Forages

CIAS has supported work on the production, economics, and environmental benefits of various forages for pasture-based livestock systems.
Wisconsin Grazing Activities Resource List

Wisconsin Grazing Activities Resource List

The Wisconsin Grazing Activities Resource List (2013) contains information on current managed grazing and pasture-related organizations, contacts and research initiatives. [...more]

Growing Wisconsin’s Grazing Future: Results of the Blue Sky Greener Pastures Consultation Process

Growing Wisconsin’s Grazing Future: Results of the Blue Sky Greener Pastures Consultation Process

For a wide variety of economic, environmental and social reasons, it makes good sense to regard the practice of managed grazing as an effective system for strengthening dairy and livestock farming in Wisconsin. The UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) partnered with GrassWorks, Inc. to develop a statewide, participatory discussion about managed grazing that they called “Blue Sky Greener Pastures” (BSGP). [...more]

Wisconsin Grazing Initiative 2012 Report

Wisconsin Grazing Initiative 2012 Report

The Wisconsin Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative funded several innovative grazing-related projects from 2009 to 2011. The Wisconsin Grazing Initiative 2012 Report details the 21 educational projects, 23 technical assistance projects and 10 research projects that supported a variety of grazing-related work. The projects incorporate research-based information and rely on farmer-to-farmer learning. Public events and media [...] [...more]

Finding a cost effective, persistent  legume for Wisconsin pastures (Research Brief #85)

Finding a cost effective, persistent legume for Wisconsin pastures (Research Brief #85)

Is there a legume that establishes and yields well, persists and is cost effective? Through on-farm research, Wisconsin beef grazier Jim Munsch set out to answer this important question on his Deer Run Farm. [...more]

Fall grazing management affects  burdock populations in pastures (Research Brief #84)

Fall grazing management affects burdock populations in pastures (Research Brief #84)

Grazing management can affect the prevalence of burdock in pastures. According to a study by UW-Madison researchers, shorter forage heights left in the fall can lead to higher burdock populations in the following growing season. [...more]

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]

Wisconsin Farm to School Summit

Register now for the Wisconsin Farm to School Summit in La Crosse on June 26th and 27th. This event will showcase current farm to school efforts across the state, as well as new resources for farm to school practitioners and advocates. Information and online registration


CIAS in the community

CIAS works with Driftless Region partners on emerging forest crops

CIAS is working with Rooted Spoon Culinary, New Forest Farm, the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative and the Midwest Aronia Association on the production, processing and marketing of three forest crops: hazelnuts, aronia and wild mushrooms. These forest products can help chefs create locally-sourced signature dishes, and can help landowners supplement and diversify their income. A June 27 workshop will connect growers with Driftless Region chefs interested in purchasing and using these crops. More information here.

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