Forage yield and quality improve when legumes are frost-seeded at the right time, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. Frost seeding, a method of broadcasting seeds over snow- or frost-covered pastures, improves poor pastures at a low cost. Seeds work their way into the soil and germinate as the ground freezes […]
Tag: Fescue Toxicosis
Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist: Stockpile tall fescue now for winter feeding
Plan now to stockpile tall fescue for winter feeding. Stockpiled fescue lowers feed input costs and leads to better profits in cattle operations, says University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist Patrick Davis. Begin stockpiling tall fescue by resetting fescue pastures to 3 to 4 inches and adding 40 to 50 pounds of nitrogen in […]
For added fall fescue growth, hold off nitrogen until August
Tall fescue, Missouri’s most used pasture grass, provides fall and winter grazing with proper management. With growing concern about the lack of stored forage, grazing offers potential feed this year. Fescue grows in two distinct seasons, spring and fall. Fall growth isn’t as robust as in spring. With good management, fescue gives grazing well […]
Sharp turn to cold weather brings threat of fescue foot in beef cow herds
Odd fall weather and fescue pasture growth set up potential poisonous pastures causing fescue foot in cow herds. Fall growth after a drought produces more toxins in infected tall fescue grass. The poison develops after rains start regrowth following a drought, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension specialist. Roberts urges herd owners to keep […]
Cool-season pastures start regrowth with arrival of warm-weather rains
Cool-season grasses such as fescue that dominate pasture grass in Missouri need warm weather to grow. The coldest April since 1907 set back forage for Missouri’s beef cow herds. Now, warm weather with rain creates forage for grazing and haying, said forage specialist Craig Roberts in a weekly University of Missouri Extension teleconference. New grass […]
Class on Fescue Toxicosis to be held in Princeton
Mercer County Extension will host a class on Fescue Toxicosis next month. Understanding Kentucky-31 Tall Fescue Toxicosis will be held at the Mercer County Extension Office in Princeton the night of July 10th at 7 o’clock. Topics to be covered include what causes it, impacts on livestock, strategies to reduce the effects on animal performance, […]