Source: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA submitted to
ALFALFA NUTRIENT PRESERVATION, UTILIZATION AND CYCLING IN SUSTAINABLE SOUTHEASTERN LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027185
Grant No.
2021-70005-35690
Cumulative Award Amt.
$732,018.00
Proposal No.
2021-06151
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[AFRP]- Alfalfa and Forage Program
Project Director
Tucker, J.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
200 D.W. BROOKS DR
ATHENS,GA 30602-5016
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Alfalfa use in the southeastern US can provide a high-quality input for livestock production, while providing secondary ecosystem benefits to the longevity of forage-based systems through sustainable agricultural intensification (USDA Science Blueprint, 2021). While alfalfa integration into warm-season grasses have been successful in the South, additional research is needed to refine management applications and translate ancillary system benefits to producers to enhance adoption, use and sustainability in southern forage-livestock operations. Thus, further data is needed to provide recommendations to stakeholders which teach them how to best use alfalfa-based systems under differing defoliation management strategies, and how these practices influence ecosystem contributions. Our work aims to better understand applied forage preservation and ecosystem management strategies utilizing alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures to improve system sustainability for forage-livestock producers. The data obtained from this project will (1) improve product preservation as a high-quality feed for livestock, (2) quantify, define, and illustrate nutrient use and cycling benefits to the animal and pasture, (3) develop economic tools for producers considering alfalfa use under these applications, and (4) significantly impact alfalfa production not only in the South but nationwide.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2051640107050%
3071610101050%
Goals / Objectives
Our work aims to develop applied forage, preservation, and ecosystem management strategies utilizing alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures in the South, and targets forage-livestock producers. Using an integrated cut-and-graze system where early-season forage harvests are made for conserved forage production, followed by mid-to-late season grazing can provide a dual-purpose system that intensifies land use by farmers, while optimizing nutrient cycling contributions from the plant and animal perspectives. Integration of alfalfa into bermudagrass systems improves forage production season length and quality, but ancillary benefits of this system have not been well-defined and are often undervalued by farmers. Ultimately, understanding systems dynamics of these integrated practices may help expand alfalfa use in the Southeast region.Defining management strategies of dual-purpose alfalfa-bermudagrass systems will improve bale package preservation and feed quality for southeastern livestock and maximize land and forage utilization to improve system sustainability.Quantifying nutrient use and cycling dynamics through ruminal digestion and pasture level evaluations will illustrate secondary benefits of alfalfa utilization and will provide base data to improve alfalfa production nationwide.Enhancing Extension economic tools, education opportunities, and producer case studies on alfalfa use in the region to include more in-depth discussion on management practices and their secondary benefits will ultimately increase alfalfa acreage in the regionObjectivesTo evaluate management applications, livestock nutrient use and plant-soil pools under dual-purpose alfalfa-bermudagrass systems. This will help provide management recommendations to producers to enhance adoption of alfalfa in bermudagrass and demonstrate alfalfa contributions to sustainability in traditionally grass-based ecosystems.To develop an economic analysis of alfalfa in bermudagrass and management applications under dual-purpose use. This will result in user-friendly interactive budgets and sensitivity analysis for producers considering utilization of alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures in their operation.To create awareness on management applications and alfalfa contributions to forage system sustainability to technical educators and producers. This will provide Extension education and resources for producers to make informed decisions about alfalfa management and increase resilience of their operations.
Project Methods
Methods and Procedures: This project will build on current alfalfa-bermudagrass evaluations in Georgia and Alabama. Alfalfa was interseeded in November 2019 and will be entering the third year of use post establishment during this evaluation. By utilizing our current alfalfa-bermudagrass mixed stands in our varied-use evaluation(s), our team has the necessary forage infrastructure to evaluate the nutrient cycling aspects of these systems over a five-year period; which also relates to the effective stand life expectancy of alfalfa in the region. In addition to in-field locations, sub-evaluations will utilize the Auburn University Beef Cattle Center and the UGA Ruminant Nutrition Microbiology Lab.OBJECTIVE 1: Research 1) Evaluating the use of forage preservatives and inoculants to assess field dry down time and bale package preservation.Experimental Design, Treatments, and Measurements: Prior to project initiation, each paddock will undergo stand persistence estimate. The bale package evaluation will be implemented on paddocks maintaining 30% or greater alfalfa presence across the ~1 ha paddock area. First seasonal cutting will be considered a clean off cut and treatment evaluation will begin on second cutting (approximately 28 days post first cutting; expected in March of each year). During the two spring harvests fields will be randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: application of (1) preservative, (2) inoculant, (3) both and (4) neither as an untreated controlled. Fields assigned to treatments 1 and 3 will receive preservative application at mowing using a sprayer system mounted on the back of the mower. All fields will be monitored for moisture using the microwave moisture test and individual fields will be raked and baled once forage reaches 55% moisture. At baling, fields assigned to treatment 2 and 3 will receive inoculant application to the windrow via a tractor mounted sprayer system attached to the silage equipped baler. Fields assigned to treatment 4 will be mowed, raked, baled, and wrapped without receiving either application. All harvested bales will be cored at harvest for quality analysis and then individually wrapped and stored for at least 6 months until feed-out should occur. Measurements collected will include herbage accumulation (yield), vegetative cover, botanical composition (via separated hand samples and post-harvest counts), forage DM percentage (moisture), forage in-field dry down time, forage quality (nutritional analysis via NIRS and wet chemistry), alfalfa stand density and persistence, and bale package preservation.2) Quantify nutrient use efficiency of alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage in livestock systems.Potential animal nutrient use efficiency will be estimated through assessment of animal intake, forage digestion dynamics, alterations in the digesta microbiome, and nutrient returns through urinary/fecal output when fed alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage.Forage Digestion Characteristics Samples from the vacuum-bag preservation study reflecting various preservation/inoculant treatments will be analyzed for volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia, and methane production. Response variables for digestion of alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage will be measured through in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation.Animal Nutrient Utilization and Returns Through Urinary/Fecal Output. A 7-d marker assisted intake trial will be conducted at the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit to determine nutrient utilization efficiency and potential nutrient return to the environment from feeding alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage. Quantifying intake potential, digestion characteristics, and nutrient outputs will help develop animal use recommendations for alfalfa-bermudagrass baleage in livestock systems.Impacts of Alfalfa Inclusion on Digestion Characteristics Using the Microbiome. Ruminal contents (500 ml) per steer will be collected via oral tubing and suction using a vacuum pump on d 5 and 6 during the intake trial. The first 400 ml of ruminal fluid will be discarded, and the subsequent 500 ml will be collected and stored in a 500 ml thermos to minimize oxygen exposure. Fecal samples collected as part of the intake study will also be analyzed. Bacterial DNA will be extracted from ruminal, fecal, silage, and in vitro fermentations samples, amplified, and sequenced according to the procedures previously performed by our research team (Lourenco JM, 2019). All files will be quality-filtered, converted into the FASTA format, and their nucleotide sequences will be clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% similarity using the Greengenes database. Additionally, singleton OTUs will be excluded from the analysis, and samples will be standardized to a common sampling depth for computation of alpha-diversity indices (i.e. microbial richness and diversity within each sample) and beta-diversity indices (i.e. microbial diversity between samples).3) Assess forage and soil nutrient pools under alfalfa-bermudagrass pastures. Our team collected soil samples prior to alfalfa establishment and utilization to have the soil baseline concentrations of soil C (SOC) and N (SON) in alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures under dual use (hay and grazing systems). Soil samples will continue to be collected within each system in late winter each year. To assess net change over the duration of the 5-yr experiment, SOC and SON concentrations and stocks will be quantified in the soil profile in 2020 and subtracted from 2024 data.OBJECTIVE 2: Economic Analysis.An economic analysis will be conducted to determine the economic feasibility and impact of incorporating a dual-purpose alfalfa-bermudagrass production system.OBJECTIVE 3: Extension Analysis and Assessment Plan1.Update Alfalfa in the South Series information library to emphasize alfalfa contribution to sustainability in southeastern forage-livestock systems.Total program participants, acreage and number of livestock represented will be quantified for AITS program participants as a measure of total reach. Web-based metrics will be tracked annually through number of website visits and reach through promotion of resources on social media resources.2.Create and release alfalfa-bermudagrass management systems calendar.Total distribution of printed copies and online viewership metrics will be reported annually for this product. To help with distribution tracking, the calendar will have a QR code on it to link producers back to management information available on the secattleadvisor.com website.3.Utilize existing research areas in Georgia and Alabama as systems-scale models for producer education to showcase management system applications.A pre- and post-program survey will be conducted at the AITS workshop to determine where producers are in decision-making related to alfalfa establishment, management, and next steps towards its adoption. The team will evaluate gain in knowledge on improved environmental benefits and sustainability associated with this forage system.4.Share information on alfalfa-bermudagrass management systems, nutrient utilization and cycling through a legume-focused symposium at the 2023 International Grassland CongressPresenters in the symposium will contribute to the 2023 IGC Proceedings to archive information for the scientific community.5.Conduct Four Case-Studies with Selected Participants from the Alfalfa in the South Program.Surveys of individual farmers will provide a better understanding of educational resource use, adoption of management concepts, and long-term plans for use of alfalfa-bermudagrass systems in the Southeast region. With permission from producers, recorded interviews will be compiled to be used on the Extension team pages for advertisement of the alfalfa-bermudagrass systems and presented on educational events related to this topic as case studies.

Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Livestock/Forage producers, field technicians (Extension/NRCS), graduate students, peers. Professional peers/colleagues at 2 international conferences and through 2 international tours held on research site. Changes/Problems:Our UF Faculty member who was on the grant has moved on to another position outside of the Univeristy system thus the subcontract with UF was discontinued and encumbered by UGA. Facutly at UGA and AU on the grant are planning to try and locate a trustworthy economist or hire externally to complete the economic objectives of this proposal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Topic was included in 2 Extension Agent Training sessions (one in GA and one in AL) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Topic was presented and discussed at 2022 World Alfalfa Congress in San Diego, CA (November). Topic was presented and discussed in two symposia at the 2023 Interntational Grassland Congress in Covington, KY (May) and as part of the 2023 International Grassland Congress Subtropical Tour Topic was included and highlighted at 10+ Extension events including the 2023 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day (UGA and UF event), The UGA Tifton ADS First Grade Field Day,2023 Alfafa in the South Workshop, the 2023 Tifton Beef Cattle Short Course, the 2023 GFGC Ranching for Profit Workshop, 2022 Wiregrass Cattlemen's Meeting, 2023 Jefferson County Cattlemen's Meeting, and others. Nationally the topic was presented at the 2023 Alflafa and Stored Forage Conference (Kentucky), the 2022 OSU Winter Crops School (Oklahoma), and as part of the 2023 Mountain View Seeds Forage Field Day and Tour in Salem, Oregon. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research evaluations and training opportunities are on-going and will continue into 2024.?

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Dr. Jose Diogenes was hired as a post-doctoral fellow to complete field research associated with this project at Auburn University. Ms. Brooke Stefanick was hired as a Ph.D student at UGA to complete field research associated with this project.Three undergraduate students (part-time) were hired to help with forage sample processing, field data collection, the grazing evaluation,and the metabolism study. The post-doctoral fellow and students at Auburn also work on other research projects, and their salary support is currently being funded from another grant project. Funding will shift to this project beginning in fall 2023. Alfalfa-Bermudagrass Baleage Evaluation Field project initiation for the 2023 growing season began in March 2023 with a clean-off cut for an existing Tifton 85 bermudagrass and Bulldog 805 alfalfa stand at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, AL, and existing Tifton 85 and Russell bermudagrass stand inerseeded with Bulldog 805 alfalfa at the Better Grazing Program located on the Tifton Campus in Tifton, GA. Initial baleage harvest for the season was conducted during the third week of April 2023. Subsequent harvests occurred during the third week of May, June and July2023, respectively. The baleage cutting in July 2023 is prior to the onset of the forage stockpiling period for the grazing portion of the evaluation.Baleage treatments included a control (no preservative) and either the use of HayDefender (preservative) or John Deere Green-Gard (preservative). Both preservatives contain buffered propionic acid. Bale weights and initial samples for forage nutritive value were collected at the time of baling. Subsequent forage cores are collected from baleage bales at 8 weeks and 6 months into the storage period. Forage subsamples were collected for Year 2 of a mini silo evaluation project. The purpose of the mini-silo study is to evaluate forage nutritive value changes at additional points in time during the storage period, and visually assess mold presence. Alfalfa-Bermudagrass Stockpiled Grazing Evaluation: 2 year (2022-2024) Stands were reset via a baleage harvest in July each year in preparation for stockpile grazing initiation beginning September 1st. At the Better Grazing Program location on the Tifton Campus, Tifton, GA - Alfalfa Bermudagrass paddocks were split into 8 cells and grazed for 4 days to a target height of 4 inches and then rotated to the next cell. One complete cycle of grazing concluded at 32 days. Even though there was extensive drought in 2022 animals were able to graze for two complete grazing cycles before project conclusion in mid November. Animal and forage data parameters were collected throughout the evaluation and first year data are currently under evaluation. Second year grazing is set to begin again September 1 2023 following the same methodology as year one. Soil and Root Sample Analysis Soil and root samples were collected at the end of the 2022 growing season as a measure of soil quality and root reserves. A collaborator from the University of Florida - Marianna has agreed to help analyze soil samples for nutrient content. Root samples will be processed and submitted to Cumberland Valley Analytical Services for total non-structural carbohydrate analysis. Metabolism Study: April 2023-July 2023 Four ruminally-fistulated beef steers (Angus x Simmental cross) were enrolled in a metabolism study in April 2023 to evaluate digestion dynamics of alfalfa-bermudagrass and alfalfa baleage vs. Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay. The purpose of the study is to quantify nutrient use efficiency of alfalfa-based baleage products, and estimate potential nutrient return from feeding alfalfa-containing forages in beef cattle diets. The experiment consisted of three feeding periods where all steers will be fed one of the treatment diets listed below for a period of 26 days. Within each 26-day period, beef heifers/steers will undergo a 21-d adaptation phase and a 5-d fecal and urinary collection phase. On the first day of each period, beef heifers/steers are housed in the stanchion room (Room # 117A) at the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Center (Auburn, AL). Steers are offered one of the following dietary treatments during each 26-day period: Forage Diet Treatments: 1) 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass hay 2) 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass baleage 3) 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass and 'Bulldog 805' alfalfa baleage All dietary treatments were offered on the first day to each steer at 2.0% of animal body weight on a dry matter basis. Steers are fed at the same time daily (e.g., 0800 h) and refusals are measured immediately prior to feeding. Forage refusals are weighed each day during the 26-day period so that each steer is offered ad libitum consumption (defined as at least 10% daily refusal). On d 14 of each period, boluses are administered (either placed through the rumen cannula or delivered orally via balling gun) for marking passage of solid material. Boluses are made by adding 10 g titanium oxide (TiO2) to empty gelatin capsules (Myers et al., 2006). Boluses are administered at feeding. Feces is collected from natural defecation events following dosing for determination of solid passage rate (needed for assessment of timing fecal collections for digestibility determination). Urine collection occurs 3x daily for nutrient analysis, and total volume will be calculated based on previously published prediction equations. On d 22, steers are moved from the Stanchion Room to the Metabolism Room (1.2 × 2.4 m [2.97 m2] pens) at the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Center (Room # 117B). Steers have free-choice access to water and their forage diets during this time period. Feces is collected from animals as an assessment of diet digestibility. Feces is allowed to deposit on the floor of each stall, and manually removed every 2 to 4 hours during the collection period. Total fecal samples are weighed, then mixed using a portable cement mixer. A subsample is collected following mixing for further processing for nutrient analysis. On d 26, rumen fluid samples from each beef heifer is collected for microbiome characterization. Fluid is frozen for further characterization of microbial richness and diversity within each sample.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tucker J, Burt J, Silva L, Mullenix K, Prevatt C, Baxter L, Stewart L. Integrated Systems for Harvest Management 2022 World Alfalfa Congress, San Diego, CA, 14 Nov 2022 - 17 Nov 2022. https://calhaysymposium.com/proceedings/. https://calhaysymposium.com/proceedings/. 04 Nov 2022 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tucker J, Oakes R, Whatley K, Baxter L. Restoring Grasslands With the Addition of Alfalfa in an Effort to Sustainably Increase Alfalfa Production in the Southeast 2022 World Alfalfa Congress, San Diego, CA. 14 Nov 2022 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Burt JC, Baxter LL, Prevatt CG, Kimberly Mullenix M, Stewart RL, Tucker JJ, Han G. Improving bermudagrass in the Southeastern United States with alfalfa as an alternative nitrogen source in grazing systems Grassland Research 1(4):280-289 Dec 2022
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Burt J, Baxter L, Tucker JJ. Evaluating nondestructive forage sampling techniques in alfalfabermudagrass mixtures in the southeastern United States Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management 8(2) Jan 2022
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tucker J, Virk S. Precision Ag Moves to Southern Alfalfa Hayfields Hay and Forage Grower magazine 10-11 01 Nov 2022 (Popular press)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Tucker J, Mullenix K, Silva L, Prevatt C, Baxter L. Incorporating Alfalfa into Bermudagrass: Success Stories 2023 International Grassland Congress, Covington, Kentucky, 14 May 2023 - 19 May 2023. 15 May 2023 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Tucker J, Mullenix K, Prevatt C. Alfalfa Production and Adaptability as Monoculture and Mixed Grass Systems 2023 International Grassland Congress, Covington, Kentucky, 14 May 2023 - 19 May 2023. 2023 International Grassland Congress. 16 May 2023 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Mullenix, M.K., Silva, L.S., Prevatt, C.G., and Tucker, J.J. 2023. Farmer experiences with alfalfa in the southern USA. Proceedings of the 25th International Grassland Congress, Covington, KY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Smith R, Lea K, Henning J, Basgalup D, Putnam D, Lehmkuhler J, VanValin K, Tucker J, Teutsch C. Alfalfa Informational Resources: Staying Current 2022 World Alfalfa Congress, San Diego, CA, 14 Nov 2022 - 17 Nov 2022. 07 Nov 2022 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Brummer C, Putnam D, Sumner D, Matthews B, Baron V, Berti M, Biligetu B, Boe A, Cassida K, Claessens A, et al. Alfalfa in North America 2022 World Alfalfa Congress, San Diego, CA, 14 Nov 2022 - 17 Nov 2022. 08 Nov 2022 (Proceedings of conference (published))
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Vasco, C., L. Silva, J. Burt, K. Mason, M.K. Mullenix, C.G. Prevatt, and J.J. Tucker. 2023. Agronomic and structural responses of stockpiled alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures. Crop, Forage, and Turfgrass Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20223.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Livestock/Forage producers, field technicians (Extension/NRCS), graduate students, peers. Changes/Problems:Mini silos were formed using large, vacuum space saver bags. After about 3 weeks of ensiling in these bags, bags continuously lost their seal, which decreased the quality and viability of sample collection for mold count evaluation. Thus, material from the June harvest was ensiled using a different mini-silo methodology, and subsequent quality/mold data collection will occur ~8 wk after packing bags. Extreme drought in the South during the Spring/early summer months did not allow for intitial soil sample data collection - less intensive sampling occured in winter prior to project initiation and intense sampling will occur each year in winter to continue nutrient cycling evaluation. Environmental changes provided suprising and unexpected challenges in previously used methodology, however kinks have been worked out to move forward with minimal negative impact on the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Topic has been included in regional Extension agent trainings (held April 2022 in Alabama, online in August 22). Topic was presented at 2022 NAAIC meeting during a lightening session. Topic will be discussed at 2022 World Alfalfa Congress in San Diego, CA How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have not been disseminated as none exist yet however the project has been introduced at various Extension and technical service trainings, at peer conferences, and in popular press. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Field data collection will continue as discussed above including grazing evaluation in Fall 2022 and rumen microbiome evaluation to occur Winter/Spring 2023. ? 2023 International Grassland Congress Subthematic Session Members of the grant team have organized an international symposium on alfalfa production in warm-climates to be held at the 2023 International Grassland Congress Meeting in Covington, KY. PIs Mullenix and Tucker serve on the IGC 2023 Program Planning Committee and Publicity Committees, respectively, and received approval by the board for incorporation of this symposium into the program plan in April 2023. The confirmed program is below (six, 20 minute presentations): Moderator: Kim Mullenix, Extension Beef Specialist/Associate Professor, Auburn University Speakers: Dr. Esteban Rios - University of Florida - Forage breeding efforts for alfalfa use in warm climate regions Dr. Jennifer Tucker - University of Georgia - Incorporating alfalfa into bermudagrass: Success stories Dr. Kim Mullenix - Auburn University - Farmer experiences with alfalfa in the South US Chris Prevatt - University of Florida - Economics of alfalfa production: Does it work in warm regions? Dr. Daniel Basigalup - INTA - Argentina - Grazing alfalfa in the Argentine Pampas Dr. Joe Bouton - Professor Emeritus - University of Georgia - Industry perspectives: opportunities and challenges for alfalfa in warm-climate regions

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Dr. Carol Vasco was hired as a post-doctoral fellow to complete field research associated with this project at Auburn University and Mrs Brooke Stefanicak has been hired to serve as the lead PhD student at UGA on this effort (start date Aug. 15, 2022). Undergraduatestudents (part-time) were hired to help with forage sample processing and field data collection associated with the study in 2022. Field project initiation began in April 2022 with a clean-off cut for an existing Tifton 85 bermudagrass and Bulldog 805 alfalfa stands at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland, AL and the UGA Tifton Better Grazing Project in Tifton, GA. Initial baleage harvest for the season was conducted during the first week of May 2022. Following the first harvest, growing conditions were drier than normal for the region, which delayed the next harvest until the second week of June 2022. The bale preservation study was initiated in May 2022 with the control (no preservative) and HayDefender (preservative) treatments. Both field-level evaluation and creation of mini-silos using preservative-applied forage material were initiated. Bale bags from the May 2022 harvest will be sampled at 8 weeks post harvest in late June and again at 6 months post-harvest. Mini silos were formed using large, vacuum space saver bags. After about 3 weeks of ensiling in these bags, bags continuously lost their seal, which decreased the quality and viability of sample collection for mold count evaluation. Thus, material from the June harvest was ensiled using a different mini-silo methodology, and subsequent quality/mold data collection will occur ~8 wk after packing bags. Initial soil and root samples were collected for the Headland site to quantify C fractions and N pools, unfortunately ground conditions did not allow for successful sample collection in Tifton,GA. Soil and Root samples will be collected this fall/winter in all locations.A collaborator from the University of Florida - Marianna has agreed to help analyze soil samples for nutrient content. Root samples will be processed and submitted to Cumberland Valley Analytical Services for total non-structural carbohydrate analysis. Grazing evaluation to complete the varied harvest system methodology are on track to begin in September 2022 at all locations. 2022 Alfalfa in the South Workshop - hosted by Clemson University - The research team associated with this project collaborated with Dr. Liliane Silva, Forage Extension Specialist at Clemson University, to organize and deliver information on alfalfa management in the South at an alfalfa field day in Laurens, SC. Dr. Silva is a former post-doctoral fellow associated with the alfalfa grants funded to Tucker et al. The field day was hosted at the farm of Reed Edwards, who grows alfalfa, sericea lespedeza and various cool-season grass mixtures for commercial hay production. Specialists participated from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina. Industry partners from Athens Seed Company and Barenbrug Seed also helped sponsor the field day. The South Carolina Forage and Grassland Council helped promote the meeting to members across the state, and there were over 100 attendees. Information on the field day was highlighted in a popular press article released by Clemson University Press: Advertisement: https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-announces-alfalfa-in-the-south-field-day/#:~:text=Decades%20ago%2C%20alfalfa%20was%20a,pest%20pressures%20soon%20decreased%20acreage. Popular Press article: https://news.clemson.edu/scientists-farmers-help-queen-of-forages-re-establish-throne-in-the-south%EF%BF%BC/ Proposed - 2023 Alfalfa in the South Workshop - Confirmed plans to offer in-person, one-day workshop in Elkmont, AL on February 15, 2023. Coordinated by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System - and a one-day workshop in Tifton, GA to highlight the research on location. Communication Products developed as part of Extension Dissemination plan: o At the Alfalfa in the South Workshop on May 5, PIs interviewed Dr. John Andrae and Dr. Joe Bouton for a video highlighting historical use of alfalfa in the South, breeding efforts to improve adaptation to the region, and why this is an important forage tool for farmers. Videos are 2 to 3 minutes in length, and will be posted on the Southeast Cattle Advisor Website as part of an alfalfa video library. o Project PIs met on May 18 at the farm of Phil Moshell for video interviews and creation of producer-perspective videos on growing alfalfa in the South. Two farmer interviews were recorded to highlight both challenges and success stories of growing alfalfa in the region. Videos are 2 to 3 minutes in length, and will be posted on the Southeast Cattle Advisor Website as part of an alfalfa video library. o Additional farmer interviews (n = 3 minimum additional) are planned for Georgia, Florida, and Alabama over the life of the grant using 1) farmer demonstration sites and 2) more long-term grower experiences with alfalfa production in the region. o Two videos were recorded by PIs of the grant to discuss 1) regional research efforts on this topic as a voice-over video and 2) economics of alfalfa production in the region and how it compares to traditional hay + supplemental feeding approaches in livestock operations. Videos are 2 to 3 minutes in length, and will be posted on the Southeast Cattle Advisor Website as part of an alfalfa video library.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tucker, J., K. Mullenix, C. Prevatt, L. Silva, L. Dillard, T. Callaway, and L. Baxter. Alfalfa Nutrient Preservation, Utilization and Cycling in Sustainable Southeastern Livestock Systems. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. June 2022. Michigan.