Numbered Publications: AGR
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.
AGR-207: Broadleaf Weeds of Kentucky Pastures, 2021
J.D. Green | Mar. 23, 2021 (Major Revision)
A guide to the identification and control of broadleaf weeds in Kentucky pastures.
AGR-262: Utilizing Drought Stressed Soybeans for Forage
Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Katherine VanValin | Feb. 10, 2021 (New)
Although soybeans are commonly grown as a grain crop, they can be grazed or harvested as either a hay or silage crop. This most commonly occurs when the grain potential of the soybean crop has been reduced by drought, hail damage, or early frost. A realistic forage yield expectation for drought stressed soybeans would be 1.5 to 2.0 tons of dry matter per acre. The objective of this article is to provide practical tips for successfully, grazing, conserving and feeding drought stressed soybeans.
AGR-173: Baling Forage Crops for Silage
Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch | Jan. 11, 2021 (Major Revision)
Forage may be stored for winter feeding when pasture production is limited, for use in confinement feeding systems, or for cash hay. Dry hay is the most popular storage method since it stores well for long periods and is better suited to cash sale and shipping than high moisture forages. However, silage may be more suitable in situations where hay curing is difficult. It is possible to make high quality silage or haylage using long (unchopped) forage crops baled with large round balers, although balers may need modification to handle wet material.
AGR-255: Strategies for Reclaiming Hay Feeding Areas
Kelly Mercier, Chris Teutsch | Dec. 15, 2020 (New)
Hoof damage from livestock during the winter months can result in almost complete disturbance of desired vegetation and soil structure in and around hay feeding areas. Even well-designed hay feeding pads will have significant damage at the edges where animals enter and leave. Highly disturbed areas create perfect growing conditions for summer annual weeds like spiny pigweed and cocklebur. Weed growth is stimulated by lack of competition from a healthy and vigorous sod and the high fertility from the concentrated area of dung, urine, and rotting hay. The objective of this publication is to outline strategies for rapidly establishing stands of desirable forage species on these areas.
AGR-260: Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp Control in Corn and Soybean
Travis Legleiter | Dec. 14, 2020 (New)
Understanding the biology of a weed is the first step in implementing an effective weed control program. This is especially true with Palmer amaranth (<i>Amaranthus palmeri</i>) and waterhemp (<i>Amaranthus tuberculatus</i>), as understanding their emergence patterns, competitiveness, adaptability, and seed production all need to be considered when developing a control program.
AGR-257: Hay Sampling: Strategies for Getting a Good Sample
Jordyn Bush, Jimmy Henning, Tom Keene, Chris Teutsch | Dec. 2, 2020 (New)
Knowing the nutritional quality of forage and hay is an integral part of a profitable and efficient livestock operation. Accurate estimation of forage quality starts with obtaining a representative sample of the forage to be fed. Proper sampling technique is critical. Hay is preserved in different packages ranging from the small square bale weighing 40-50 lb to the large square bale weighing more than 1500 lb. In Kentucky, most hay is packaged in large round bales weighing between 500 and 1500 lb. Wrapped bale silage is also gaining popularity and should be sampled in a similar manner to large round hay bales with the exceptions listed here.
AGR-254: Grain Drill Calibration: Don't Make a Mistake--CALIBRATE!
Jessica Buckman, Chris Teutsch | Dec. 2, 2020 (New)
Grain drill calibration is a critical, yet often ignored part of successful forage establishment and pasture renovation. Planting lower seed rates than recommended can result in thin stands that are susceptible to weed encroachment. Planting more than the recommended seeding rate is undesirable due to increased seed costs. The following calibration method can be applied across a wide range of grain drill types and manufacturers and minimizes the need to carry out detailed mathematical calculations.
AGR-252: Soil Sampling Pastures and Hayfields
Chris Teutsch, Edwin Ritchey | Dec. 1, 2020 (New)
Adequate soil fertility in pastures and hayfields is key to maintaining productivity and optimizing profitability. Soil testing is the basis of well-designed fertilization and liming programs. In order to develop effective programs, soil samples must be collected in a manner that results in an accurate representation of each pasture or hayfield area.
AGR-261: Double Crop Soybean Production in Kentucky
Carrie Knott | Oct. 20, 2020 (New)
The double crop soybean system was pioneered in Kentucky. Traditionally, double crop soybean are planted in June following harvest of a small grain: wheat, barley, and in some cases cereal rye. Since the early 2000's, about 25% of the total soybean production in Kentucky has been double crop soybean. Many agronomic management strategies are similar between double crop soybean and full season soybean: soybean planted in the spring following corn from the previous year. However, there are certain management strategies that are important for double crop soybean, which not only increase yield potential but also offer opportunities to increase profitability.