NRAES-173 Table of Contents

Disclaimer

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Assessing Species Composition and Forage Quality

Assessing Species Composition
    Grass-Legume-Weed Content
    Dry-Weight-Rank Method
    DAFOR Scale
Assessing Other Pasture Attributes
    Pasture Condition Scoring
    Forage Quality
        Stage of Plant Development
        Plant Species
        Management
        Climate
        Soils and Soil Fertility
        Diseases and Insects
    Laboratory Forage Analysis
        Sampling a Pasture
        Sampling Hay
        Sampling Silage
        Sample Preparation
        Sample Submission
        Using the Information
Selective Grazing
Summary

Chapter 2: Assessing Forage Mass and Forage Budgeting

Why Measure and Budget Forage?
Determining Animal Nutrient Needs and Forage Demand
    General Nutrient Requirements
        Dairy
        Beef
        Sheep and Goats
        Horses
    Dry Matter Intake
        Components of Dry Matter Intake
        Relationship to Forage Mass
    Supplemental Feeds: Forages and Concentrates
        Limited Pasture Availability
        Meeting Production Goals
        Substitution Effects
Measuring Forage Supply
    Measurement Errors and Economic Consequences
    Direct Measurement of Forage Mass on Pasture
    Indirect Measurement of Forage Mass on Pasture
        Visually Estimating Forage Mass
        Plate Meters
        Rulers
        Electronic Gauges (Capacitance Meters)
        Calibration of Indirect Methods
Constructing a Forage Budget
Summary
Appendix 2-1. Measuring Forage Yield Using Dried, Clipped Samples for Calibration
Appendix 2-2. Grazing Math

Chapter 3: Cool-Season Grass and Legume Pastures

Introduction
Characteristics of Cool-Season Grass-Legume Pasture
Seasonal Production Patterns
Sward Components
Canopy Management
Pasture Management

Chapter 4: Perennial Warm-Season Grasses

Why Consider Perennial Warm-Season Grasses?
Forage Yield Distribution
Nutritional Value of Perennial Warm-Season Grasses
Establishing Perennial Warm-Season Grasses
    Eastern Gamagrass
        Establishment
        Harvest Management
        Forage Quality and Animal Performance
    Caucasian Bluestem
        Establishment
        Harvest Management
        Forage Quality and Animal Performance
    Switchgrass
        Establishment
        Harvest Management
        Animal Performance
    Big Bluestem
        Establishment
        Harvest Management
        Forage Quality and Animal Performance
    Indiangrass
        Establishment
        Harvest Management
    Little Bluestem
    Purpletop
    Flaccidgrass
    Bermudagrass
How Many Acres of Perennial Warm-Season Grasses Should I Have?
Perennial Warm-Season Grass Fertilization
    Lime   
    Nitrogen
    Phosphorus and Potassium
Mixing Perennial Warm-Season Grasses with Other Forage Species
Summary

Chapter 5: Perenniating Warm-Season Annual Forages

Annual Lespedezas
Crabgrass

Chapter 6: Deferred Grazing to Extend the Grazing Season

Calculating the Value of Extended Grazing
Snow Conditions and Winter Grazing
Forage Species for Deferred Grazing
Tall Fescue for Winter Grazing
Date to Initiate Stockpiling
Response to Nitrogen Fertilization
Grazing Management
Quality of Deferred Pasture
Mineral Composition
Animal Performance on Stockpiled Forage
    Dry Cows
    Growing Livestock
Responses to Supplementation
    Starch-Based Versus Fiber-Based Supplements
Endophyte Effects
Sidebar: Evaluating the Economic Benefits of Stockpiled Fescue
Summary

Chapter 7: Supplemental Pastures

Introduction
Forage Crop Alternatives
    Brassicas
    Forage (Field) Peas
    Millets
    Sorghums, Sudangrass, and Corn
Forage Management Information
    Fitting Supplemental Forage Crops into a Pasture Budget and Crop Rotation
    Grazing Management of Supplemental Forages
        Grazing for Regrowth
        Graze-Out
        Grazing for Gain or High Milk Production
        Grazing for Maintenance
        Fencing Needs
        Watering Facilities
Economics of Growing and Grazing Supplemental Pastures
    Supplemental Pastures -- Will They Work and Pay for My Operation?

Chapter 8: Saving Forage as Hay or Silage

Introduction
Mowing and Conditioning
    When to Mow
    Mower Types
    Conditioning
    Swath Manipulation
Harvesting and Storage Systems
    Silage Production
        Crops for Silage
    Silage Storage Options
        Bagged or Wrapped Bales
        Tube Silos
        Upright Silos
        Trench or Bunker Silos
    The Ensiling (Fermentation) Process
    Silage Additives
        Organic Acids
        Fermentation Stimulants
    Hay Production
        Baler Types
        Hay Storage
        Hay Preservatives
Conclusion

Chapter 9: Tools for Management of Pasture-Based Livestock Production

Fence Systems
    What Makes a Good Fence?
    Fence Location
    Paddock Layout
    Picking the Right Fence Design
    Temporary Fencing
    Fence Energizers
        Grounding the Energizer or the Earth Return System
        Preventing Lightning Damage
    Troubleshooting Electric Fence
    Fence Building: Materials, Tools, and Construction
        Materials
        Tools
        Construction
    Gates   
    Nonelectric Fences
    Sample Fencing Budget
    Fencing: Conclusion
Watering Systems for Pasture-Based Livestock Production
    Understanding Water Systems: How Much, How Far, and How Fast?
    Pipes and Piping
    System Layout
    How Fast?
    Sidebar: How to Construct a Water System
Water Systems Options
    Water Sources
    Water Delivery Systems
        Surface Access
        Gravity
        Pumps
Water’s Impact on the Environment, Grazing, and Livestock and Pasture Productivity
    Environmental Considerations
    Animal Behavior and Grazing Efficiencies
    Nutrient Distribution/Management
    Sample Water System Budget
    Water Systems: Conclusion
Lanes and Feeding Pads
    Design and Requirements
    Materials Options
    Construction
    Cost Comparison for Lane or Feeding Pad of Various Materials
    Lanes and Feeding Pads: Conclusion
Other Tools for Pasture-Based Livestock Production
    Mineral Feeders
    Supplemental Grain Feeding
    Fly Control
    Animal Handling Facilities
    Other Tools: Conclusion

Abbreviations

Conversion Tables

Glossary

References

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