Forages

CIAS has supported work on the production, economics, and environmental benefits of various forages for pasture-based livestock systems.
Grass Clippings: February 2009

Grass Clippings: February 2009

Grass Clippings features grazing research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. In this issue: Fertility and pastures, beef and dairy cattle gains on different pastures, beef cattle on pasture and supplements, and Gildersleeve accepts Extension grazing job. [...more]

Tradeoffs in ecosystem services using warm-season grasses in managed pastures (Research Brief #78)

Tradeoffs in ecosystem services using warm-season grasses in managed pastures (Research Brief #78)

Farms provide the food, fiber and energy that people need. Farms also benefit society by providing services that may not earn money, but support functioning of the ecosystem. For instance, farms can provide carbon sequestration, water purification and wildlife habitat. The extent to which they provide these services depends on their management. [...more]

Forage Fescues in the Northern USA

Forage Fescues in the Northern USA

Tall fescue, meadow fescue and festulolium have potential value as forages for grazing operations in the northern USA. Meadow fescue is the most cold tolerant of these grasses, with excellent forage quality and palatability, and relatively high drought tolerance. Tall fescue has the highest yield potential, good palatability for soft-leaf varieties and excellent heat and [...] [...more]

Tall fescue and Kura clover for dairy and beef stockers (Research Brief #76)

Tall fescue and Kura clover for dairy and beef stockers (Research Brief #76)

Do orchardgrass, fescue or legume/grass combinations produce more meat on growing, pastured beef animals? Do beef steers, beef heifers or dairy steers show the most gain on pastures? Researchers in the departments of Animal Sciences and Agronomy at UW-Madison recently finished a three-year study to answer these questions. [...more]

Grass Clippings: August 2008

Grass Clippings: August 2008

Grass Clippings features grazing research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. In this issue: Orchardgrass, tall fescue, and meadow fescue response to nitrogen rate Meadow fescue in the Driftless Region, part two Influence of fertility on pasture species diversity, yield and quality, part two From the files of yesteryear: Making reed canarygrass seed more available in Wisconsin Read this [...] [...more]

Grass Clippings: April 2008

Grass Clippings: April 2008

Grass Clippings is a newsletter that features grazing-related research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. The April issue features: Pure live seed Meadow fescue Different dairy farm systems yield similar satisfaction Fertility and pastures Wisconsin’s beef industry Custom heifers on pasture Read this newsletter (pdf file) [...more]

Grass Clippings: August 2007

Grass Clippings is a quarterly newsletter that features grazing-related research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. The August issue features: Invasive weeds on the move in Wisconsin: Hill mustard and perennial pepperweed Stockpiling pastures Cheese from the pasture strikes a chord Upcoming events: Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers available at three sites Read this newsletter (pdf [...] [...more]

Managed Grazing Education and Research in Wisconsin

This report describes managed grazing projects funded by the Wisconsin Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative from 2002-2003. Seventeen education projects supported a variety of networking activities, as well as programs for beginning and transitioning farmers. Five research projects looked at ground and surface water quality, nitrogen management strategies, late season grass growth, soil compaction, and outwintering [...] [...more]

Grass Clippings: May 2007

Grass Clippings is a quarterly newsletter that features grazing-related research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. The May issue features: Interseeding legumes vs. applying nitrogen fertilizer Performance of birdsfoot trefoil in northern Wisconsin How much grass seed do we need? Soil quality and the grass farm, part 3 Upcoming events Read this newsletter (pdf file) [...more]

Grass Clippings: February 2007

Grass Clippings is a quarterly newsletter that features grazing-related research from the University of Wisconsin and beyond. The February issue features: Persistence of grazed red clover varieties Carbon crediting for agricultural soil management practices Upcoming events Soil quality and the grass farm, part Issues and opportunities for the Wisconsin grazing community Read this newsletter (pdf file) [...more]

Vegetable Storage Crops Workshop

Learn how to extend your marketing season by growing and selling winter storage crops like carrots, beets, winter squash, cabbage, potatoes, onions, garlic and more. This workshop will be held on December 4 in Hudson and December 11 in Madison. For details, see the workshop flyer. Hope to see you there!


CIAS in the community

CIAS Hosts Annual Meeting of Eco-Apple Growers

On Thursday, November 12, CIAS hosted its annual meeting of apple growers engaged in its Eco-Apple pesticide reduction program. Notably, the group of 48 growers celebrated the successful completion of a six-year effort designed to reduce the use of pesticides on orchards throughout Wisconsin. During the course of the program, all reporting orchards demonstrated a reduced reliance on pesticides in favor of a diversity of IPM strategies, and some realized a near-total elimination of organophosphate applications. CIAS thanks its team of growers for their enthusiastic and committed participation. In particular, CIAS wishes to thank Dave Flannery, Wendy Schafer, Bill Stone and Anna Maenner for their fortitude in seeing this phase of the project through to a successful conclusion. UW rsearchers Dan Mahr, Patty McManus, Matt Stasiak and Teryl Roper have been critical to the project’s success. Thanks also to EPA-V and the USDA for their support and encouragement.

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