Numbered Publications: Plant and Soil Sciences
PR-797: Kentucky Corn Silage Hybrid Performance Report, 2021
Cam Kenimer, Chad Lee, Nick Roy, Phillip Shine | Oct. 15, 2021 (New)
The objective of the Silage Corn Hybrid Performance Test is to provide unbiased forage yield and quality data for corn hybrids commonly grown for silage in Kentucky.
ID-269: Using Electric Offsets as Part of Fencing Systems
Morgan Hayes, Chris Teutsch | Aug. 18, 2021 (New)
The objective of this publication is to provide practical tips for installing electrified offsets that can effectively control livestock and extend the life of new and existing fencing.
PR-796: 2021 Kentucky Small Grains Variety Performance Test
Bill Bruening, John Connelly, Gene Olson, Phillip Shine, Sandy Swanson, Dave Van Sanford | Jul. 12, 2021 (New)
The objective of the Kentucky small grain variety performance test is to evaluate varieties of wheat, oat, barley, triticale, and cereal rye that are commercially available or may soon be available to Kentucky farmers. New varieties continually are being de-veloped by agricultural experiment stations and commercial firms. Annual evaluation of small grain varieties and selections provides farmers, seed producers, and other agricultural workers with current information to help them select the varieties best adapted to their locality and individual requirements.
AGR-172: Weed Management in Grass Pastures, Hayfields, and Other Farmstead Sites, 2021
J.D. Green | May. 19, 2021 (Major Revision)
Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. These unwanted plants are often more aggressive than existing or desired forage species and compete for light, water, and nutrients. Weeds can also diminish the quality and palatability of the forage available for livestock grazing, and certain weed species are potentially poisonous to grazing animals. Therefore, it may be desirable to initiate weed management strategies that reduce the impact of weeds on forage production.
AGR-263: Growing Wheat for Forage
Jimmy Henning, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Apr. 14, 2021 (New)
Wheat is a multipurpose crop that can be used for cover crops, stored forage or grazing. As much as 25% of Kentucky's wheat acreage is not harvested as grain but used for cover crop or forage production. Wheat has excellent winter hardiness and can be sown later in the fall than barley. Wheat is a good choice for planting following corn or soybean harvest to capture residual nitrogen, build soil organic matter and prevent erosion. Wheat provides high quality, early spring growth, but has limited fall growth compared to grazing types of cereal rye.
AGR-86: Growing Lespedeza in Kentucky for Cattle, Sheep and Goats
Jimmy Henning, Garry Lacefield, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Apr. 6, 2021 (Major Revision)
Annual and perennial lespedezas are grown in Kentucky for pasture, hay, and soil stabilization. Lespedezas are warm season legumes that complement cool-season grasses in both pasture and hay situations. They are more tolerant of less fertile, more acid soils, but have lower yield potential than other forage legumes such as red clover and alfalfa.
AGR-48: Bermudagrass: A Summer Forage in Kentucky
Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Apr. 6, 2021 (Minor Revision)
Bermudagrass can be used successfully as part of a livestock forage program to supplement summer production of cool-season grasses. It is high-yielding, sod-forming, warm-season perennial grass that is most productive on well-drained, fertile soils. Bermudagrass is widely grown in the southern United States for pasture and hay.
AGR-232: Crabgrass
Jimmy Henning, Tom Keene, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Apr. 6, 2021 (Minor Revision)
Crabgrass possesses significant potential for supplying high quality summer forage although it is considered a weed by many. A primary advantage of crabgrass is that it is well adapted to Kentucky and occurs naturally in most summer pastures, especially those that have been overgrazed. It is also highly palatable and a prolific re-seeder. Planting an improved variety of crabgrass is recommended because the production of naturally-occurring ecotypes varies greatly. Crabgrass is best utilized by grazing.
AGR-264: Improving Kentucky Small Ruminant Pastures
Jimmy Henning, Krista Lea, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Apr. 2, 2021 (New)
For many small ruminants, quality pasture can provide almost all nutrients needed for maintenance or light work for much of the year. Pasture reduces the cost of keeping livestock while minimizing impacts on the environment. Below are some guidelines for improving pastures.
ID-108: The Kentucky Beef Book, 2021
Les Anderson, Michelle Arnold, Darrh Bullock, Kenny Burdine, Roy Burris, Ben Crites, Jimmy Henning, Steve Higgins, Steve Isaacs, Kevin Laurent, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Lee Moser, Gregg Rentfrow, Kylie Schmidt, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Lee Townsend, Katherine VanValin, Paul Vijayakumar | Mar. 23, 2021 (Major Revision)
Kentucky is ideally suited for cattle production. The main feed for cattle is a renewable resource Kentucky has in abundance--forages. The majority of the state's terrain favors cattle production over row crops. Kentucky farms cover 14 million acres, with approximately half of that occupied by forage grasses and legumes. Our natural resources and climate permit the growth of most cool-season and warm-season species. Water is readily available in all areas of the state, and we have a relatively long growing season.