Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first... more Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first four decades of the 20 th century. However, since the release of the variety 'Kentucky 31' in 1943, this versatile cool season perennial grass has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, with most of the acreage planted consisting of this variety. "Fescue" has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions. Through the years, disorders of grazing animals have been associated with fescue. Fescue foot is a dry, gangrenous condition of the body extremities of cattle. This problem, which is usually associated with cold weather, typically causes lameness and/or the loss of the tips of tails or ears, but in some cases may result in sloughing of entire hooves or feet.
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Dec 1, 1991
ABSTRACT Limited information is available which describes the response of established alfalfa (Me... more ABSTRACT Limited information is available which describes the response of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to topdressing applications of K fertilizer in the Southeastern United States. Field experiments were conducted for three years to determine alfalfa response to rates and time of K application. The experiments were established in two‐year old stands of alfalfa on a Decatur silty clay loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults) and a Hartsells fine sandy loam (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults) located in northern Alabama. Potassium as KCl was broadcast in the spring prior to regrowth. For split application treatments, the K was applied in early spring and after the second cutting. Annual total K rates ranged from 56 to 596 kg/ha. Potassium fertilization maintained alfalfa stand density on both soils, but the experiment on the Decatur soil was discontinued after two years due to severe stand loss when the lowest rate of added K was used. Alfalfa yields were increased by the application of K and maximum yields occurred when K was applied according to soil test recommendations made by the Auburn University soil testing laboratory. Potassium applications increased the concentration of K, decreased the concentration of Ca and Mg and had little effect on the concentration of N in tissue from the two cuttings sampled. The split application of K did not consistently increase forage production. There was little movement of K below 25 cm in either soil when K rates of 56 to 596 kg/ha/yr were repeated yearly for up to three years.
Information about the seasonal distribution and relative dependability of growth of available clo... more Information about the seasonal distribution and relative dependability of growth of available clovers (Trifolium spp.) is needed to wisely select the best species for forage production in the Southeastern USA. Seven clovers were evaluated at four locations in southern Alabama to determine seasonal yield distribution and dependability. Soils were Malbis fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Palendult), Lucedale sandy clay loam (fine-silty, carbonatic, thermic Rendollic Eutrochrept), Sumter clay (finesilty, carbonatic, thermic Rendollic Eutrochrept), and Cahaba fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications at each location. Experiments were seeded in autumn at each location each year from 1985 through 1987. Forage was removed to a stubble height of 3 in. with a flail harvester and dry matter yields were determined, approximately monthly when harvestable forage was present during the year following seeding. Arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi.) produced moderate to high yields during mid-and late-season, and was the only clover tested with a stable total yield. Crimson clover (T. incarnation L.) produced the highest yields in early-spring, and responded favorably to improving environments (location X
Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viabil... more Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability were evaluated. Twenty-two mature pregnant mares were randomly chosen to graze either Kentucky-31 tall fescue that was free from A coenophialum (endophyte-free, EF) or tall fescue infected with A coenophialum (endophyte-present, EP) after the first 90 days of pregnancy through parturition. Concentrations of pyrrolizidine and ergopeptine alkaloids were significantly greater in EP grass, compared with EF pasture. Ten of 11 mares grazing EP pasture had obvious dystocia. Mean duration of gestation was significantly greater for the EP group, compared with the EF group. Foal survivability was severely reduced among mares grazing EP fescue with only 1 foal surviving the natal period. Udder development and lactation were low in mares grazing EP grass. The absence of clinical problems in mares grazing EF grass implicated the endophyte as the causative agent of reproductive problems and perinatal foal mortality in pregnant mares grazing endophyte-infected fescue grass. Caution should be exercised in allowing pregnant mares to graze pastures infected with the endophyte A coenophialum.
Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dai... more Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and many other types of domesticated forage-consuming animals. Reasons for its popularity include wide adaptation, excellent nutritive value, good yield potential, perennial growth habit, a long growing season, and the fact that (in association with Rhizobium bacteria) it is a nitrogen-fixing legume that does not require periodic applications of nitrogen fertilizer.
Profitable livestock production almost always requires a forage program that will supply large qu... more Profitable livestock production almost always requires a forage program that will supply large quantities of adequate quality, homegrown feed. A major percentage of the feed units for beef (83%) and dairy cattle (61%) come from forages. In addition, forages supply an estimated 91%, 72%, 15% and 99% of the nutrients consumed by sheep and goats, horses, swine, and wildlife, respectively. Although both alfalfa quantity and quality are important, it is easier for livestock producers to recognize problems associated with alfalfa quantity than with alfalfa quality because quantity can be readily assessed visually; whereas, a laboratory analysis of a sample is required to determine quality. Fiber, which is less digestible than other components of alfalfa, increases with age, so it is not possible to simultaneously maximize alfalfa quantity and quality from a given alfalfa stand. WHAT IS ALFALFA QUALITY? Alfalfa quality has been defined in many ways, including protein, fiber, lignin content, relative feed value, relative forage quality, color, smell, leafiness, fineness of stems, total digestible nutrients, and other physical and/or chemical components. Each of these has merit, but all fall short of clearly defining alfalfa quality. Factors such as average daily gains, conception rates, milk production, wool production, etc. are reliable indicators of alfalfa quality. Perhaps the best concise definition of alfalfa quality is: the extent to which alfalfa (pasture, hay, or silage) has the potential to produce a desired animal response. This definition acknowledges the necessity of considering the animal. As an example, a high producing dairy cow needs higher quality feed than a dry, pregnant beef cow. Animal performance is influenced by a number of factors, including: Palatability-Will the animals eat it? Animal selection of one forage species over another depends on smell, touch, and taste. Therefore, palatability may be affected by texture, leafiness, fertilization, dung or urine patches, moisture content, pest infestation, or compounds that cause a forage to be sweet, sour, or salty. In general, high quality alfalfa is highly palatable and vice versa. Intake-How much will they eat? Alfalfa must be consumed in adequate quantities to enable animals to perform well. In general, the higher the palatability and
Agronomic differences between endophyte-(Acremonium coenophia!um Morgan Jones and Gams) free and ... more Agronomic differences between endophyte-(Acremonium coenophia!um Morgan Jones and Gams) free and endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea
Recently a number of livestock producers have asked about making a spring (actually winter) plant... more Recently a number of livestock producers have asked about making a spring (actually winter) planting of winter annuals for forage. University recommendations are to plant winter annuals in autumn. However, in late winter, many hay barns may be nearly empty, hay cost may be too high (if available to buy), winter annual acreage may be less than it would have been if the autumn planting period had been better, or the cost of alternative feeds may be high. Consequently, the idea of planting winter annuals to get even a modest forage yield may be appealing to many producers. Extension workers should not want to be perceived as “recommending” the planting of winter annuals in late winter, but if producers express interest in doing this, it makes sense to attempt to give them as much helpful information as possible.
Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first... more Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first four decades of the 20 century. However, since the release of the variety ‘Kentucky 31’ in 1943, this versatile cool season perennial grass has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, with most of the acreage planted consisting of this variety. “Fescue” has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions.
We live in a society in which many people don’t understand or appreciate agriculture as much as t... more We live in a society in which many people don’t understand or appreciate agriculture as much as they really should. After all, only about 2% of the population of the United States is involved in agriculture, so most people don’t know much about it. Furthermore, most don’t spend much time thinking about it. Forage crops, including alfalfa, are especially under-appreciated because forage is not consumed directly by humans (alfalfa sprouts being a minor exception).
Tall fescue is native to Europe, but became popular in the United States after the release of the... more Tall fescue is native to Europe, but became popular in the United States after the release of the variety ‘Kentucky 31’ in 1943 (Buckner et al., 1979). This versatile cool season perennial grass has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions (Ball et al., 2002). Consequently “fescue” has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, and is now the most widely grown introduced grass in the USA.
However, a twentieth-year state commodity conference is a milestone that deserves some special co... more However, a twentieth-year state commodity conference is a milestone that deserves some special consideration, and which should justify inclusion of one or more unique topics on the program. This line of thinking led to idea that for this presentation it might be interesting to discuss some facts about alfalfa that are not frequently mentioned and that are therefore not known to many people, perhaps including to a number of participants in the 2000 Kentucky Alfalfa Conference.
Release of the cultivar 'Kentucky 31' in 1943 led to widespread planting of tall fescue i... more Release of the cultivar 'Kentucky 31' in 1943 led to widespread planting of tall fescue in the USA. An endophytic fungus (Neotyphodium coenophialum) usually present in this grass produces compounds that enhance competitiveness and survival of tall fescue in many environments, but it also produces ergot alkaloids implicated in the cause of animal disorders. Screening of hundreds of fungus strains identified some that do not produce high levels of ergot alkaloids. A "novel" endophyte strain was inserted into University of Georgia-developed cultivars 'Georgia 5' and 'Jesup' and became commercially available under the name MaxQTM in 1999. It is estimated that at present there are some 121,000 hectares of novel endophyte tall fescue in at least 35 USA states. Persistence has been good and animal performance has been excellent. It is expected that novel endophyte tall fescue area will continue to increase in the USA in the future. Keywords: novel endophyt...
Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first... more Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first four decades of the 20 th century. However, since the release of the variety 'Kentucky 31' in 1943, this versatile cool season perennial grass has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, with most of the acreage planted consisting of this variety. "Fescue" has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions. Through the years, disorders of grazing animals have been associated with fescue. Fescue foot is a dry, gangrenous condition of the body extremities of cattle. This problem, which is usually associated with cold weather, typically causes lameness and/or the loss of the tips of tails or ears, but in some cases may result in sloughing of entire hooves or feet.
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, Dec 1, 1991
ABSTRACT Limited information is available which describes the response of established alfalfa (Me... more ABSTRACT Limited information is available which describes the response of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to topdressing applications of K fertilizer in the Southeastern United States. Field experiments were conducted for three years to determine alfalfa response to rates and time of K application. The experiments were established in two‐year old stands of alfalfa on a Decatur silty clay loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Paleudults) and a Hartsells fine sandy loam (fine loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults) located in northern Alabama. Potassium as KCl was broadcast in the spring prior to regrowth. For split application treatments, the K was applied in early spring and after the second cutting. Annual total K rates ranged from 56 to 596 kg/ha. Potassium fertilization maintained alfalfa stand density on both soils, but the experiment on the Decatur soil was discontinued after two years due to severe stand loss when the lowest rate of added K was used. Alfalfa yields were increased by the application of K and maximum yields occurred when K was applied according to soil test recommendations made by the Auburn University soil testing laboratory. Potassium applications increased the concentration of K, decreased the concentration of Ca and Mg and had little effect on the concentration of N in tissue from the two cuttings sampled. The split application of K did not consistently increase forage production. There was little movement of K below 25 cm in either soil when K rates of 56 to 596 kg/ha/yr were repeated yearly for up to three years.
Information about the seasonal distribution and relative dependability of growth of available clo... more Information about the seasonal distribution and relative dependability of growth of available clovers (Trifolium spp.) is needed to wisely select the best species for forage production in the Southeastern USA. Seven clovers were evaluated at four locations in southern Alabama to determine seasonal yield distribution and dependability. Soils were Malbis fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Plinthic Palendult), Lucedale sandy clay loam (fine-silty, carbonatic, thermic Rendollic Eutrochrept), Sumter clay (finesilty, carbonatic, thermic Rendollic Eutrochrept), and Cahaba fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludult). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications at each location. Experiments were seeded in autumn at each location each year from 1985 through 1987. Forage was removed to a stubble height of 3 in. with a flail harvester and dry matter yields were determined, approximately monthly when harvestable forage was present during the year following seeding. Arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi.) produced moderate to high yields during mid-and late-season, and was the only clover tested with a stable total yield. Crimson clover (T. incarnation L.) produced the highest yields in early-spring, and responded favorably to improving environments (location X
Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viabil... more Effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue on pregnant mares and foal viability were evaluated. Twenty-two mature pregnant mares were randomly chosen to graze either Kentucky-31 tall fescue that was free from A coenophialum (endophyte-free, EF) or tall fescue infected with A coenophialum (endophyte-present, EP) after the first 90 days of pregnancy through parturition. Concentrations of pyrrolizidine and ergopeptine alkaloids were significantly greater in EP grass, compared with EF pasture. Ten of 11 mares grazing EP pasture had obvious dystocia. Mean duration of gestation was significantly greater for the EP group, compared with the EF group. Foal survivability was severely reduced among mares grazing EP fescue with only 1 foal surviving the natal period. Udder development and lactation were low in mares grazing EP grass. The absence of clinical problems in mares grazing EF grass implicated the endophyte as the causative agent of reproductive problems and perinatal foal mortality in pregnant mares grazing endophyte-infected fescue grass. Caution should be exercised in allowing pregnant mares to graze pastures infected with the endophyte A coenophialum.
Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dai... more Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and many other types of domesticated forage-consuming animals. Reasons for its popularity include wide adaptation, excellent nutritive value, good yield potential, perennial growth habit, a long growing season, and the fact that (in association with Rhizobium bacteria) it is a nitrogen-fixing legume that does not require periodic applications of nitrogen fertilizer.
Profitable livestock production almost always requires a forage program that will supply large qu... more Profitable livestock production almost always requires a forage program that will supply large quantities of adequate quality, homegrown feed. A major percentage of the feed units for beef (83%) and dairy cattle (61%) come from forages. In addition, forages supply an estimated 91%, 72%, 15% and 99% of the nutrients consumed by sheep and goats, horses, swine, and wildlife, respectively. Although both alfalfa quantity and quality are important, it is easier for livestock producers to recognize problems associated with alfalfa quantity than with alfalfa quality because quantity can be readily assessed visually; whereas, a laboratory analysis of a sample is required to determine quality. Fiber, which is less digestible than other components of alfalfa, increases with age, so it is not possible to simultaneously maximize alfalfa quantity and quality from a given alfalfa stand. WHAT IS ALFALFA QUALITY? Alfalfa quality has been defined in many ways, including protein, fiber, lignin content, relative feed value, relative forage quality, color, smell, leafiness, fineness of stems, total digestible nutrients, and other physical and/or chemical components. Each of these has merit, but all fall short of clearly defining alfalfa quality. Factors such as average daily gains, conception rates, milk production, wool production, etc. are reliable indicators of alfalfa quality. Perhaps the best concise definition of alfalfa quality is: the extent to which alfalfa (pasture, hay, or silage) has the potential to produce a desired animal response. This definition acknowledges the necessity of considering the animal. As an example, a high producing dairy cow needs higher quality feed than a dry, pregnant beef cow. Animal performance is influenced by a number of factors, including: Palatability-Will the animals eat it? Animal selection of one forage species over another depends on smell, touch, and taste. Therefore, palatability may be affected by texture, leafiness, fertilization, dung or urine patches, moisture content, pest infestation, or compounds that cause a forage to be sweet, sour, or salty. In general, high quality alfalfa is highly palatable and vice versa. Intake-How much will they eat? Alfalfa must be consumed in adequate quantities to enable animals to perform well. In general, the higher the palatability and
Agronomic differences between endophyte-(Acremonium coenophia!um Morgan Jones and Gams) free and ... more Agronomic differences between endophyte-(Acremonium coenophia!um Morgan Jones and Gams) free and endophyte-infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea
Recently a number of livestock producers have asked about making a spring (actually winter) plant... more Recently a number of livestock producers have asked about making a spring (actually winter) planting of winter annuals for forage. University recommendations are to plant winter annuals in autumn. However, in late winter, many hay barns may be nearly empty, hay cost may be too high (if available to buy), winter annual acreage may be less than it would have been if the autumn planting period had been better, or the cost of alternative feeds may be high. Consequently, the idea of planting winter annuals to get even a modest forage yield may be appealing to many producers. Extension workers should not want to be perceived as “recommending” the planting of winter annuals in late winter, but if producers express interest in doing this, it makes sense to attempt to give them as much helpful information as possible.
Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first... more Tall fescue is native to Europe and was rarely planted in the United States until after the first four decades of the 20 century. However, since the release of the variety ‘Kentucky 31’ in 1943, this versatile cool season perennial grass has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, with most of the acreage planted consisting of this variety. “Fescue” has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions.
We live in a society in which many people don’t understand or appreciate agriculture as much as t... more We live in a society in which many people don’t understand or appreciate agriculture as much as they really should. After all, only about 2% of the population of the United States is involved in agriculture, so most people don’t know much about it. Furthermore, most don’t spend much time thinking about it. Forage crops, including alfalfa, are especially under-appreciated because forage is not consumed directly by humans (alfalfa sprouts being a minor exception).
Tall fescue is native to Europe, but became popular in the United States after the release of the... more Tall fescue is native to Europe, but became popular in the United States after the release of the variety ‘Kentucky 31’ in 1943 (Buckner et al., 1979). This versatile cool season perennial grass has many attributes including wide adaptation, easy establishment, a long growing season, good forage and seed yield, and tolerance of a wide range of management conditions (Ball et al., 2002). Consequently “fescue” has been widely planted for forage, turf, and conservation purposes, and is now the most widely grown introduced grass in the USA.
However, a twentieth-year state commodity conference is a milestone that deserves some special co... more However, a twentieth-year state commodity conference is a milestone that deserves some special consideration, and which should justify inclusion of one or more unique topics on the program. This line of thinking led to idea that for this presentation it might be interesting to discuss some facts about alfalfa that are not frequently mentioned and that are therefore not known to many people, perhaps including to a number of participants in the 2000 Kentucky Alfalfa Conference.
Release of the cultivar 'Kentucky 31' in 1943 led to widespread planting of tall fescue i... more Release of the cultivar 'Kentucky 31' in 1943 led to widespread planting of tall fescue in the USA. An endophytic fungus (Neotyphodium coenophialum) usually present in this grass produces compounds that enhance competitiveness and survival of tall fescue in many environments, but it also produces ergot alkaloids implicated in the cause of animal disorders. Screening of hundreds of fungus strains identified some that do not produce high levels of ergot alkaloids. A "novel" endophyte strain was inserted into University of Georgia-developed cultivars 'Georgia 5' and 'Jesup' and became commercially available under the name MaxQTM in 1999. It is estimated that at present there are some 121,000 hectares of novel endophyte tall fescue in at least 35 USA states. Persistence has been good and animal performance has been excellent. It is expected that novel endophyte tall fescue area will continue to increase in the USA in the future. Keywords: novel endophyt...
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