Browsing by Author "Fiske, David A."
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- Assessment of stockpiling methods to increase late summer and early fall forage biomassHickman, Amber Leanna (Virginia Tech, 2013-05-06)As one of the major forage crops of the United States management programs to optimize stockpiled tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) can potentially increase livestock profitability. This study consists of two experiments designed to assess different aspects of summer stockpiling. Experiment 1 evaluated the effects of summer stockpiling endophyte infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue on biomass and nutritive value of tall fescue forage. Treatments included four whole plot treatments (two nitrogen (N) application timing, legume inclusion, and control) each divided into sub-plot cut and no cut treatments. The cut treatment consisted of a single cutting taken in May. Nitrogen in the form of urea was applied at a rate of 56 kg/ha for the March N treatment and for the June N treatment. Yield and quality of summer stockpiled fescue was adequate to support dry beef cows. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of summer stockpiling on the biomass yield and nutritive value of three types of tall fescue with N fertilization (endophyte infected (E+), endophyte-free (E-), and novel endophyte (MaxQ)) and four species of native warm-season grasses without N fertilization (switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash)). Native warm-season grasses produced much higher yields than all tall fescue types but the nutritive value was not adequate to support the nutrient requirements of livestock. Summer stockpiled tall fescue is a viable resource to provide low requirement animals with quality forage during late summer and early fall.
- Graze 300 VALayton-Dudding, Jeannie; Mize, T. A.; Fike, John H.; Clark, R. A.; Brown, Carl A.; Swanson, Carrie A.; Fiske, David A.; Childs, Corey (2018-09-12)More than 50% of cow/calf production costs are found in winter feeding expenses in Virginia Extension budgets. To improve profitability while also improving water quality, beef cow/calf producers can reduce their reliance upon hay feeding by adding additional days of grazing during the winter dormant season. Graze 300 VA is an educational initiative designed to address this issue and its significant potential for economic impact. Presently, a small group of producers in Virginia’s Northern Piedmont and Northern Shenandoah Valley, regularly approach or achieve a 300-day grazing season. They extend their grazing season through adjustments in stocking rate and adjustments in pasture management. Having accomplished these needed changes, participants realize a 50% reduction in feed costs for each day of grazing added and a corresponding improvement in net revenue. The potential for additional net can be as high as $200 per calf sold when winter grazing is fully maximized. With over 96,000 beef cows in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont of Virginia, if 20% of the farmers (19,000 cows) improve economics by $100 per head per year, the benefit would be $1.9 million. Extending the grazing season will benefit water quality through improved water infiltration, improved nutrient use efficiency, fewer barren areas in fields from winter feeding sites, and improved soil organic matter. The Chesapeake Bay TMDL gives nutrient and sediment credit for every acre of pasture converted into a grazing management system and every foot of stream bank where livestock are excluded.
- Planting and managing switchgrass for forage, wildlife, and conservationWolf, Dale D.; Fiske, David A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that provides forage for livestock, but also excellent erosion control and food and cover for wildlife. This publication details strategies for planting, establishing and managing stands of switchgrass.
- Using a Summer Stockpiling System to Extend the Grazing SeasonBooher, Matt; Benner, John; Fiske, David A. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2017-11-14)Discusses a new summer stockpiling system of pastures for cattle grazing.