Progress 07/21/16 to 06/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage Specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continually incorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 100 - General Crops, SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management, ANEQ 204 - Equine Facilities Management, and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns, most Extension presentationsin 2021 were done as webinars. Onlytwo webinars were held in 2021 prior to termination of this project. The first was a presentation on Alfalfa Water Use hosted by the High Plains Journal at their annual Alfalfa U Conference. The second was a presentation on Irrigated Pasture Management for Goat and Sheep Producers in the Western US hosted by the University of Wyoming and University of Idaho.Also, worked closely with representatives from Barenbrug Seed, USA, on development and management of new and existing forage cultivars. They then take the data and pass it on to their clientele which extends the results to other forage producers in Colorado and surrounding states. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Perennial ryegrass is a major forage species grown throughout the world but suffers from winterkill issues under Colorado growing conditions. It is a highly palatable species with excellent forage quality and regrowth potential. In addition, it is one of the easiestforage grasses to establish. Because of these qualities, it would be great to find a cultivar that will survive under Colorado's fluctuating climatic conditions.Working in conjunction with Barenbrug Seed, twenty-six named cultivars or numberedaccessions of perennial ryegrass were evaluated in 2019 and 2020. This was the second year of full production. Varying degrees of winterkill were observed at the beginning of the second growing season but all cultivars had mostly recovered by the second harvest date. By the third harvest date, no visible signs of winterkill were evident in any of the cultivars. Since perennial ryegrass is best utilized as a grazing species, it was harvested mechanically a total of six times during the 2020 growing season to simulate herbivory by livestock. Yields were impressive but ranged widely from 8390 to 18130 kg/ha. The topyielding cultivars were two closely related numbered accessions that averaged 16815 kg/ha. Of the named cultivars that yielded well, Mara, Barsprinter, and Remington NEA2 were the top threecoming in at 14090, 13330, and 13140 kg/ha, respectively. It is easy to see with these types of yields why it is important to evaluate this species to try and find a cultivar that will survive under Colorado conditions. Based on the results to date, there appears to be sufficient genetic diversity that will allow for future selection and development of additional hardy and productive cultivars. This study will run for at least one and possibly two more years to more fully evaluate both the productivity and longevity of the cultivars.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Olatoye, M.O., L.V. Clark, N.R. Labonte, H. Dong, M.S. Dwiyanti, K.G. Anzoua, J.E. Brummer, B.K. Ghimire, E. Dzyubenko, N. Dzyubenko, L. Bagmet, A. Sabitov, P. Chebukin, K. G?owacka, K. Heo, X. Jin, H. Nagano, J. Peng, C.Y. Yu, J.H. Yoo, H. Zhao, S.P. Long, T. Yamada, E.J. Sacks, and A.E. Lipka. 2020. Training population optimization for genomic selection in Miscanthus. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 10(7):24652476. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.120.401402.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Shawver, C.J., J.A. Ippolito, J.E. Brummer, J.K. Ahola, and R.D. Rhoades. 2021. Soil health changes following transition from an annual cropping to perennial management-intensive grazing agroecosystem. Agrosyst. Geosci. Environ. 4:e20181. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20181.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Kelly, C., M.E. Schipanski, A. Tucker, W. Trujillo, J.D. Holman, A.K. Obour, S.K. Johnson, J.E. Brummer, L. Haag, and S.J. Fonte. 2021. Dryland cover crop soil health benefits are maintained with grazing in the U.S. High and Central Plains. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 313:107358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107358.
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage Specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continually incorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 100 - Introductory Crops, SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 - Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 3 Extension presentations were given in 2020, two of which were webinars. For the one in person presentation, approximately 100 individuals attended representing Extension, NRCS field personnel, agricultural consultants, seed industry representatives, and farmers/ranchers. The two webinars were held in conjunction with the Larimer County Extension Agent and focused on small acreage pasture management along the Front Range of Colorado. Approximately 80 individuals signed up for each webinar which indicated a great need and interest in the subject. Also, worked closely with representatives from Barenbrug Seed, USA, on development and management of new and existing forage cultivars. They then take the data and pass it on to their clientele which extends the results to other forage producers in Colorado and surrounding states. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data collection on the dryland cover crop grazing project is complete and is currently being analyzed for inclusion in reports/manuscripts that are in preparation. Manuscripts are also in preparation for the project completed in 2019 investigating the impact of potassium deficiency and fertilization on alfalfa production. Two projects initiated in 2019 to investigate fertility responses (P, K, and manure application rates) of grass dominated hay and pasture fields will be continued in 2021. A study working with Barenbrug Seed to evaluate 26 accessions of perennial ryegrass for yield and winterhardiness under Colorado conditions will be continued for at least one more year. A new study working with Barenbrug Seed to evaluate yield of 10 accessions of smooth bromegrass will be initiated in the spring of 2021. In addition, a new study working in conjunction with faculty from the University of Wyoming will be initiated in 2021 to investigate nitrogen and organic matter dynamics in mountain hay meadows.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
High-elevation mountain hay meadows provide the forage base, especially during winter, from which livestock producers throughout the western US are able to utilize thousands of acres of public rangeland (BLM and Forest Service). The issue is that these hay meadows are often low producing with an average of about 3700 kg/ha of forage per season. This limits the number of livestock that can be supported on a given ranch. Nitrogen is always limiting in these systems but phosphorus and potentially potassium can also be limiting which in turn can limit responses to applied nitrogen. A study was initiated in 2019 at the CSU Beef Improvement Center near Saratoga, Wyoming to investigate forage response to added phosphorus and potassium. Based on an initial soil test, potassium was low while phosphorus appeared to be in the adequate range. Two levels of potassium (45 and 90 kg/ha) were applied both with and without 90 kg/ha of phosphorus. An unfertilized control was also included as a check. Even though the soil test indicated that potassium levels were low in the soil, there was no response at all to added potassium. The unfertilized control and potassium only plots averaged 3510 kg/ha which is close to the long-term average for these types of hay meadows. However, when phosphorus was added, regardless of potassium level, hay yield averaged 5970 kg/ha, a 70% increase. This was a large increase in yield given that the soil test indicated phosphorus levels were adequate. At this point, it is not clear why there was a response to phosphorus and not potassium given the soil test results. Soil samples were taken at time of yield sampling and are still being processed to try and figure out the underlying cause of this response. Ultimately, this data will inform whether or not Extension fact sheets related to fertilization of mountain hay meadows need to be revised.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Shawver, C.J., J.E. Brummer, J.A. Ippolito, J.K. Ahola, and R.D. Rhoades. 2020. Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) on Irrigated Pasture. Colorado State Univ. Ext. Fact Sheet #1.635, Fort Collins, CO.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Shawver, C.J., J.E. Brummer, J.A. Ippolito, J.K. Ahola, and R.D. Rhoades. 2020. Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) and Soil Health. Colorado State Univ. Ext. Fact Sheet #0.570, Fort Collins, CO.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Shawver, C.J., J.E. Brummer, J.A. Ippolito, J.K Ahola, and R.D. Rhoades. 2020. Managing Cattle Impacts When Grazing on Wet Soils. Colorado State Univ. Ext. Fact Sheet #1.634, Fort Collins, CO.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Johnson, S., J.E. Brummer, A. Obour, A.C. Moore, J. Holman, and M.E. Schipanski. 2020. Cover Crops Grown Post-Wheat for Forage Under Dryland Conditions in the High Plains. Kansas State Univ. Ext. Fact Sheet #MF3523, Manhattan, KS.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Shawver, C.J., and J.E. Brummer. 2020. Land Use Change, MiG and Soil Health. Progressive Forage. https://www.progressiveforage.com/forage-types/grasses-and-grazing/land-use-change-mig-and-soil-health.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Brummer, J.E. 2020. Managing Cattle Impacts When Grazing on Wet Soils. Interview with Rodney Bain, USDA Radio News, https://www.usda.gov/media/radio/weekly-features/2020-06-30/managing-cattle-impacts-grazing-lands-and-wet-soils, Washington, DC.
|
Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage Specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continually incorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management, ANEQ 204 - Equine Facilities Management, and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. Results from forage studies were also shared with other forage specialists, Extension agents, NRCS field personnel, and seed industry representatives at the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers and WERA 1014 Multistate Research and Education Coordinating Committee held in Salmon, Idaho. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A poster was developed on the soil health findings from the irrigated pasture projectand presented at the Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium held in Reno, Nevada that was attended by over 400 individuals from the western U.S. A total of 5 Extension presentations on various forage topics associated with this project were given at workshops and field days in 2019. At total of 285individuals attended these presentations representing Extension, NRCS field personnel, agricultural consultants, seed industry representatives, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data collection on the dryland cover crop grazing project is complete and will be analyzed and reports finalized in 2020. One Extension fact sheet on Managing Dryland Cover Crops for Grazing was publishedin 2019 and another one is currently being drafted to be published in 2020.Data collection is also completeon the project investigating the impact of potassium deficiency and fertilization on alfalfa production and will be analyzed and reports finalized in 2020.Two new projects were initiated in 2019 to investigate fertility responses (P, K, and manure application rates) of grass dominated hay and pasture fields. Another year of data will be collected on these studiesin 2020. In addition, another new study was initiated in 2019 working with Barenbrug Seed to evaluate 26 accessions of perennial ryegrass for yield and winterhardiness under Colorado conditions. This study will be continued for at least 2 more years.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Interest in Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) on irrigated, perennial, cool-season pasture has increased steadily in Colorado due to pressure to reduce public lands grazing, overall declining space available for pasture, and declining commodity prices. However, there are still many unknowns about how forage production, forage quality, and plant diversity are affected by this type of management over the long-term. To investigate potential effects on these variables, a study was undertaken on a full-scale, 82 ha, pivot-irrigated, perennial pasture that had recently been planted with four different species mixtures at the Colorado State University Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center located 13 km northeast of Fort Collins, CO. During the first one and a half years of production, approximately 230 animal units (AUs) consisting of cow-calf pairs, heifers, and steers were grazed using management-intensive practices. Paddock size was determined based on number of animals and forage availability with animals generally moved daily. Forage yield and quality, botanical composition and cover, and animal unit days (AUDs)were measured. In both 2017 and 2018, species mixtures that were either hayed or grazed first in the rotation induced vegetative regrowth resulting in the greatest forage quality. Quality remained high enough through the grazing season to meet cattle nutrient requirements regardless of the species mixture. There were no significant differences among seasonal mean yields in 2017. The simple grass-legume mixture resulted in the greatest seasonal mean yield in 2018 with 3916 kg ha-1 but the complex grass mixture resulted in greatest AUDs at 7494. Bare areas developed around patches of non-soft leaf tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) in this mix, which indicated that cattle were selecting against this type of tall fescue. Botanical composition assessments did not align with the initial seeding rates in some cases, which suggests soil conditions, plant phenology, and competitive advantages contributed to differences between seeded and established composition of the mixtures. Ground cover showed that litter was similar among species mixtures that were planted and grazed earlier compared to the species mixture that was not. Plant cover was similar among all mixtures with an average of 24%.The overall results of this study suggest that this irrigated, MiG system has the potential for success in regard to forage production and quality and its ability to support grazing but will need further research to determine the long-term impacts of grazing onspecies composition shifts.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Clark, L.V., M.S. Dwiyanti, K.G. Anzoua, J.E. Brummer, B.K. Ghimire, K. G?owacka, M.C. Hall, K. Heo, X. Jin, A.E. Lipka, J. Peng, T. Yamada, J.H. Yoo, C.Y. Yu, H. Zhao, S.P. Long, and E.J. Sacks. 2019. Biomass yield in a genetically diverse Miscanthus sinensis germplasm panel evaluated at five locations revealed individuals with exceptional potential. GCB Bioenergy: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12606.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Clark, L.V., M.S. Dwiyanti, K.G. Anzoua, J.E. Brummer, B.K. Ghimire, K. G?owacka, M.C. Hall, K. Heo, X. Jin, A.E. Lipka, J. Peng, T. Yamada, J.H. Yoo, C.Y. Yu, H. Zhao, S.P. Long, and E.J. Sacks. 2019. Genome-wide association and genomic prediction for biomass yield in in a genetically diverse Miscanthus sinensis germplasm panel phenotyped at five locations in Asia and North America. GCB Bioenergy: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12620.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Dong, H., L.V. Clark, A.E. Lipka, J.E. Brummer, K. G?owacka, M.C. Hall, K. Heo, X. Jin, J. Peng, T. Yamada, B.K. Ghimire, J.H. Yoo, C.Y. Yu, H. Zhao, S.P. Long, and E.J. Sacks. 2019. Winter hardiness of Miscanthus (III): Genome-wide association and genomic prediction for overwintering ability in Miscanthus sinensis. GCB Bioenergy: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12615.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Shawver, C.J. 2019. Effects of Management-intensive Grazing in Relation to Soil Health and Forage Production in an Irrigated Perennial Pasture System. M.S. Thesis, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Shawver, C., J. Brummer, J. Ippolito, J. Ahola, and R. Rhoades. 2019. Managing Cattle Impacts When Grazing on Wet Soils. Colorado State Univ. Ext. Fact Sheet, Fort Collins, CO.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Shawver, C., J. Brummer, J. Ippolito, J. Ahola, and R. Rhoades. 2019Short-term Effects of Management-intensive Grazing on Soil Health. In: Proceedings, 2019 Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium (Reno, NV), UC Cooperative Extension, Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis, CA.
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage Specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continually incorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management, ANEQ 204 - Equine Facilities Management, and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. Results from forage studies were also shared with other forage specialists, Extension agents, NRCS field personnel, and seed industry representatives at the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers and WERA 1014 Multistate Research and Education Coordinating Committeeheld in Bozeman, Montana. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?One of thebiggest impacts associated with this project was a field day which was held on October 4-5, 2018. This was a combined beef cattle field day and pasture school. About 70 individuals attended the event. With continued low commodity prices, producers are looking for options and grazing livestock on irrigated pasture is one potential option they are considering. As we continue to collect data on the irrigated grazing project, we will be better able to inform producers as to the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing pivots for irrigated pasture in comparison to other cropping alternatives. A total of 9Extension presentations on various forage topics associated with this project were given at workshops and field days in 2018. At total of 325 individuals attended these presentations representing Extension, NRCS field personnel, agricultural consultants, seed industry representatives, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data will continue to be collected on the dryland cover crop project concentrating on late summer planted crops. An Extension fact sheet on Managing Dryland Cover Crops for Grazing has been accepted and will be published early in 2019. Other fact sheets associated with this project are also being drafted. I am currently working on one that covers the use of simple versus more complex mixtures of cover crops for grazing. A third year of data will be collected on the project investigating the impact of potassium deficiency and fertilization on alfalfa production. Field days are planned for this project in 2019at all 3 sites: Wyoming, Colorado, and Kansas. Data will continue to be collected on the irrigated pasture project concentrating on forage yield and quality of four irrigated pasture mixtures and subsequent effects on soil health. An annualfield day and pasture school is also planned for late summer to disseminate results associated with this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Results from the first full year of the irrigated pasture studyshowed that physical, biological, and nutrient SQI values had a significant response to grazing and management changes from tilled row crops to a perennial grazing system. Positive effects were shown with increases in microbial and enzymatic presence that could be early indicators of future carbon sequestration. Soil organic carbon remained relatively unchanged but will be an important indicator to monitor over the long-term. Negative impacts occurred to soil physical properties, particularly bulk density. This could be a short term effect caused by initial hoof compression from grazing post tillage and establishment of forage. This is an indicator that will need to be monitored closely in the future due to its potential impacts on hydrology and root health. The nutrient SQI value declined which inaccurately depicts a reduced state of nutrients present in the system. Manure application from cattle caused a significant increase in available K, which would also be expected for P due to its high concentrations in cattle manure. However, multiple zero output values due to suspected machine error ultimately reduced the mean P values and indicator score. Although these are only initial findings in the scope of the project, effects of this grazing system on soil quality will be important to monitor over the long term. This will aid in a greater understanding of how management-intensive grazing impacts can promote and sustain soil health for environmental and economic sustainability of this grazing system.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Clark, L. V., Dwiyanti, M. S., Anzoua, K. G., Brummer, J. E., Ghimire, B. K., G?owacka, K., Hall, M. C., Heo, K., Jin, X., Lipka, A. E., Peng, J., Yamada, T., Yoo, J. H., Yu, C. Y., Zhao, H., Long, S. P., Sacks, E. J. Biomass yield in a genetically diverse Miscanthus sinensis germplasm panel evaluated at five locations revealed individuals with exceptional potential. GCB Bioenergy.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Clark, L. V., Dwiyanti, M. S., Anzoua, K. G., Brummer, J. E., Ghimire, B. K., G?owacka, K., Hall, M. C., Heo, K., Jin, X., Lipka, A. E., Peng, J., Yamada, T., Yoo, J. H., Yu, C. Y., Zhao, H., Long, S. P., Sacks, E. J. Genome-wide association and genomic prediction for biomass yield in in a genetically diverse Miscanthus sinensis germplasm panel phenotyped at five locations in Asia and North America. GCB Bioenergy.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Dong, H., Clark, L. V., Lipka, A. E., Brummer, J. E., G?owacka, K., Hall, M. C., Heo, K., Jin, X., Peng, J., Yamada, T., Ghimire, B. K., Yoo, J. H., Yu, C. Y., Zhao, H., Long, S. P., Sacks, E. J. Winter hardiness of Miscanthus (III): Genome-wide association and genomic prediction for overwintering ability in Miscanthus sinensis. GCB Bioenergy.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Brummer, J. E., Ahola, J. K., Rhoades, R. D., Ippolito, J., Mooney, D. F., Schafer, D. W., Shawver, C. J. (2017). A Long-Term Integrated Evaluation of the ARDEC Irrigated Forage System (vol. 1, pp. Page 14). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Rhoades, R. D., Meiman, P., Brummer, J. E., Engle, T. E., Derner, J. D., Stokes, A. M., Fickenscher, B., Bruegger, M. A., Hagenbuch, T., Horne, C. D., Ahola, J. K. (2017). Developing a Year-Round Objective Measure of Colorado Rangeland and Water Nutrient Composition to Facilitate Optimization of Nutrient Supplementation Programs for Grazing Livestock (vol. 1). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L. A., Brummer, J. E. (2017). Forage Brassicas Stockpiled for Fall Grazing: Yield and Nutritive Value (vol. 1, pp. Page 20). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L. A., Brummer, J. E. (2017). Interseeding Cool-Season Forages into Corn to Increase Yield and Quality of Residue Grazed in the Fall (vol. 1). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L. A., Brummer, J. E. (2017). Yield and Nutritive Value of Cool-Season Annual Forages and Mixtures Seeded into Pearl Millet Stubble (vol. 1, pp. Page 20). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Rhoades, R. D., J., Engle, T. E., Brummer, J. E., Meiman, P. Developing a Year-Round Measure of Colorado Rangeland Nutrient Composition. Society of Rangeland Management.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L., Brummer, J. E. (2017). High Quality Forage Mixtures Extend Grazing Season (4th ed., vol. 62, pp. 16). CSA News Magazine. dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/csa/pdfs/62/4/16
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L., Brummer, J. E. (2017). Forage Brassicas Can Potentially Be Used to Extend the Grazing Season and Reduce Input Costs (vol. 1, pp. Page 19). Colorado Beef Research Report: The State of Beef.
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage Specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continually incorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management, ANEQ 204 - Equine Facilities Management, and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. Results from the irrigated pasture project were also shared with other forage specialists, Extension agents, NRCS field personnel, and seed industry representatives at the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers and WERA 1014 Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group held in Reno, Nevada. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The biggest impact associated with the irrigated pasture project wasa field day which was held on August 12, 2017. This was a combined beef cattle field day and pasture tour. Over 100 individuals attended the event of which over half were livestock producers. With current low commodity prices, producers are looking for options and grazing livestock on irrigated pasture is one potential option they are considering. Future data will help to guide them in their decisions as we hope to make this field day an annual event to keep them updated on our findings. A total of8 Extension presentations on various forage topics associated with this project were given at workshops in 2016. At total of590 individuals attended these presentations representing Extension, NRCS field personnel, agricultural consultants, seed industry representatives, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data will continue to be collected on the dryland cover crop project concentrating on late summer planted crops. We plen on hosting a field day at one of the cooperating producers fields in 2018 plus an Extension fact sheet is currently being drafted on Managing Dryland Cover Crops for Grazing which should be published by late spring 2018.A seond year of data willbe collected on the project investigatingthe impact of potassium deficiency and fertilization on alfalfa production.Field daysare planned for this projectin 2018 at the Wyoming site as well as the Colorado site.As mentioned above, a second year of data will be collected on the irrigated pasture project concentrating on forage yield and quality of four irrigated pasture mixtures and subsequent effects on soil health. A second field day is also planned for late summer to disseminate results associated with this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In the fall of 2016, a 204 acre irrigated pivot at the Colorado State University Agricultural Research, Development, and Education Center (ARDEC) was planted to 4 different cool-season forage mixtures, one mixure per quarter of the pivot. Mixtures ranged from a simple 3-way grass mix to a 6-way grass, 4-way legume mix. These mixtures will be grazed by the CSU cow herd (~150 cows) using Management intensive Grazing (MiG). The cows will be rotated to a new paddock every 24 hours. Initial baseline data on soil health was taken in April of 2017 prior to any grazing. Soils data will be tracked over time to determine impacts of both grazing and converting from annual cropping to a perennial cropping system on soil health. The initial growth in 2017 was taken for hay with grazing commencing in mid-August. Two complete rotations were made through all paddocks prior to fall dormancy. Forage yield and quality were tracked in 3 of the 8 paddocks in each quarter. Species composition and ground cover will be measured prior to the start of the 2018 grazing season along with soil compaction measurements which were also taken prior to the start of grazing and at the end of grazing in 2017. Data is still being processed at this time.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Payne, C., Wolfrum, E. J., Nagle, N., Brummer, J. E., Hansen, N. C. (2017). Evaluation of Fifteen Cultivars of Cool-Season Perennial Grasses as Biofuel Feedstocks Using Near-Infrared. Agronomy Journal, 109(5), 1923-1934.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mikha, M. M., Widiastuti, D. P., Hurisso, T. T., Brummer, J. E., Davis, J. G. (2017). Influence of Composted Dairy Manure and Perennial Forage on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Fractions during Transition into Organic Management. Agriculture, 7:37. doi:10.3390/agriculture7050037.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Villalobos, L., Brummer, J. E. (2017). Yield and Nutritive Value of Cool-Season Annual Forages and Mixtures Seeded into Pearl Millet Stubble. Agronomy Journal, 109, 432441.
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Progress 07/21/16 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include Extension Forage specialists, County Extension Agents, Natural Resources Conservation Service field personnel, seed industry representatives, undergraduate and graduate level college students, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Results from forage studies are continuallyincorporated into both undergraduate (SOCR 320 - Forage and Pasture Management, ANEQ 204 - Equine Facilities Management, and ANEQ 478 - Beef Systems) and graduate courses (AGRI 635 - Integrated Forage Management) taught at Colorado State University. Results from the cover crop project were also shared with other forage specialists, Extension agents, NRCS field personnel, and seed industry representatives at the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers and WERA 1014 Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group. About 25 people attended that meeting. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Luis Villalobos, former graduate student, presented a talk on the forage mixtures cover crop work that he completed for his PhD at the International ASA-CSSA-SSSA Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. A total of 4 Extension presentations on various forage topics associated with this project were given at workshops and webinars in 2016. At total of 360 individuals attended these presentations representing Extension, NRCS field personnel, agricultural consultants, seed industry representatives, farmers/ranchers, and small acreage landowners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the cover crop project mentioned above, we are tryingto recruit five additional producers that are willing to cooperate on the project so we can investigate both spring and late summer planted cover crops. Two new projects were also initiated in the fall of 2016, one investigatingthe impact of potassium deficiency and fertilization on alfalfa production and one investigating the impact of intensive livestock management on yield and quality of fourirrigated pasture mixtures and subsequent effects on soil health.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A project was initiated during the 2016 growing season to determine the feasibility of incorporating cover crops into dryland production systems in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. In these relatively dry environments, the potential exists for the cover crop to use stored soil moisture which then results in decreased yield of the following cash grain crop. To offset any economic losses associated with reducedyields, we are investigating the pros and cons associated with grazing of the cover crop. Basically, the thought is that producers couldoffset any lost grain yield by either producing a cheap, high quality forage to feed their own livestock thereby reducing their input costs or by renting out the cover crop field to neighbors for grazing. Spring rains were plentiful in 2016 which kept some of our cooperating producers from being able to plant. Those that were able to seed this springwere rewarded with excellent cover crop yields of over 4400 kg per ha. This provided abundant forage for grazing while leaving enough residue to maintain the cover crop benefits producers were striving for such as erosion protection, organic matter accumulation, and weed suppression. For the two producers that grazed steers in June, gains ranged from 1.12to 1.53 kg per day. One producer grazed cow/calf pairs in June and realized 0.6 kg per day gain on his cows and 1.0 kg per day gain on the calves which indicates that the forage was high quality and the cows were providing adequate milk to the calves. The two remaining producers grazed their cover crop fields from early July through early August. At this point in time, the plants were more mature and therefore lower in quality which resulted in reduced gains. One of those producers grazed heifers which gained 0.63 kg per day while the other producer grazed steers which gained only 0.53 kg per day. If grazing occurs early when the cover crop forage is higher in quality, then economically viable gains can be realized. Grazingearlier also allows for earlier termination of the cover crop and a longer time period to build soil moisture prior to planting wheat in the late summer or early fall thereby minimizingthe potential for reduced yields of the cash crop the following year. A mix of barley, oat, millet, sunflower, safflower, flax, field pea, and rapeseed was planted by all producers. By far, the cool-season grasses (oats and barley) dominated the composition with some rapeseed and minor amounts of the rest of th species in the mix. For the two producers that planted a little later and grazed later, there was more millet and sunflower in the composition compared to the three fields that were planted and grazed earlier. One of the biggest differences found in the later compared to earlier planted fields was increased weed pressure which is not ideal as it is best not to let weeds go to seed and repopulate the seedbank.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Villalobos, L., and J.E. Brummer. 2016. Cool-season annual forages and mixtures to extend the grazing season into the fall. Abstr.113-1, ASA-CSSA-SSSA Ann. Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Brummer, J.E., J.W. MacAdam, G. Shewmaker, and M.A. Islam. 2016. Establishing birdsfoot trefoil in the Mountain West. Utah State Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv. Electronic Bull. AG/Forages/2016?02pr, Logan, UT. 9 p.
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