Useful Beef Grazing Resources

Useful Beef Grazing Resources by Rhonda R. Gildersleeve1 Listed below are a few of the many web-based resources and print materials on pasture management, managed grazing systems and related production information for Wisconsin beef producers. Wisconsin & Midwest University of Wisconsin websites: Wisconsin Beef Information Center (WBIC): https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/wbic/ UW-Madison Animal Sciences Extension: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/animalsciences/ UW Center for Integrated […]

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Stockpiling Pastures

Stockpiling Pastures by Laura Paine1 and Ken Barnett2 Introduction The concept of stockpiling is simple. Rather than cutting, drying, and storing hay to feed in winter, you grow pasture forage until frost and let the animals harvest their own feed as late into winter as weather conditions allow. Most classes of livestock can graze through up to 8 […]

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Potassium Fertilizer Management of Pastures

Potassium Fertilizer Management of Pastures by Ken Barnett1, Tom Cadwallader2, Richard Halopka3, Maria Bendixen4, and Nick Schneider5 University of Wisconsin-Extension Introduction Good agricultural practice recommendations have always stressed the importance of the ready availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for plant growth and development regardless of cropping system. However, for managed grazing systems, while there has been a […]

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Pod-Line Irrigation of Wisconsin Pastures

Pod-Line Irrigation of Wisconsin Pastures by Alex Crockford1 Introduction Seasonal fluctuations in climate are a concern for all in agriculture. Seasonal extremes of rainfall, solar radiation, and temperature can reduce crop productivity to levels that put stress on the farm business. Prolonged periods, even years of climate stress can erode at a farm’s equity and even […]

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Frost Seeding Legumes and Grasses into Established Pastures

Frost Seeding Legumes and Grasses into Established Pastures by Mike Rankin1 University of Wisconsin-Extension Why frost seed? Frost seeding legumes and grasses is common means to improve forage yield or change the species composition of a pasture. Frost seeding offers several potential advantages: the ability to establish forage in an undisturbed sod, a reduced need for […]

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Equipment Sharing and Other Joint Ventures

Equipment Sharing and Other Joint Ventures by Gary Frank, UW Extension University of Wisconsin–Madison General Two types of business arrangements: Sole proprietorships Joint ventures – two or more parties contribute to or engage in a business Advantages of joint ventures: Combine knowledge and management abilities Combine assets and financial resources Economies of size Time off Ease inter […]

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Emergency Forages: Targeting Gaps in the Growing Season

Emergency Forages: Targeting Gaps in the Growing Season by Nick Schneider1 Introduction Drought experienced through much of Wisconsin during the summer has reduced the states dry alfalfa inventory by 32% and other dry forage by 1% as of the 2012 USDA October Crop Production summary. Forage shortages are of great concern to livestock producers. The high […]

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Use of Brassica Crops in Grazing Systems

Use of Brassica Crops in Grazing Systems by Dan Undersander UW Extension Forage Agronomist Forage Brassicas, such as rape, kale, turnips, and swedes, are high yielding, high quality, fast growing crops. The above ground parts (stems and leaves) of rape and kale and all parts (stems, leaves, and roots) of turnips and swedes are utilized by […]

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