NC225: Improved Grazing Systems for Beef Cattle Production

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/26/2002] [08/01/2003] [09/16/2004]

Date of Annual Report: 08/26/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/13/2002 - 06/14/2002
Period the Report Covers: 06/01/2001 - 05/01/2002

Participants

Attendance: Primary investigators and members of the Technical Committee
Iowa - Jim Russell
Kansas - Dale Blasi
Nebraska - Dick Clark
Ohio - David Zartman

Also in attendance were:
Kansas - Walt Fick, J.O. Fritz, Lyle Lomas, Joseph Moyer
Missouri - Rob Kallenbach
Nebraska - Bruce Anderson, Martin Massengale, Rick Rasby
Administrative Advisors - Darrell Nelson, Nebraska; Henry Tyrrell, USDA
Center for Grassland Studies (provides administrative support) - Pam Murray

Brief Summary of Minutes

The member states reported on the progress of their various research and education projects. There was much commonality of purpose, and commitment to the project objectives was evident. In particular, planning for a workshop on extending the grazing season was reviewed and approved by the committee. This workshop will be conducted during November and December of 2002 in North Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri. Presenters will be drawn from several of the member states. In this manner, the educational perspective of the NC-225 committee will be achieved. The Kansas Model for appraising pastures is also being updated for use in educational settings. Rob Kallenbach of Missouri assumed the role of committee Chair at the end of the meeting, and Jim Russell of Iowa becomes Secretary for the next year of the project. Meeting dates for 2003 are set for June 12-13 at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Accomplishing the educational mission of the committee was acknowledged as being very important. Since there is significant common membership in NC-225 and the MINK (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) Forage/Livestock Consortium, it was decided that combining the annual meetings of the two groups was advantageous and should continue. There was considerable attention to the commonality of the contributions of workers in the several states to the objectives of the NC-225 program. Consequently, a writing process was established to present a proposal for NC-225 renewal in 2004/2005.

The overall objective of NC-225 is to develop and evaluate concepts and systems that increase the uniformity of the year-round forage supply and the efficacy of forage, animal and grazing management to improve the profitability of beef production. Specific objectives are:

1. To quantify production and economic impacts, including risk, of beef cow-calf systems that better match animal nutrient requirements to the quantity and nutritional value of the forage supply.

2. To improve the profitability and productivity of cow-calf systems by identifying alternative forage species and grazing management to extend the length of the grazing season.

3. To develop strategies for using forage legumes to improve the agronomic, animal performance, environmental and economic characteristics of forage-beef systems.

4. To develop a systems-based educational program on integrated forage/cattle management systems for cow-calf producers in the four-state region.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Objective 1 is being addressed in part by the development of the Kansas Grazing Model software. Other member states are asked to evaluate the model and to add data to improve the applicability of the model over the larger area of the several states. An online tutorial is to be added to the downloadable software to facilitate ease of use. Iowa is also working on a model to be compared to the Kansas model. Jim Russell at Iowa State shared research results from his work on year-round forage management systems. Dr. Russell has found that grazing corn stalks can significantly reduce the amount of hay needed in beef cow systems. He also reported on the use of stockpiled forage for beef heifer development. Dick Clark from Nebraska provided a report on the evaluation of weaning date and protein supplementation on beef cow performance. Nebraska researchers found that weaning March calving cows in November increased profits vs. weaning in August. Protein supplementation of March calving cows during the winter was not cost effective. Dr. Clark also reported on the evaluation of corn stalks as feed for beef cows. In essence, Nebraska researchers found that cows grazing corn stalks had acceptable pregnancy rates but lower body condition scores and produced lighter calves. Objective 2. The six member states are deriving information on forage management systems that can extend the grazing season throughout the winter period. Each state has a perspective that builds the knowledge base of options for producers in the member states. Some are looking at grazing forages not typically used for winter, such as intact corn or corn residues. The impact of this practice upon soil condition, erosion and nutrient levels is indicating the value of intensive grazing practices for winter feeding. Also, the contribution of winter-grazed, novel forages to the overall rotation of small grains and corn for grain as a farm or ranch management practice is being clarified A three-state cooperative project (IA, MO, and KS) is evaluating the quality of approximately 20 different legumes and grasses when stockpiled over winter. With the exception of tall fescue, there is little data about the quality of other commonly used grasses and legumes when used for stockpiled forage. Charlie Brummer at ISU is leading this effort. Jim Russell reported on his work about the impact of grazing corn stalks on soil compaction and subsequent crop yields. He found that grazing showed small increases in soil compaction but that soybean yields the following year were not impacted. Researchers in Missouri compared three winter feeding systems for fall calving beef cows. The three systems were: annual ryegrass/cereal rye pastures, stockpiled E- tall fescue pastures and traditional hay feeding. The first year results show that fall-calving cows can be maintained on pasture through most of the winter at significantly lower cost than the traditional hay system. Cow body condition score was improved on both pasture systems compared to hay feeding. Soil damage and manure concentration were also reduced in the pasture systems compared to hay feeding. Nebraska researchers are examining the effect of stocking rate and date of grazing on utilization of cool-season and warm-season grasses, on the yield and quality response of herbage classes in the sandhills. These studies deal with plant and animal response to seasonal grazing strategies and are critical to the development of year-round forage programs for cattle grazing range and pasture. In addition, Bruce Anderson and Terry Klopfenstein are evaluating three corn hybrids for grazing by yearling steers in 2002. In Ohio, David Zartman is examining the use of standing corn for deferred grazing. Preliminary work from his research shows that standing corn could be a viable alternative to feeding hay to livestock in winter. In North Dakota, barley, emmer, spelt, rye, and triticale cultivars were compared with oat for forage yield and quality in a multi-year study. Preliminary results indicate that alternatives to oat are available in the Great Plains that are superior in forage yield (e.g., triticale) or quality (e.g., barley). Objective 3. Legume varieties are being assessed for stand durability and contribution to the overall feed provision of the year. The resistances to diseases, insects and unfavorable weather are being assessed as they play out in a grazing format. Strategies for several grazing protocols are being tested in combination with methods for making hay, feeding hay in winter, and alternatives to hay for winter feed. Nebraska initiated a grazing study in May 2002, on small paddocks with low, medium, and high levels of birdsfoot trefoil (BFT). The objective is to determine the impact of BFT by evaluating yield components, animal selectivity of BFT at various legume densities, and quality of forage on offer and of that consumed. Joe Moyer and Lyle Lomas from Kansas reported on comparisons of cow-calf and dry cow performance from wheat-bermudagrass pastures with legumes or with additional N fertilization. They found a 21-kg advantage in summer gain of dry cows for pastures seeded to legumes compared to N-fertilized pastures. They also reported on studies comparing the establishment, productive potential, and longevity of various legumes under clipping and grazing management. Objective 4 calls for delivery of educational programs to those involved with beef cattle systems. The four regional workshops in late 2002 on extending the grazing season will achieve this. The locations and times have been selected to fit the needs of the local audiences. The workshops are being developed collaboratively by the NC-225, the MINK Consortium, and the Northern Integrated Resource Management group. The National Cattlemen‘s Beef Association is providing promotion and financial support. Topics include winter grazing, alternative calving dates, early weaning and other newer strategies for improving the economics. Each member state is to develop a uniform leaflet that will be edited by Wendy Miller of the Iowa Beef Center; the suggested title is Making Extended Grazing Work in (name of state). These can be distributed by county Extension offices as well as at the various workshops. A plant-identification web page is under development, led by Nebraska. It is expected to be superior to currently existing sources. It will focus on an instructional guide for identifying range and forage plants common to the corn belt. Economic analyses, to date, of different systems suggest a great advantage to grazing stockpiled forages and limited use of shelled corn rather than feeding substantial amounts of hay and protein supplements for winter maintenance of cattle. Only by having the six states testing various alternatives to extended winter grazing can enough options be tested rapidly to bring viable recommendations to the cattle industry. Important recommendations are already very useful, even though the project is only beginning its third year. The workshops are expected to impart these ideas to producers this fall. Future work will continue to explore the economic features of the grazing systems found to be agronomically favorable and nutritionally suitable for the cattle. Environmental responsibility will also be a goal of the systems being developed. Assigned Responsibilities/Deadlines/Target Dates The following people comprise the writing team of the renewal proposal: Russell (IA), Moyer (KS), Kallenbach (MO), Anderson (NE), Zartman (OH), Carr (ND). Zartman will assume leadership and work with the team members, who will survey their state NC-225 members for input regarding the proposal composition. People working in beef grazing systems in NCR states not currently participating in NC-225 will be contacted to see if they want to become involved in future activities. The first draft of the renewal proposal is to be available for the next annual meeting in June 2003. Assurance of multi-state contributions to the achievement of the objectives will be given substantial attention in the writing process. The revised draft is to be submitted to the NC-225 Administrative Advisor, Dr. Darrell Nelson, by the fall of 2003.

Publications

Kansas: Moyer, J. L., and L. W. Lomas. 2002. Use of legumes in wheat-bermudagrass pastures. Pp. 18-19. In: 2002 Agricultural Research, Southeast Agricultural Research Center. Kansas Agric. Exp. Stn. Report of Progress 892. 78p. Iowa: Clark, J., J. Russell, D. Karlen, D. Busby, L.J. Secor, B. Peterson, L. Pellack, C. Olsen, D. Maxwell, and S. Shouse. 2002. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. 2002 Beef Research Report. A.S. Leaflet R1784. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Haan, M.M., J. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, S.K. Ahmed, and J. Kovar. 2002. Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus runoff. 2002 Beef Research Report. A.S. Leaflet R1783. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Hermann, M.L., J.R. Russell, and S.K. Barnhart. 2002. Evaluation of hay-type and grazing-tolerant alfalfa cultivars in season-long or complementary rotational stocking systems for beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 80:768-779. Janovick, N.A. and J.R. Russell. 2001. Evaluation of calf and forage production in rotational stocking systems for spring- and fall-calving beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 79(Supp. 1):220. Abstr. Janovick, N.A. and J.R. Russell. 2002. Year-round grazing systems for fall- and spring-calving beef cows: summer grazing management. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 2):33. Janovick, N.A. and J.R. Russell. 2002. Year-round grazing systems for fall- and spring-calving beef cows: winter grazing management. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 2):33. Janovick, N.A., J.R. Russell, D.R. Strohbehn, D.G. Morrical, S.K. Barnhart, D.Maxwell, and L.J.Secor. 2002. Integration of year-round forage management systems for spring- and fall-calving beef cows. 2002 Beef Research Report. A.S. Leaflet R1778. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Russell, J.R., J.R. Clark, D.L.Karlen, W.D. Busby, L.J. Secor, B. Peterson, C.R. Olson, and S.C. Shouse. 2001. Corn crop residue grazing effects on soil physical properties and soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. J. Anim. Sci. 79(Supp. 1):419. Abstr. Missouri: Kallenbach, R.L., G.J. Bishop-Hurley, M.D. Massie, and C.A. Roberts. 2002. Stockpiled annual ryegrass for winter forage in the lower Midwestern USA. Submitted to Crop Sci. 5/24/2002. Lock, T.R., R.L. Kallenbach, D.G. Blevins, T.M. Reinbott, G.J. Bishop-Hurley, R.J. Crawford, and M.D. Massie. 2002. Adequate soil phosphorus decreases the grass tetany potential of tall fescue pasture. Online. Crop Mgt. doi:10.1094/CM-2002-0809-01-RS Kallenbach, R.L., C.J. Nelson, and J.H. Coutts. 2002. The influence of cultivar and harvest frequency on alfalfa yield, quality, and persistence in southern Missouri, USA. Agron. J. (In Press). Kallenbach, R.L., G.J. Bishop-Hurley, M.D. Massie, G.E. Rottinghaus, and C.P. West. 2002. Herbage mass, nutritive value and ergovaline concentration of stockpiled tall fescue. Crop Sci. In Press. Wen, L., R.L. Kallenbach, J.E. Williams, C.A. Roberts, P.R. Beuselinck, R.L. McGraw, and H.R. Benedict. 2002. Performance of steers grazing rhizomatous and non-rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil in pure stands and in tall fescue mixtures. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1970-1976. Wen, L., C.A. Roberts, J.E. Williams, R.L. Kallenbach, P.R. Beuselinck, and R.L. McGraw. 2002. Condensed tannin concentration of rhizomatous and non-rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil in grazing mixtures and monocultures. Crop Sci. (In Press). Nebraska: Awada, T., L.E. Moser, W.H. Schacht, and P.E. Reece. 2002. Stomatal variability of native warm-season grasses from the Nebraska Sandhills. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82:349-355. Ciminski, L., D. Adams, T. Klopfenstein, D. Clark, J. Musgrave, R. Sandberg, and A. Applegarth. 2001. Weaning date for spring calving cows grazing Sandhills range. In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report. Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE, Lincoln. p. 3-4. Ciminski, L.A., D.C. Ciminski, L.A. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, and R.T. Clark. 2002. Weaning date for spring calving cows grazing Sandhills range. Proc. Soc. Range Manage. 55th Annual Meeting. Abstr. p. 21. Ciminski, L.A., D.C. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, and R.T. Clark. 2002. Effects of weaning date and protein supplementation on cow/calf productivity. Abstract presented at the Midwestern Section ASAS and Midwest Branch ADSA 2002 Meeting, Des Moines, IA. Abstr. 263, p. 65. Creighton, K.W., J. A. Johnson-Musgrave, D.C. Adams, R.E. Sandberg, and J. A. Gosey. 2002. Effects of cow-calf separation on milk production and performance. Proc. Soc. Range Manage. 55th Annual Meeting. Abstr. p. 20. Deutscher, G., B. Plugge, A. Applegarth, and R. Davis. 2001. Replacement heifer development for spring and summer calving herds. In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report. Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE, Lincoln. p. 4-7. Hopkin, A.M. 2001. Cow-calf yearling beef production systems in the Nebraska Sandhills. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of NE, Lincoln. Lamb, J.B., D.C. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, and R.J. Grant, Phillip L. Sims, L.M. White, and S.S. Waller. 2002. Intake and digestive kinetics of leaf stem fractions. J. Range Manage. 55:57-64. Lamothe, M.J. 2002. Estimation of microbial and rumen undegradeable protein supply in grazing cattle. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of NE, Lincoln. Lamothe, M., T. Klopfenstein, D. Adams, J. Musgrave, and G. Erickson. 2002. Urinary allantoin as an estimate of microbial protein synthesis. Abstract presented at the Midwestern Section ASAS and Midwest Branch ADSA 2002 Meeting, Des Moines, IA. Abstr. 242, p. 60. Mousel, E.M. 2001. Summer grazing strategies following early-season grazing of big bluestem. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL. Muesel, M.R. 2001. Legume persistence under various grazing strategies. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL. Patterson, T., D. Adams, T. Klopfenstein, and A. Hopkin. 2001. Metabolizable protein requirements of lactating two-year-old cows. In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report. Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE, Lincoln. p. 9-11. Ullerich, M.D. 2001. Effects of forage quality on performance of beef steers grazing smooth brome pastures inter-seeded with legumes. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Animal Science, UNL. Ullerich, M., T. Klopfenstein, B. Anderson, and M. Trammel. 2002. Forage quality and animal performance of steers grazing smooth bromegrass/legume pastures. In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., UNL, MP 79-A. p. 20-21. Volesky, J.D., D.C. Adams, and R.T. Clark. 2001. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for wintering calves. In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 79-A. p.17-20. Volesky, J.D., D.C. Adams, and R.T. Clark. 2002. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for wintering calves. J. Range Manage. 55:23-32. North Dakota: Carr, P.M., and W.W. Poland. Improving profitability and resource efficiency of conventional and alternative crops with legume pasture in western North Dakota. p 316-317. In K.A. Ringwall (ed.) 2001 Annual Report, North Dakota State Univ., Dickinson Res. Ext. Ctr., Dickinson, ND.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/01/2003

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/12/2003 - 06/13/2003
Period the Report Covers: 06/01/2002 - 06/01/2003

Participants

Members attending: Ken Moore and Jim Russell from Iowa State University; Robert Kallenbach, Fred Martz, Jerry Nelson, and Craig Roberts from the University of Missouri; Dale Blasi, Walt Fick, Lyle Lomas, and Joe Moyer from Kansas State University; Don Adams, Bruce Anderson, Terry Klopfenstein, Martin Massengale, Lowell Moser, Rick Rasby, and Walt Schacht from the University of Nebraska; and Pat Carr from North Dakota State University with Administrators, Darrell Nelson and Henry Tyrrell. Also attending were Pam Murray from the Center for Grassland Studies at the University of Nebraska and Todd White, a post-doctoral research associate from Iowa State University.

Brief Summary of Minutes

The 2003 meeting of the NC-225 regional project was held in Columbia, Missouri. Primary activities of this meeting were a discussion of the renewal of this project and progress reports for the research and outreach objectives in the current project.

The title of the renewed project will be Beef Cattle Grazing Systems that Improve Production and Profitability While Minimizing Risk and Environmental Impacts. The objectives will be: 1) To develop strategies that better match animal nutrient requirements to the quantity and nutritional value of the forage supply as affected by: forage production; nutrient supplementation; and animal management practices; and 2) To develop educational materials and programs to improve decision-making for grazing-based beef production systems by: creating a database that integrates the composition of forages in grazing systems in the North Central region; conducting systems-based educational programs on integrated forage/cattle management systems for cattle producers; and developing an educational program on the utilization of grain co-products in grazing-based cattle production systems. A draft of a proposal will be prepared by Jim Russell and Ken Moore from Iowa; Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Walt Schacht and Bruce Anderson from Nebraska; Dale Blasi from Kansas and Rob Kallenbach from Missouri to be placed on the WEB for review by contributing stations. All materials will be sent to Jim Russell by August 1, 2003.

It was decided that 2004 meeting of the committee will be in Lewis, Iowa June 17-18 at the Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm, with Jim Russell of Iowa and Joe Moyer of Kansas State serving as the committees chair and secretary, respectively.

Station reports followed under the project objectives. The overall objective of NC-225 is to develop concepts and systems that increase the uniformity of the year-round forage supply and the efficacy of forage, animal and grazing management to improve the profitability of beef production. Specific objectives include: 1) To quantify production and economic impacts, including risk, of beef cow-calf systems that better match animal nutrient requirements to the quantity and nutritional value of the forage supply; 2) To improve the profitability and productivity of cow-calf systems by identifying alternative forage species and grazing management to extend the length of the grazing season; 3) To develop strategies for using forage legumes to improve the agronomic, animal performance, environmental and economic characteristics of forage-beef systems; and 4) To develop a systems-based educational program on integrated forage/cattle management systems for cow-calf producers in the four state region.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Objective 1. The Iowa station found that bred heifers grazing stockpiled endophyte-free tall fescue-red clover forage had body weight gains that were 50 to 100% greater than their target weight gains with 88% less supplemental corn gluten feed and 27% lower daily costs than heifers fed hay and corn gluten feed to meet their target weight gains in a dry lot during winter. Iowa also reported that a year-round grazing system using spring- and fall-calving cows with stocker cattle was more profitable than a conventional system with summer grazing of grass-legume pastures, fall grazing of corn crop residues, and winter hay feeding in three of ten years because of the effects of stocker profitability and hay and land costs. The Nebraska station reported that pregnant yearling heifers grazing Sandhill range and supplemented to meet metabolizable protein (MP) requirements had no differences in body weight or body condition score, but had greater pregnancy rates than heifers supplemented to meet crude protein (CP) requirements, increasing the value of each bred heifer in the MP treatment by $13.64 over heifers receiving the CP treatment. Nebraska also reported that March-calving cows in the Sandhills supplemented with protein during winter had lower weaning rates, but higher weaning weights than those not supplemented with protein. Nebraska also reported that steers from cows wintered on corn stalks and finished as stockers after grazing cornstalks and pasture during winter and summer had greater daily gains, carcass weights and ribeye areas, but lower marbling scores, quality grades, and sensory scores than calves finished after weaning. To integrate the quantity and quality of forages in the North Central Region with the nutrient needs, the Kansas station has developed the KansasGrazer software (available at www.oznet.ksu.edu/forage/ksgrazer.htm). To enhance its utility, a tutorial was developed and is accessible from the programs opening screen through the Help button. The software will be demonstrated at grazing schools and conferences in 2004. Objective 2. The Iowa station reported on the establishment plots of five legume, six cool-season grass, and four warm-season grass species in the initiation of a multi-state project with Missouri and Kansas comparing the nutritional value of these forages in a winter stockpiled grazing experiment. Iowa also observed that grazing corn crop residues when soils were not frozen increased soil penetration resistance and roughness, but reduced yield of soybeans planted with no tillage by 3.5 bu/acre in one of three years. The Kansas station observed similar forage dry matter masses and grazing gains in stocker steer grazing crabgrass fertilized with additional N or interseeded with lespedeza over three years in a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. In 1999, finishing gains and ribeye areas were higher for steers that grazed pastures interseeded with lespedeza. The Missouri station observed that fall-calving cows grazing annual ryegrass/cereal rye pastures or stockpiled E- tall fescue pastures had improved body condition scores at less expense than traditional hay feeding. Missouri also reported that tall fescue infected with a native endophyte (K31 E+) had greater yields and higher concentrations of ergovaline in early winter than patented non-toxic endophyte (HiMag E++), and with no endophyte (HiMag E-) cultivars. While all cultivars had minimal losses forage yield and quality over winter, ergovaline levels in K31 E+ declined by more than 85% between December and March. The Nebraska station observed that while summer grazing date did not affect yield of Sandhills upland vegetation, forage CP and in vitro digestible organic matter concentrations during dormant-season grazing and yields of cool-season grasses the following season decreased as the fall stocking rate increased from 1 to 3 AUM/ha. Nebraska also reported that plant yield, vigor and density of prairie sandreed and sand bluestem were more greatly reduced by drought-stress in June and July and defoliation at 90% of the current years growth than drought-stress in other summer months and at lighter defoliation levels. Nebraska also found that May grazing of big bluestem had no effects on cumulative pre-grazing yields, but greater herbage disappearance, harvest efficiency, and leaf:stem ratio than no grazing. Grazing at the vegetative stage in June increased pre-grazing yields, herbage disappearance, harvest efficiency, and leaf:stem ratio compared to grazing at the elongation stage. In addition, Nebraska observed that net photosynthesis declined more in big bluestem than smooth bromegrass grown under shade. The North Dakota Station observed that barley may produce a comparable yield of forage with higher CP and total digestible nutrient (TDN) concentrations compared with oats, emmer, spelt, rye, and triticale in soils containing greater than 90 kg N/ha in the 0- to 60-cm soil depth. North Dakota also reported that intercropping spring barley, oat, and triticale with winter cereals increased forage CP and TDN concentrations and provides limited quantities of forage for fall grazing. However, total forage production is reduced by 10% when spring and winter cereals are seeded together compared with seeding spring cereals alone. The Ohio Station observed that a non-Bt corn variety had greater losses of harvestable dry matter from standing corn over winter than a near iso-genic variety and a late maturity variety. Ohio also observed gains of 96.5 lb/acre values at $1.00/lb for dairy heifers grazing annual rye with 3 lb of a 13% CP heifer supplement. Objective 3. The Iowa Station observed that plant species richness, Shannon diversity and evenness were significantly and negatively related to the concentration of all plant nutrients except Phosphorus in the soil. Iowa also reported legumes to be greatest in zones with intermediate soil electrical conductivity values, slopes greater than 10%, and the greatest diversity of leguminous species. The Kansas Station observed that seeding ARS-2620 rhizomatous and standard birdsfoot trefoil, white clover, red clover, kura, subclover, and Alfagraze alfalfa cultivars into endophyte-infected tall fescue improved forage nutritive quality and annual distribution while reducing N fertilizer requirement and severity of fescue toxicosis. The Missouri station observed that steers grazing pastures containing a rhizomatous (ARS-2622) or common (Norcen) variety seeded with tall fescue had greater daily body weight gains than those grazing tall fescue. The Nebraska station observed that yearling heifers grazing pastures with different proportions of birdsfoot trefoil in the stand (5 to 45%) utilized birdsfoot trefoil at similar levels (45 to 60%) regardless of the proportion of birdsfoot trefoil in the stand. The North Dakota station observed that of 30 legume species, those with the greatest ability to reseed in an undisturbed seed bed included black medic, crimson clover, Persian clover, balansa clover, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil. Forage DM production for alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and red clover were 5.6, 2.7, and 3.4 Mg DM/ha, but less than 1 Mg/ha for all other legume species. North Dakota also found that seedlings of rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil did not grow well in contrast to the common birdsfoot trefoil hybrid, Norcen. Objective 4. To transfer technologies to improve the profitability of beef cow-calf production by extending the grazing season, a conference series titled Integrating Forage & Cattle Resources was held in Bismarck, ND; Chadron, NE; Moline IL; and St. Joseph, MO in late fall of 2002. This series resulted from a novel collaboration of the NC-225 Improved Grazing Systems for Beef Cattle Production project, Northern Integrated Resource Management group in beef cattle extension, and National Cattlemens Beef Association, with the goal of increasing profitability of beef cow-calf production through improved grazing practices. Members of the NC-225 project participated as speakers and authors of posters and the Making Extended Grazing Work in publication for the states of Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. The total audience of 495 beef cattle producers, extension specialists, and NRCS personnel at the four locations came from at least 10 states in the North Central Region.

Publications

Iowa: Hermann, M.L., J.R. Russell, and S.K. Barnhart. 2002. Evaluation of hay-type and grazing-tolerant alfalfa cultivars in season-long or complementary rotational stocking systems for beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 80:768-779. Russell, J.R. 2002. Utilization of corn stalks and other crop residues to extend the grazing season. pp. 68-79. IN: Proc. of the Winter Feeding and Feeding Systems for Cattle Professional Development Training Conference. Columbia, MO. Russell, J.R. 2002. Crop residues and improved annuals to extend the grazing system. 8 pp. IN: Proc of the Integrating Livestock and Forage Conference, Moline, IL. Clark, J.T., J.R. Russell, D.L. Karlen, W.D. Busby, D.L. Maxwell, and B. Peterson. 2003 Corn crop residue grazing effects on soil physical properties and soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. Abstracts of the Midwest Sectional Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science 30:75. Haan, M.M., J.R. Russell, W. Powers, R. Schultz, S. Mickelson, and J. Kovar. 2003. Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus in pasture runoff. Abstracts of the Midwest Sectional Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science 30:60. Bormann, K., W. Powers, and J. Russell. 2003. Effects of forage maturity on phosphorus digestion of beef cows. Proc. of the Amer. Forage and Grassl. Council 12:258-262. May, G.J., J.R. Russell, N.A. Janovick, J.D. Lawrence, D.R. Strohbehn, and D.G. Morrical. 2003. An economic comparison of year round vs. conventional grazing systems in Iowa. Proc. of the Amer. Forage and Grassl. Council 12:216-220. Clark, J.T., J.R. Russell, W.D. Busby, D.L. Karlen, D.L. Maxwell, and B. Peterson. 2003. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. Proc. of the Amer. Forage and Grassl. Council 12:286. Clark, J.T. and J.R. Russell. 2003. Effects of stocking rate and energy supplementation on performance and feed intake of heifers grazing stockpiled forages. Proc. of the Amer. Forage and Grassl. Council 12:287. Haan, M.M., J.R. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, S.I. Ahmed, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2003. Effects of grazing management on pasture production and phosphorus content of forage. Proc. of the Amer. Forage and Grassl. Council 12:347-351. Haan, M., J.R. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2002. Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus run-off. Proc. Amer. Forage Grassl. Council. 11:292-296 Clark, J.T., J.R. Russell, D. Karlen, and D. Busby. 2002. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. Proc. Amer. Forage Grassl. Council. 11:227-231. Haan, M.M, J. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, S.I. Ahmed, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2003. Effects of grazing management on pasture production and phosphorus content of forage. A.S. Leaflet R1835. 2003 Beef Research Report-Iowa State University. Ames, IA http:www.iowabeefcenter.org/pdfs/BRR/R1835.pdf. Haan, M.M, J. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, S.I. Ahmed, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2003. Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus losses in run-off. A.S. Leaflet R1836. 2003 Beef Research Report-Iowa State University. Ames, IA http:www.iowabeefcenter.org/pdfs/BRR/R1836.pdf. Clark, J., J.Russell, D. Karlen, D. Busby, B. Peterson, L. Pellack, and D. Maxwell. 2003. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop production. A.S. Leaflet R1837. 2003 Beef Research Report-Iowa State University. Ames, IA http:www.iowabeefcenter.org/pdfs/BRR/R1837.pdf. Russell, Jim and Wendy Miller. 2002. Making extended grazing work in Nebraska. Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State Univ. IBC-23, Nov. Aberle, E.Z. L.R. Gibson, A.D. Knapp, P.M. Dixon, K.J. Moore, E.C. Brummer, and Roger Hintz. 2003. Optimum planting procedures for eastern gamagrass. Agron. J. In press. Barker, D. A., K. J. Moore, T. A. White, and M. B. Dodd. 2002. Plant Diversity and Functional Characteristics of Temperate Pastures. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. Barker, D. J., K. J. Moore, and J. A. Guretzky. 2002. Spatial variation in species richness under contrasting topologies and grazing regimes. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 222-225. Braden, I. S., K. J. Moore, R. L. Hintz, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, and M. P. Hoffman. 2002. Pasture enhancement of warm-season grasse pastures using a complex mixture of legumes. p. 18-19. In Annual Progress Reports - 2001, Western Research and Demonstration Farm, ISRF01-10, Iowa State University, Cooperative Extension Service, Ames, IA. Braden, I. S., T. A. White, and K. J. Moore. 2002. Competitive Effects of an Exotic Cool-season Forage Grass on Two Native Warm-season Grasses. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. Braden, I. S., K. J. Moore, R. L. Hintz, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, and M. P. Hoffman. 2002. Composition and spatial distribution of legume mixtures within warm-season grass pastures. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 276-280. Brummer, E. Charles, Kenneth J. Moore, and N. Charles Bjork. 2002. Agronomic consequences of dormant-nondormant alfalfa mixtures. Crop Science 94:782-785. Griffin, T.S., E. Giberson, M.H. Wiedenhoeft. 2002. Yield response and nutrient cycling by mixed forage under different management regimes. Grass and Forage Science, 57, 268278. Guretzky, J. A. and K. J. Moore. 2002. Legume Distribution Among Management Zones in Pastures Classified Using Fuzzy-C-Means. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. Guretzky, J. A. , K. J. Moore, E. C. Brummer, and M. H. Wiedenhoeft. 2002. Multi-scale sampling of plant diversity in pastures varying in grazing management. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 80-84. Hoy, M. D., K. J. Moore, J. R. George, and E. C. Brummer. 2002. Alfalfa Yield and Quality as Influenced by Establishment Method. Agronomy Journal 94:65-71. Lemke, B.M., L.R. Gibson, A.D. Knapp, P.M. Dixon, K. J. Moore, and R. Hintz. 2003. Maximizing seed production in eastern gamagrass. Agron. J. In press. Lemus, R., E. Charles Brummer, Kenneth J. Moore, Neil E. Molstadb, C. Lee Burras, and Michael F. Barker. 2002. Biomass yield and quality of twenty wwitchgrass populations in southern Iowa, USA. Biomass and Bioenergy 23:433-442. Moore, K. J., M. H. Wi edenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, J. R. Russell, R. Hintz, T. White, J. Secor, and D. Maxwell. 2002. Sequential grazing systems of cool- and warm-season pastures. In Annual Progress Reports - 2001, McNay Research Farm, Iowa State University, Publication ISRF01-35, Cooperative Extension Service, Ames, IA. Riday, Heathcliffe, E. C. Brummer, and K. J. Moore. 2002. Heterosis of forage quality in alfalfa. Crop Science 42:1088-1093. Rusk, R.E., M.H. Wiedenhoeft, M. Liebman. 2002. Nitrogen mineralization rates when legume green manures are amended with composted swine manure. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. Tarr, A. B., K. J. Moore, and P. M. Dixon. 2002. Geostatistical Relationships Among Spectral Imagery, Species Composition and Productivity in a Grass-Legume Pasture. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. Tian, X., A.D. Knapp, K.J. Moore, E.C. Brummer, and T.B. Bailey. 2002. Cupule removal and caryopsis scarification improves germination of Eastern Gamagrass seed. Crop Science 42:185-189. Tian, X., A.D. Knapp, L.R. Gibson, K.J. Moore, E.C. Brummer, and T.B. Bailey. 2002. Response of eastern gamagrass seed to gibberellic acid buffered below its pKa. Crop Sci. In press. Vogel, K. P., A. A. Hopkins, K. J. Moore, K. D. Johnson, and I. T. Carlson. 2002. Winter survival in switchgrass populations bred for high IVDMD. Crop Science 42:1857-1862. White, T. A., D. J. Barker, and K. J. Moore. 2002. The importance of local scale processes to landscape scale patterns of grassland vegetation diversity. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, Madison, WI. White, T. A., K. J. Moore, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, and J. R. Russell. 2002. Sequentially grazing cool and warm-season pastures to increase cattle weight gain in Iowa. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 269-273. Graduate student thesis/disertations: Aberle, Ezra. 2002. Determination of optimum planting procedures for eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) in a northern climate. 2002. M.S. Thesis. Guretsky, John. 2002. Distribution of legumes and plant diversity in pastures that vary in landscape position and grazing management. Lemke, Bryce. 2002. Improving harvestable seed yield of eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) with nitrogen and defoliation management. 2002. M.S. Thesis. Rogis, Carla. 2002. Methods for enhancing seed germination of eastern gamagrass. 2002. M.S. Thesis. Tarr, Alison. 2002. Geostatistical use of indirect methods of improving sampling accurancy in pastures. Janovick, Nicole A. 2002. Evaluation of year-round grazing systems for fall- and spring-calving cows. M.S. Thesis. Hermann, Mary L. 2002. Evaluation of hay-type and grazing tolerant alfalfa cultivars in season-long and complementary rotational stocking systems for beef cows. M.S. Thesis. Kansas: Lomas, L.W., J.L. Moyer, F.K. Brazle, G.L. Kilgore, and G.A. Milliken. 2003. Effect of interseeding lespedeza versus additional nitrogen fertilization in a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system on forage production and cattle performance. J. Anim. Sci. 81 (Suppl. 1) 77-78 (Abstr.). Lomas, L.W., J.L. Moyer, F.K. Brazle and G.L. Kilgore. 2003. Interseeding lespedeza into crabgrass pasture versus additional nitrogen fertilization of forage production and cattle performance. IN: 2003 Cattlemens Day Report. Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Rep. of Progress 908, pp. 121-129. Lomas, Lyle W., Joseph L. Moyer, Frank K. Brazle and Gary L. Kilgore. 2003. Interseeding lespedeza into crabgrass pastures versus additional nitrogen fertilization on forage production and cattle performance. IN: 2003 Agricultural Research. Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Rep. of Progress 909, pp. 1-4. Missouri: Kallenbach, R.L., G.J. Bishop-Hurley, M.D. Massie, G.E. Rottinghaus, and C.P. West. 2003. Herbage mass, nutritive value, and ergovaline concentration of stockpiled tall fescue. Crop Sci. 43:1001-1005 Kallenbach, R.L., G.J. Bishop-Hurley, M.D. Massie, M.S. Kerley, and C.A. Roberts. 2003. Stockpiled annual ryegrass for winter forage in the lower Midwestern USA. Crop Sci. In Press Roberts, C.A., R.L. Kallenbach, and N.S. Hill. 2002. Harvest and storage method affects ergot alkaloid concentration in tall fescue. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2002-0917-01-BR Nebraska: Creighton, K.W., C.B. Wilson, T.J. Klopfenstein, and D.C. Adams. 2003. Undegraded intake protein supplementation of compensating spring-born steers and summer-born steers during summer grazing. J. Anim. Sci. 81:791-799. (J. Ser. No. 13585) Jordan, D.J., T.J. Klopfenstein, and D.C. Adams. 2002. Dried poultry waste for cows grazing low-quality winter forage. J. Anim. Sci. 80:818-824. Patterson, H.H., T.J. Klopfenstein, D.C. Adams, and J.A. Musgrave. 2003. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements of primiparous beef heifers I: Performance, forage intake, and nutrient balance. J. Anim. Sci. 81. (J. Ser. No. 13340). Patterson, H.H., D.C. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, R.T. Clark, and B. Teichert. 2003. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements of primiparous beef heifers II: Pregnancy and economics. J. Anim. Sci. 81. (J. Ser. No. 13349). Adams, D.C., and H..H. Patterson. 2003. Use of NRC Model to predict forage and/or energy intake and animal performance. p. 9-10 in Abstracts Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwest Sec. Abstr. 37, Des Moines, IA. Anderson, R.V., R. Rasby, T. Klopfenstein, and C. Macken. 2002. An evaluation of production efficiency in a cow/calf system designed to add value. Jour. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl 2):110. Creighton, K.W., J.A. Johnson-Musgrave, D.C. Adams, R.E. Sandberg, and J.A. Gosey. 2002. Effects of cow-calf separation on milk production and performance. Proc., Soc. Range Manage. 55th Annual Meeting. P. 20. (Abstr.). Anderson, Rosemary, Rick Rasby, Terry Klopfenstein, and Casey Macken. 2002. Evaluation of cow and calf performance and profit potential in beef systems. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 80-A. P. 3-5. Loy, Tim, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, Dillon Feuz, Jacki Musgrave, and Burke Teichert. 2002. Comparison of two heifer development systems on a commercial Nebraska ranch. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 80-A. P. 5-7. Loy, Tim, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen Erickson, and Casey Macken. 2002. Value of dry distillers grains in high-forage diets and effect of supplementation frequency. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 80-A. P. 8-10. Lamothe, Mariela, Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Jacki Musgrave, and Galen Erickson. 2002. Microbial protein production in gestating cows supplemented with different sources of rumen degradable protein grazing dormant range. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 80-A. P. 10-12. Lamothe, Mariela, Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Jacki Musgrave, and Galen Erickson. 2002. Microbial protein synthesis and efficiency in nursing calves. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MP 80-A. P. 13-15. Clark, Dick, Walter Schacht, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, and Wendy Miller. 2002. Making extended grazing work in Nebraska. Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State Univ. IBC-22, Nov. Anderson, R.V., R.J. Rasby, T.J. Klopfenstein, and C.N. Macken. 2002. An evaluation of production efficiency in a cow/calf system designed to add value. Proceedings, Western Section, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53:190. Anderson, B.E., M.A. Trammell, and T.J. Klopfenstein. 2002. Hybrid and protein supplement affect gains of cattle grazing mature corn. Pp. 217-221. In: Kim Cassida (ed.). Proc. 2002 Amer. Forage and Grassl. Conf. Bloomington, MN. Anderson, B.E. and J.D. Volesky. 2002. Seeding Alfalfa. NebGuide G02-1456-A. Awada, T., L.E. Moser, W.H. Schact, and P.E. Reece. 2002. Stomatal variability of native warm-season grasses from the Nebraska Sandhills. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82:349-355. Awada, R. M.E.L. Perry, and W.H. Schacht. 2003. Photosynthetic and growth responses of the C3 Bromus inermis and the C4 Andropogon gerardii to tree canopy cover. Can. J. Plant Sci. In press. Baenziger, P.S. and K.P. Vogel. 2003. Registration of >NE422T=Winter Triticale. Crop Sci. 43:434-435. Burboa-Cabrera, F.R., W.H. Schacht, and B.E. Anderson. 2003. Utilization and grazing distribution of cattle at four stocking densities. J. Range Manage. In press. Casler, M.D., D.R. Buxton, and K.P. Vogel. 2002. Genetic modifications of lignin concentration affects fitness of perennial herbaceous plants. Theor. Appl. Genet. 104:127-131. Master, R., K.D. Grams, R.N. Klein, and K.L. Carlson. 2002. A research plot application system. Weed Tech. 16:243:252. Moser, L.E. and C.J. Nelson. 2003. Structure and morphology of grasses. pp. 25-50. In: R.F. Barnes, C.J. Nelson, M. Collins, and K.J. Moore (ed.) Forages. Iowa State Univ. Press. Mousel, E.M., W.H. Schacht, and L.E. Moser. 20003. Summer grazing strategies following early-season grazing of big bluestem. Agron. J. In press. Reece, P.R., J.S. Nixon, L.E. Moser, and S.S. Waller. 2002. Seasonal dynamics of prairie sandreed rhizome development. J. Range Manage. 55:182-187. Reece, P.R., W.H. Schacht, and A.E. Kohler. 2003. Stiff sunflower population dynamics on summer-grazed Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Manage. In press. Vogel, K.P. 2002. The Challenge: High quality seed of native plants to ensure establishment. Seed Tech. 24:9-15. Vogel, K.P, J.J. Brejda, D.T. Walters, and D.R. Buxton. 2002. Switchgrass Biomass Production in the Midwest USA: Harvest and Nitrogen Management. Agron. J. 94:413-420. Vogel, K.P., A.A. Hopkins, K.J. Moore, K.D. Johnson, and I.T. Carlson. 2002. Winter survival in switchgrass populations bred for high IVDMD. Crop Sci. 42:1857-1862. Volesky, J., D. Adams, and R.T. Clark. 2002. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for wintering calves. J. Range Manage. 55:23-32 (J. Series No. 13151). Volesky, J., D. Adams, and R. Clark. 2002. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for winter calves. P. 17-19 In: 2002 Beef Cattle Report, MP 79-! IANR, UNL. Volesky, J.D., P.E. Reece, and J.S. Wilson. 2002. Management after wildfire in central and western Nebraska. University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC02-160-S MS Theses and PhD Dissertations: Anderson, Rosemary V. 2002. An evaluation of cow/calf management strategies to improve economic efficiency. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Iwig, N.M. 2003. Forage yield, quality, and utilization of a smooth bromegrass and birdsfoot trefoil pasture mixture. M.S. Thesis. Morris, J.W. 2002. Water-stress and defoliation effects on two warm-season grasses in the Nebraska sandhills. M.S. Thesis. Terrell, B.L. 2002. Rumen protein degradation and nitrogen fractions in legume leaves and stems. M.S. Thesis. North Dakota: Carr, P.M., W.W. Poland, and L.J. Tisor. 2003. Reseeding potential of forage legumes in the Great Plains. [CD ROM computer file]. ASA, Madison, WI. Oe, D. M., G.P. Lardy, W.W. Poland, and P. Carr. 2003. Effects of advancing season on nutrient quality of alfalfa and black medic in southwestern North Dakota. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 2):xxx. Carr, P.M., and W.W. Poland. Improving profitability and resource efficiency of conventional and alternative crops with legume pasture in western North Dakota. p. 470-471. In K.A. Ringwall (ed.) 2002 Annual Report, North Dakota State Univ., Dickinson Res. Ext. Ctr., Dickinson, ND. Poland, W., P. Carr, J. Nelson, K. Sedivec, P. Nyren, L. Manske, and W. Miller. 2002. Making extended grazing work in North Dakota. IBC-21. Nov. Ohio: Zartman, D.L. and Wendy Miller. 2002. Making extended grazing work in Ohio. Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State Univ. IBC-20, Nov. Theses/Dissertations: Gruber, R.D. 2002. The effect of weathering on nutrient composition and yield of corn hybrids. M.S. Thesis.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 09/16/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/17/2004 - 06/18/2004
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/1999 - 09/01/2004

Participants

Members in Attendance: Jim Russell and Dan Morrical, Dept. of Animal Science, Iowa State Univ; Gary Cromwell, Dept of Animal Sciences, Univ. of Kentucky; Pam Murray and Martin Massengale, Center for Grassland Studies, Univ. of Nebraska; Lowell E. Moser, Bruce Anderson and Walt Schacht, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, Univ. of Nebraska; Terry Klopfenstein and Rick Rasby, Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of Nebraska; Darrell Nelson, Ag. Research Div, Univ. of Nebraska; Ken Moore, Charles Brummer, Mary Wiedenhoeft, and Steve Barnhart, Dept. of Agronomy, Iowa State Univ; David Zartman, Dept. of Animal Sciences, Ohio State Univ; Walt Fick, Dept. of Agronomy, Kansas State Univ; Lyle Lomas and Joe Moyer - SE Research Center, Kansas State Univ.

Guests: Dr. Maynard Hogberg, Chair, Dept. of Animal Science, Iowa State Univ; Allen Trenkle, Jeff Lorimar, and Ronda Driskill, Dept. of Animal Science, Iowa State Univ; Jeri Neal, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

(For full reports by state, see NC-225 website). 1) In IA, a 3-yr study using a year-round grazing system reduced stored feed needs by 76% compared to a conventional system while maintaining calf production per cow. Bred heifers that grazed stockpiled forages supplemented with corn gluten feed in 2 yrs of low snowfall gained more with 50-100% less supplement and 3175 kg less hay than heifers in drylot. In an above-average-snowfall winter, second-calf cows grazing stockpiled forage required 7 to 147 kg more corn gluten but 3175 kg less hay than cows in drylot. In trials comparing forage intake with NDF and iNDF, low correlations were obtained. In eastern NE, March calves were weaned at three ages, and breakeven costs for finished steers favored normal and late-weaned over early-weaned calves. June-born calves averaged 32 kg less than March-born calves yielding net returns of $70/calf higher than March-born calves sold in October. A conventional (CON) cow-calf system where calves were sent directly to feedlot for finishing was compared to a value-added (VA) system, where steers were wintered, pastured, then finished in late December. Feed efficiency was higher, ADG lower and carcasses lighter for CON compared to VA steers. The VA system had greater profit compared to CON, but steaks from CON had lower shear force values, higher sensory ratings than VA steaks. Two long-term steer systems were tested 2 yrs. Steers wintered in a normal system with corn residue grazing, drylot hay and wet corn gluten were compared to intensively managed steers given 2.7 kg/day of wet corn gluten, implanted for each phase, and placed in the feedlot July 1. Intensive management produced greater profits after wintering or grazing, but differences disappeared after feeding if marketed on a live or carcass basis. Normal steers sold on a grid basis paid more due to carcass quality. In western NE, spring calves were weaned in August or November with (P) and without supplemental protein (NP) for cows on winter range. Pregnancy rates were similar for all four treatments. Weaning rates were 91.5% for both weaning dates, but were higher for NP than P cows. Weaning weights were less for calves from NP than P cows. At weaning, net revenue was greatest for August-weaning NP cows and lowest for August-weaning P cows. For finished calves, net revenue was highest from November-weaning P cows and lowest from August-weaning P cows. Yearling heifers had a higher pregnancy rate when supplemented to meet metabolizable protein (MP) requirements compared to meeting crude protein (CP) requirements. Improvement in 2-yr-old pregnancy rate increased bred heifers value in the MP treatment $13.64 over heifers receiving CP. A 2-yr experiment in a March calving system evaluated the effect of P in the last trimester of gestation and of grazing sub-irrigated meadow during the postpartum interval (PPI) on pregnancy rates and calf growth. P increased body conditions but did not affect pregnancy rates. Grazing sub-irrigated meadow during PPI increased pre-breeding body condition, resulting in a tendency for increased pregnancy rates. Weaning weights of calves from P cows were greater at weaning and tended toward heavier carcass weights. From partial budget analysis, both P and grazing sub-irrigated meadow were profitable. Impacts of summer grazing date and fall stocking rate on Sandhills upland vegetation were: (1) herbage did not disappear in proportion to fall stocking rate, but individual intake declined between 1 and 2 AUM/ha; 2) herbage disappearance did not differ between 2 and 3 AUM/ha; and 3) subsequent season yields of cool-season graminoids declined as fall stocking rates increased. Big bluestem cumulative herbage allowance was not affected by mid-May grazing, but cumulative herbage disappearance and leaf:stem ratio were increased. Systems of feeding weaned calves baled hay or hay from windrows resulted in $0.18/head less feed cost for the latter. Windrow feeding calves netted about $123/ha more than bale feeding, and $212/ha more than selling hay. 2) In IA, MO, and KS, stockpiled forage quality of 16 perennial forages were evaluated: five legumes, six cool-season grasses, and four warm-season grasses were established in 2002 and harvested in 2003-2004. Dry matter yield was determined, and samples are being assayed for nutritive value. In IA, pregnant beef cows that grazed residues from three Bt corn hybrids and one non-Bt hybrid required 74% less hay to maintain condition than cows in drylot, with no differences between hybrids in hay requirement per cow or stalk composition. Grazing corn residues in October and November increased soil penetration resistance only to 10 cm. There was no effect on subsequent soybean population, but yield of no-till plots grazed in November was reduced in one of three years. A 3-yr grazing study conducted near Mead, NE showed that etiolated tiller growth and root mass were reduced most by grazing during stem elongation in late June. An 8-yr study used four combinations of grazing period/recovery period lengths with two to 12 paddocks on seeded, warm-season grass pasture to measure effects on basal cover and species composition. Basal cover of the five seeded species declined from 17% to 7.4% while that of bromegrasses increased. A 3-yr study evaluated stocking rate and grazing frequency on herbage dynamics, disappearance, and composition of a cool-season wet meadow as measured on two key species. Three stocking rates were combined with grazing frequencies of 3 or 5 times. Cumulative disappearance and height reduction were proportional to stocking rate, affecting more variables than grazing frequency. In OH, intact corn was stockpiled for winter grazing 2 years. Quality was sufficient for non-lactating cows at a cost of $0.76/day. After removal of no-till corn silage, ryegrass was broadcast-seeded or rye or triticale was drilled., Dairy heifers grazed with limited supplement from 22 Nov until 10 Jan. Ryegrass was grazed again for 15 days in April, and hay was fed only during two days of ice storms. Renovation of high-endophyte tall fescue/white clover pasture with improved cultivars was performed after severe spring trampling. Data will be collected 2 yrs. A 3-yr ND study compared spring forage of oat, barley, emmer, spelt, rye, and triticale cultivars under high N. Barley forage contained more crude protein (CP) than other species, but CP yield (DM x CP) was no different. In two ND growing seasons, spring-seeded barley, oat, and triticale alone and with winter cereals produced an average 0.5 Mg DM/ha additional forage when intercropped with winter rye. In KS, available forage and steer gains during the crabgrass phase of a wheat-crabgrass rotation were similar between pastures fertilized with summer N and those interseeded with lespedeza in 3 yrs of spring-seeded crabgrass and 2 yrs of self-reseeding. 3) Persistence of 11 legumes interseeded at different landscape positions in smooth bromegrass-reed canarygrass pastures were compared under different grazing managements. Legumes were most persistent on hill backslopes, related to both landscape position and soil electroconductivity. Legume persistence was primarily due to seedling survival and was reduced by grass competition from N fertilization. Of three legumes seeded in smooth bromegrass pastures, kura clover alone persisted, resulting in greater quantities and nutritive value of forage and greater weight gains in grazing steers. Interseeding several different legumes into warm-season grass pastures resulted in reduced persistence of the warm-season grass. While persistence of alfalfa seeded with smooth bromegrass was greater in a complementary system of hay harvest plus mid-summer grazing than full-season grazing, there was no difference in persistence between a grazing-tolerant and hay-type alfalfa. Calf gains from cows grazing alfalfa-smooth bromegrass pastures in a full-season or complementary grazing system were 18 and 11% greater than from smooth bromegrass for a full season. Grazing a warm-season grass mixture that was unfertilized, fertilized with 55 kg N/ha, interseeded with birdsfoot trefoil, or with several legumes resulted in steer gains of .39, .67, .65, and .48 kg/d, respectively. Similar pastures interseeded with single-species strips of 26 legumes in spring, 2001 had acceptable stands in 2002 of red clover, alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and hairy vetch, and occasionally of yellow sweetclover and black medic. One study indicated that soil P and soil-borne pests are critical in success of interseeded alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil in smooth bromegrass pasture. Two studies were initiated in 2003 to determine soil N and C of different grass/legume mixtures and Sandhills subirrigated meadows dominated by either cool-season or warm-season grasses. Pasture research is ongoing to determine the distribution of forage dry matter and nutrient removal through the growing season on various mixtures of smooth bromegrass and legumes. A 4-yr western ND study identified forage legumes that could reseed. Of 30 and 29 species seeded in separate experiments, balansa clover, birdsfoot trefoil, black medic, crimson clover, Persian clover, and red clover had more than 200 seedlings/sq. m the next year. Alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil seeded in a 3-yr legume-legume-wheat rotation resulted in similar pasture gains. Meadow and smooth bromegrass, crested and intermediate wheatgrass, and Russian wildrye were seeded alone and with rhizomatous birdsfoot trefoil (RBFT), conventional birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, and black medic. Black medic and RBFT seedings failed the first year and RBFT stands failed a second, so RBFT seemed poorly adapted to ND. In KS, grazed or clipped plots of ARS-2620 RBFT, two standard trefoil cultivars, 10 white clovers, four red clovers, four kura clovers, one subclover and >Alfagraze= alfalfa were seeded into a stand of endophyte-infected tall fescue. Stands have been evaluated 2 yrs, and grazing or clipping has occurred one yr. 4) To facilitate technology transfer of beef cow-calf production through extending the grazing season, conferences titled Integrating Forage & Cattle Resources were held in Bismarck, ND; Chadron, NE; Moline IL; and St. Joseph, MO in late fall of 2002. This series resulted from collaboration of this NC-225 project, Northern Integrated Resource Management group in beef cattle extension, and National Cattlemens Beef Association. Members of the NC-225 project participated as speakers and authors of posters and the Making Extended Grazing Work in & publication for Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. The total audience of 495 beef cattle producers, extension specialists, and NRCS personnel at the four locations came from at least 10 states in the North Central Region. The KansasGrazer software is being demonstrated at grazing schools and conferences.

Publications

Adams, D. C., and H. H. Patterson. 2003. Use of NRC Model to predict forage and/or energy intake and animal performance. p 9-10 in Abstracts Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwest Sec. Abstr. 37, Des Moines, IA. Adams, D. C., M. K. Nielsen, W. H. Schacht, and R. T. Clark. 2000. Designing and conducting experiments for range beef cows. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci., 1999. Available at: http://www.asas.org/jas/journal.asp?id=2069&name=University/pct/20of/pct/20Nebraska&society=asas&month=0&year=0 Adams, D. C., and R. T. Clark. 2000. Managing forage resources and extending grazing for efficient beef production. In: Proc. Utah Beef Cattle Field Day, Managing Forage Resources for Efficient Beef Production, Utah Cattlemen's Association, Brigham Young University and Utah State University. February 8, 2000. Provo, UT: 1-11. Adams, Don, Dick Clark, Russ Sandberg, Gordon Carriker, Terry Klopfenstein, and Todd Milton. 2001. June versus March calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Production traits. In: 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:8-9. Anderson, Bruce, M. A. Trammell, and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2001. Hybrid and protein supplement affect gains of cattle grazing mature corn. In: Agronomy Abstracts (CD-ROM computer file). ASA, Madison, WI. Anderson, R., R. Rasby, T. Klopfenstein, C. Macken. 2002. An evaluation of production efficiency in a cow/calf system designed to add value. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 2):110. Anderson, R. V. 2002. An evaluation of cow-calf management strategies to improve economic efficiency. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Anderson, R. V., R. J. Rasby, T. J. Klopfenstein, C. N. Macken. 2002. Evaluation of cow and calf performance and profit potential in beef systems. Proc. Western Section, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53:190. Anderson, Rosemary, Rick Rasby, Terry Klopfenstein, and Casey Macken. 2002. Evaluation of cow and calf performance and profit potential in beef systems. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div. Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, MP 80-A:3-5. Awada, T., L. E. Moser, W. H. Schacht, and P. E. Reece. 2002. Stomatal variability of native warm-season grasses from the Nebraska Sandhills. Can. J. Plant Sci. 82:349-355. Awada, T., M.E.L. Perry, and W. H. Schacht. 2003. Ecophysiological responses of a C3 grass and a C4 grass to tree canopy cover. Can. J. Plant Sci. 83:533-540. Awanda, T., M.E.L. Perry, and W. H. Schacht. 2003. Photosynthetic and growth responses of the C3 Bromus inermis and the C4 Andropogon gerardii to tree canopy cover. Can. J. Plant Sci. 83:533-540. Burboa-Cabrera, F. R., W. H. Schacht, and B. E. Anderson. 2003. Utilization and grazing distribution of cattle at four stocking densities. J. Range Mange. 56:328-333. Carriker, Gordon, Dick Clark, Don Adams, and Russ Sandberg. 2001. June versus March calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Economic comparisons. In: 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:10-12. Carriker, Gordon, Dick Clark, Don Adams, and Russ Sandberg. 2001. June versus March calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Economic risk analysis. In: 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:12-14. Ciminski, Lane Alan. 2002. Fall weaning date and winter protein supplementation effects on cow/calf production. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln. Ciminski, L. A., D. C. Adams. T. J. Klopfenstein, and R. T. Clark. 2002. Effects of weaning date and protein supplementation on cow/calf productivity. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwestern Section. Abstr. 263:65. Ciminski, L. A., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, and R. T. Clark. 2002. Weaning date for spring calving cows grazing Sandhills range. Proc. Soc. Range Mange. 55th Annual Meeting. Abstr.:21. Clark, Dick, Walter Schacht, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, and Wendy Miller. 2002. Making extended grazing work in Nebraska. Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State Univ. IBC-22, Nov. Anderson, R. V., R. J. Rasby, T. J. Klopfenstein, and C. N. Macken. 2002. An evaluation of production efficiency in a cow/calf system designed to add value. Proceedings, Western Section, Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53:190. Creighton, K. W., C. B. Wilson, T. J. Klopfenstein, and D. C. Adams. 2003. Undegraded intake protein supplementation of compensating spring-born steers and summer-born steers during summer grazing. J. Anim. Sci 81:791-799. Creighton, K. W., J. A. Johnson-Musgrave, D. C. Adams, R. E. Sandberg, J. A. Gosey. 2002. Effects of cow-calf separation on milk production and performance. Proc. Soc. Range Manage. 55th Annual Meeting. Abstr.:20. Herron, Amy E. 2000. Vegetation response to summer by fall grazing interaction effects in the Sandhills. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy, UNL. Hoegenmeyer, Christian A. 2001. Economic optimization of cattle production with late season calving. M. S. Thesis, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, UNL. Hopkin, Amelia M. 2001. Cow-calf-yearling beef production systems in the Nebraska Sandhills. M.S. Thesis. Dept. of Animal Science, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln. Hopkin, A. M., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, and R. T. Clark. 2001. Undegradable intake protein supplementation of March- and June-born steers previously wintered at two rates of gain. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwest Section March 19-21, 2001. Des Moines, IA:83 (abstr. 334). Hopkin, Amelia, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, Todd Milton, and Dick Clark. 2001. Protein supplements and performance of cows and calves in June-calving production systems. In:2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:14-16. Iwig, N.M. 2003. Forage yield, quality and utilization of a smooth bromegrass and birdsfoot trefoil pasture mixture. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln. Jordan, D. J., T. J. Klopfenstein, and D, C. Adams. 2002. Dried poultry waste for cows grazing low-quality winter forage. J. Anim. Sci. 80:818-824. Jordan, D. J., T. J. Klopfenstein, D. C. Adams, C. T. Milton, R. J. Cooper, D. Downs, and G. E. Erickson. 2001. Effect of winter gain on summer forage intake, summer gain, and finishing performance. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwestern Section March 19-21, 2001. Des Moines, IA:83 (Abstr. 331). Jordan, D. J., T. J. Klopfenstein, C. T. Milton, R. J. Cooper, T. L. Scott, G. E. Erickson and R. T. Clark. 2001. Economic analysis of calf-versus yearling-finishing. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwest Section March 19-21. Des Moines, IA:23 (Abstr.94). Jordan, Douglas J. 2000. Performance and slaughter break-even analysis of calf and yearling systems and compensatory growth. Ph.D. Dissertation, Dept. of Animal Science, UL. Lamb, J. B., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. J. Grant, P. L. Sims, L. M. White, and S. S. Walker. 2002. Intake and digestive kinetics of leaf and stem fractions. J. Range Mange. 55:57-64. Lamothe, M. J. 2002. Estimation of microbial and rumen undegradable protein supply in grazing cattle. M. S. Thesis. Univ. Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Lamothe, M. J., T. Klopfenstein, D. Adams, J. Musgrave, and G. Erickson. 2002. Urinary allantoin as estimate of microbial protein synthesis. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwestern Section P.60: Abstr. 202. Lamothe, Mariela, Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Jacki Musgrave, and Galen Erickson. 2002. Microbial protein production in gestating cows supplemented with different sources of rumen degrdable protein grazing dormant range. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 80-A:10-12. Lamothe, Mariela, Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Jacki Musgrave, and Galen Erickson. 2002. Microbial protein synthesis and efficiency in nursing calves. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 80-A:13-15. Lardy, Gregory, Don C. Adams, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Richard T. Clark and June Emerson. 2001. Escape protein and weaning effects for calves grazing meadow regrowth. J. Range Manage. 54:233-238. Loy, Tim, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, Dillon Feuz, Jacki Musgrave, and Burke Teichert. 2002. Comparison of two heifer development systems on a commercial Nebraska ranch. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 80-A:5-7. Loy, Tim, Terry Klopfenstein, Galen Erickson, and Casey Macken. 2002. Value of dry distillers grains in high-forage diets and effect of supplementation frequency. In: 2003 Beef Cattle Report, Ag. Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 80-A:8-10. Morris, J. W. 2003. Water-stress and defoliation effects on two warm-season grasses in the Nebraska Sandhills. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Mousel, E. M., W. H. Schacht, and L. E. Moser. 2003. Summer grazing strategies following early-season grazing of big bluestem. Agron. J. 95:1240-1245. Mousel, Eric M. 2001. Summer grazing strategies following early-season grazing of big bluestem. M. S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy, UNL. Mousel, Eric M., Walter H. Schacht, Lowell E. Moser, and Alexander J. Smart. 2001. Summer grazing strategies following early-season grazing big bluestem. In: Society for Range Management Abstracts (CD-ROM computer file).SRM , Kailua-Kona, HA. Patterson, H. H., A. M. Hopkin, D. C. Adams, and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2001. Supplementation of lactating two- -year-old cows consuming meadow hay to meet emtabolizable protein requirements versus degrdable intake protein requirements. Proc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. Midwestern Section March 19-21, 2001. Des Moines, IA:83 (Abstr. 336). Patterson, H. H., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, R. T. Clark, and B. Teichert. 2003. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements of primiparous beef heifers II: Pregnancy and economics. J. Anim. Sci. 81:563-570. Patterson, H. H.. T. J. Klopfenstein, D. C. Adams, and J. A. Musgrave. 2003. Supplementation to meet metabolizable protein requirements of primiparous beef heifers I: Performance, forage intake, and nutrient balance. J. Anim. Sci. 81:800-811. Patterson, Hubert H. III. 2000 Protein supplementation to pregnant heifers and grazing management effects on cow diet quality, Ph.D. Dissertation, Dept. Animal Science, UNL. Patterson, Trey, Don Adams, and Terry Klopfenstein. 2001. Forage intake and nutrient balance of heifers grazing Sandhills winter range. In: 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:19-22. Patterson, Trey, Don Adams, Terry Klopfenstein, Richard Clark, and Burke Teichert. 2001. Performance and economics of winter supplementing pregnant heifers based on the metabolizable protein system. In: 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:16-19. Patterson, Trey, Terry Klopfenstein, Don Adams, Walter Schacht, Patrick Reece, Jacki Musgrave, and Amy Herron. 2001. Summer grazing and fall grazing pressure effects on protein content and digestibility of fall range diets. In 2001 Beef Cattle Report, Ag Research Div., Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 76-A:23-25. Rasby, R., C. Story, D. Clark, T. Milton, and M. Dragastin. 2000. Age of calf at weaning of spring-calving beef cows and the effect on production economics. In: 2000 Nebraska Beef Report. ARD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 73-A:3-6. Reece, P. E., J. D. Volesky, and W. H. Schacht. 2001. Cover for wildlife after summer grazing on Sandhills rangeland. J. Range Mange. 54:126-131. Reece, P. E., J. D. Volesky, and W. H. Schacht. 2001. Integrating management objectives and grazing strategies on semi-arid rangeland. Cooperative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, EC01-158. Richardson, Devon M. 2000. Vegetation response to stocking rate and grazing frequency on sandhills meadows. M. S. Thesis, Dept. of Agronomy, UNL. Sandberg, R. E., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, and R. J. Grant. 2000. N-alkane as an internal marker for predicting digestibility of forages. J. Range Manage. 53:159-163. Sprott, L. R., G. E. Selk, and D. C. Adams. 2001. Review: Factors affecting decisions on when to calve beef females. The Professional Animal Scientist 17:238-246. Story, C. E. 1998. Effects of calf at weaning on spring calving cow and calf performance and production economics. M.S. Thesis. University of Nebraska. Story, C. E., R. Rasby, D. Brink, and R. Stock. 1998. Age of calves at weaning effects cow and calf performance and carcass characteristics at slaughter. J. Anim. Sci. 76(Suppl. 1):231. Story, C. E., R. J. Rasby, R. T. Clark, and C. T. Milton. 2000. Age of calf at weaning of spring-calving beef cows and the effect on cow and calf performance and production economics. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1403-1413. Story, C., R. Rasby, T. Milton, and M. Dragastin. 1999. Effects of time of weaning on cow and calf performance. In: 1999 Nebraska Beef Report. ARD, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, MP 71-A:3-4. Smart, A. J., K. P. Vogel, L. E. Moser, and W. W. Stroup. 2003. Divergent selection for seedling tiller number in big bluestem and switchgrass. Crop Sci. 43:1427-1433. Smart, A. J., L. E. Moser, and K. P. Vogel. 2003. Establishment and seedling growth of big bluestem and switchgrass populations divergently selected for seedling tiller number. Crop. Sci. 43:1434-1440. Smart, A. J., L. E. Moser, and K. P. Vogel. 2004. Morphological characteristics of big bluestem and switchgrass plants divergently selected for seedling tiller number. Crop Sci. 44:607-613. Smart, A. J., W. H. Schacht, L. E. Moser, and J. D. Volseky. 2003. Prediction of leaf/stem ratio using NIRS: a technical note. Agron. J. (in press). Tuna, Metin, Kenneth P. Vogel, Kulvindar S. Gill, and K. Arumuganathan. 2004. Cytogenetic characterization of smooth bromegrass genomes. Crop. Sci. 44:31-37. Volesky, J. D., D. C. Adams, and R. T. Clark. 2002. Windrow grazing and baled-hay feeding strategies for wintering calves. J. Range Mange. 55:23-22l Volesky, J. D., W. H. Schacht, and D. M. Richardson. 2004. Stocking rate and grazing frequency effects on Sandhills meadows. J. Range Mange. (in press). Volesky, J. D., and R. T. Clark, 2003. Use of irrigated pastures and economics of establishment and grazing. p. 83-100. In: Proc. The Range Beef Cow Symposium IVIII. Dec. 9, 10 and 11, 2003. Mitchell, NE. Volesky, J. D., B. E. Anderson, and J. T. Nichols. 2003. Perennial forages for irrigated pasture. NebGuide G03-1502-A. Wilson, Casey, 2000. Undegradeable intake protein supplementation to growing cattle. M. S. Thesis, Dept. of Animal Science, UL. Hermann, M.L. 2000. Evaluation of hay-type and grazing tolerant alfalfa cultivars in season-long and complementary rotational stocking systems for beef cows. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University Brummer, E. Charles and Kenneth J. Moore. 2000. Persistence of perennial cool season grass and legume cultivars under continuous grazing by beef cattle. Agronomy Journal 92:466 471. Sleugh, B. B., K. J. Moore, E. C. Brummer, A. D. Knapp, J. Russell, and L. Gibson. 2000. Forage potential of various amaranth species. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 76 80. Sleugh, B. B., K. J. Moore, J. R. George, and E. C. Brummer. 2000. Binary legume grass mixtures improve forage yield, quality, and seasonal distribution. Agronomy Journal 92:24 29. Darmosarkoro, W., M. M. Harbur, D. R. Buxton, K. J. Moore, T. E. Devine, and I. C. Anderson. 2001. Growth, development, and yield of soybean lines developed for forage. Agronomy Journal 93:1028 1034. Harmoney, K. R., K. J. Moore, E. C. Brummer, C. L. Burras., and J. R. George. 2001. Spatial legume composition and diversity across seeded landscapes. Agronomy Journal 93:992 1000. Mitchell, Rob, John Fritz, Ken Moore, Lowell Moser, Ken Vogel, Daren Redfearn, and David Wester. 2001. Predicting forage quality in switchgrass and big bluestem. Agronomy Journal 93:118 124. Moore, K. J., and D. J. Barker. 2001. Determining pasture biodiversity with NIRS. Proc. XIX International Grassland Congr., p. 907. Moore, Kenneth J. and Hans Joachim G. Jung. 2001. Lignin and fiber digestion. Journal of Range Management 54:420 430. Sleugh, Byron. B., Kenneth J. Moore, E. Charles Brummer, Allen D. Knapp, James Russell, and Lance Gibson. 2001. Forage nutritive value of various Amaranth species at different harvest dates. Crop Science 41:466 472. Barnhart, S.K., J.R. Russell, M.J. Hersom, and D.R. Farnham. 2001. Transgenic maize hybrid crop residues: nutritive value and their effects on performance of grazing beef cows. Pp. 729-735. Proc. of the XIX International Grassland Congress, San Paulo, Brazil. Barker, D. J., K. J. Moore, and J. A. Guretzky. 2002. Spatial variation in species richness under contrasting topologies and grazing regimes. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 222 225. Braden, I. S., K. J. Moore, R. L. Hintz, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, and M. P. Hoffman. 2002. Composition and spatial distribution of legume mixtures within warm season grass pastures. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 276 280. Brummer, E. Charles, Kenneth J. Moore, and N. Charles Bjork. 2002. Agronomic consequences of dormant nondormant alfalfa mixtures. Crop Science 94:782 785. Guretzky, J. A. , K. J. Moore, E. C. Brummer, and M. H. Wiedenhoeft. 2002. Multi scale sampling of plant diversity in pastures varying in grazing management. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 80 84. Hoy, M. D., K. J. Moore, J. R. George, and E. C. Brummer. 2002. Alfalfa yield and quality as influenced by establishment method. Agronomy Journal 94:65 71. White, T. A., K. J. Moore, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, E. C. Brummer, and J. R. Russell. 2002. Sequentially grazing cool and warm season pastures to increase cattle weight gain in Iowa. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 269 273. Hermann, M.L., J.R. Russell, and S.K. Barnhart. 2002. Evaluation of hay-type and grazing tolerant alfalfa cultivars in season-long or complementary rotational stocking systems for beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 80:768-779. Haan, M., J. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2002. Effects of grazing management on sediment and phosphorus run-off. Proc. Amer. Forage Grassl. Council 11:292-296. Janovick, N.A. 2002. Evaluation of year-round grazing systems for fall- and spring-calving beef cows. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University. Russell, J.R. and W. Miller. 2002. Making Extended Grazing Work in Iowa. 4 pp. IBC-23. Iowa Beef Center. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Aberle, E.Z. L.R. Gibson, A.D. Knapp, P.M. Dixon, and K.J. Moore, E.C. Brummer, and Roger Hintz. 2003. Optimum planting procedures for eastern gamagrass. Agronomy Journal 95:1054 1062. Braden, I. S., K. J. Moore, J. M. Gertsma. 2003. Spatial relationships among legumes and grasses across landscapes in improved pastures. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Conf., p. 222 226. Brueland, B. A., K. R. Harmoney, K. J. Moore, J. R. George, and E. C. Brummer. 2003. Developmental morphology of smooth bromegrass growth following spring grazing. Crop Science 43:1789 1796. Singer, J. W. and K. J. Moore. 2003. Nitrogen removal by orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass and residual soil nitrate. Crop Science 43:1420 1426. Singer, J. W., R. L. Hintz, K. J. Moore, M. H. Wiedenhoeft, and E. C. Brummer. 2003. Tall fescue response to nitrogen and harvest date for stockpiled grazing in the upper midwest. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM 2003 0904 01 RS. Tarr, Alison B., Kenneth J. Moore, Philip M. Dixon, C. Lee Burras, Mary H. Wiedenhoeft. 2003. Use of soil electroconductivity in a multistage soil sampling scheme. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM 2003 10XX 01 RS. Blummel, M., A. Karsli, and J.R. Russell. 2003. Influence of diet on growth yields of rumen micro-organisms in vitro and in vivo: influence on growth yield of variable carbon fluxes to fermentation products. Brit. J. Nutr. 90:625-634. Bormann, K.J., W. Powers, and J.R. Russell. 2003. Effects of forage maturity on phosphorus digestion in beef cows. IN: Proceedings/Reports American Forage and Grassland Council. April 25-27, Lafayette, LA 12:258-262. May, G.L., J.R. Russell, N.A. Janovick, J.D. Lawrence, D.R. Strohbehn, and D.G. Morrical. 2003. An economic comparison of year-round vs conventional grazing systems in Iowa. IN: Proceedings/Reports American Forage and Grassland Council. April 25-27, Lafayette, LA 12:215-220. Clark, J.T., J.R. Russell, W.D. Busby, D.L. Karlen, D.L. Maxwell, and B. Peterson. 2003. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. IN: Proceedings/Reports American Forage and Grassland Council. April 25-27, Lafayette, LA 12:286. Clark, J.T. and J.R. Russell. 2003. Effects of stocking rate and energy supplementation on performance and feed intake of heifers grazing stockpiled forages. IN: IN: Proceedings/Reports American Forage and Grassland Council. April 25-27, Lafayette, LA 12:287. Haan, M.M., J.R. Russell, W. Powers, S. Mickelson, S.I. Ahmed, J. Kovar, and R. Schultz. 2003. Effects of grazing management on pasture production and phosphorus content of forage. IN: Proceedings/Reports American Forage and Grassland Council. April 25-27, Lafayette, LA 12:347-352. Clark, J.T. 2003. Evaluating efficacy and limitations of winter grazing systems for beef cattle on animal production and soil properties. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University. Guretzky, John A., Kenneth J. Moore, Allen D. Knapp, and E. Charles Brummer. 2004. Emergence and survival of legumes seeded into pastures varying in landscape position. Crop Science 44:227 233. Guretzky, John A., Kenneth J. Moore, C. Lee Burras, and E. Charles Brummer 2004. Distribution of legumes along gradients of slope and soil electrical conductivity (EC) in pastures. Agronomy Journal 96:547 555. McAndrews, G. M., Franke, K., Moore, K., and George, R. 2004. Forage yield and nutritive value of oat interseeded with berseem clover and sweetclover. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM 2004 0301 01 RS. Moore, K. J., T. A. White, R. L. Hintz, P. K. Patrick, and E. C. Brummer. 2004. Sequential grazing of cool and warm season pastures. Agronomy Journal 96:(In press). White, T. A., D. J. Barker, and K. J. Moore. 2004. Vegetation diversity, growth, quality and decomposition in managed grasslands. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 101:73 84. Janovick, N.A., J.R. Russell, D.R. Strohbehn, and D.G. Morrical. 2004. Productivity and hay requirements of beef cattle in a Midwestern year-round grazing system. J. Anim. Sci. (In press). Clark, J.T., J.R. Russell, D.L. Karlen, W.D. Busby, and B.C. Peterson. 2004. Effects of corn crop residue grazing on soil physical properties and subsequent soybean production in a corn-soybean crop rotation. Agron. J. (In press). Carr, P.M., and W.W. Poland. 2003. Reducing input costs with multiple enterprises. p. 124-132. In J.D. Hanson and J.M. Krupinsky (eds.) Dynamic Cropping Systems: Principles, Processes, and Challenges. August 4-7, Bismarck, ND. Baltensperger, D., and P.M. Carr. 2003. Role of annual forages in continuous systems. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. Carr, P.M., W.W. Poland, and L.J. Tisor. 2003. Reseeding potential of forage legumes in the Great Plains. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. Oe, D. M., G.P. Lardy, W.W. Poland, and P. Carr. 2003. Effects of advancing season on nutrient quality of alfalfa and black medic in southwestern North Dakota. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 2):78. Carr, P.M., R.D. Horsley, W.W. Poland, and L.J. Tisor. 2002. Forage yield and quality of cool season cereals. In Annual Meetings Abstracts [CD-ROM computer disk]. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI. Lomas, L.W., J.L. Moyer, G.L. Kilgore, and G.A. Milliken. 2004. Effects of grazing on legume persistence, forage production, and steer performance in endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures. Prof. Animal. Scientist 20:46-52. Lomas, Lyle W., Joseph L. Moyer, Frank K. Brazle and Gary L. Kilgore. 2004. Interseeding lespedeza into crabgrass pasture versus additional nitrogen fertilization on forage production and cattle performance. IN: 2004 Agricultural Research. Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Rep. of Progress 926, pp. 1-5. Lomas, L.W., J.L. Moyer, F.K. Brazle, G.L. Kilgore, and G.A. Milliken. 2003. Effect of interseeding lespedeza versus additional nitrogen fertilization in a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system on forage production and cattle performance. J. Anim. Sci. 81 (Suppl. 1) 77-78 (Abstr.). Lomas, L.W., J.L. 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Impact Statements

Year-round grazing systems with adequate standing forage to meet estimated winter needs will significantly reduce the amounts of hay needed to maintain cattle during winter in the Midwest. Stockpiled forages may be grazed by cows and heifers to reduce hay needed for overwintering, while stockers from spring and fall calves may be utilized to remove some excess summer forage produced prior to stockpiling.
Forage sources that could be effectively used for beef cattle grazing during winter are needed because of the high costs of stored feeds. By quantifying yield, nutritional value and weathering, the perennial forage species with potential for winter stockpiled grazing will be identified. Corn crop residues may be grazed to reduce the amounts of stored feed for beef cows. Research within this project has shown that body condition score was not affected by the different types of stalks.
Because of their high productivity and nutritive value, legumes in grass pastures will increase animal production. However, efficacy of incorporating legumes into cool-season grass pastures is limited by their inadequate persistence. Of the legume species evaluated, Kura clover seems to have the greatest potential for persistence under a variety of conditions. Legume persistence may also be improved through strategic location of seeding and grazing and mechanical harvest management.
Management decisions for beef cattle production systems are complex because of the many interrelated factors in the forage-animal complex. Evaluation of a system and effects of any changes to it are critical, however, because of the impact that any factor may have on the operation. Relevant, timely information is needed for informed management decisions, and electronic decision aids can augment the process.