Dairy grazing : growth of pasture plants

"This publication replaces Chapter 3, Growth of Forage Plants, in MU Extension publication M168, Dairy Grazing Manual. Original author: Greg J. Bishop-Hurley, University of Missouri."--Page 4."Understanding how plants function (physiology) and their form and structure (morphology) is important when managing grazing animals because both physiological and morphological changes affect plant survival and the quantity and quality of forage. An awareness of how plants respond physiologically and morphologically to their environment provides the basis for understanding how plants react to external factors such as high and low temperatures, drought, light and grazing. This publication presents an overview of basic plant physiology and morphology, and discusses the impact of form and function of plants on grazing management. For more information on the topics discussed in this publication, see the sources listed under Additional reading."--First page.Revised by Robert L. Kallenbach, Forages State Specialist, Division of Plant SciencesNew 2/12/We

Growth of pasture plants (2012)

"Agriculture.""Dairy grazing.""Dairy grazing publication series: This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.""Revised by Robert L. Kallenbach, Forages State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences.""This publication replaces Chapter 3, Growth of Forage Plants, in MU Extension publication M168, Dairy Grazing Manual. Original author: Greg J. Bishop-Hurley, University of Missouri."New 2/12/Web

Hurry up and wait : replanting decisions for pastures during drought (2009)

"Reviewed February 2009."Drought typically causes Missouri cattlemen to be concerned about their pastures. These concerns can turn to thoughts of replanting, but such plans may be premature

Managing pasture for yield, quality, persistence and intake (2015)

"Agriculture.""Dairy grazing.""Dairy grazing publication series : This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.""Revised from M168, Dairy Grazing Manual, by Stacey A. Hamilton, Dairy Specialist, Division of Animal Sciences, Robert L. Kallenbach, Forage State Specialist, Division of Plant Sciences.""This publication replaces Chapter 4, Forage Quality and Intake, in MU Extension publication M168, Dairy Grazing Manual. Original author: Richard Crawford, University of Missouri."New 9/15/Web

Agroforestry and grass buffer effects on water quality on grazed pasture watersheds

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.Conservation practices including agroforestry and grass buffers are believed to reduce non point source pollution (NPSP) from grazed pasture watersheds. Agroforestry, a land management practice that intersperses agricultural crops with trees, recently received increased attention in the temperate zone due to its environmental and economic benefits. However, studies are limited that examined buffer effects on water quality on grazed pasture watersheds. Six small watersheds, two with agroforestry buffers, two with grass buffers, and two control watershdeds were used to test the hypothesis that agroforestry and grass buffers reduce NPSP from grazed pasture watersheds. Vegetation in grass buffer and pasture areas include red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoids Bortr. ex Marsh.) were planted into fescue in agroforestry buffers. Soils at the site are mostly Menfro silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludalfs). Watersheds were instrumented with two-foot H flumes, water samplers, and flow measuring devices in 2001. Composite water samples were analyzed for sediment, and total nitrogen after each runoff event to compare treatment differences. Watersheds with agroforerstry and grass buffers had significantly lower runoff volumes as compared to the control watersheds. The loss of sediment, and total nitrogen were smaller for the buffer watersheds. The results of the study suggest that establishment of groforestry and grass buffers help reduce NPSP pollution from grazed pasture watersheds. It is anticipated as trees grow and roots occupy more soil volume, the reduction in N in runoff should increase on the agroforestry watershed.Ranjith P. Udawatta (1, 2), Harold E. Garrett (2), and Robert L. Kallenbach (3) ; 1. Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences. 2. Center for Agroforestry. 3. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.Includes bibliographical references

Forage crop irrigation systems and economics (2013)

"Agriculture."Irrigation presents an opportunity for Missouri forage producers to mitigate production risk from drought. This guide explores three areas to consider before choosing a forage irrigation system: expected forage response, equipment options and the economics of irrigating forage.New 11/13/Web

Agroforestry and grass buffer influences on water infiltration for a grazed pasture system

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.Agroforestry and grass buffers are often adopted as an alternative resource management system in agriculture for environmental and economic benefits. The objective of the study was to compare agroforestry (AgB) and grass buffer (GB) systems under rotationally grazed (RG) and continuously grazed (CG) pasture systems on water infiltration measured using ponded infiltration and tension infiltration methods. Buffer areas were fenced which prevented cattle grazing in buffer areas. Soils at the site are Menfro silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Hapludalfs). Infiltration rates were measured using ponded ring infiltration units in 2007 and 2008 for the four treatments with six replicates. Infiltration rate as a function of tension (at 50-, 100-, and 150-mm) was also measured using a tension infiltrometer in 2007. Water infiltration parameters were estimated using Green-Ampt and Parlange infiltration equations. Quasi-steady state infiltration rates (qs) and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) for the buffers were about 30 and 40 times higher compared to pasture treatments, respectively. Green-Ampt and Parlange models appeared to fit measured data with r2 values ranging between 0.91 to 0.98. The infiltration rate in 2007 for the GB treatment was the highest (221.4 mm h-1) and for the CG treatment was the lowest (3.73 mm h-1). Estimated sorptivity (S) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) parameters were higher for buffers compared to the pasture treatments. Grazing reduced infiltration rates for the pasture (CG and RG) treatments. Results show that the buffer areas have higher infiltration rates which imply lower runoff compared to pasture areas.Sandeep Kumar (1), Stephen H. Anderson (1), Ranjith P. Udawatta (1,2), and Robert L. Kallenbach (3) ; 1. Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia. 2. Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri-Columbia. 3. Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 65211, USA.Includes bibliographical references

Mixtures of native warm-season grasses, forbs and legumes for biomass, forage and wildlife habitat (2017)

This guide provides information to help Missouri landowners and property managers make informed decisions on growing native warm-season grasses, forbs and legumes for biomass, livestock forage and wildlife habitat

Using native warm-season grass, forb and legume mixtures for biomass, livestock forage and wildlife benefits : a case study (2017)

Case StudyThis guide is a companion to MU Extension publications G9422, Integrating Practices That Benefit Wildlife With Crops Grown for Biomass in Missouri, and G9423, Mixtures of Native Warm-Season Grasses, Forbs and Legumes for Biomass, Forage and Wildlife Habitat, which outlines the benefits of using these mixtures of native warm-season forages and provides information to help landowners make informed decisions on enhancing wildlife habitats while producing crops for biomass. Establishment and management practices, as well as yield results, are presented as a case study in this guide so that others can implement similar practices on their property

Missouri's ultimate feed alternative : ammoniated tall fescue (2009)

"Reviewed February 2009."To stretch short feed supplies, livestock producers could ammoniate low-quality tall fescue hay. Ammoniated hay is hay placed under a tarp and treated with a maximum of 60 pounds of anhydrous ammonia per ton of hay. After three weeks, the ammonia treatment is complete, and the hay is fairly good quality. It is also affordable in drought years, when hay and feed are limited. Tall fescue hay should cost about $20 per round bale, and it can be treated for an additional$12 per bale