Optimizing Forage Management and Use in Minnesota

Justification

The quality of forage is of vital importance to animal health and farm profitability. Meat and milk quality and quantity can be determined by forage management decisions. Forage production is an important component of crop production systems because it provides a viable rotation option, aids in the prevention of soil erosion, and increases soil quality and fertility. Growing forages improves environmental quality by providing a buffer strip near waterways, creating wildlife habitat, and potentially providing an alternative source of energy. Educating producers and professionals about proper management and use of forages and their economic and environmental value is an important program of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Audience

• Minnesota Producers: Dairy, Beef, Horses, Sheep, Commercial Hay
• Agricultural Professionals

Objective

To encourage more efficient, profitable, and environmentally sound production and use of Minnesota's forage crops.

Program Team Members

• Paul Peterson, PhD, Program Coordinator
• Maribel Fernandez - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Dan Martens - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Doug Holen - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Hans Kandel - Instructor/Educator
• Krishona Martinson - Instructor/Educator
• Tim Wagar - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Fritz Breitenbach - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Gene Krause - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Terrance Nennich - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Jim Salfer - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Vince Crary - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Kendall Dykhuis - Instructor/Educator
• Paul Mahoney - Instructor/Educator
• Troy Salzer - Instructor/Educator
• Lori Schott - Instructor/Educator
• Lisa Behnken - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Bob Olson - Instructor/Educator
• Steve Drazkowski - Instructor/Educator
• Bill Halfman - Instructor/Educator
• Chuck Schwartau - Instructor/Educator
• Nancy J. Ehlke - Content Specialist
• Craig Sheaffer - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Greg Cuomo - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Russ Mathison - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Dennis Johnson - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Jim Linn - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• Marcia Endres - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist
• George Rehm - Instructor/Educator, Content Specialist

Cooperating Organizations

• University of Minnesota Extension Service
• University of Minnesota
• Minnesota Forage and Grassland Council
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• University of Minnesota-Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• USDA-ARS

Program Products

• University of Minnesota Forages Web site
• 2002 Alfalfa Harvest Alert Program and Web site
  • PEAQ-Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality: predicts forage quality by plant maturity and plant height, uses a PEAQ stick.
  • Scissors Cut Program-gathers data statewide to create an isoline map that can act as a guide for determining the right time to start cutting alfalfa.
• 2002 Varietal Trials for Alfalfa, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Bromegrass, Cicer Milkvetch, Corn Silage, Reed Canarygrass, Red Clover, Orchardgrass, and Tall Fescue:
• Improving The Productivity Of Beef Pastures In Northwest Minnesota
• Grazing Systems Planning Guide
• Knee Deep in Grass-a survey of 29 grazing operations in Minnesota
• Preserving the Value of Dry Stored Hay
• Reed Canarygrass
• Pasture Management Home Study Course
• The Minnesota Haylist
• Buying Hay for Horses. 2002. Four-state (MN, WI, IL, MI) extension publication
• Pastures for Profit. 2002 revision. Two state (MN and WI) extension publication
• Alfalfa Management Guide. 2000. North central region publication.
• MFGC MN Forage Update Newsletter. 6 issues per year.
• MFGC Annual Winter Forage Conference
• MFGC Annual Alfalfa and Forage EXPO
• MN Horse Care and Feeding Program

Research Base

• Forage Production and Quality-Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Alfalfa Breeding-Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Legume and Grass Breeding-Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Forage Pathology-Plant Pathology
• Forage Weed Control-Agronomy and Plant Genetics
• Forage Insects-Entomology
• Grazing Research-Animal Science and Agronomy and Plant Genetics

Some specific research areas:

• Alfalfa management and variety trials, potato leafhopper and traffic tolerance.
• Corn silage variety trials.
• Species and methods for pasture renovation.
• Grasses for extending the grazing season.
• Emergency annual forages.
• Native species for forage.