Vern Baron, Ph. D.

Image Vern Baron
Research Scientist

Research in forage crop physiology, management and grazing; interests in extending the grazing and growing season, greenhouse gas emission in the forage beef system and adaptation of forage crops and grazing systems to climate change.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
6000 C and E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta

Current research and/or projects

  • Determine the impact of managed intensive grazing and crop type on pasture production and environmental sustainability through studies on: 1) nutrient supplies under summer and stockpiled pasture; 2) impact of managed intensive grazing and N-amendments
  • Extending the grazing season through studies on: 1) weathering effects on yield and quality of dormant grasses; 2) winter weathering effects on corn grown for grazing; and 3) swath grazing dynamics of beef cows during winter
  • Reduce the business risk for the feedlot industry found in backgrounding beef cattle by optimizing pasture beef production systems

Key publications

  1. MacWilliam, S., Sanscartier, D., Lemke, R., Wismer, M., Baron, V. (2016). Environmental benefits of canola production in 2010 compared to 1990: A life cycle perspective. Agricultural Systems, [online] 145 106-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.03.006

    2016 - View publication details

  2. Juárez, M., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., Valera, M., López-Campos, Ó., Larsen, I.L., Aalhus, J.L. (2016). Relative contribution of electrical stimulation to beef tenderness compared to other production factors, 96(2), 104-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2015-0041

    2016 - View publication details

  3. Alemu, A.W., Little, S.M., Hao, X., Iwaasa, A.D., Baron, V.S., Chai, L.L., Janzen, H.H., Beauchemin, K.A., Thompson, D., and Kröbel, R. (2015). "Application of life cycle assessment approach to beef production systems in the Canadian prairies with regard to environmental impact and energy use efficiency.", LCA Conference XV - A bright green future, Vancouver, Canada, October 6-8, 2015, Presentation.

    2015 - View publication details

  4. Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McKeown, L.E., Juárez, M., Larsen, I.L., Akanno, E.C., Stothard, P., Plastow, G., and Aalhus, J.L. (2015). "Relationships between feed efficiency, carcass quality and meat quality in longissimus steaks from slaughter heifers and steers.", 2nd Symposium of Animal Evaluation and Meat Quality in Pirassununga/SP/Brazil, September 21, 2015.

    2015 - View publication details

  5. Lemke, R.L., Baron, V.S., Lui, J.L., Farrell, R.E., and Knight, J.D. (2015). "Does canola influence soil-emitted nitrous oxide emissions from crop rotations on the Canadian prairies?", 14th International Rapeseed Congress, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 5-9, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  6. Baron, V.S., Lemke, R.L., Young, D.G., Harker, K.N., O'Donovan, J.T., and Flesch, T.K. (2015). "Ecosystem carbon balance of field-scale canola and barley in central Alberta.", 14th International Rapeseed Congress, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 5-9, 2015, Theme D. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  7. Akanno, E.C., Plastow, G., Fitzsimmons, C., Miller, S.P., Baron, V., Ominski, K., Basarab, J.A., Civetta, A. (2015). Genome-wide association for heifer reproduction and calf performance traits in beef cattle, 58(12), 549-557. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/gen-2015-0031

    2015 - View publication details

  8. Durunna, O.N., Baron, V., Scott, S.L., Robins, C., Khakbazan, M., Block, H.C. (2015). Effects of resting perennial pastures during the sensitive pre-dormancy period in western manitoba: Pasture productivity and beef cattle performance. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(2), 129-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/CJAS-2014-046

    2015 - View publication details

  9. Mapiye, C., Vahmani, P., Aalhus, J.L., Rolland, D.C., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Dugan, M.E.R. (2015). Fatty acid composition of beef steers as affected by diet and fat depot. South African Journal of Animal Sciences, [online] 45(4), 386-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v45i4.5

    2015 - View publication details

  10. Turner, T.D., Aalhus, J.L., Mapiye, C., Rolland, D.C., Larsen, I.L., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Dugan, M.E.R. (2015). Effects of diets supplemented with sunflower or flax seeds on quality and fatty acid profile of hamburgers made with perirenal or subcutaneous fat. Meat Science, [online] 99 123-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.08.006

    2015 - View publication details

  11. Doce, R.R., Baron, V.S., and Dick, A.C. (2015). "Estimating swath-grazed carrying capacity from plot-scale data.", Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 95(4), pp. 647-651. doi : 10.4141/cjps-2014-353

    2015 - View publication details

  12. Messerli, J., Bertrand, A., Bourassa, J., Bélanger, G., Castonguay, Y., Tremblay, G., Baron, V., Seguin, P. (2015). Performance of low-cost open-top chambers to study long-term effects of carbon dioxide and climate under field conditions. Agronomy Journal, [online] 107(3), 916-920. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj14.0571

    2015 - View publication details

  13. Manafiazar, G., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McKeown, L.E., Doce, R.R., Swift, M.-L., Undi, M., Wittenberg, K.M., and Ominski, K.H. (2015). "Effect of post-weaning residual feed intake classification on grazed grass intake and performance in pregnant beef heifers.", Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 95(3), pp. 369-381. doi : 10.4141/CJAS-2014-184

    2015 - View publication details

  14. Baron, V.S. (2014). "Forage-beef research.", Lacombe Research Centre, October 29, 2014. (Presentation)

    2014 - View publication details

  15. Mapiye, C., Aalhus, J.L., Vahmani, P., Rolland, D.C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., McAllister, T.A., Block, H.C., Uttaro, B., Procor, S.D., and Dugan, M.E.R (2014). "Subcutaneous biohydrogenation product profiles of steers fed forage-based diets with sunflower-seed and wheat dried distillers' grains with soubles.", ICoMST, Uruguay, August, 2015. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  16. Iwaasa, A.D., Baron, V.S., Lemke, R.L., Wang, H., Kröbel, R., Schellenberg, M.P., and McConkey, B.G. (2014). "AGGP Cropping System-Grassland Research and Extension: Semiarid Ecoregion.", AGGP cropping system – grassland research and extension: Semiarid Ecoregion, AAFC-Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Canada, March 20, 2014.

    2014 - View publication details

  17. Harker, K.N., O'Donovan, J.T., Turkington, T.K., Baron, V.S., Blackshaw, R.E., Hall, L.M., Johnson, E.N., Willenborg, C.J., Shirtliffe, S.J., Gulden, R.H., Kobler, J.F., and Pageau, D. (2014). "Delaying herbicide resistance with integrated wild oat (Avena fatua) management.", 2014 Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and the Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS) Annual Meeting, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, February 3-6, 2014. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  18. Baron, V.S. (2014). "Swath Grazing. Nov. 20, 2014."

    2014 - View publication details

  19. Sehn, C., Basarab, J.A., Baron, V.S., and Aalhus, J.L. (2014). "Exploring new frontiers. The Lacombe Research centre.", in Kostiuk, B. (ed.) - Todays Angus Advantage, pp. 55-56.

    2014 - View publication details

  20. Baron, V.S., Doce, R.R., Basarab, J.A., Juskiw, P.E., and Kuipers, A. (2014). Innovative swath grazing/increasing forage research capacity. Applied Research partnerships. P. 19-20 in Annual Report 2013-14 Grey Wooded Forage Assoc., Rocky Mountain House, AB. (Report)

    2014 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Lacombe Research and Development Centre
6000 C and E Trail
Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Agri-Food

Language

English