Clemson Forages Team

The brassica family includes crops used as vegetables, cover crops, oilseeds, and forages. The brassicas used as forage are radish, turnips, kale, and rapeseed. Due to their high water content (>80), brassicas are generally used for grazing. They quickly establish and provide high-quality forage during the fall and winter when perennial forages are dormant. In […]

In the Southeast, forages are the primary feed source for livestock production systems due to the diversity of adapted forage species, favorable climate conditions and lower production costs. With the growing population, agricultural systems face challenges in increasing food and fiber production while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Forage systems play an essential role in delivering […]

According to the United Nations (2019), the world population will consist of 9.7 billion in 2050. In this context, food production must double to meet the demand (Ray et al., 2013; Frὸna et al., 2019). Global livestock production is expected to double-growing faster than any other agricultural subsector, with most of this increase taking place […]

Four foxtail species may be found in the region: yellow (Setaria pumila), knot-root (Setaria parviflora), green (Setaria virids) and giant (Setaria faberi). In the southeastern region, the two most common species are yellow and knot-root foxtail, and they are spreading into managed and unmanaged grazing and hayfield stands. Although it may provide early-season grazing opportunities […]

In the Southeast U.S.A., most livestock production systems are cow-calf operations and rely on perennial forages to feed their herds. Developing replacement heifers is an important part of an operation as producers need proper animals to grow their herd or simply replace older cows. There are many strategies that can be used to develop a […]

Modern agriculture is constantly evolving to meet technological needs and maximize efficiency and profitability while maintaining sustainability of operations. Forage crops play a crucial role in supplying proper quality animal feed to support animal products production (e.g., milk and meat). Among management strategies to maintain quality of conserved feeds, wrapping is a crucial one. This […]

The presence of weeds in pastures can affect animal performance due to its negative impact on forage quality and yield. Also, some weeds can be toxic to grazing animals which compromises their health and reproductive performance. Poor pasture establishment and management practices such as seed drill not properly calibrated, low-quality seed, deep seeding, not correcting […]

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Liliane Silva from Clemson University explores strategies for optimizing forage-livestock systems. She highlights best practices for improving grazing systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing sustainability in animal production. Dr. Silva also shares insights on boosting soil health and ecosystem resilience. Tune in now! Link: […]

Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants that can improve forage quality, soil fertility, and sustainability in pastures. Clovers are widely used in the region and can be considered a simple and low-cost approach to enhance forage production and reduce nitrogen fertilizer input in operations. Frost seeding is a common practice that allows for the establishment of clovers […]

Silvopasture systems are defined as the integration of tree, forage, and livestock in the same area (Figure 1). These systems allow for income diversification through forestry and livestock production, while optimizing resource use for environmental, economic, and social benefits of operations. In the Southeast region, heat stress is a major issue to livestock, and it […]