Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Bermudagrass

By Malay Saha, Ph.D.Professor Warm-season perennial grasses are essential components of pasture systems in the southern U.S., where beef and forage production are the largest contributors to agricultural income. Bermudagrass is the most prevalent warm-season perennial grass species in the region. It is also a predominant turf grass. Bermudagrass produces lush green forage and/or ground cover during summer months and remains dormant during fall-winter. However, standing or stockpiled bermudagrass can be grazed in…

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Alternative Pasture Weed Control

Gared Shaffer SDSU Extension Weeds Field Specialist The term ‘weed’ can be broadly applied to any plant that is undesirable at any given time and place based on certain criteria. It is important to understand that the word ‘weed’ has become a general term with no universal definition, and many plants are considered to be weeds, depending on location. For example, a corn plant in a soybean field is considered a weed although both plants are major…

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Grass Tetany: Now Is the Time to Prepare

Adele Harty SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist The warmer spring temperatures have been a welcome reprieve from the cold experienced across the region in 2019. With warmer temperatures and significant soil moisture, ranchers need to be proactive in mitigating grass tetany risk. Cool season grasses are beginning to green up, posing a risk for cows with young calves. As the temperatures continue to increase, cool season grasses, such as crested wheatgrass will grow…

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Rotational Grazing Improves Stocking Capacity and Ranch Profitability

Tong Wang, SDSU Extension Advanced Production Specialist Livestock stocking rate is considered as one of the most important decisions that ranchers can make, as heavy stocking rate causes grassland degradation and adversely impact the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services. However, only maintaining proper stocking rate is not enough, as inappropriate grazing management strategies will also cause rangeland degradation. Continuous Grazing vs. Rotational Grazing Currently, continuous grazing is the dominant practice in the U.S.…

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Are Genetics the Key to Dealing with Fescue Toxicosis?

Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County, OSU Extension (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman, Expo 2020 issue) One of the sessions that I attended during the American Forage and Grassland Council at the beginning of 2020 explored the possibility of identifying genetic markers in cattle for tolerance of the endophytic fungus that lives within the KY-31 tall fescue forage, which is the most prominent pasture grass in our region. This…

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Fire season returns to Kansas

Kansas Forest Service, K-State Mesonet advise Kansans to prep for potentially active fire season MANHATTAN, Kan. – Rising temperatures and breezy conditions are quickly drying fuels across the state, increasing concerns for an active fire season in Kansas. “Despite recent moisture, Kansas's primary fuel – grass -- is abundant due to last year's above normal precipitation,” said Chip Redmond, Kansas State University assistant meteorologist. The timing of future precipitation between dry frontal passages…

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When to start grazing: Don’t rush it!

Chris Penrose, Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resources, Morgan County (originally published in the Ohio Farmer online) Stockpiled fescue can be an excellent place to accomplish early turnout, and begin calving. One goal I have had with livestock grazing over the years is to start as soon as I can. I put spring calving cows on stockpiled grass in early March to calve with the hope of not having to feed any more…

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Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees

Tamarisk competes with native vegetation reducing available forage for livestock and reducing water quality.| Download this photo. Reclaim your Ground from Invasive Trees March 19 workshop aims to help landowners improve livestock forage, water quality and wildlife habitat MANHATTAN, Kan. – Landowners and managers in southwest Kansas are invited to a free workshop and field demonstration focused on the management and removal of tamarisk, also known as saltcedar. The workshop is Thursday, March 19,…

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Tamegrass stocker field day slated Feb. 20 in Girard

Program aims to help producers improve cattle health, pasture management GIRARD, Kan. – Kansas State University’s Southeast Research and Extension Center will host the Tamegrass Stocker Field Day on Feb. 4 to help the area’s producers improve the health, nutrition and pasture management for their cattle herds. “Managing cattle on such tamegrasses as fescue and Bermudagrass requires some specific managerial aspects to be able to grow cattle and forage efficiently,” said Jaymelynn Farney,…

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Signs to Watch When Making Decisions on Stocking Rates

By Brian HaysPasture and Range Consultant A key component of intentional management is the stocking rate management plan. This plan entails the matching of grazing livestock numbers to forage production as well as managing and adapting livestock numbers as forage production changes within and over years. So how can a manager determine if the stocking rate should be adjusted during the year? One way is to use an intuitive approach to the assessment,…

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