Chemical composition and yield of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) as influenced by nitrogen and potassium fertilization

Two one-year experiments were conducted to determine the effects of fertilization and season on the chemical composition of Kentucky 31 tall fescue. Samples were taken monthly for determination of K, Ca, Mg, P, crude protein and yield. Freeze-dried samples were used in determining malic acid, citric acid, and total ash alkalinity concentration. Nitro-gen fertilization rates were 0 and 112 kg N/ha for the first experiment and 56, 112, and 168 kg N/ha for the second experiment. Potassium fertilization levels were employed only in the second experiment; the rates were 0 and 168 kg K/ha. The soil was Etowah silt loam. Nitrogen fertilization generally increased the concentration of K. Increases in the concentration of Ca and Mg due to N fertilization were noted in some months. Nitrogen fertilization had little affect on the P concentration. Crude protein and dry matter yield were increased with N fertilization. Malic acid and total ash alkalinity concentrations were increased with N fertilization, while citric acid concentration was decreased. Potassium fertilization increased the K concentration on all harvest dates. Decreases in Ca and Mg were associated with K fertilization. The P concentration was not affected by K fertilization. Crude protein values were increased in some months due to K fertilization. Dry matter yields were slightly increased in some months due to K fertilization. Malic acid and total ash alkalinity concentrations were decreased by K fertilization, while citric acid concentration was increased. Seasonal variation resulted in highest concentrations of K and organic acids in the cooler months, while highest Ca, Mg, and P concen-trations were observed in the warmer months. Little forage material was produced during January and February, but production was possible the remainder of the year with split applications of N fertilization. It is suggested that K fertilization be applied after the spring growth period

Sustainable development of smallholder crop-livestock farming in developing countries

Meeting the growing demand for animal-sourced food, prompted by population growth and increases in average per-capita income in low-income countries, is a major challenge. Yet, it also presents significant potential for agricultural growth, economic development, and reduction of poverty in rural areas. The main constraints to livestock producers taking advantage of growing markets include; lack of forage and feed gaps, communal land tenure, limited access to land and water resources, weak institutions, poor infrastructure and environmental degradation. To improve rural livelihood and food security in smallholder crop-livestock farming systems, concurrent work is required to address issues regarding efficiency of production, risk within systems and development of whole value chain systems. This paper provides a review of several forage basedstudies in tropical and non-tropical dry areas of the developing countries. A central tenet of this paper is that forages have an essential role in agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and livestock nutrition in smallholder mixed farming systems

Why We Need a Ruminant Revolution: Combating Malnutrition and Metabolic Illnesses to Enable Sustainable Development

Animal source foods (ASF) are essential for proper human development and function. Livestock in general, and ruminants in particular, are essential components of our sustainable global food systems. Of significant worldwide impact, diets with higher-than-recommended levels of ASF can correct the symptoms of metabolic illnesses, offering hope in arresting the current worldwide epidemic of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Most dietary policy and recommendations are based on the ill-founded belief that plant-based, high-carbohydrate diets are “healthy.” High-quality scientific evidence does not support the belief that vegetarian diets are healthier than omnivorous or animal-based diets. A Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR) lifestyle approach has demonstrated its efficacy in reversing Insulin Resistance (IR) and the non-communicable diseases associated with, or caused, by it. True sustainability is a multifaceted topic consisting of societal, economic, and ecological aspects. The enormous suffering and financial costs of chronic illness must be acknowledged. The production of high-quality animal protein and animal fat by ruminants from feed resources humans cannot directly utilize will be fundamental to feeding a growing population. This essential food production can preserve and enhance the diverse environments where it takes place. We need a revolution in our thinking of what constitutes a healthy diet, of what causes chronic illness, of the vital role that animal product play in the human diet, and the essential nature of ruminant animal agriculture in meeting humanity’s needs. This will mean overthrowing established policies and institutions, and confronting vested belief systems. We’ll need an effort, analogous to the Green Revolution, to develop and deploy the knowledge and technology necessary to meet the needs of the mid-21st Century world

Computer-Based Forage Management Tools: Historical, Current, and Future Applications

Forage management has been an important human activity since the beginning of civilization. By comparison, the personal computer has been available only in the immediate past. The software developed to deal with the complexity of climate, soil, plant, animal, and socioeconomic factors has seen huge changes in a few decades. Mainframe computers facilitated numerical calculations for exploring relationships among dozens of variables. Personal computers opened the door for more individual scientist creativity and routine communication. Web-based communication globalised the option for multidisciplinary teams to tackle problems. Forage-related computer applications abound, allowing farmers, ranchers, and others to more effectively manage the land. This paper describes historical, current, and future computer-based applications that improve understanding and efficiency leading to more economically and environmentally sustainable forage-livestock systems

A GIS Tool for Optimal Forage Species Selection

To determine appropriate forage species for US ecoregions, geographic information technologies (GIS) are being used to create climatic and soil factor maps. Excel spreadsheets and RStudio are used to create response functions of forage species to minimum and maximum temperature, annual precipitation, soil pH, soil salinity, and salinity. National forage data and expert opinion will evaluate quantitative tolerances, seasonal yield profiles, and pollinator suitability. These maps and agronomic and livestock use information will be shared with forage specialists and farmers to provide alternatives for improved perenniality, increased diversity, and system circularity. Future work will include development and evaluation of climate change scenarios for temperature and precipitation. Anticipated outcomes include improved species selection and decision making to develop and manage sustainable agricultural systems, improved national policies to provide incentives for agroecologically-matched agricultural systems, and improved likelihood of long-term agricultural production sustainability based on agroecological principles

Growing tall fescue for forage

Published May 1981. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Growing white clover for forage

Published May 1981. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Growing meadow foxtail for forage

Published April 1981. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Growing vetch for forage

Published November 1982. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Growing orchardgrass for forage

Published May 1981. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo