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(Repost) Thistles can reduce forage yield and delay spring transition of warm season grasses. Thistles can produce large amounts of seed, sometimes up to 4,000 seed per plant. For growers trying to manage the seed bank, please implement control strategies before flowering. Several different thistles are found in pastures, which can include Bull thistle (Carduss…
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We are excited to announce the 2024 Alfalfa in the South Workshop and Field Day at the UGA Tifton Better Grazing Program on May 7, 2024. This is a one day field day/workshop with targeted in-depth discussion focused on the utilization of Alfalfa in Southern environments. Led by Dr. Jennifer Tucker (UGA) and Dr. Kim…
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Dr. Jennifer Tucker Attend any forage focused Extension program and you will assuredly discuss the importance of soil fertility, forage quality, having a forage plan, and utilizing proper seeding and planting practices. Each of these are key fundamentals to efficient and effective forage management and utilization and should not be overlooked in this article. A…
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Written by: Shanna Reynolds, Oglethorpe County ANR Agent Feed costs typically determine profitability on a cattle farm, so it’s no surprise farmers continue to be innovative with feeding strategies. In the southeast, livestock producers can take advantage of long growing seasons and generally abundant rainfall. But even here, meeting feed requirements during the winter represents…
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According to USDA, in 2019, the United States produced more than 57.7 million acres of forage crops that were harvested for hay. Annual production from this acreage is over 140 million tons of hay valued at more than 18 billion dollars. Hay is the most widely grown mechanically-harvested agronomic crop in the United States. That…
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With feed being the highest cost in livestock production, farmers use pasture as a natural way to meet the nutritional needs of their animals. Animals allow agriculturalists to utilize land that may be unsuitable for traditional cropping in a way that benefits the property itself. Cattle, sheep, horses, or goats can use grass to produce…
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As the spring temperatures increase, so do the questions I receive from land/livestock owners about establishing a summer forage. Forage systems are essential for the livestock industry, and the selection of the right grass species is crucial for optimal animal performance. The two primary summer perennial grasses recommended by UGA Extension in the Coastal Plain…
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Fertilization significantly impacts your annual yields in hayfields as the previous year’s hay harvest has likely depleted the soil. A 6-ton per acre hay harvest will remove around 300 lbs Nitrogen, 250 lbs Potash, and 80 lbs Phosphate in a season. Fertilization makes up about 40% of most producers’ total hay costs so strategic planning…
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Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. Weeds also impact the aesthetic value of a pasture. Therefore, producers may choose to initiate weed management strategies that reduce the impact of weeds on forage production. The first step in effective weed control is to evaluate the…