Interseeding Legumes versus Applying Nitrogen Fertilizer by Ken Barnett1 Introduction The legume and grass content of a grazed pasture changes over time. This occurs due to a cycling of the grass and legume portions of the pasture. When grasses do better, the competition reduces the legume content. When the legume content and its nitrogen contribution to […]
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Managing Drought Stressed Pastures by Dennis Cosgrove1 Summer drought will likely mean reduced pasture and may increase producers’ need for hay. Late summer and fall rains provide some late-season forage growth but proper management is important in order to make the most of this moisture. The best way to benefit from the fall rains is to […]
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Nitrogen Management in Rotationally Grazed Pastures by Dr. Dennis Cosgrove Forage Extension Specialist University of Wisconsin – River Falls Introduction Split nitrogen applications have long been recommended on rotationally grazed pastures. Nitrogen applications in excess of approximately 50 units per acre for a single application are not utilized by pasture growth. One-half ton of pasture forage (a […]
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Fertilizer Managment of Pastures by Ken Barnett1 Introduction Whether or not to apply fertilizers to pastures to increase production raises questions that graziers need to ask. Some of these questions are 1) what are the production needs for the animals grazed; 2) when are the forages needed in the grazing season; 3) what species are present; […]
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Seed Inoculation Reminders for Forage Legumes by Rhonda R. Gildersleeve1 Introduction Legumes play a significant role in the production of high quality forages and pastures. As members of the Fabaceae or Pea Family, legumes have a unique place in agriculture because they serve as a symbiotic host for rhizobia bacteria, which fix nitrogen (N) from the […]
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Pricing Standing Hay by Ted Bay, Rhonda Gildersleeve, and Dan Undersander “What is standing hay worth?” Sales of standing hay require agreement on price and a method of determining yield if sold by the ton. Dry matter loss is also a factor in sales of standing forages, particularly when chopped for silage. Several factors should be considered […]
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Variability of Bypass Protein in Forages by Patrick C. Hoffman and Nancy M. Brehm Department of Dairy Science University of Wisconsin-Madison Introduction Until recently there have been no commercially viable tests to evaluate bypass protein content of forages. As a result, nutrition consultants and producers have estimated the bypass protein content of forages to formulate rations. The principal […]
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Silo Gas and Silo-Filler’s Disease Safety Notes Increased nitrates as a result of the dry growing season are a concern not only for livestock but for humans as well. Weeds and corn are naturally high in nitrates. Nitrate levels in corn are extremely high after a rain following a dry period. High levels of nitrates […]
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Bunker Silo Facers – worth the investment? by Brian Holmes (updated 8/2003) Introduction Bunker silo facers are a form of silage unloader. They are frequently constructed as teeth attached to a drum. The drum is mounted on a boom attached to a power unit (skid steer, tractor, telehandler, etc.) The drum is rotated while unloading and is […]
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Dry Round Hay Bale Storage Costs by Brian Holmes Introduction Round bale storage economics depends on a variety of issues. Investments in structures need a longer time to yield beneficial returns, while low capital systems can be used for a short period before they pay off. If a person will be in the hay storage business […]
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