Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Strategies To Minimize The Effects Of Drought, Gary Bates

Kentucky Grazing Conference

As this summer has shown, forage production from cool-season pasture and hay fields across the state can be dramatically affected by drought. Pastures that consist of cool-season grasses like tall fescue and orchardgrass have been severely overgrazed, and many may have lost some significant stand. Even if you have reseeded these fields, the question is how to prevent having the same problem next year. One of the best practices is to develop a forage program that doesn’t rely on cool-season grasses for summer production, but selects forage species that are better able to produce during periods of limited rainfall and …

Grassfed Beef From A Global Perspective, Glen Aiken

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Beef production and marketing has been shifting over the last few decades in response to unstable cattle markets, higher input costs, and a need to better meet market demands. Advancement of vertical integration of the production and marketing of beef calves through retained ownership from suckling calf to feedyard has certainly enhanced the genetics of the U.S. beef herd and improved the consistency of beef products. Another shift in production has been an increased number of grassfed cattle (grass finished) for marketing either organic or locally grown beef. These niche markets have developed primarily from concerns of urban consumers regarding …

The Cost Of Pasture Versus Hay, Kenneth H. Burdine

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Whenever I discuss the economics of grazing, I like to start by thinking about hay production costs. Regardless of which species we are talking about, a livestock producer should know what his / her most expensive feeding days are. In most cases, these will be winter feeding days, and that will generally consist of feeding either purchased or home-grown hay. So, I encourage producers to start by getting a solid feel for what their daily winter feeding costs are. For the purposes of this article, I am going to present some specific estimates for winter feeding costs, and other items, …

Pastures For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Grazing Conference

For horse owners, the use of pasture in the daily management of their horses provides both exercise for the horses, but also is a valuable source of nutrients. Horse feeding programs are based on forage and pasture is an excellent means to supply nutrients. To make effective use of the forage, horse owners need to manage both the horse and the grass.

Winter Annuals And Short Term Perennials For Grazing, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Grazing Conference

During the last 5 years there has been a renewed interest in winter annual and short term perennials for grazing and for stored feed. There are many sources of information on this subject. I especially encourage you to read the new publication written by Dr. Garry Lacefield and colleagues, “Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs”. I have used information from this publication and other publications from the University of Kentucky Forage Website (www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage) in writing this article. This website contains many use publications on the subject of winter annuals and variety trial information on annual ryegrass and …

Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Grazing Conference

“Novel” endophyte is a term used to describe a “good” or “friendly” fungus (endophyte) in tall fescue as opposed to the endophyte that’s present if over eighty-five percent of the tall fescue in the Fescue Belt of the USA. This endophyte is costing beef producers an estimated $1 Billion dollars in losses from animal gains, reproduction and overall performance.

Forages On My Farm, Brent White

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Foreword And Kfgc Award Winners [2012], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Grazing Conference

No abstract provided.

Farmer Panel--Getting More From Your Alfalfa, Charles Powell

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Powell Farms started in 1996 with 15 acres of Alfalfa hay intended for cow/calf feed. A neighbor and his friends bought every bale that year. Over the next 14 years the only alfalfa hay our cows got to eat was when a cutting got wet and was rolled. Production per acre was good, demand exceeded production and price per bale continued to rise. Roundup Ready came on the market and we were finally able to produce clean pure high quality alfalfa. All was going well for our alfalfa business. Then came the 2008 challenge with the economic down turn, drought …

Farmer Panel--Managed Grazing And Profits, Bill Payne

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Profits are the goal of any business model and mine is no exception. My plan assumes that available natural resources are efficiently utilized in a responsible manner.I have chosen to implement that plan by producing, managing and marketing our forage resources by utilizing Management Intensive Grazing (MIG.)

Farmer Panel--Managing A Commercial Hay Farm, Clayton Geralds

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In his presentation Clayton will discuss equipment he utilizes for establishing, maintaining, and harvesting top quality horse hay. He will also provide an overview of his expectations for yield and quality of his product as well as proper input and storage requirements.

Role And Importance Of Alfalfa In Beef Diets, Jeff Lehmkuhler

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is often referred to as the “Queen” of forage. Is this because of its high fertility needs and more finicky soil fertility needs along with greater management for optimal growth and persistency? Or is it because of it being on top of nearly all other forages for yield and quality? Truth be told, it is likely a combination of all these factors. Alfalfa is a versatile forage as it can be harvested for hay or silage and also grazed with proper management. For these reasons, this forage can fit well in beef operations.

Alfalfa Hay For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

When horse owners consider hay for their horses, a number of criteria are generally considered. Of major importance is the hay must be free of mold and dust. It needs to contain nutrients needed by the horse and it must be palatable. If these criteria are met, the type of hay should not matter. However, that is not the case with many horse owners. When discussing the selection of hay, many owners first consider the type of hay. Can it be alfalfa or should it be a grass or how about a mix of grass and a legume. If a …

National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance, Beth Nelson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) was formed on April 6, 2006. Its membership consists of state/regional seed associations, state/regional hay associations, genetic suppliers, seed marketers, allied industry, and research/extension affiliates. Each of these industry segments has representation on the NAFA board of directors.

Status And New Developments In Seed Coatings, Bill Talley

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The acceptance and use of coated alfalfa seed has become the standard of how alfalfa seed is being sold. Coated seed, refers to a buildup in coating material of 10-34%. Seventy percent of proprietary alfalfa seed is now buildup coated, and 80 % of that amount is a 34% coating. The remaining is a 10% buildup and is usually only used as a carrier for inoculation and fungicide. The higher buildup coatings are able to carry more active ingredients that also enhance the agronomic benefit to the young seedling. The benefits to the young seedling, from the components of the …

Kentucky Department Of Agriculture Hay Testing Program, Kim Field

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture offers a forage testing service which provides nutritional and energy value information. A Kentucky Department of Agriculture staff member will take sample(s) of hay and/or haylage at the farm and analyze them in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Forage Laboratory located in Frankfort. Tested forages can mean higher profit, whether feeding cattle, horses, goats, sheep or other livestock. By knowing the nutritional and energy value, you can minimize your cost and maximize your production.

Marketing Quality Hay, Tom Keene

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

When marketing quality alfalfa hay, you basically have two markets that you are going to try to target. First, you are going to be in the cash hay market, that’s where you will sell alfalfa hay to several different entities…..locally, statewide, nationally, or potentially internationally. Secondly, and more commonly, you will be marketing your hay to your own livestock enterprise on your farm. Several times every month, I have people call me and ask me what their hay is worth. I tell them very honestly I have no idea what their hay is worth; only by keeping track of their …

How Are Roundup Ready Varieties Performing, S. Ray Smith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Roundup Ready® Alfalfa

The most significant new development in alfalfa varieties was the January 27, 2011 decision by USDA to deregulate Roundup Ready® Alfalfa (RRA) without conditions. This was the final step in an extensive environmental review process by the USDA that took place over a 4 year period of time. If you would like to know more about the safety of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa you can review the complete Environmental Impact Statement at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/alfalfa/gt_alfalfa%20_feis.pdf.

Most importantly, seed dealers in Kentucky and surrounding states now have Roundup varieties available for sale.

Getting More From Your Alfalfa, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Today marks the 32nd consecutive year we have come together to discuss alfalfa and its role on your farm, in Kentucky, and our nation. Over these 32 years we have discussed many topics and seen many advances, unfortunately we aren’t making progress relative to acres, yield and quality that I would like to see. Maybe I am getting impatient as I am actually thinking about retirement. Now wait, you are one step ahead of me. I know you are thinking he has shown many graphs, tables and charts over the years showing how we have improved and yes, I know …

Foreword And Recipients Of Kentucky Alfalfa Awards [2012], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Tray Type And Tray Covering On Wicking Speed, Germination, And Spiral Rooting Of Tobacco, William A. Bailey, Bill Pitt

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Poor tray wicking and spiral rooting continue to be recurring concerns in tobacco float systems. Poor wicking of trays can usually be attributed to old media or media that was improperly stored for extended periods of time. Tray design may also influence speed of wicking. The clay-based pelleting materials used to coat tobacco seeds are thought to cause damage to the emerging root radical under certain conditions, leading to an increased incidence of spiral root. Practices that change the microenvironment at the top of the cell area surrounding the seed may reduce spiral rooting by altering the breakdown of the …

Co-Grazing Beef Cattle And Goats In Kentucky, David C. Ditsch, Patty Scharko

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

A two season grazing study of mixed (goats and beef cattle) species was conducted in 2006 and 2008 at Sebastian Farms in Breathitt County KY. The objective of this study was to determine if the order of mixed species grazing affected beef cattle and goat weight gain and goat exposure to the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) in a rotational grazing system. In this study, two co-grazing management strategies were tested. In treatment 1, goats and cattle were rotationally grazed together. In treatment 2, goats rotated through pastures as first grazers followed by cattle. Each co-grazing treatment was …

Tillage And Subsoiling Effects On Soil Compaction And Yield Of Burley Tobacco, Edwin L. Ritchey, Robert C. Pearce, John H. Grove

Plant and Soil Sciences Research Report

Historically, tobacco producers have relied heavily on surface tillage to prepare fields for transplanting. This typically involved moldboard plowing, followed by several secondary tillage operations, such as discing then leveling with a soil finisher. Transplanter developments and modifications in the late 1990’s, coupled with new chemicals for weed control, made no-till (NT) tobacco a viable option for tobacco producers in Kentucky (KY).