Articles on forages, animals, and grazing systems
Beef
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Extension Forage Specialist
University of Kentucky
Phone: (859) 257-3358
Fax: (859) 323-1952
Email: raysmith1@uky.edu
Feeding soybean hulls to lower fescue toxicity
Greg Reynolds: Kentucky Grazing School
Jim Landis: Kentucky Grazing School
Field Exercise: Kentucky Grazing School
In many of the forage and livestock programs, educators promote extending the grazing season as it is less costly than feeding stored forages such as hay. The norm for grazing management on many of our beef cattle operations is an extensive, low input, and hands-off approach. As soon as the grass starts to green up and the cows start to pick at grass, a sigh of relief is expressed by many of us. Some may even do a fist pump while screaming “Yes, no more hay feeding!”
The second Kentucky Advanced Grazing School will be held at the U.K. Research & Education Center in Princeton June 18 with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m CDT. Participants in the field day will not only get to hear from University experts but gain hands-on experience as well.
One goal of a successful grazing system is to utilize pasture to meet animal nutritional needs for optimal performance, while maintaining a persistent, high quality stand of forage that is tolerant to grazing pressure.
Tall Fescue, a cool-season perennial grass, is the most predominant forage in the US covering over 36 million acres. It is extremely prevalent in areas of the southeastern United States because it possesses desirable characteristics including tolerance to drought, flooding, heavy grazing pressure, and a long growing season. However, tall fescue can have negative effects on livestock.
Summer is finally here, and temperature and humidity have increased dramatically over the last month. Animals are beginning to suffer from heat stress and cool-season grasses are starting to decrease in productivity. There are certain precautions that need to be taken to manage your grazing system during times of high heat.
June 14, 2013
Amos Fisher Dairy Farm
Christian County
Advanced Grazing School (1 day)
June 18, 2013
UK Research & Education Center, Princeton, KY
AFGC National Tour
May 22-24 2013
Syria, VA
Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council Day
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Rivercrest Farm
Prospect, KY
If you are interested in attending a dairy meeting contact Curt Judy (Todd Co.) 270-265-5659 or
Jay Stone (Christian Co.)
270-886-6328 x110
If you are interested in attending a Northern KY pasture walk contact Don Sorrell (Campbell Co.) (859) 572-2600, Daniel Allen (Kenton Co.) (859) 356-3155, Michael Mann (Pendleton Co.) (859) 654-3395, Chris Ammerman (Grant Co.) (859) 824-3355, or Jerry Brown (Boone Co.) (859) 586-6101
