Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Producers and county agents were the target audience during the last year of the project. Changes/Problems: There were no major changes or problems in executing proposed research and extension activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training sessions and local conference as described under the previous category were conducted. As this was an integrated project, in-service training blocks, publishing of extension material, and conducting a producer survey were as much part of the project as generating research data. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results have been disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles to the scientific community, in form of fact sheets, in-service training sessions, and presentations to extension professionls, and through newsletter articles to the general public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
IMPACT: Several in-service trainings and in-state producer conferences on the subject were held during the project period. One in-service training block was conducted in 2012. Two in-service training blocks were conducted in 2012, and in 2013, two in-service trainings and two regional legume conferences were conducted. A survey that will investigate the use of legumes by farmers has been completed and data analysis is underway. Experiment I: Results suggested that no-till establishment of crimson or white clover is advisable whenever producers can afford recommended or higher than recommended seeding rates. Under this scenario, the pasture canopy must be short to ensure most efficient use of expensive inputs. However, if seeding rates have to be reduced, broadcasting the seeds may be advantageous, especially for very small seeds like white clover. Cattle hoof action may play a role in enhancing soil-seed contact and hence improving plant establishment which is otherwise compromised when small seeds are insufficiently placed into the soil by no-till drill devices alone. Broadcasting low amounts of clover seeds may be a long term strategy to establish small areas initially and expand to other areas of the farm during following years. Experiment II: Results indicated that white clover, red clover, and hairy vetch are the most suitable legumes for the purpose of over-seeding these into bermudagrass pastures for cattle grazing. Some of the species selected, such as alfalfa, kura clover, and subterranean clover were difficult to establish and/or did not persist very long. One of the greatest challenges remaining is the broad-leaf weed control in perennial pastures. Therefore, future emphasis may be placed on separate legume areas in each pasture, such as bank or strips. Overall, this experiment received considerable attention during the annually hold farmers’ field days at the Batesville research station. Especially during 2009 and 2010 when nitrogen fertilizer prices were relatively high, farmers showed great interest in our experiences regarding persistence of legumes in warm-season pastures. Experiment III. The three years of this experiment revealed that it remains challenging to provide paddocks with nitrogen solely derived from biological nitrogen fixation. Cattle end weights in the control paddocks (N-fertilized bermudagrass) were higher after 4 months of spring grazing than in the legume treatments. Because grass growth was lagging in the legume treatments early in some years, cattle could not be moved onto these paddocks the same time as onto the control treatment paddocks. Grazing days and cattle weight gain were therefore smaller under legume treatments in comparison to the control. A manuscript detailing the economic evaluation has been submitted. The findings from our research are being continuously incorporated into ongoing educational activities. The results from all experiments were presented at field days, county agent training sessions, and regional conferences, spanning a wide audience comprised of producers, extension personnel, and researchers.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Smith, S., M. Popp, and D. Philipp. 2012. Study examines costs of seeding clovers in bermudagrass pastures. (Certified Crop Advisor/Crops Science Society of America). https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/story/2012/nov/fri/study-examines-establishment-costs-of-seeding-clovers-in-bermudagrass-pastures
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Briggs, B.E., T. G. Montgomery, K.P. Coffey, D. Philipp, P. B. Francis, J.D. Caldwell, W. A. Whitworth, and A. N. Young. 2011. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers during SpringThree-year summary. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Philipp, Dirk, Mary C. Savin, Kenneth P. Coffey, Bradley E. Briggs. 2011. Utilization of legumes in cattle grazing systems to minimize synthetic N input. Ecological Society of America, annual meeting, Austin, TX.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Philipp, Dirk, Ken Coffey, Brad Briggs, Charles Stephens, and Jennifer Harrison. 2011. Establishment strategies for crimson and white clovers in the southeastern US. Agronomy Society of America, annual meeting, San Antonio, TX.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Briggs, B. E., T. G. Montgomery, K. P. Coffey, D. Philipp, P. B. Francis, J. D. Caldwell, W. A. Whitworth, and A. N. Young. 2010. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Sod-Seeded Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 584:24-25.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Philipp, D., Coffey, K., Jennings, J., and Rhein, R. 2009. Establishment of Clovers in Response to Broadcast vs. No-Till Drill Planting Methods. Univ. of Arkansas Anim. Sci. Dept. Report. 574:46-48. http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/4658.htm.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2010
Citation:
Briggs, B. E., T. G. Montgomery, K. P. Coffey, D. Philipp, P. B. Francis, J. D. Caldwell, W. A. Whitworth, and A. N. Young. 2010. Performance of Selected Forage Legumes in the Lower Midwest. Proc. Am. For. Grassl. Council. June 21-23, 2010, Springfield, MO.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Philipp, D., B. Briggs, K. Coffey, John Jennings, and R. Rhein. 2009. Clovers in Response to Broadcast vs. No-Till Drill PlantingSecond Year Results. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 584:86-88.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Montgomery, T.G., K.P. Coffey, D. Philipp, P. B. Francis, J.D. Caldwell, W.A. Whitworth, and A. N. Young. 2009. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Sod-seeded Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers. Department of Animals Science, Research Reports. University of Arkansas.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2009
Citation:
Montgomery, T.G., Coffey, K.P., Philipp, D., Francis, P.B., Caldwell, J.D, Whitworth, W.A., and Young, A.N. 2009. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Sod-seeded Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers. Univ. of Arkansas Anim. Sci. Dept. Report. 574:57-59. http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/4658.htm.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Smith, A., Popp, M., Philipp, D., Coffey, K., and Gbur, E. 20XX. Overseeding Bermudagrass Pastures with Ryegrass and Clovers: Estimating Partial Returns. Submitted (J. American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Smith, S.A., M. P. Popp, and D. Philipp. 2012. Improving Bermudagrass Pastures with Crimson and White Clover: An Estimation of Establishment Costs. Agron. J. 104:1517-1522
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Philipp, D., Popp, M., Coffey, K., Savin, M., Jennings, J. 2012. Beef Cattle Production on Grass-legume Mixes: Economic Implications of Establishment Methods and Grazing Systems Performance. Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference, San Juan, PR.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Exp. I:Crimson clover and white clover were chosen to represent a legume that grows when rainfall is adequate for optimal growth(crimson clover), and one that grows later in the spring to provide a high-quality forage for livestock consumption (white clover). A field of common bermudagrass was divided into 3 blocks and further divided into whole plots which represent grazing before/grazing after treatments. Each whole plot was then divided into 8 subplots representing the following treatments: 1) no-till drill + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 2) no-till drill + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 3) broadcast + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 4) broadcast + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 5) no-till + grazed after at high seeding rate; 6) no-till + grazed after at low seeding rate; 7) broadcast + grazed after at high seeding rate; 8) broadcast + grazed after at low seeding rate. High and low seeding rates for crimson clover were 20 and 10 kg pure live seed (PLS)/ha, and for white clover 5.0 and 2.5 kg PLS/ha, respectively. High rates are based on recommendations to establish these legumes in grass mixtures. Forage mass was estimated prior and after grazing, and seedling count was performed in Nov., 2010. In Oct., 2010 legumes were established for year 3 of the experiment and monitored throughout 2011. Data analysis including an economic assessment of methods used was finalized. Experiment II was initiated in autumn of 2007 with establishing 4 annual and 4 perennial legumes. Three years into the experiment, 3 annual and 3 perennial legumes remained due to establishment difficulties of two species and diminishing persistence. The experiment was completed in fall, 2010. Exp. III was started in autumn, 2008 with establishment of legumes inter-seeded into bermudagrass pastures using crimson and white clover alone or combined. Control pastures were N-fertilized bermudagrass fields. All treatments were additionally over-seeded with annual ryegrass. Measurements include animal performance from grazing, forage mass, species composition, and soil quality. A detailed economic analysis and data analysis for results collected from this experiment is currently underway. A no-cost-extension was granted through 2013, enabling further investigation into matters of legume utilization. Two additional experiments were started or continued in 2012: (1) N-turnover of crimson clover under grazing conditions; and (2) persistence of arrowleaf and white clover when grown under varying degrees of shade. Study (1) Compares crimson clover overseeded into bermudagrass and grazed with various levels of synthetic N fertilization. Study (2) started in autumn of 2011 in cooperation with the USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, AR. An annual and perennial clover species were planted in pine tree stands with varying alley widths to investigate the persistence of clovers under conditions of reduced light penetration. Results from these studies will be reported once they become available. PARTICIPANTS: Dirk Philipp, Asst. Prof., Cooperative Ext. Service, Fayetteville, AR Kenneth Coffey, Professor, Animal Science, Fayetteville, AR John Jennings, Professor, ANSC, Cooperative Ext. Ser., Little Rock, AR Michael Popp, Professor, Ag Eco and Agribusiness, Fayetteville, AR Mary Savin, Professor, Crop,Soil, & Environmental Sci, Fayetteville, AR Greg Montgomery, Program Technician III, SEREC, Monticello AR TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, county agents, research faculty PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
During autumn of 2011, two in-service trainings were planned for the coming year to be held in northern and southern Arkansas. In addition, a regional legume conference planned to be held in summer of 2012 with input from county agents, farmers, and project team members. A survey that will investigate the use of legumes by farmers has also been drafted in autumn of 2011 and was mailed in early 2012. Experiment I: Results suggested that no-till establishment of crimson or white clover is advisable whenever producers can afford recommended or higher than recommended seeding rates. Under this scenario, the pasture canopy must be short to ensure most efficient use of expensive inputs. However, if seeding rates have to be reduced, broadcasting the seeds may be advantageous, especially for very small seeds like white clover. Cattle hoof action may play a role in enhancing soil-seed contact and hence improving plant establishment which is otherwise compromised when small seeds are insufficiently placed into the soil by no-till drill devices alone. Broadcasting low amounts of clover seeds may be a long term strategy to establish small areas initially and expand to other areas of the farm during following years. Experiment II: Results indicated that white clover, red clover, and hairy vetch are the most suitable legumes for the purpose of over-seeding these into bermudagrass pastures for cattle grazing. Some of the species selected, such as alfalfa, kura clover, and subterranean clover were difficult to establish and/or did not persist very long. One of the greatest challenges remaining is the broad-leaf weed control in perennial pastures. Therefore, future emphasis may be placed on separate legume areas in each pasture, such as bank or strips. Overall, this experiment received considerable attention during the annual farmers' field days at the Batesville research station. Especially during 2009 and 2010 when nitrogen fertilizer prices were relatively high, farmers showed great interest in our experiences regarding persistence of legumes in warm-season pastures. Experiment III. The three years of this experiment revealed that it remains challenging to provide paddocks with nitrogen solely derived from biological nitrogen fixation. Cattle end weights in the control paddocks (N-fertilized bermudagrass) were higher after 4 months of spring grazing than in the legume treatments. Because grass growth was lagging in the legume treatments early in some years, cattle could not be moved onto these paddocks the same time as onto the control treatment paddocks. Grazing days and cattle weight gain were therefore less under legume treatments in comparison to the control. A detailed data analysis including economic evaluation for 2011 is currently underway. The findings from our research are being continuously incorporated into ongoing educational activities. The results from all experiments were presented at field days, county agent training sessions, and regional conferences, spanning a wide audience comprised of producers, extension personnel, and researchers.
Publications
- Smith, S.A., Popp, M. P., and Philipp, D. 2012. Improving Bermudagrass Pastures with Crimson and White Clover: An Estimation of Establishment Costs. Agron. J. 104:1517-1522
- Philipp, D., Popp, M., Coffey, K., Savin, M., Jennings, J. 2012. Beef Cattle Production on Grass-legume Mixes: Economic Implications of Establishment Methods and Grazing Systems Performance. Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference, San Juan, PR.
- Smith, S., Popp, M., and Philipp, D. 2012. Study examines costs of seeding clovers in bermudagrass pastures. (Certified Crop Advisor/Crops Science Society of America). Agron. J. 104(6): 1517-1522.
|
Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Experiment I: Crimson clover and white clover were chosen to represent different scenarios, one to represent a legume that grows during times of the year when rainfall is adequate for optimal growth (crimson clover), and one that grows later in the spring to provide a high-quality forage for livestock consumption (white clover). For this experiment, a field of common bermudagrass was divided into 3 blocks and further divided into whole plots which represent grazing before/grazing after treatments. Each of these whole plots was then further divided into 8 subplots representing the following treatments: 1) no-till drill + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 2) no-till drill + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 3) broadcast + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 4) broadcast + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 5) no-till + grazed after at high seeding rate; 6) no-till + grazed after at low seeding rate; 7) broadcast + grazed after at high seeding rate; 8) broadcast + grazed after at low seeding rate. High and low seeding rates for crimson clover were 20 and 10 kg pure live seed (PLS)/ha, and for white clover 5.0 and 2.5 kg PLS/ha, respectively. High rates are based on recommendations to establish these legumes in grass mixtures (Barnes et al., 2003). As in the initial year, forage mass was estimated prior and after grazing, and a seedling count was performed in November 2010. In October of 2010, legumes were established for the third year of the experiment and monitored throughout 2011. Data analysis including an economic assessment of the establishment methods used is currently underway. Experiment II: This experiment was initiated in autumn of 2007 with establishing 4 annual and 4 perennial legumes. Three years into the experiment, 3 annual and 3 perennial legumes remained due to establishment difficulties of two species and diminishing persistence. This experiment was completed in fall of 2010. Experiment III: This experiment started in autumn of 2008 with establishment of legumes inter-seeded into bermudagrass pastures using crimson and white clover alone or combined. Control pastures were N-fertilized bermudagrass fields. All treatments were additionally over-seeded with annual ryegrass as well. Measurements include animal performance from grazing, forage mass, species composition, and soil quality. A detailed economic analysis and data analysis for results from 2011 are currently underway. PARTICIPANTS: Philipp, D., Coffey, K., Jennings, J., Popp, Mike, Savin, M., Montgomery, G. TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, county agents, research faculty PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
During autumn of 2011, two in-service trainings were planned for the coming year to be held in northern and southern Arkansas. In addition, a regional legume conference is being planned to be held in summer of 2012 with input from county agents, farmers, and project team members. A survey that will investigate the use of legumes by farmers has also been drafted in autumn of 2011 and will be mailed in early 2012. Experiment I: Results suggested that no-till establishment of crimson or white clover is advisable whenever producers can afford recommended or higher than recommended seeding rates. Under this scenario, the pasture canopy must be short to ensure most efficient use of expensive inputs. However, if seeding rates have to be reduced, broadcasting the seeds may be advantageous, especially for very small seeds like white clover. Cattle hoof action may play a role in enhancing soil-seed contact and hence improving plant establishment which is otherwise compromised when small seeds are insufficiently placed into the soil by no-till drill devices alone. Broadcasting low amounts of clover seeds may be a long term strategy to establish small areas initially and expand to other areas of the farm during following years. Experiment II: Results indicated that white clover, red clover, and hairy vetch are the most suitable legumes for the purpose of over-seeding these into bermudagrass pastures for cattle grazing. Some of the species selected, such as alfalfa, kura clover, and subterranean clover were difficult to establish and/or did not persist very long. One of the greatest challenges remaining is the broad-leaf weed control in perennial pastures. Therefore, future emphasis may be placed on separate legume areas in each pasture, such as bank or strips. Overall, this experiment received considerable attention during the annually held farmers' field days at the Batesville research station. Especially during 2009 and 2010 when nitrogen fertilizer prices were relatively high, farmers showed great interest in our experiences regarding persistence of legumes in warm-season pastures. Experiment III. The three years of this experiment revealed that it remains challenging to provide paddocks with nitrogen solely derived from biological nitrogen fixation. Cattle end weights in the control paddocks (N-fertilized bermudagrass) were higher after 4 months of spring grazing than in the legume treatments. Because grass growth was lagging in the legume treatments early in some years, cattle could not be moved onto these paddocks the same time as onto the control treatment paddocks. Grazing days and cattle weight gain were therefore smaller under legume treatments in comparison to the control. A detailed data analysis including economic evaluation for 2011 is currently underway. The findings from our research are being continuously incorporated into ongoing educational activities. The results from all experiments were presented at field days, county agent training sessions, and regional conferences, spanning a wide audience comprised of producers, extension personnel, and researchers.
Publications
- Briggs, B.E., Montgomery, T. G., Coffey, K.P., Philipp, D., Francis, P. B., Caldwell, J.D., Whitworth, W. A., and Young, A. N. 2011. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers during Spring Three year summary. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series.
- Philipp, D., Coffey, K., and Bass, A. 2011. Effects of Hay Preservatives on Hay Quality, Intake, and Digestion. Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference, annual meeting, Aiken, SC.
- Philipp, Dirk, Savin, Mary C., Coffey, Kenneth P., Briggs, Bradley E. 2011. Utilization of legumes in cattle grazing systems to minimize synthetic N input. Ecological Society of America, annual meeting, Austin, TX.
- Philipp, Dirk, Coffey, Ken, Briggs, Brad, Stephens, Charles, and Harrison, Jennifer. 2011. Establishment strategies for crimson and white clovers in the southeastern US. Agronomy Society of America, annual meeting, San Antonio, TX.
- Philipp, D., Popp, M., Coffey, K., Savin, M., Jennings, J. 2011. Beef cattle production on grass-legume mixes: Economic Implications of establishment methods and grazing systems performance. 2011. USDA-NIFA/AFRI, annual project directors meeting, Miami, FL.
|
Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Experiment I and III were initiated in autumn of 2008; Experiment II has been continued since its initiation in 2007 and was completed in fall of 2010. Experiment I: Crimson clover and white clover were chosen to represent different scenarios, one to represent a legume that grows during times of the year when rainfall is adequate for optimal growth (crimson clover), and one that grows later in the spring to provide a high-quality forage for livestock consumption (white clover). For this experiment, a field of common bermudagrass was divided into 3 blocks and further divided into whole plots which represent grazing before/grazing after treatments. Each of these whole plots was then further divided into 8 subplots representing the following treatments: 1) no-till drill + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 2) no-till drill + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 3) broadcast + grazed prior at high seeding rate; 4) broadcast + grazed prior at low seeding rate; 5) no-till + grazed after at high seeding rate; 6) no-till + grazed after at low seeding rate; 7) broadcast + grazed after at high seeding rate; 8) broadcast + grazed after at low seeding rate. High and low seeding rates for crimson clover were 20 and 10 kg pure live seed (PLS)/ha, and for white clover 5.0 and 2.5 kg PLS/ha, respectively. High rates are based on recommendations to establish these legumes in grass mixtures (Barnes et al., 2003). As in the initial year, forage mass was estimated prior and after grazing, and a seedling count was performed in November 2010. Experiment II: This experiment was initiated in autumn of 2007 with establishing 4 annual and 4 perennial legumes. Three years into the experiment, 3 annual and 3 perennial legumes remained due to establishment difficulties of two species and diminishing persistence. This experiment was completed in fall of 2010 and final data analysis is underway. Experiment III: This experiment started in autumn of 2008 with establishment of legumes inter-seeded into bermudagrass pastures using crimson and white clover alone or combined. Control pastures were N-fertilized bermudagrass fields. All treatments were additionally over-seeded with annual ryegrass as well. Measurements included forage mass, species composition, and soil quality. In fall of 2010, this project continued for its third and final year. PARTICIPANTS: Philipp, D., Coffey, K., Savin, M., Montgomery, G. TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, county agents, research faculty PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
In February of 2010, a two-day in-service training was held at the Livestock and Batesville Research Station to educate about 25 county agents regarding numerous aspects of legume establishment, weed control, persistence, and grazing management. Speakers from various disciplines were invited to participate in a program that included in-house presentations and field demonstrations. During the training, agents increased their knowledge that was verified with a pre- and post training assessment. Experiment I: Results suggested that no-till establishment of crimson or white clover is advisable whenever producers can afford recommended or higher than recommended seeding rates. Under this scenario, the pasture canopy must be short to ensure most efficient use of expensive inputs. However, if seeding rates have to be reduced, broadcasting the seeds may be advantageous, especially for very small seeds like white clover. Cattle hoof action may play a role in enhancing soil-seed contact and hence improving plant establishment which is otherwise compromised when small seeds are insufficiently placed into the soil by no-till drill devices alone. Broadcasting low amounts of clover seeds may be a long term strategy to establish small areas initially and expand to other areas of the farm during following years. Experiment II: Results indicated that white clover, red clover, and hairy vetch are the most suitable legumes for the purpose of over-seeding these into bermudagrass pastures for cattle grazing. Some of the species selected, such as alfalfa, kura clover, and subterranean clover were difficult to establish and/or did not persist very long. One of the greatest challenges remaining is the broad-leaf weed control in perennial pastures. Therefore, future emphasis may be placed on separate legume areas in each pasture, such as bank or strips. Overall, this experiment received considerable attention during the annually hold farmers' field days at the Batesville research station. Especially during 2009 and 2010 when nitrogen fertilizer prices were relatively high, farmers showed great interest in our experiences regarding persistence of legumes in warm-season pastures. Experiment III. The completed two years of this experiment revealed that it remains challenging to provide paddocks with nitrogen solely derived from biological nitrogen fixation. Cattle end weights in the control paddocks were higher after 4 months of grazing than in the legume treatments. Because grass growth was lagging in the legume treatments, cattle could not be moved onto these paddocks the same time as onto the control treatment paddocks. Grazing days and cattle weight gain were therefore smaller under legume treatments in comparison to the control. The third year of the experiment was started in the fall of 2010. An economic analysis is underway. The findings from our research are being continuously incorporated into ongoing educational activities. The results from all experiments were presented at field days, county agent training sessions, and regional conferences, spanning a wide audience comprised of producers, extension personnel, and researchers.
Publications
- Briggs, B. E., Montgomery, T. G., Coffey, K. P., Philipp, D., Francis, P. B., Caldwell, J. D., Whitworth, W. A., and Young, A. N.. 2010.
|
Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The overall objective of this project is to determine the economic and environmental sustainability of beef cattle production based on grass-legume mixed pastures in the absence of commercial fertilizer. Supporting objectives are: (1) Determination of cost-effective establishment methods for legumes. Seedling establishment, dry matter production, and stand persistence following no-till drill planting or broadcasting plus cattle hoof action will be investigated to determine the economics of treatments applied. (2) Investigation of long-term persistence of annual and perennial legume species. This experiment is a continuation of a study initiated in October 2007 to select appropriate legume species for possible utilization in forage and grazing systems. (3) Identification of legume/grass-based grazing systems and their economic and environmental sustainability. In this experiment, we compare animal performance and forage production under four treatments: i) bermudagrass/annual legume mix; ii) bermudagrass/perennial legume mix; iii) bermudagrass/annual/perennial legume mix; and iv) bermudagrass plus synthetic N fertilization (control). (4) Investigation of the soil-biological community, N availability, and other soil-biochemical and physical properties that are expected to change due to the different grazing systems. Various soil measurements including concentrations of various N pools (inorganic, dissolved, microbial, and total N), soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme potentials, and biophysical factors will allow us to assess the potential long term benefits of the proposed systems on soil conditions. (5) Disseminating research information via on-farm demonstrations, agricultural extension agent in-service training sessions, field days, and extension fact sheets targeted at cow-calf and backgrounding operations. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: In February 2010, a two-day training session was held for 25 county agents at the Livestock and Forestry Research Station Batesville, AR. Additionally, one farm in Randolph County has been selected for a clover establishment demonstration in 2009, and another site in Washington County is being considered as a demonstration site for 2010. Additionally, data has been presented during a departmental research update for county agents in October 2009 and a field day for producers in April 2009. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
With the current escalation in synthetic N fertilizer prices, we hypothesize that beef production systems based on a grass/legume mixture are more profitable than conventional systems requiring synthetic N supply. We further hypothesize that broadcasting legume seeds with additional hoof action by grazing cattle is a viable low-cost establishment method vs. no-till drilling. To test our hypotheses, we have chosen three experiments to run concurrently to provide a comprehensive approach to legume evaluation in multiple environments. Experiment 1: Establishment methods for crimson and white clover. Treatments: Crimson clover and white clover were chosen to represent different scenarios; one to represent a legume that grows during times of the year when rainfall is adequate for optimal growth (crimson clover), and one that grows later in the spring to provide a high-quality forage for livestock consumption (white clover). These clovers will be tested regarding establishment with a no-till drill vs. broadcast method. Experiment 2: Persistence evaluation of 4 annual and 4 perennial legumes. Treatments: Four annual and four perennial legumes were selected to investigate persistence and effects on soil quality. This is an ongoing study that will complement our efforts in selecting suitable legume species for the southern US. Experiment 3: Evaluation of the benefits and limitations of legumes in grazing production systems. Treatments: (1) Our standard practice of adding commercial N fertilization (total of 110 kg N ha-1) during the early spring for the ryegrass and during the summer for the Bermuda grass; (2) Bermudagrass over-seeded with crimson clover; (3) Bermudagrass over-seeded with white clover; (4) Bermudagrass over-seeded with both crimson and white clover. Outreach Plan: The outreach plan will include on-farm demonstrations, in-service training for county agents, field days, producer conferences and workshops, development of fact sheets and other written and web-based materials, and presentation of results at regional and national professional conferences. Establishment of the on-farm demonstrations will begin in year two and the educational outreach plan will begin in the second year of the program after data become available from the research efforts. In-service training sessions will be developed to train county extension agents in a systems approach incorporating legumes into forage production and grazing operations.
Publications
- Montgomery, T.G., Coffey, K.P., Philipp, D., Francis, P. B., Caldwell, J.D., Whitworth, W.A., and Young, A. N. 2009. Growth Performance by Heifers Grazing Sod-seeded Annual Ryegrass Pastures Fertilized with Nitrogen or Overseeded with Crimson, Ladino, or both Crimson and Ladino Clovers. Department of Animals Science, Research Reports. University of Arkansas.
- Philipp, D., Coffey, K., Jennings, John, and Rhein, R. 2009. Establishment of Clovers in Response to Broadcast vs. No-Till Drill Planting Methods. Department of Animals Science, Research Reports. University of Arkansas.
- Philipp, D. 2009. Beef cattle production on grass-legume mixes: Economic implications of establishment methods. AAEA & ACCI Joint Annual Meeting/Project Directors Meeting, July 25-27, Milwaukee, WI.
|
|