Multispecies Silage as a Regenerative Opportunity

Dieter’s transition to multispecies silage illustrates the practical potential of regenerative agriculture when producers lead the way. His approach proves that diversity doesn’t mean lower yields or more work—it can actually improve productivity, animal health, and economic viability.

At its core, this is what the Regenerative Alberta Living Lab is about: supporting producers who are willing to test, adapt, and share what works. With each season, and each new thing he tries or innovates, Dieter is helping be part of charting a course toward a more resilient future for forage systems in Alberta.