Submitted by: Liliane Silva, CUCES Forage Specialist and Janet Steele, CUCES Forestry and Wildlife Resources Agent Site selection is crucial. Suitable sites for establishing silvopasture systems should be determined on criteria considering topography, soil type, drainage, and level of management needed and skills. Moreover, the availability of sunlight, water, fencing, nutrient levels, soil pH, and other […]
Submitted by: Janet Steele, CUCES Liliane Silva, CU Assistant Professor and CUCES Forages Specialist Silvopasture is a system that integrates forage, livestock, and trees (Figure 1). It is an old practice that is increasing due to the potential agronomic, environmental, economic, and social benefits that silvopasture systems can offer. These benefits include but are not limited […]
Submitted by: Leo Vieira-Filho, Postdoctoral FellowLiliane Silva, CU Assistant Professor and CUCES Forages Specialist Soil Fertility Assessment = Soil Test!Soil fertility is “the quality of a soil that enables it to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and in proper balance for the growth of specified plants when other growth factors, such as light, moisture, temperature, […]
Submitted by: Carlos Garcia, Forage-Livestock Systems Research Specialist IILiliane Silva, Clemson University Assistant Professor and Forage-Livestock Systems Specialist Forages are the primary feed source for livestock production systems worldwide due to low production costs, adapted species, and diversity. With the growing population agricultural systems are facing challenges in increasing food and fiber production while […]
Submitted by: Brian Beer, CUCES Area Livestock and Forages Agent and Dr. Sean Eastman, Director of Animal Health Programs, CU Livestock Poultry Health We have received some questions about USDA’s Electronic ID Rule, released on April 26, 2024. Some poorly worded popular press articles have caused confusion about what this new rule requires. Dr. Sean […]
Submitted by: Matthew Fischer, Clemson Extension Livestock Economist and Brian Beer, Clemson Extension Area Livestock and Forages Agent The 2024 January Cattle Inventory Report was released by the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) on January 31, 2024. Below are some insights from the report. As of January 1, 2024, the US cattle inventory totaled 87.2 […]
Submitted by: Matthew J. Fischer CCA Clemson Livestock and Forage Economist Long held tradition (and fact) states that feeder bulls will be discounted to feeder steers, obvious reasons. Does this always occur and is it consistent? It depends. Observing USDA-AMS sale barn data from South Carolina between 2009-2023 for September marketings, when many calves are sold in the state, […]
Submitted by: Liliane Silva, Clemson University Forages Specialist Forage quality is commonly defined as the nutrient concentration and digestibility of forages. It is important to emphasize that in the technical literature, forage quality is defined by forage nutritive value and intake. The nutrient concentration of forages directly impacts individual animal performance (e.g., growth, milk production), while […]
Submitted by: Liliane Silva, Forages Specialist, Clemson University Stockpiling is a management practice that defers forage availability for use later. This practice helps to decrease costs associated with feeding hay in livestock operations. In the southeast U.S., perennial grasses such as bahiagrass and bermudagrass are used to close the forage gap in early fall and extend […]
Submitted by: Matthew Fischer, CUCES Agribusiness As the 2023 hay season ends, the last cuttings are being baled and balers are being parked for the year. Loader tractors will have some rest before it’s time to start feeding out hay. When purchasing hay here are some questions to consider: How much hay do I need […]
