One of the first major programs I led as a new Extension specialist at the University of Missouri was centered around a mobile near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) hay testing van. This was very advanced technology at the time, which was almost 40 years ago, or ‘in the 1900’s as I like to tell my students.Continue reading “Unlocking the Mysteries of a Hay Test”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Soil Carbon in the Root Zone
Organic matter is a key indicator of soil health and soil function, affecting the natural supply of nutrients, buffering against pH changes, softening soil to resist compaction, holding more water for plant uptake, creating water-stable aggregates to resist erosion, and providing organic resources to feed soil biological communities. Another big reason for attention on soilContinue reading “Soil Carbon in the Root Zone”
Triple Creek Journal: Get Ready for Mud!
My sister sent my Mom and Dad a card one time that showed a little girl stomping through a mud puddle, and the caption was “If you pray for rain, get prepared for some mud”. My folks put it up on the refrigerator and it stayed there for decades. It became one of our mottosContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal: Get Ready for Mud!”
Registration now open for Spring Renovation Workshops
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal will be hosting multiple Novel Endophyte Tall fescue Renovation Workshops in the southeastern US. Please see the flyer and schedule below for the March 19 workshop in Greeneville, TN. Additional workshop dates and locations are at the bottom. Equines and Endophytes Workshop, January 31 in Lexington KY Novel Endophyte TallContinue reading “Registration now open for Spring Renovation Workshops”
December Timely Tips
During December you should be doing a forage inventory and balance to make sure you have enough pasture and hay on hand to make it through the winter. Predict how many grazing days you have ahead of you and then figure how many days you will have to feed hay. For planning purposes assume theContinue reading “December Timely Tips”
Triple Creek Journal: 300 Days Grazing
December 2023 There is an extension program in Virginia and other states called “300 Days Grazing” which encourages farmers to extend their grazing season such that they only need to feed harvested forage for two months. A traditional system in our area would require hay feeding for at least 120 days if not longer. ThereContinue reading “Triple Creek Journal: 300 Days Grazing”
A New Year for Regenerative Agriculture
There is a lot of discussion these days about Regenerative Agriculture. Through the thoughtful application of regenerative agriculture principles, all farmers and the entire population stand to benefit. I have been fortunate to work with farmers that have applied these principles for decades, and the benefits are very dramatic. The good news is that everyContinue reading “A New Year for Regenerative Agriculture”
Triple Creek Journal: Have Faith
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”
Timely Tips: November 2023
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”
Equine Workshop Registration Open
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”
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 