Author Archives: grasslandrenewal

As the face of the American farmer changes, so do some of the methodologies, technologies, and results.  This is no different for the young cattlemen trying to get started in the business or starting new roots away from the family farm.  The reality is that many of us have jobs and homes away from theContinue reading “Managed Grazing from a Distance”

The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and Virginia Tech recently released five fact sheets on tall fescue. Each are just 1 page (front and back) and contain valuable information on understanding and managing novel endophyte tall fescue. They are: Fescue toxicosis – What it is and how it costs you Strategies to mitigate tall fescueContinue reading “Virginia Releases Tall Fescue Fact Sheets”

Animal performance problems related to toxic tall fescue are well documented, and there are many things that you can do to help with the problem.  Changes in nutrition, fertilization and animal genetics all may benefit animals suffering from eating fescue toxins, but nothing works like growing forage without toxins.  There are many “systems” for replacingContinue reading “Tall Fescue Pasture Renovation Made Simple”

Dwight Eisenhower said “Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you are a thousand miles from the corn field.” With that as a caution, I am going to foray into pencil farming for just a bit. At a recent meeting I was asked what I would plant if I could startContinue reading “When your plow is a pencil…”

Quite likely, we’ve all given thought to how we might manage our land in the best manner to be as productive as possible, while helping to protect the environment from harmful chemicals and to limit nutrient loss to adjacent streams.  But have you considered that how you manage your land might be equally important inContinue reading “How You Manage Your Pastures Might be Important for You and Your Country!”

Concepts about grazing management continue to evolve, but the fundamental principal of short grazing bouts followed by relatively long rest periods doesn’t change.  Managed rotational grazing in some form goes back to the domestication of livestock.  The rotational grazing system may be implemented in various ways, ranging from movement through many permanent paddocks, to herdingContinue reading “Adaptive Grazing Management Provides Multiple Benefits”

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal hosted three Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops in 2021. The first was virtual, and welcomed 120 producers, extension agents and veterinarians for a three night program in late February. In March, traditional one day workshops were held in Mt. Vernon, MO and Lexington, KY and welcomed 16 and 20 attendees,Continue reading “Alliance Hosts Successful Workshops in 2021”

How many square feet in an acre?  Most of you can answer 43,560.  Now, how many square yards in an acre?  This is not usually common knowledge, but it is 4840.  Why is that important?  Read on to find out. The most critical aspect of adaptive grazing management is to target short grazing bouts atContinue reading “Learn to Allocate Pasture in Square Paces”

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal has two final workshops for 2021 coming up: March 23 in Mt. Vernon, MO and March 25 in Lexington, KY. Both events will be in-person, full day workshops focused on understanding tall fescue toxicosis, and establishing and managing novel tall fescue varieties. Spaces are limited, cost to attend is $65,Continue reading “Last chance to register for Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops”

Late winter is one of the best times of the year to assess fields and fencerows for presence of cool-season weeds. Further, the preferred time to implement control tactics can often be in March as daytime air temperatures begin to rise and are maintained above 55F. This is when cool-season weeds are younger and beginContinue reading “Control Efforts for Poison Hemlock and Buttercups Begin in Late Winter”