Bermudagrass
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If you have ever thumbed through the Market Bulletin hay ads, you’ve likely wondered what all the descriptions mean. The marketing tactics used can leave your head spinning. What makes something “horse quality,” and what makes the $9 square bale better than the $5 bale? If someone says their hay was “fertilized by UGA test…
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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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Forage establishment can be frustrating but can be successful if you have a plan. Forage establishment techniques can vary depending upon forage species, location, soil type, pasture situation and intended use. Good establishment techniques are essential to getting good high yielding forage stands. Let’s look at several reasons why producers can successfully establish forages.
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By Dr. Bill Anderson, Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS When I started as perennial forage grass breeder for ARS sixteen years ago, the primary goal was to develop a cold-tolerant seeded bermudagrass since Tifton 85 seemed to satisfy the sprigged market. The battle was to develop a seeded forage that had high biomass but also high seed production. …
Posted in: Bermudagrass, bermudagrass stem maggot, Grazing, Hay, insects, Uncategorized, Warm Season Perrenials -
By Steve Morgan Harris County CEC 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…
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By Erin Forte Churchill Macon County CEC Improved bermudagrass varieties are often accepted as one of the best grazing materials in the Southeast, but the thought of establishing these varieties through sprigging can send even the best cattle producers running for the hills. It doesn’t have to! By following the steps outlined here, you can set yourself up for success with your…