Forage, cattle producers embrace change in move from Colorado to Missouri
NEW BOSTON, Mo. – Tad and Kim Carnahan knew where one of their first stops would be after their move from Colorado to Missouri. The lifelong learners turned to University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin and agronomy specialist Valerie Tate for help in setting up their new Missouri cattle and forage operation. The local extension center became their one-stop shop for learning. “We try to absorb everything,” Tad…
Proper outside large round bale storage reduces hay losses
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As hay season continues, I see a lot of large round hay bales being stored outside,” says University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist Patrick Davis. If hay is not stored properly outside, farmers can see significant dry matter and quality losses. Factors that contribute to these losses include:
SW Missouri forage conference is Feb. 21 in Springfield
The 39th annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference is set for Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.“As farmers and livestock grazers continue to deal with drought conditions and high input costs, the conference planning committee has themed the 2023 conference ‘Doing More With Less,’” said Patrick Davis, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick…
Pastures, goats benefit from grazing an invasive species
GRAVOIS MILLS, Mo. – Cattle don’t like eating sericea lespedeza, an invasive species in Missouri pastures. But goats do, according to research at the University of Missouri’s Land of the Osages Research Farm in central Missouri.MU Extension forage specialist Harley Naumann found that goats are also getting a health benefit from sericea lespedeza.
Be on lookout for ergot
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri livestock and forage specialists are reporting ergot infestations that can cause major losses in livestock, said MU Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best cattle grazing pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – If not managed properly, muddy pastures can affect grazing the rest of the year, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“Cattle producers need to evaluate their pastures,” Davis says. Identify pastures that are thin and in need of renovation and consider using those as sacrifice pastures. Davis recommends consulting an MU Extension agronomist to grade pastures and make…
MU study looks at nitrogen products for pastures
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension forage researchers studied the effects of treated urea products on soil fertility, forage yield and quality.This information can help producers control risk on nitrogen investments, improve tall fescue forage yields and improve water quality.
Legumes improve pastures, grazing and profits
STOCKTON, Mo.- Add legumes to grazing pastures to improve cattle performance and forage production, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis. Frost-seed clovers and lespedeza now, Davis says. They grow well with cool-season grasses in Missouri and improve spring and summer pastures.
Proper hay storage reduces waste, increases profit
COLUMBIA, Mo. – There are two ways to more hay: Grow more or store it better. Many factors influence how bales make the trip from the field to the cow, says Jim Humphrey, a University of Missouri agronomist and member of the NRCS+MU Grasslands Project. Environmental factors such as sunlight, precipitation, evaporation and ground conditions can affect quality.
Without forage test, hay by any other name is just hay
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mature hay is hay. It may be brome hay, prairie hay or any other type of hay. But in the end, it’s just hay until it’s been tested.Forage tests tell the tale of whether hay is of good quality and nutrient-rich, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz.
MU research: Sunn hemp benefits rotational grazing systems
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Sunn hemp’s vigorous growth makes it a great complement to cool-season forages, says Harley Naumann, University of Missouri forage physiologist. Naumann’s six-year research shows that the quick-growing summer annual provides a boost during summer slump in rotational grazing systems.
Remove cool-season grass seed heads before they emerge
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – “Missouri livestock producers have some options to manage tall fescue seed head development and the toxic endophyte issues we have in Missouri,” says Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Seed heads emerge in tall fescue grass pastures by mid-May across most of Missouri.
Seeding oats and clovers now improves spring grazing
STOCKTON, Mo. – Now is the time to seed oats and clovers to improve spring cattle grazing resources and reduce costs, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis. “Feed is a major cow-calf operation cost,” says Davis. Oats and clovers are forages to seed now to improve spring grazing resources and help reduce supplemental feed costs.
Purdy producer sees success in first-year warm-season crop
PURDY, Mo. – The sea of native warm-season grass on Gene Cowherd’s Barry County farm is a reminder of a time when buffalo grazed tall prairie grasses.Cowherd’s first-year grasses stand more than 6 feet high with thick, green undergrowth. The grasses are part of a diverse grazing system that also includes alfalfa, Bermuda grass, orchardgrass, red clover and novel fescue.
Warm-season grasses provide forage, wildlife habitat
CASSVILLE, Mo. – Richard Asbill wants cattle and wildlife to benefit from warm-season grasses on his southwestern Missouri farm.Asbill, the superintendent of the Cassville R-IV School District and a former agriculture teacher, is one of the first participants in the NRCS + MU Grasslands Project. The project is a collaboration between the University of Missouri and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.