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Forage News [2022-06], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2022-05], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2022-03], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Temporal Changes In The Nutrient Content Of Cattle Dung In The Nebraska Sandhills Ecosystem, Amanda Shine, Martha Mamo, Gandura O. Abagandura, Walter Schacht, Jerry Volesky

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Dung excreted by cattle composes a significant portion of the nutrient inputs in a grazed ecosystem and can have wide-ranging effects on soil properties and vegetation. However, little research has been conducted on the nutrient dynamics of excreted dung in situ that has not been disturbed prior to field sampling. In this study, we analyzed 294 dung pats (1–24 days old) collected from a Nebraska Sandhills meadow to determine water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), water-extractable nitrogen (WEN), water-extractable phosphorus (WEP), and percent dry matter (DM) changes over time. In addition, we investigated if sample handling - frozen storage – and the …

Forage News [2021-07], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Does Integrating Crops With Livestock Production Impact Soil Properties And Crop Production?, Lindsey Anderson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Re-integrating crop and livestock production through cover crop (CC) and corn residue grazing could efficiently utilize resources and ensure profitability while improving environmental quality, but how this integration affects soils and crops is not well understood. We conducted two studies to address this. In the first study, we evaluated the impact of cattle (1.3-3.7 head ha^-1) grazing an oat (Avena sativa L.) CC on soil and crop yields in two adjacent irrigated no-till corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) fields on silt loam soils in eastern Nebraska. Field I was grazed twice, while Field …

Forage News [2021-04], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2020-10], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2020-09], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Forage News [2020-05], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Pasture Management To Improve Dry Matter Intake, Marcus F. Rose, Earl Creech, Blair L. Waldron, S. Clay Isom, Michael Peel, Kara Thornton-Kurth, Jacob Hadfield, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

Agricultural producers are constantly looking for ways to maximize returns while reducing input costs. On dairy operations, a move from confinement feeding to pasture grazing offers the potential to reduce costs associated with harvest and storage of feed. In such a transition, producers sometimes report a decline in milk production and growth of livestock—both of which can strongly correlate to dry matter intake. Fortunately, dry matter intake is something that can be influenced by management practices. In this publication, we discuss the pasture management practices to improve dry matter intake.

Spring Meadow Management Practices: What’S A Rancher To Do?, Tara M. Harms, Jerry D. Volesky, Mitchell B. Stephenson

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

• Subirrigated meadows are a valuable forage resource to ranching operations in the Nebraska Sandhills, being used for both hay production and livestock grazing. • The water table of these meadows is within one meter of the soil surface during the growing season. • In some years, wet conditions hinder meadow utilization, resulting in a buildup of standing dead and litter plant material which can lower forage production.

• Investigate if burning and mowing are effective strategies to remove dead plant material from meadows • Determine if burning or mowing interact with grazing to influence end of season forage production …

Use Of Uav Imagery And Nutrient Analyses For Estimation Of The Spatial And Temporal Contributions Of Cattle Dung To Nutrient Cycling In Grazed Ecosystems, Amanda Shine

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nutrient inputs from cattle dung are crucial drivers of nutrient cycling processes in grazed ecosystems. These inputs are important both spatially and temporally and are affected by variables such as grazing strategy, water location, and the nutritional profile of forage being grazed. Past research has attempted to map dung deposition patterns in order to more accurately estimate nutrient input, but the large spatial extent of a typical pasture and the tedious nature of identifying and mapping individual dung pats has prohibited the development of a time- and cost-effective methodology. The first objective of this research was to develop and validate …

Grazing Strategy Effects On Utilization, Animal Performance, Aboveground Production, Species Composition, And Soil Properties On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow, Aaron Shropshire

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Ultrahigh stocking density (a.k.a., mob grazing) is proposed as a management tool that results in greater harvest efficiency, animal performance, aboveground plant production, species richness, and soil carbon content. The study objective was to determine grazing treatment, haying, or non-defoliated control effects on forage utilization, aboveground production, animal performance, and soil properties. In 2010, 25 ha of Sandhills meadow were divided into 2 replications of 3 grazing, a hay, and control treatment. Grazing treatments were a 120-pasture rotation with one grazing cycle (mob), a 4-pasture rotation with one cycle (4PR1), and a 4-pasture rotation with two cycles (4PR2) at stocking …

Forage News [2018-11], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Heart of America Conference - Jan. 22-23, 2019
• USDA Hay Markets - October 30, 2018
• Grazing Too Short in Fall and Winter Can Mean More Weeds in the Spring
• Forage Identification Book Now Available
• Utilizing Cost Share for Farm Improvements
• Late Fall Nitrogen Benefits Horse and Cattle Pastures

Innovation In Rangeland Monitoring: Annual, 30 M, Plant Functional Type Percent Cover Maps For U.S. Rangelands, 1984-2017, Matthew O. Jones, Brady W. Allred, David E. Naugle, Jeremy D. Maestas, Patrick Donnelly, Loretta J. Metz, Jason Karl, Rob Smith, Brandon Bestelmeyer, Chad Boyd, Jay D. Kerby, James D. Mciver

Articles

Innovations in machine learning and cloud‐based computing were merged with historical remote sensing and field data to provide the first moderate resolution, annual, percent cover maps of plant functional types across rangeland ecosystems to effectively and efficiently respond to pressing challenges facing conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services. We utilized the historical Landsat satellite record, gridded meteorology, abiotic land surface data, and over 30,000 field plots within a Random Forests model to predict per‐pixel percent cover of annual forbs and grasses, perennial forbs and grasses, shrubs, and bare ground over the western United States from 1984 to 2017. Results were …

Herbivory And Drought Generate Short‐Term Stochasticity And Long‐Term Stability In A Savanna Understory Community, Corinna Riginos, Lauren M. Porensky, Kari E. Veblen, Truman P. Young

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Rainfall and herbivory are fundamental drivers of grassland plant dynamics, yet few studies have examined long‐term interactions between these factors in an experimental setting. Understanding such interactions is important, as rainfall is becoming increasingly erratic and native wild herbivores are being replaced by livestock. Livestock grazing and episodic low rainfall are thought to interact, leading to greater community change than either factor alone. We examined patterns of change and stability in herbaceous community composition through four dry periods, or droughts, over 15 years of the Kenya Long‐term Exclosure Experiment (KLEE), which consists of six different combinations of cattle, native wild …

Integrating Herbivore Population Dynamics Into A Global Land Biosphere Model: Plugging Animals Into The Earth System, Shree R. S. Dangal, Hanqin Tian, Chaoqun Lu, Wei Ren, Shufen Pan, Jia Yang, Nicola Di Cosmo, Amy Hessl

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Mammalian herbivores are an essential component of grassland and savanna ecosystems, and with feedbacks to the climate system. To date, the response and feedbacks of mammalian herbivores to changes in both abiotic and biotic factors are poorly quantified and not adequately represented in the current global land surface modeling framework. In this study, we coupled herbivore population dynamics in a global land model (the Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model, DLEM 3.0) to simulate populations of horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, and their responses to changes in multiple environmental factors at the site level across different continents during 1980–2010. Simulated results show …

Forage News [2016-11], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• The New Face of Forage News
• Changes to FSA Acreage Reporting Dates for 2017
• Heart of America Grazing Conference to be held in Quincy, IL January 18-19
• Forage News Quote of the Month: "Wasted Hay Means Wasted Money"
• Overseeding Small Grains into Pastures or Hayfields
• AFGC Annual Meeting - January 22-24, 2017
• Somerset KY Hosts Successful Kentucky Grazing Conference
• Featured Publication: Taking Soil Test Samples - AGR-16
• Dairy Market Continues to Struggle

Forage News [2016-10], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• KY Grazing Conference Write Up
• Tribute to a Forage Legend: Warren Thompson
• Frost and Freezes Increase Cyanide Poisoning Risk
• Kentucky Cattlemen Association Presents Forage Specialist Funds at the KFGC Field Day
• Forage News Quote of the Month: "Beware of Emotional Decision" - Russell Hackley
• Fall Nitrogen Boosts Winter Survival and Spring Greenup
• Master Grazer's new Coordinator, Jacob Brandenburg
• Featured Publication: Calculating Carrying Capacity Using Web Soil Survey, AGR-222

Forage News [2016-06], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• National Forage Week is June 19-25, 2016
• AFGC New Zealand Tour Itinerary Available Online
• Eden Shale Farm Forage Establishment Field Day - June 16, 2016
• Annual Forage Workers Tour a chance for Forage researchers to collaborate, learn and share
• Heart of America Grazing Conference Highlight: Reduced or Low Lignin Alfalfa: Advantages for Hay and Grazing
• Toxic Topic: Johnsongrass Poisoning in Horses
• Featured Publication: Producer's Guide to Pasture-Based Beef Finishing ID-224
• Forage News Quote of the Month: "Hay Moisture Can Be a Burning Issue"

Greater Bud Outgrowth Of Bromus Inermis Than Pascopyrum Smithii Under Multiple Environmental Conditions, Jacqueline P. Ott, Jack L. Butler, Yuping Rong, Lan Xu

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Tiller recruitment of perennial grasses in mixed-grass prairie primarily occurs from belowground buds. Environmental conditions, such as temperature, soil moisture and grazing can affect bud outgrowth of both invasive and native perennial grasses. Differential bud outgrowth responses of native and invasive species to climate change and grazing could alter competitive interactions that have implications for future land management. The aims of this work were to (i) compare how spring temperature altered bud outgrowth of native Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve (western wheatgrass) and introduced Bromus inermis Leyss.(smooth brome), (ii) compare how watering frequency altered bud outgrowth of these two species …

14. Ten Years Of Vegetation Observations On Formerly Grazed Oklahoma Grassland, Erica A. Corbett, Tim Patton

North American Prairie Conference Proceedings

In summer 2003, we established a series of 40 adjacent, 10310-m blocks in formerly grazed grassland in southcentral Oklahoma. The blocks were allowed to rest and received no grazing, mowing, or burning. We tracked changes in the vegetation of the site over time between 2005 and 2015. Frequency sampling of prairie vegetation was performed at irregular intervals. In spring 2006 we seeded half the site with a Texas/Oklahoma prairie forb mix. We found no significant trends of change in species richness or diversity over time. However, there were subtle changes in abundance of individual species. Across fall sampling periods, Shannon …

Invasion During Extreme Weather: Success And Failure In A Temperate Perennial Grassland, James C. Han, Stephen L. Young

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Invasive and native plant species compete for resources in similar pools, with disturbances often favoring the invader. Yet, increased climate variability may be shifting the competitive edge back toward the natives. We conducted field studies in perennial grasslands to determine the effects of clipping and drought on resource availability (light and moisture) and subsequent establishment of Carduus nutans. We measured light penetration and soil moisture content in C. nutans monoculture, clipped and non clipped grassland with C. nutans, and bare ground control plots. We also tracked phenology of the invader and grasses. Our studies revealed that light was a limiting …

Forage News [2015-11], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Debby Dulworth as Keynote Speaker on Extending the Grazing Season at Heart of America Grazing Conference
• Study Shows No Damage to Soils from Grazing of Cover Crops
• Forage News Quote of the Month
• Get the Most out of Grazing Corn Stalks
• 2016 Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference schedule announced
• Muhlenberg County Producer and Ag Teacher to Represent Kentucky at AFGC
• Heart of America Grazing Conference Registration Open
• AGFC Annual Meeting Agenda Available

Forage News [2015-09], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Plan to attend KFGC Field Day - September 17, 2015
• Planning for 2016 Heart of America Grazing Conference
• Forage Advice from our Extension Dean
• Managing Cereal Rye and Annual Ryegrass
• Bermudagrass Stem Maggot
• Silage from Flooded Corn
• Enter the SE Hay Contest for Major Prizes
• Persistence an important part of Alfalfa Cutting Equation

Forage News [2015-08], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Diseases of Orchardgrass - Use good Management
• Summary of 2015 Stockpiling Fescue Demonstrations
• Advanced Grazing School August 17th in Lexington, KY
• Increasing Cool Season Pasture Production in the Spring Utilizing Plant Growth Hormones
• AFGC and UK hold first Warm Season Grass Workshop

Corn Residue Stocking Rate Affects Cattle Performance But Not Subsequent Grain Yield, L. A. Stalker, H. Blanco-Canqui, Jennifer A. Gigax, A. L. Mcgee, T. M. Shaver, S. J. Van Donk

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

This study investigated effects of stocking rate on cattle performance, quality and quantity of corn residue, and impact of residue removal on grain yield for 5 yr at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln West Central Water Resources Field Laboratory near Brule, NE. Four removal treatments—1) no removal (control), 2) grazing at 2.5 animal unit month (AUM)/ ha, 3) grazing at 5.0 AUM/ha, and 4) baling—were applied to a center pivot–irrigated corn field (53 ha). The field was divided into eight 6.6-ha paddocks to which replicated treatments were assigned. Samples of residue were collected in October and March (before and …

Changes In Corn Residue Quality Throughout The Grazing Period And Effect Of Supplementation Of Calves Grazing Corn Residue, Amanda J. Burken

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Corn residue is an abundant feed source in Nebraska that can be utilized as an alternative winter feed. Calves were backgrounded on corn residue in order to determine gain and estimate forage intake when supplemented with distillers grains (DGS). Calves grazing the non-irrigated field gained more (1.03 kg/calf daily) when compared to those grazing the irrigated field (0.90 kg/calf daily; P < 0.01). In year 1, a quadratic effect for intake of DGS was present (P < 0.01) while year 2 observed a linear effect for increasing level of DGS (P < 0.01). The nutritional quality of corn residue was evaluated over time in order to determine changes in blade/sheath, cob, husk/shank and stem. Minimal changes in DM of the forage components occurred was grain reached 15.5% moisture. Digestibility of the blade/sheath declined linearly over time (P < 0.01) while the husk remained constant (P = 0.40). Cob digestibility decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) throughout the sampling period with few changes once grain reached 15.5% moisture. Differences observed in the digestibility of the blade/sheath were attributed to the effects of weathering. A third set of trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of by-product supplementation of calves grazing irrigated corn residue and supplemented with DGS or continuous access to lick tubs. The DGS treatment gained more (0.62 kg/calf daily) than the lick tub treatment (0.38 kg/calf daily; P < 0.01). Calves offered DGS consumed more supplement as a percentage of BW (0.52%) when compared with calves offered lick tubs (0.36%; P < 0.01) on a DM basis. Calves supplemented with DGS had a higher supplement efficiency (46.3% to 42.9%, DM basis) although no differences were present between treatments (P = 0.49). When analyzed on an OM basis, however, calves offered lick tubs had a numerically higher supplement efficiency (50.4%) in comparison to calves …

Grazing And No-Till Cropping Impacts On Nitrogen Retention In Dryland Agroecosystems, Megan L. Mobley, Rebecca L. Mcculley, Ingrid C. Burke, Gary Peterson, David S. Schimel, C. Vernon Cole, Edward T. Elliott, Dwayne G. Westfall

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

As the world's population increases, marginal lands such as drylands are likely to become more important for food production. One proven strategy for improving crop production in drylands involves shifting from conventional tillage to no-till to increase water use efficiency, especially when this shift is coupled with more intensive crop rotations. Practices such as no-till that reduce soil disturbance and increase crop residues may promote C and N storage in soil organic matter, thus promoting N retention and reducing N losses. By sampling soils 15 yr after a N tracer addition, this study compared long-term soil N retention across several …