Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Efficient Grazing Systems: Putting Pieces Together, Charles T. Dougherty

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pros and cons of grazing systems are well-known to this audience. Efficient grazing systems, however, are a different story. What is an efficient grazing system? I think we could argue that topic until the cows come home and I do not believe we could come to any agreement. I am going to approach the subject of efficiency from several angles but you will probably see them differently. Economic efficiencies will not be covered.

Kentucky Goat Friendly Pasture Concepts, Terry Hutchens

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Goats are accomplished grazers of grass and browse plants. In addition, they can be managed within a grazing system both intensively or extensively as long as quality forage is made available. Goats are facultative browsers, they prefer to feed at eye level and upward and then feed on forage from the top of the plant down. Goats prefer to move freely from plant to plant-removing foliage from select portions of plants. Foliage meals are dictated by quality factors that insure adequate protein and energy levels. Each stem or leaf is clipped with precision leaving the forage residue standing equal in …

Effective Use Of Pastures For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pastures can serve two very necessary functions for the care and maintenance of horses. Not only do these areas of grasses and legumes provide a place for the horse to exercise, they can provide a significant portion of the horse’s nutrient requirement. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, so it is reasonable that many classes of horse can be adequately maintained on well-managed pastures.

The Economics Of Integrating Crop Land To Mig Grazing, Edward N. Ballard

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Illinois soils vary in their properties and producing capacities. Large areas of the state have soils that are among the most productive in the world. Other areas have soils that, because they are too steep or droughty or have some other undesirable features, are not the most productive for corn and soybeans.

However, over the past 30 years there has been a trend to place more acres in Illinois in corn and soybeans and less acres in small grains, legumes and pasture crops. Government incentive programs have encouraged more acres to be place into corn and soybean production.

Environmental Benefits With Improved Grazing, David Stipes

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The public is becoming better educated about the environment and will continually question activities that are perceived as being harmful to soil, water, air, plants, people, animals and other concerns. Livestock producers who implement well-planned grazing management systems have an excellent opportunity to compliment both production and natural resource conservation considerations. All segments of the population involved in production agriculture will be held accountable for environmental impacts that result from their operation. A proactive approach is needed by livestock and other agricultural producers to sustain the protection of the environment that is in harmony with a healthy ecosystem. All those …

Grazing Systems For Beef Cattle, John Johns

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Beef cattle represent the most important grazing livestock enterprise to Kentucky producers. As of January 1, 2003 there were 1,120,000 producing beef brood cows on 39,000 farms in the state. In addition, more than 600,000 yearling cattle are also produced. The number of total beef animals is increasing as producers put more economic reliance on beef and forage programs. In many cases, beef cattle represent the only practical method of converting high quality forage to income for producers.

Grazing Systems For Dairy, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Forages which are grazed can provide anywhere from 25 to 100% of the forage consumed by growing dairy heifers, dry cows or the milking herd. In this paper, I would like to specifically deal with devising a grazing program for a dairy lactating or milking herd. Lactating dairy cows are a “high performance animal” and, as such, any decreases in the availability or quality of forage can quickly decrease milk production. Thus, the goal when designing a grazing system is to provide adequate quantities of high-quality, vegetative forage to prevent decreases in performance. These decreases in performance occur in all …

Opportunities For Warm Season Grasses, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Today I would like to do two things, first talk a little about warm season grasses, where they come from, and where they might fit in your grazing program; and second, talk about the four major native grass species and two introduced species.

Native warm season perennial grasses were an important part of the native forage species of Kentucky, supplying food and cover for deer, buffalo, and other wildlife when settlers arrived into Kentucky. With settlers plowing, overgrazing, and the introduction of other forages, Native Warm Season Grasses (NWSGs) were on the brink of extinction. These grasses included switchgrass, eastern …

Optimize Grazing--Minimize Stored Feed, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The title “Optimize Grazing – Minimize Stored Feed” appears to be a bit redundant at first glance. Indeed if we optimize grazing, we will certainly minimize the amount of stored feed required to winter our animals. Putting both concepts together can serve as a reminder of the tremendous benefit of both.

Grazing represents the cheapest source of nutrients for our beef industry. Several studies have shown that the best predictor of profitability in the beef industry is cost of stored feed. In Kentucky, specifically, that means cost/amount of hay required to winter on beef animals.

Foreword And Kfgc Award Winners [2003], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Alfalfa Disease Management, Paul Vincelli

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa can be a vigorous and productive forage crop for Kentucky farmers. Like all farm crops, however, alfalfa is subject to infectious diseases that can limit forage production. Managing these diseases is an important part of economical alfalfa production.

Weed Management In Alfalfa, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The importance of weed control in forage production should not be overlooked, especially when you consider the high investment associated with alfalfa and other legume forages. Weed management strategies in forage legumes should first focus on cultural practices and then on chemical weed control options. Vigorous, densely growing forage legume stands tend to have fewer weed problems. Thus, cultural and management practices that promote a highly competitive forage stand help prevent many weed problems. These practices include: 1) liming and fertilizing fields based on soil test recommendations; 2) seeding well-adapted, vigorous, and long-lived varieties; 3) buying weed-free seed; 4) cutting …

Alfalfa Haylage And Silage, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Even with extended grazing systems, typical winter weather conditions in Kentucky necessitate the production of some stored forage for livestock during winter. Hay has traditionally been the way of storing this forage. However, when rain occurs during haymaking operations, the losses can be severe both in yield and in forage quality. Harvest losses are greatest for very dry forage and are low for very wet material like direct cut silage. Silage offers an opportunity to avoid most of the rain damage during harvest because the crop only needs to be left out overnight in most cases to be ready to …

Buying And Selling Alfalfa Hay, Garry D. Lacefield, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa hay is an important agricultural product. Although often fed on the farms where it is produced, much alfalfa hay is also sold as a cash crop. It often constitutes a major source of income for those who sell it, or a major expense for those who buy it. Such transactions involve billions of dollars nationwide each year.

Forage Testing & Marketing Program, Allen Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Two thousand and three marks the 141^th year for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for testing forages. We continue to strive to offer a quality service to producers at the very least cost possible. After all these years we continue to charge only $10.00 per lot or cutting and have expanded our services to try to meet the needs of our forage and livestock producers. In January 2002, we introduced the testing of haylages and have expanded this to cover most of the haylage crops harvested in Kentucky. In cooperation with The University of Kentucky Extension Service, the department …

Producing Quality Alfalfa Hay, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Hay is one of the most versatile of stored forages in that (1) it can be kept for long periods of time with little loss of nutrients if protected from weather; (2) a large number of crops can be successfully used for hay production; (3) it can be produced and fed in small or large amounts; (4) it can be harvested, stored and fed by hand or the production and feeding can be completely mechanized; and (5) hay can supply most nutrients needed by many classes of livestock. Hay is, therefore, the most commonly used stored feed on most farms.

Alfalfa And Mrls: What We Know After One Year Of Testing, Jimmy C. Henning, Wayne Long

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The onset of mare reproductive loss syndrome in April 2001 in Kentucky lead to much speculation about its cause. Some of these initial 'suspects' included the ergot alkaloids of tall fescue, potential cyanide content of white clover, wide Calcium/Potassium ratios in pasture, fungal mycotoxins and the presence of certain poisonous plants. Certain consultants also indicated that no one should purchase or feed any Kentucky hay in 2001. However, these statements were not based on any hard information, just one person's opinion. But great damage was done to the confidence in Kentucky grown hay.

Alfalfa, The Queen Of Forage Crops — Reflections After Sixty Years Experience With The Crop, Warren C. Thompson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Yes, it is true I have been involved with alfalfa for 60 years and then some. Fact is I was fortunate enough to pick the World's best forage on which to base much of my career about the same time I fell in love with and married the best lady I ever knew. Betty has stuck with me through these crazy wonderful years. She was largely responsible for matters at home and raising the family. She managed our family and home while I was on the move trying to encourage maybe even coerce farmers in Kentucky and then over the …

Alfalfa For Summer Grazing, Jason Sandefur

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Jason manages the Berle Clay Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The farm has been in the Clay family since the 1770's. The Homestead was built in 1778.

The farming operation consist of approximately 680 acres of orchardgrass-clover, 300 acres of orchardgrass-alfalfa, 210 acres of tall fescue-clover, 100 acres of crops, 13 acres of tobacco and 70 acres in roads, buildings, etc.

Advances In Developing Better Alfalfa Varieties, Jim Moutray

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa breeders continue to actively pursue the development of varieties that will bring more benefits to farmers. Yield and better persistence are our highest priorities. Other traits under selection can make alfalfa easier and cheaper to grow, better and safer for livestock and more attractive to livestock.

The goal of this paper is to update you on the types of alfalfa research going on in the U.S., time tables on when you may expect to see these new developments and how they may help you in your operation.

Alfalfa Hay Quality: Terms And Definitions, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

At the 22^nd Kentucky Alfalfa Conference we discussed the relationship among Alfalfa - Yield-Quality-Persistence. In our presentation, we indicated that all three components must be considered for best management of alfalfa stands. Over the past week, I have looked through the past twenty-two years of Alfalfa Conference Proceedings. It's interesting, but not surprising that we have focused far more attention on yield than on quality and/or persistence.

Alfalfa yield (quantity) and quality are both important; however, it is easier for producers to recognize problems associated with quantity than quality because quantity can be easily assessed visually. Thus, forage quantity …

Foreword [2003], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.