Ridge-Tillage: Advantages and Disadvantages

Ridge-Till is a crop production system that has become increasingly popular with grain producers in some areas of the mid-west. This unique tillage system may provide some Kentucky farmers with an alternative method of planting. Limited information on the adaptability of ridge-till on Kentucky soils and climatic conditions make it important that growers investigate the system thoroughly to determine how it would fit into their operation before deciding to change. Ridge-till involves planting on elevated rows that remain undisturbed after establishment. One or more cultivations are then made during the early part of each growing season to improve weed control, allow the soil to dry and warm faster, and to maintain the ridge for future planting. Most of the current information on ridge-till has been generated from studies conducted in the north and mid-west. Based on this research, ridge-till appears to be most suited for the poorly drained soils on 0-2% slope. Some advantages and disadvantages of ridgetillage are discussed below

Bermudagrass in Kentucky

Interest in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] is increasing in Kentucky as livestock producers continue their search for warm-season perennial forages capable of filling in the mid-summer growth slump we commonly experience with our traditional cool-season grasses. This is partially due to the recent availability of seeded bermudagrass varieties with improved winter hardiness thereby reducing establishment cost and increasing the odds of success

Storing Alfalfa as Round Bale Silage

Hay is the most popular method for storing alfalfa because it stores well for long periods and is better suited to cash sale and transportation than silage. However, silage may be a suitable option when and/or where hay curing is difficult. Due to numerous improvements in baling and wrapping equipment, it is possible to make high quality round bale silage using long (unchopped) alfalfa crops

Options for Summer Grazing

Summer is the time during the growing season when shortages of forage most often occur in Kentucky. The summer of 2007 will long be remembered as one the warmest and driest in recent years and cause many livestock producers to evaluate their current forage systems. Most Kentucky pastures are predominately cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass and bluegrass. During the historically hot, dry periods in July and August, these species produce very little growth and can quickly become overgrazed. At this point, some producers have no alternative except to buy feed or begin feeding stored forage intended for winter feeding. According to Ag Economist, grazing is the cheapest way to feed livestock and the difference between profit and loss in the livestock business can usually be related back to the producer’s ability to grow his own feed

Soil Erodibility: How Is It Determined and Used?

The nation\u27s concern about soil erosion has focused on tillage practices used to produce row crops. Because of this concern, legislation now requires grain producers to adopt soil conservation practices if they want to participate in many government programs. The 1985 Farm Bill\u27s conservation provisions classify soils into different erodibility categories. Soils designated as highly erodible must have an approved conservation plan if the producer wants to plant crops on them as part of a government program\u27s acreage base. On what basis is a soil determined to be highly erodible? Experience and common sense point out that several factors such as rainfall intensity, soil properties, slope, crop and tillage system affect soil erodibility. After many years of research aimed at quantifying the combined effect of these factors, an equation was developed to help predict soil erosion losses. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), developed at the National Runoff and Soil Loss Data Center, incorporates environmental and topographic factors affecting soil erosion. It predicts how much erosion a given site will have in terms of tons/acre/year

Co-Grazing Beef Cattle and Goats in Kentucky

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 assigned a set of four pastures similar in size, terrain and plant species composition. The stocking rate for each treatment was approximately 1.2 acres per animal unit (1 animal unit = 1,000 lbs live weight). Animal performance data was collected every 30 days during the grazing season. In 2007, the study was suspended due to extreme drought conditions. In 2006 and 2008 goat weight gain and FAMACHA scores were not affected by grazing treatment. In 2006, cattle weight gain was slightly higher for cows grazing with goats. In contrast, cows following goats in 2008 had the greatest weight gain. Based on field observations, beef cattle and goats were compatible grazers and no herd health issues were related to mixed species grazing during this study

Update on Ridge-Tillage in Kentucky

Grain crop producers in Kentucky are constantly evaluating various tillage systems that will best fit their particular cropping environment. One such tillage system that has shown some promise primarily in the mid-west is a system referred to as ridge-tillage. Ridge-till is basically a system by which a grain producer plants his crop on an elevated row that is maintained each year during cultivation for week control. The same ridge is re-used year after year thereby developing a controlled traffic pattern. Since the cultivation procedure is also recommended for maintaining the ridge, many ridge-till farmers have reduced their herbicide cost by spraying only a small band over the row and relying on the cultivation for weed control between the ridges

Wetlands: Mechanisms For Treating Acid Mine Drainage

A great deal of attention has been given to wetlands in recent years. Research suggests that natural and/or constructed wetlands may play a valuable role in flood flow moderation, sediment retention and stabilization, and waste water treatment while providing habitat for game and nongame wildlife. Only within the last 10 years have wetlands received serious attention in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD)

Evaluating Land Resource Potentials in Kentucky

The most successful land use decisions are those where the intended use matches the capabilities of the land. Determining the capability of the land begins with a visual assessment of the landscape such as topography (percent slope) and surface drainage patterns followed by a closer examination of the soil physical and chemical characteristics. The purpose of this publication is to provide a basic understanding of the relationship between these landscape and soil properties to facilitate wise land use decisions. Topics such as soil testing to determine plant nutrient supply, plant species selection, and management are not covered in this publication. Some selected references are provided at the end of this publication or can be found by contacting your local extension office. Much of the information contained in this publication was adapted from University of Kentucky Extension publication 4BA-08MG, 4-H Land Judging in Kentucky, as the topics are similar but focused toward a different audience and end use

Differential Black Walnut Growth on a Recommended Soil Map Unit: Investigation of Related Soil Chemical and Physical Properties

Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) is one of the best known and most valuable trees in Kentucky. However, due to its high value, the species has been aggressively harvested from natural stands, creating a limited supply of quality black walnut trees. Many landowners recognize this as an investment opportunity and have placed small tracts of unused land into black walnut production