Life Sciences Commons^™

Role In Alfalfa In Livestock Feeding Programs In Kentucky, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa, the "Queen of the Forage Crops", is a highly versatile forage crop which can be grazed directly by livestock or harvested as hay or silage. With the development of new alfalfa varieties, increased pest and weed control, and increased demand from livestock owners, the amount of alfalfa fed to livestock will increase. As with any forage crop, proper harvest and feeding management is necessary to reap the benefits.

Fencing For Optimum Grazing, Larry W. Turner

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Controlled or rotational grazing can result in better utilization of forage resources. By better forage management through controlled grazing, producers may increase profitability of cattle/forage systems. To effectively develop a controlled grazing system, however, fencing must be used to subdivide the pasture into sub-fields or paddocks. The animals may then be rotated among the paddocks to optimize forage and beef or dairy production from the system. Alfalfa grazing can play an important part in such a system.

Planning the "best", or optimum, fencing strategy should be done with the overall goal in mind of improving profitability. Key factors that describe …

Grazing Alfalfa — Momentum Continues, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In my presentation at our XIII Kentucky Alfalfa Conference held here last year, I stated. that interest in grazing alfalfa was at an all time high. Five other speakers followed me on the program with presentations about alfalfa grazing. Steve Osborne discussed alfalfa grazing trials in Monroe County. Ken Johnson talked about the Do's and Dont's in Alfalfa Grazing. Dr. Roy Burris talked about alfalfa grazing from a state perspective and Mr. Warren Thompson discussed the topic from a national perspective. Professor Joe Bums concluded the grazing portion of the program with grazing alfalfa experiences in Tennessee.

Despite a rather …

Alfalfa Weed Control — Strategies For Success, James R. Martin

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Field evaluation, cultural and chemical practices are key ingredients of a successful weed control program in alfalfa. A weak link in any of these components could lead to reduced profits and possibly shorten the life of an alfalfa stand.

Managing Alfalfa Diseases, Paul C. Vincelli

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Diseases of alfalfa can limit productivity of this valuable forage crop. Alfalfa diseases can reduce forage yield, reduce forage quality, and decrease stand persistence. The effects of diseases can be dramatic, such as sudden stand loss due to Sclerotinia crown and stem rot. Often, the effects of alfalfa diseases are more subtle but are no less important. For example, alfalfa plants with Phytophthora root rot sometimes regrow slowly after cutting, resulting in a stunted stand showing no other obvious symptoms of disease.

Like most crop diseases, alfalfa diseases are most effectively managed by integrating as many control measures as practical. …

Nitrogen And Boron Fertilization Of Alfalfa, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Very little current research data is available on the response of alfalfa to nitrogen application at establishment or to the addition of boron. University of Kentucky recommendations (AGR-1 Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations) indicate that zero to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre may be applied at seeding for alfalfa. No nitrogen would be recommended when soil nitrogen levels are likely to be adequate such as where manure or high levels of nitrogen fertilizer had been applied to the previous crop. Annual applications of boron at 1.5-2.0 pounds of elemental boron per acre are recommended.

Neighboring states differ in their nitrogen …

Advances In Alfalfa Variety Development And Testing, Jimmy C. Henning, Leonard M. Lauriault, Linda G. Brown, Garry D. Lacefield, Paul C. Vincelli, John C. Parr

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is historically the highest yielding, highest quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It forms the basis of Kentucky's cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef and sheep diets. Over 300,000 acres of alfalfa are grown annually in Kentucky, with state yields averaging between 3 and 4 tons per acre.

The development and testing of alfalfa varieties is a dynamic process that impacts all Kentucky farmers. The Kentucky Alfalfa Variety Testing program was re-started in 1990 and is carried out through the efforts of several people, including Leonard Lauriault, Linda Brown …

Foreword [1994], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

H2O2 Induced Oxidation Proof Phosphate Surface Coating On Iron Sulfides, V. P. Evangelou, Xiao Huang

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Patents

The present method induces an oxidation-proof ferric phosphate coating on iron sulfide such as pyrite and marcasite. The method includes the steps of placing the pyrite to be treated in a reaction vessel and leaching the pyrite with a coating composition including water, an oxidizing agent and a phosphate coating agent. Examples of oxidizing agents include hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite and mixtures thereof. The phosphate coating agent may be potassium dihydrogen phosphate. In order to ensure the formation of the stable coating, the leaching is performed at a pH of substantially 5 and at a temperature of substantially …

Wetlands: Mechanisms For Treating Acid Mine Drainage, David C. Ditsch, Anastasios D. Karathanasis

Agronomy Notes

A great deal of attention has been given to wetlands in recent years. Research suggests that natural and/or constructed wetlands may play a valuable role in flood flow moderation, sediment retention and stabilization, and waste water treatment while providing habitat for game and nongame wildlife. Only within the last 10 years have wetlands received serious attention in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD).

1994 Kentucky Timothy Variety Test Report, L. M. Lauriault, Timothy D. Phillips, Jimmy C. Henning

Agronomy Notes

Timothy (Phleum pratense) is the fourth most widely sown cool-season perennial grass used in Kentucky for forage, ranking behind tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. It is a late-maturing bunchgrass that can be used for grazing but is mainly harvested as hay, particularly for horses. For hay production, timothy can be sown with alfalfa or red clover, while white clover or birdsfoot trefoil make good mixtures with timothy for grazing. Management is similar to that for other cool-season grasses. Harvesting at the mid- to late-boot stage is needed to assure good yields and high forage quality. Quality of …

1994 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Test Report, L. M. Lauriault, A. J. Powell, Jimmy C. Henning, Paul B. Burrus Ii, Paul C. Vincelli, Timothy D. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Kentucky bluegrass (Poapratensis) is the third most prominent cool-season grass used in Kentucky for forage, behind tall fescue and orchardgrass. As with all cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass does best in cooler weather, becoming relatively non-productive in hot, dry conditions. It is a high quality, long-lived, rhizomatous grass that is used for both turf and forage. Compared to other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass is slower to germinate (2-3 weeks) and generally is lower in seedling vigor and herbage yield. Most recent varieties have been developed for turf use. Several have been used in horse pastures even though they were …

1993 Kentucky Bluegrass Variety Test Report, L. M. Lauriault, A. J. Powell, Timothy D. Phillips, Jimmy C. Henning

Agronomy Notes

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is the third most prominent cool-season grass used in Kentucky for, forage, behind tall fescue and orchardgrass. As with all cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass does best in cooler weather, becoming dormant in hot, dry conditions. It is a high quality, long-lived, rhizomatous grass that is used for both turf and forage. Compared to other cool-season grasses, Kentucky bluegrass is slower to germinate (2-3 weeks) and generally is lower in seedling vigor and herbage yield. Most recent varieties of Kentucky bluegrass have been developed for turf use; therefore, primary emphasis has been placed on improving …

1993 Kentucky Timothy Variety Test Report, L. M. Lauriault, Timothy D. Phillips, Jimmy C. Henning

Agronomy Notes

Timothy (Phleum pratense) is the fourth most widely grown cool-season perennial grass used in Kentucky for forage, ranking behind tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. It is a late maturing bunchgrass that can be used for grazing but is mainly harvested as hay, particularly for horses. Management is similar to that for other cool season-grasses. Harvesting at the proper stage of maturity (mid- to late-boot) is needed to assure high forage quality; otherwise, quality of timothy declines more rapidly than other cool-season grasses as it overmatures. In Kentucky, timothy behaves like a short-lived perennial with stands lasting for …

Using Poultry Manure From Layers As A Supplemental Nitrogen Source For Corn, Lloyd W. Murdock, R. Darrell Simpson, Tim Gray

Agronomy Notes

The objectives of this study were to try to find an effective inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate to apply to a corn crop when poultry manure has been used on the field and to see if an N soil test at sidedress time could help predict the amount of N needed.

Growth, Yield, And Efficiency Of Potassium Fertilizer Use In Burley Tobacco Production, J. L. Sims, William O. Thom, Kenneth L. Wells, J. D. Clark

Agronomy Notes

For many crops, band placement of fertilizer offers agronomic, economic, and environmental advantages over commonly used preplant broadcast applications. Drill banding most of the nitrogen (N) fertilizer 12 inches to both sides of the row for tobacco shortly after transplanting greatly aIleviates manganese toxicity and other nutrient imbalances, improves early growth and yield, and offers increased efficiency of N use. Nitrogen fertilizers applied after transplanting are less likely to be leached during excess rainfall events that commonly occur in April and early May in Kentucky.

Frequency Of Mug Negative Escherichia Coli In Kentucky Groundwater Samples, Mark S. Coyne, J. C. Shuler

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

MUG negative Escherichia coli are a small fraction (2.5%) of the total E. coli in Kentucky groundwater samples. It is unlikely that they alone will cause a significant potential to underestimate fecal contamination using MUG as the primary criterion for that assessment. An unresolved question is how effectively MUG-based, defined-substrate tests address false negative water samples containing MUG positive E. coli.

Enhanced Immunogenicity Of Protein-Dextran Conjugates: I. Rapid Stimulation Of Enhanced Antibody Responses To Poorly Immunogenic Molecules, Andrew Lees, Fred Finkelman, John K. Inman, Kim Witherspoon, Penny Johnson, Jasiri Kennedy, James J. Mond

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

In view of our observation that anti-immunoglobulin antibody conjugated to high-molecular-weight dextran stimulates high levels of B-cell activation (Brunswick et al. J. Immunol . 1989, 143, 1239), we coupled T cell-dependent antigens to dextran. When mice were immunized, in the absence of adjuvant, with a BSA-dextran conjugate (BSA-dex), a persistent, high-titre anti-BSA IgG1 response was induced. Titres were dose-dependent and seen with as little as 10 I~g of conjugated protein. Anti-BSA titres were detected as early as day 7, usually peaked at about day 14 and persisted for at least 4 weeks. Anti-hapten antibodies were also elicited in mice that …

Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide For Soybeans, Donald E. Hershman

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

This guide contains information on the biology and management of the most important diseases of soybeans in Kentucky. Fundamental information on symptoms, disease cycle, and management is provided. For some diseases, more extensive information on biology and management is also available in other Extension publications. Additional sources of information are listed under individual diseases.

Disease management in soybeans relies heavily on using disease-resistant varieties, when available, and employing sound agronomic practices. It is important to integrate both of these strategies into a comprehensive disease management program. Failure to consider one or the other will compromise the success of your efforts. …

Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide For Small Grains, Donald E. Hershman, Paul C. Vincelli

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

This guide contains information on the biology and management of the most important diseases of small grains (wheat and barley) in Kentucky. Fundamental information on symptoms, disease cycle, and management is provided. For some diseases, more extensive information on biology and management is also available in other Extension publications. Additional sources of information are listed under individual diseases.

Disease management in small grains relies heavily on using disease-resistant varieties and employing sound agronomic practices. It is important to integrate both of these strategies into a comprehensive disease management program. Failure to consider one or the other will compromise the success …

Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide For Forage Legumes, Paul C. Vincelli

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

This guide contains information on the biology and management of the most important diseases of forage legumes in Kentucky. Fundamental information on symptoms, disease cycle, and management is provided. For some diseases, more extensive information on biology and management is also available in other Extension publications. Additional sources of information are listed under individual diseases.

Disease management in forage legumes relies heavily on using disease-resistant varieties and employing sound agronomic practices. It is important to integrate both of these strategies into a comprehensive disease management program. Failure to consider one or the other will compromise the success of your efforts. …

Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide For Corn And Sorghum, Paul C. Vincelli, Donald E. Hershman

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

This guide contains information on the biology and management of the most important diseases of corn and sorghum in Kentucky. Fundamental information on symptoms, disease cycle, and management is provided. For some diseases, more extensive information on biology and management is also available in other Extension publications. Additional sources of information are listed under individual diseases.

Disease management in corn and sorghum relies heavily on using disease-resistant hybrids and employing sound agronomic practices. It is important to integrate both of these strategies into a comprehensive disease management program. Failure to consider one or the other will compromise the success of …

Effect Of Topping Time On Dark Tobacco Yield, Bill Maksymowicz

Agronomy Notes

When the terminal bud is removed from tobacco by topping, a number of changes are triggered in the plant: increased root growth, nicotine synthesis, improved drought tolerance, and leaf expansion and increased thickness. These changes are affected by topping time; generally there will be less crop response to topping as topping is delayed. The most important changes, from a producer's perspective, are continued leaf expansion and thickening, with a commensurate improvement in quality and increase in yield. Topping at the proper time of plant development is often difficult on a field scale since uneven crop growth, particularly when tobacco is …

Sucker Control Performance In Dark Tobacco, Bill Maksymowicz

Agronomy Notes

Poor sucker control adversely affects tobacco yield and quality. Suckers serve as a "sink" for nutrients and dry matter that otherwise would go to the expanding leaves intended for harvest, resulting in lower yields. Hand removal of large suckers can cause leaf damage, and failure to remove suckers may result in spoilage during the curing process, resulting in lowered quality. Use of chemical sucker control measures used in burley production can produce lower yields or W1desirable cured leaf color of dark tobacco. These studies were conducted to compare the effects of recommended sucker control practices for dark tobacco with systems …

Reversal Of Age-Associated Decline In Immune Response To Pnu-Imune Vaccine By Supplementation With The Steroid Hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone, Manju Garg, Subbarao Bondada

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Recently, we reported that murine antibody responses to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (Pnu-Imune) vaccine declined with age. Here we present data to support the concept that age-associated immune defects are not only due to intrinsic defects in immune cells but are also due to extrinsic factors emanating from the neuroendocrine system. We found that supplementation with dehydroepiandrosterone, a steroid hormone known to be reduced in the aged, corrects the immune deficiency of aged mice and significantly enhanced their splenic immune responses to the Pnu-Imune vaccine.

A Survey Of The Content Of Some Heavy Metals In Soil And Corn Grain In The Pond And Lower Green River Bottoms, Kenneth L. Wells, Greg Henson, George Kelley

Agronomy Notes

Corn is intensively grown along the Green and Pond Rivers in McLean, Hopkins, and Webster Counties, Kentucky, representing a major source of income to producers in those areas. However, producers in McLean County have experienced poorer corn production than expected for many years. This has been observed more on the Pond River bottoms and the Green River bottoms below the confluence of the Pond than upstream on the Green above the Pond. Some producers have speculated that their poor production may be associated with chemical pollution from the Pond River and/or nearby industrial sources. On this basis, an assumption was …

Reduced Scepter Rates For Broadleaf Weed Control In Soybean, D. S. Jones, H. Lin, M. V. Kane, Larry J. Grabau

Agronomy Notes

Public agencies are placing greater scrutiny on herbicide applications by farmers. For example, the corn herbicide atrazine is now classified as a restricted use pesticide, with limits placed on allowable rates. While soybean growers may share some of this concern for the environment, rate reduction is more likely to be attractive for economic reasons. Some growers are already cutting back on herbicide rates. For example, Missouri data shows that the average application rates for soybean herbicides were only 75% of the labelled rate. While reduced rates might save growers money, and may be kinder to the environment, there is a …

Producing And Marketing Kentucky Hay - A Challenge, Ed Logsdon

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Many of you probably are aware that Kentucky's commodity organizations are working with UK, the Agriculture Department and Farm Bureau in developing a plan to improve farm income in the state. This is a very ambitious project involving more than 40 farm organizations, including the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council. This group has set a lofty goal of attempting to raise gross farm sales in the state from its current $3 billion level to around $5 billion by the turn of the century.

Alfalfa For Hay And Grazing In Tennessee, Joe Burns

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has truly had its "ups and downs" in terms of acreage in Tennessee for the last 30 years. Just as the effect of a good fertilizer-lime-soil testing program was increasing the alfalfa acreage, the alfalfa weevil appears and begins to destroy the crop. With the aid of the insecticide heptachlor sprayed on the fertilizer, farmers continued to fertilize the alfalfa and kill the weevil at the same time.

Grazing Alfalfa — National Perspective, Warren C. Thompson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The production of alfalfa specifically for grazing is a fairly new practice. But now, farmers all around the USA are beginning to look toward alfalfa for a long living legume to increase yield, quality, and reliability all during the growing and grazing seasons. They also are looking for ways to reduce the cost of harvest, equipment, and storage costs, as well as weather-related harvest losses, and in time, reduced fertilizer costs.