Author Archives: grasslandrenewal

Have faith; the ideal system is a moving target.  Time rolls on and with autumn comes an end to the growing season and a start to the traditional hay feeding season.  In traditional systems in our area most farms begin feeding hay about Thanksgiving and continue through about April 15, a total of about 150Continue reading “Triple Creek Journal: Have Faith”

At this time all novel fescue should be planted, as recommended by all states in the tall fescue belt.  This year, due to the dry weather, many farmers delayed past normal planting dates, waiting for moisture. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal recommended holding off on seeding if soil was excessively dry until a “trigger” dateContinue reading “Timely Tips: November 2023”

Registration is now open for the second annual Equines and Endophytes Workshop in Lexington, KY on January 31, 2024. This half day program is exclusively for the horse industry and mitigating or preventing the unique impacts of toxic tall fescue in horses. Registration is $40 and includes lunch and educational materials. Topics and speakers are:Continue reading “Equine Workshop Registration Open”

According to researchers at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Kentucky’s late summer drought, followed by mild/late fall weather and recent rains could put mares at risk on tall fescue pastures. In a statement jointly issued by Megan Romano, specialist veterinary toxicologist at the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL); KristaContinue reading “UK researchers warn that recent weather could be problematic for mares grazing tall fescue pastures”

Things are looking pretty good at Triple Creek today.  We are in the middle of a lot of fall activities, and so far things are on target.  We had a very dry August and September; up until September 24 when it rained 3.2 inches.  That set the fescue off growing like I have not seenContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal October 2023”

Recommended planting dates for Tall Fescue are generally September 1 to September 30 in northern (colder) regions of the tall fescue belt, and September 15 to October 15 in central and southern regions.  These dates are ideal and give seedlings plenty of time to establish before freezing weather sets in.  In recent years there haveContinue reading “Timely Tips: October 2023”

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is once again planning several producer-oriented workshops in March of 2024. These workshops are day-long, in-person events. Speakers will be a mix of local extension specialists and out-of-state researchers and specialists. Details are customized for each location, but all workshops will cover topics such as Tall Fescue Toxicosis and Management,Continue reading “Spring Workshop Dates”

I have run across many interesting things over my career, but none more so than Dung Beetles.  My interest in pastureland ecology has grown over the years, and the way all of the species of plants and animals interact in the pasture is one of the most fascinating and poorly appreciated processes on earth. WeContinue reading “Those Amazing Dung Beetles!”

September, 2023 It has been an active month and we are entering the season where we graze out summer annuals in the anticipation of planting cool season forages.  As I mentioned last month we are planting a lot of Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue this fall. We killed our first fescue pastures in 2014. It hasContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal:  Getting ready to plant!”

It has been a great year for us at Triple Creek Ranch!  Our farm is located due north of the Raleigh-Durham area right on the Virginia border.  This area is known for long summer dry spells, but this summer we have been blessed with timely rains that have really made things grow.  We have beenContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal: What an Exciting Time!”