Fertilizing Pastures for Profit

It has been known for centuries that providing certain nutrients to plants is critical for high productivity. The nutrient source and manner in which it is applied may vary, but the desired outcome is the same: high crop yield and quality. Fertilization is the most practical means that producers have to ensure that crops receive the nutrients they need. While increasing fertilizer application and managing pH by liming can lead to increase forage production, your investment should be measured against the potential return. Also, over application of nutrients can potentially cause environmental problems

Controlling Weeds in Horse and Cattle Pastures

Weed control is one of the most talked about concerns of forage-animal systems. Producers will sometimes pay more attention to some pests than others and more so in some crops than others. For example, a producer may have a very low threshold for weed infestation in their corn, soybean or tobacco field but will have a very high tolerance for weeds in their pastures. This is usually because the “direct” dollar value of the forage is not seen while we can “see” how a reduction in soybean or corn yield will affect the bottom line of our operation. Vegetation manipulation is the only practical way to increase forage for livestock and to improve wildlife habitat on some grasslands (Holechek et al., 2004) especially when land prices prohibit the acquisition of more acreage

Weed Management Affects Pasture Productivity and Livestock Performance - Tropical Perspective

Weed competition in pastures has a great impact on livestock productivity, as, in addition to competing with forage, it interferes with animal grazing. Without question, weeds can compete with forage for water, space, light and nutrients. Weeds reduce the feed value of forage, decrease pasture carrying capacity, and can be toxic or unpalatable to livestock. For most weeds in pasture, the root system is robust, which contributes to the survival of these plants, affecting the development of the pasture. Due to the large number of seeds, they usually produce, they are very easily dispersed. In addition, when there are weeds in the pasture, cattle tend to select the grazing site, keeping away from species that can harm them. Productivity losses resulting from competition between forage and weeds are extensively studied by the scientific community, both from a qualitative and quantitative point of view. Studies show that there is a direct relationship between the period of coexistence of forage and weeds in a pasture that impacts biomass productivity

Forage Response and Economic Benefits to Weed Management in Grasslands

A common question among managers of grazing operations is “At what level of weed pressure does it become economical to apply herbicides on pastures?” Unfortunately, there isn’t just one answer to this question as production goals and practices differ between operations and even within an operation over time. Regardless, the real question being ask is if weed control will increase profit per acre. There are three basic avenues that may be taken to improve profit per acre through weed control. The first is to increase the carrying capacity of the grazing operation by controlling weeds and replacing them with desirable forage species that will support the required increase in animal units. The second is to use weed control to improve forage availability to the existing herd to support higher average daily gains (ADG) or improve body condition (BCS) of animals. The third is to simply improve animal health through control of toxic plants that may suppress animal performance or increase mortality. Here we will only focus on weed control for increased carrying capacity and improved animal performance

Grazing Alfalfa at the Western Kentucky University Farm

Alfalfa has been around for centuries. In all this time, it was used in many different ways to provide high quality forage to livestock. In fact, in the area where alfalfa originated, the word actually means horse power . We have come a long way since then and alfalfa is used for a wide range of animals, from rabbits to rhinos. In order to maximize the efficiency of utilization of alfalfa, it has become necessary to graze it. Grazing is preferred over harvesting and storage for several reasons: less equipment and thus lower cost, less harvest loss, and greater quality forage because of retained leaves. These benefits are well known and they attract many producers to intensify their grazing to reap the benefits

Legume Re-Establishment in Pastures after the Application of Residual Herbicides

Integrated management of pastures and hayfields sometimes require the application of broadleaf herbicides to manage weeds. Weed infestations are usually caused by a variety of factors including but not limited to drought, poor grazing management, and feeding weed infested hay in pastures. Weeds can adversely affect livestock access to forage as well as reduce forage quantity and quality. Producers are often hesitant to apply herbicides to manage weeds because of the effect the herbicides will have on forage legumes present in the pasture

Managing Vegetation in Grasslands Habitats to Meet Livestock or Wildlife Objectives

Sustainably stewarding grassland systems involves applying various practices to manipulate forage interactions with other plants, the environment, and grazing animals to meet resource manager objectives. These interactions can result in invasion or encroachment and increased abundance of weeds which hinder attainment of management objectives. Weeds influence the structure and function of pasture ecosystems whether forages are grown in improved pastures, rangeland, or grassland communities. They degrade pasture quality and reduce livestock performance by interfering with forage establishment, yield, and quality by competing for resources. Weeds reduce the feed value of forage, decrease pasture carrying capacity, and can be toxic or unpalatable to livestock. Managing weeds requires use of vegetation management tools that favor desirable forages. Herbicides can be catalysts that expedite grassland renovation, improve the forage resource, and increase carrying capacity. Corteva Agriscience has a variety of herbicide products that provide superior control of herbaceous and woody weeds, while maintaining the desirable vegetation. These herbicides were designed and developed specifically for selective broadleaf weed control in rangeland, pastures, rights-of-way, non-cropland, and natural areas. Active ingredients historically used include aminopyralid, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, clopyralid, and picloram. Rinskor™ active and Arylex™ active are new herbicide active ingredients from Corteva Agriscience™ and are members of a unique synthetic auxin chemotype, the arylpicolinates (HRAC group O / WSSA group 4). Members of the arylpicolinate family demonstrate novel and differentiated characteristics in terms of use rate, spectrum, weed symptoms, environmental fate, and molecular interaction as compared to other auxin chemotypes. When applied as a stand-alone treatment or in various mixes these products are safe to desirable grass species and control key herbaceous and woody weeds in the genera Ambrosia, Acacia, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Mimosa, Prosopis, Ranunculus, Rumex, Sida, Solanum, Taraxacum, and more

Managing Vegetation In Grassland Habitats To Enhance Livestock Or Wildlife Objectives

Sustainably stewarding grassland systems involves applying various practices to manipulate forage interactions with other plants, the environment, and grazing animals to meet resource manager objectives. These interactions can result in invasion or encroachment and increased abundance of weeds which hinder attainment of management objectives. Weeds influence the structure and function of pasture ecosystems whether forages are grown in improved pastures, rangeland, or grassland communities. They degrade pasture quality and reduce livestock performance by interfering with forage establishment, yield, and quality by competing for resources. Weeds reduce the feed value of forage, decrease pasture carrying capacity, and can be toxic or unpalatable to livestock. Managing weeds requires use of vegetation management tools that favor desirable forages. Herbicides can be a catalyst that expedite grassland renovation, improve the forage resource, and increase carrying capacity. Corteva Agriscience has a variety of herbicide products that provide superior control of herbaceous and woody weeds, while maintaining the desirable vegetation. These herbicides were designed and developed specifically for selective broadleaf weed control in rangeland, pastures, rights-of-way, non-cropland, and natural areas. Active ingredients historically used include aminopyralid, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, clopyralid, and picloram. Rinskor™ active and Arylex™ active are new herbicide active ingredients from Corteva Agriscience™ and are members of a unique synthetic auxin chemotype, the arylpicolinates (HRAC group O / WSSA group 4). Members of the arylpicolinate family demonstrate novel and differentiated characteristics in terms of use rate, spectrum, weed symptoms, environmental fate, and molecular interaction as compared to other auxin chemotypes. When applied as a stand-alone treatment or in various mixes these products are safe to desirable grass species and control key herbaceous and woody weeds in the genera Ambrosia, Acacia, Carduus, Centaurea, Cirsium, Mimosa, Prosopis, Ranunculus, Rumex, Sida, Solanum, Taraxacum, and more