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Cooperative Extension Service |
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Forage and Pasture ProgramsArkansas Hay Producers Directory Arkansas Grazing Management Schools Focus Program: Reducing Winter Feed Costs Grassland Evaluation Contest Horse Grazing School Arkansas Seasonal Pasture Planner - 300 Limestone Quality Calculator Publications Forage crops are of great value in Arkansas, both economically and environmentally.
A number of Extension educational programs are available to producers with respect to forage production. These educational programs and activities include county forage educational demonstrations, county forage educational field days, producer educational meetings, news articles, radio programs, informational fact sheets, county hay contests, the Arkansas Grazing Management School, Focus Programs, Grassland Evaluation Contest and others. Arkansas Hay Producers Directory The web-based Arkansas Hay Producers Directory from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service was created to allow Arkansas producers to share information about their available hay. Users can view the list in one of three ways: 1) View the entire list by county, 2) View the list for a particular county, or 3) View the list for a particular type of hay. After selecting the option desired, press the Submit button to view the directory. After viewing the list of producers, press the link to return to the main page to be able to select another viewing method. Producers can enroll by three different methods: completing an on-line form, by printing an MS-WORD document (to be faxed or mailed to the Livestock Specialist), or by printing the PDF version of the enrollment form (to be faxed or mailed to the Livestock Specialist).
Arkansas Grazing Management Schools The Grazing Schools are conducted at four locations
in Arkansas. These schools focus on growing and grazing forages with emphasis on
the how to of improving forage management and utilization to reduce the number
of hay feeding days and to increase livestock production efficiency. Specific
training on forage and grazing management options as they apply to various
resources (soil, livestock enterprise, forages, fences, water, labor and
capitol), producer goals and managerial abilities will be provided. Focus Program: Reducing Winter Feed Costs Winter feeding is typically the largest expense of
maintaining a breeding beef herd. Most producers rely on hay or purchased feed.
The cost of stored feed is high compared to grazed forages. Elimination of hay
feeding is not always practical, but the amount of hay required can be reduced
on most farms. In many cases, winter feed expenses can be reduced with simple
planning and management to develop available resources. In Arkansas, Extension
Animal Science has developed a statewide demonstration program highlighting four
practices to reduce winter feed costs. These practices include: Stockpiled
Forages, Winter Annual Forages, Rotational Grazing, and Supplemental Feeding
based on Hay Quality. 2002-2003 Results
Forage Testing/Ration Balancing
Winter Annual Forages
Rotational Grazing
The Grassland Evaluation Contest is designed to
teach students the basics of grassland management including its use for pasture
and wildlife, soils interpretation and plant ID. Dr. John Jennings is
coordinator of the program.
The first annual grazing school for horses was
conducted in Washington County in May 2003.
Arkansas Seasonal Pasture Planner - 300 The Arkansas SPP-300 is a user friendly software program that allows cattle producers to compare estimated cattle forage intake with forage production. The program is designed for a 300-day grazing season with a 65-day winter feeding period. The program calculates seasonal forage production for 100-day periods of spring, summer, and fall and for a 65-day winter period. Herd dry matter intake is calculated and compared to seasonal forage production based on grazing system efficiency. Animal intake and seasonal forage growth distribution can be modified for local conditions. The purpose of the program is help producers make informed decisions regarding their livestock or forage system. The program allows users to evaluate seasonal surpluses and shortages of forage supply under current management and to determine which changes in forage or livestock production are most beneficial. A tutorial slide-show is included that demonstrates how the program works. This program will calculate the Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (ECCE) and the Effective Neutralizing Material (ENM) for two different agricultural limestone products as well as the cost effectiveness of each lime product on the basis of the liming value per ton. Many publications regarding forage and pasture production are available at your county Extension office or on the publications page. |
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