Cattlemen UGA Forage Extension Team
Forage Programming and Updates
Grassmaster’s
The GrassMasters program is a 7-week long series of educational workshops that focus on forage production. Workshops will be held virtually every Monday beginning November 2nd. This program is an INTRODUCTION to forage production systems and is highly recommended for new producers.
Weekly video release on forage management
Agents and producers are welcome to join in each Thursday night at 7:00 on the Georgia Forages Facebook page to see the premiere of a new video on forage management. The videos are short (5-10 minutes each) and cover hot topics, research updates, and popular demos from our field days. Follow Georgia Forages on facebook and watch/search for the watch party post in your news feed each week just before 7:00 pm.
https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForages/
New Georgia Forages YouTube Page
We have a variety of short videos (previously posted on Facebook) on hot topics in forage management. New videos will be added weekly after the watch party. Subscribe to the channel to receive notifications when new videos are posted.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6DgfaB8V2DRnGxzEBxU3w
Stay tuned for more exciting events this fall! We are currently working Corteva to plan a virtual pasture weeds field day and Kubota for (possibly) an in-person hay demo event.
UGA Forage Extension Team
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Grazing Goats With feed being the highest cost in livestock production, farmers use pasture as a natural way to meet the nutritional needs of their animals. Animals allow agriculturalists to utilize land that may be unsuitable for traditional cropping in a way that benefits the property itself. Cattle, sheep, horses, or goats can use grass to produce […]
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Should I Establish Bahiagrass or Bermudagrass on my Farm? As the spring temperatures increase, so do the questions I receive from land/livestock owners about establishing a summer forage. Forage systems are essential for the livestock industry, and the selection of the right grass species is crucial for optimal animal performance. The two primary summer perennial grasses recommended by UGA Extension in the Coastal Plain […]
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Tips for Strategic Hayfield Fertilization Fertilization significantly impacts your annual yields in hayfields as the previous year’s hay harvest has likely depleted the soil. A 6-ton per acre hay harvest will remove around 300 lbs Nitrogen, 250 lbs Potash, and 80 lbs Phosphate in a season. Fertilization makes up about 40% of most producers’ total hay costs so strategic planning […]
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Weed Control in Pastures & Hayfields Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. Weeds also impact the aesthetic value of a pasture. Therefore, producers may choose to initiate weed management strategies that reduce the impact of weeds on forage production. The first step in effective weed control is to evaluate the […]
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Cold Damage on Winter Annuals The prolonged cold weather during the Christmas holiday has a lot of producers asking, “Are my winter annuals going to regrow?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer that we can offer to this question. Many cool season forages can handle subfreezing temps for short periods and the degree of damage depends on air temperature, soil […]
Extension Publications
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Common Terms Used in Animal Feeding and Nutrition (B 1367) The purpose of this publication is to serve as an educational reference and resource to those who are interested in animal feeding and nutrition. Our primary objective is to list the common terms used when discussing animal feeding. This listing will also be helpful when reading articles on animal feeding and nutrition, feed analysis reports or tags associated with feeds sold in the market.
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White Clover Establishment and Management Guide (B 1251) White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a cool season perennial legume of Mediterranean origin. White clover has been used as a forage in North America since Colonial times. Benjamin Franklin noted its prevalence in cleared and disturbed land as early as 1746. There are many animal and agronomic related reasons for establishing a productive stand of white clover in existing grass pastures. This publication covers tips on selecting, establishing and managing white clover to help ensure a productive stand.
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The Management and Use of Bahiagrass (B 1362) Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) is a long-lived, perennial warm season grass that is grown extensively in the southeastern United States. It is most commonly used as a pasture species, but can be used for hay production, erosion control, and wildlife habitat. Bahiagrass can also be used in "sod-based rotation" sequences that have been found to suppress pest problems (nematode and disease issues) in crops such as peanuts.
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Georgia Forages: Grass Species (B 1351) The geographic and environmental diversity of Georgia allows for the extensive use of both cool and warm season grass species. In general, cool season grass species provide higher nutritional quality than warm season grasses. In contrast, warm season grasses generally yield more than cool season grasses. Each type and species, however, offers its own unique qualities and benefits to the forage system. In this section, the most important grass species in Georgia are introduced and discussed.
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Bermudagrass in Georgia (B 911) Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is an important warm-season, perennial, sod-forming forage grass in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Bermudagrass is productive from spring until fall and is well-suited for grazing or hay production. Several varieties of bermudagrass are used in Georgia, ranging from common bermudagrass to the high-yielding, good quality hybrid bermudagrasses. The best variety to use depends on your location in the state and the intended use.
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Forage Systems for Horses in Georgia (B 1224) A good pasture and forage program can provide quality feed and normally will be the most efficient and economical means of providing a substantial part of equine rations. In Georgia, we are fortunate to have a mild climate, soils suitable for producing forages and a good selection of highly productive forage species. With careful planning and good management, adequate grazing can be supplied for up to 10 months of the year in most areas of the state. To many producers, the term "horse pasture" denotes grazing management and forage crops unique to horses. This is not the case at all. Because the horse is a herbivore, most forage crops commonly used for cattle can also be used to provide grazing for horses.
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Forage Systems for Stocker Cattle (B 1392) This publication provides a guide to the various forage systems that could be used for stocker development and provides guidelines for managing grazing or hay harvests for optimum forage yield and quality.
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Preparing and Calibrating a No-Till or Conventional Drill for Establishing Forage or Cover Crops (B 1510) Properly maintaining, calibrating, and adjusting a seed drill before planting is an important part of ensuring the successful establishment of forage or cover crops. Seed may be placed at a depth that is too deep or too shallow if the equipment is not properly prepared and set. Too much or too little seed may be planted if the equipment is not properly calibrated. These planting mistakes may result in a poor stand, greater weed competition, lower yields, and/or reductions in forage quality. Conversely, planting more seed than required can unnecessarily increase establishment costs and can sometimes result in reduced yields. After investing in the seed and committing the time to plant a field, taking a few extra steps to ensure that investment bears fruit is well worth maintaining, calibrating, and adjusting the drill.
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Selecting a Forage Bermudagrass Variety (C 919) This publication shares the collective experience of research and extension personnel on bermudagrass cultivars that are (or could be) grown in Georgia.
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Georgia Forages: Legume Species (B 1347) Legume species add significantly to forage systems in Georgia. They are an excellent source of high quality forage, and are generally very digestible and contain high levels of crude protein (CP). Many legumes also provide substantial forage yields. Perhaps most importantly, legumes and the rhizobium bacteria that colonize nodules on their roots provide an important source of biologically-fixed nitrogen (N). This publication presents information about the most important legume species grown for forage in Georgia.