NOVEL NOTES
A monthly e-newsletter for forage producers.
Managed Grazing from a Distance
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”
Virginia Releases Tall Fescue Fact Sheets
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”
Tall Fescue Pasture Renovation Made Simple
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”
When your plow is a pencil…
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…”
How You Manage Your Pastures Might be Important for You and Your Country!
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!”
Adaptive Grazing Management Provides Multiple Benefits
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”
Alliance Hosts Successful Workshops in 2021
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”
Learn to Allocate Pasture in Square Paces
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”
Last chance to register for Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops
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”
Control Efforts for Poison Hemlock and Buttercups Begin in Late Winter
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”
Multi-generational Farm Family Adds Novel Fescues to Their Operation
Gene and Glenda Fay Brown have been married for 61 years and live on their Century Farm in Cedar County, Missouri. After high school graduation, Gene purchased his first 100 acres of land and needed to pay for it. He took off for Kansas City and a job at the Firestone Tire Rubber Plant, roomingContinue reading “Multi-generational Farm Family Adds Novel Fescues to Their Operation”
Fertilizer Nitrogen Sources for Forage Production
As the 2021 forage production season approaches, nitrogen (N) management will be a key component of soil fertility programs for pastures and hayfields. The objective of this article is to provide an update on the fertilizer N sources that can be used to increase both yield and forage quality and inhibitors/stabilizers that can be usedContinue reading “Fertilizer Nitrogen Sources for Forage Production”
How Keeping in Touch can Bear Fruit
This success story highlights how keeping in touch with folks you meet throughout life can be beneficial to you and many others. * Disclaimer: I am not suggesting you develop relationships solely for future benefit, rather I am highlighting that genuine relationships built over time with individuals is usually beneficial to both parties. My nameContinue reading “How Keeping in Touch can Bear Fruit”
Register today for Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops
The 2021 Virtual Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop is just one week away, beginning on February 23rd at 6pm (eastern) and will continue on February 24th and 25th in the evenings. This three night program is an adaption of the one day in-person events and will cover all of the same topics. Cost is justContinue reading “Register today for Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshops”
Promoting Novel Fescues with On-Farm Demos and “Sticky Messages”
Toxic, endophyte infected tall fescue acreage is extensive and presents the classic dilemma for producers: animal health and performance vs. pasture persistence. One of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal’s incentive programs is “to assist farmers in the costly but beneficial transition from toxic to novel tall fescue”. Novel fescue varieties have been available for 20Continue reading “Promoting Novel Fescues with On-Farm Demos and “Sticky Messages””
Stockpiled tall fescue and whole cottonseed go together well
The first supplementation study we did with stockpiled tall fescue has now been almost 25 years ago, but that work continues to impact how I manage on our home farm. We developed Angus cross heifers on stockpiled Kentucky-31 tall fescue with or without a supplement of 2 lbs of whole cottonseed. We had earlier doneContinue reading “Stockpiled tall fescue and whole cottonseed go together well”
February is the ideal time to frost-seed with clover in much of the tall fescue belt.
Clover is often a valuable component of tall fescue-based pasture systems. Both white and red clovers have great value. Each fix nitrogen for the system, and improve forage crude protein and energy. These attributes improve livestock performance whether you are grazing toxic KY-31 or Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue. Additionally, red clover provides isoflavones which areContinue reading “February is the ideal time to frost-seed with clover in much of the tall fescue belt.”
Registration now open for all 2021 workshops
Registration for two in-person workshops is now open. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is hosting in-person workshops in Mt. Vernon, MO on March 23 and Lexington, KY on March 25 in addition to the three-night virtual workshop on February 23-25. A previously scheduled workshop in Georgia has been canceled. All three workshops will include discussionsContinue reading “Registration now open for all 2021 workshops”
A Holistic Approach to Understanding Fescue Toxicosis: A Path to Drug Therapy?
Undoubtedly, if you have followed fescue toxicosis research developments you have seen the term “ergovaline” prominently in the publications as to the toxin causing fescue toxicosis. Ergovaline is a chemical that belongs to a specific group of toxins called “ergot alkaloids”. A research team from the University of Georgia (UGA), Emory University, and the UniversityContinue reading “A Holistic Approach to Understanding Fescue Toxicosis: A Path to Drug Therapy?”
Weed control in newly established cool season grass stands
The weather in many areas this past fall has been conducive for excellent growth on late summer or early fall seeded stands of cool season grasses, such as novel endophyte tall fescue. Most extension guidelines in the mid-Atlantic region recommend establishing perennial cool season grasses during this period to avoid the competition of summer annualContinue reading “Weed control in newly established cool season grass stands”
Breaking the Chain, the Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Experience of Darrel Franson
If you look at grandma’s wallpaper long enough, the tendency is to be content with it, perhaps even appreciate it. That was the experience Darrel Franson had in 1993 when moving 700 miles south from his central Minnesota farm, to establish his 127-ac farm of near 100% endophyte-infected KY-31 tall fescue in southwest Missouri, nearContinue reading “Breaking the Chain, the Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Experience of Darrel Franson”
Virtual Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop Registration Now Open
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is proud to be offering a virtual Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop in 2021. The three night event, February 23-25, will include all of the topics from our in-person workshops and is open to producers across the US. Each night will begin at 6:00 pm EDT and end by 8:30Continue reading “Virtual Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop Registration Now Open”
Mineral Programs are Key to Efficient Production on Forages
No matter how good your forages are, they still may be deficient in one or more minerals. This is especially true for the trace minerals copper, zinc and selenium, and of course, salt. Some forages may also be deficient in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese or other minerals. In my experience, all really good cattle productionContinue reading “Mineral Programs are Key to Efficient Production on Forages”
2021 Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Virtual Winter Forage Conference
Dates: January 18 through January 22, 2021 The Virginia Forage and Grassland Council (VFGC) is pleased to announce our 2021 Winter Forage Conference: Building Resilience in Grass-Based Farms. This year’s conference will be virtual, and will feature a combination of live online presentations, videos, and live Question and Answer sessions. The virtual conference will spotlightContinue reading “2021 Virginia Forage and Grassland Council Virtual Winter Forage Conference”
Developing Heifers on Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue
Heifer development is critical for a strong cow/calf production system. Replacement heifers are typically produced on-farm to replace from 15 to 20% of the cow herd annually. Heifers are selected from the calf crop based on their own performance, and the performance/genetic merit of their dam and sire. Heifer development programs have changed over theContinue reading “Developing Heifers on Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue”
Don’t Make a Mistake-Calibrate!
Grain drill calibration is a critical, yet often ignored, part of successful forage establishment and pasture renovation. Planting lower seed rates than recommended can result in thin stands that are susceptible to weed encroachment. Planting more than the recommended seeding rate is undesirable due to increased seed costs. As drills wear, and tires and cogsContinue reading “Don’t Make a Mistake-Calibrate!”
The Alliance For Grassland Renewal Announces dates for virtual workshop and three in person trainings for 2021.
An online, three night Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop will be he held February 23-25, and is open to producers across the US who are interested in learning more about toxic and novel tall fescue endophytes. In person trainings will also be held in Athens, GA (March 18), Mt. Vernon, MO (March 23), and Lexington,Continue reading “The Alliance For Grassland Renewal Announces dates for virtual workshop and three in person trainings for 2021.”
Calving First-Calf Heifers on Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue is Hard to Beat
This past year, I have spent a lot of quality time at the farm, which has been a joy. My family runs 110 cows on the family farm near Virgilina, Virginia. We calve starting October 15 and have a tall fescue-based system. As I write this we are calving and getting along quite well. InContinue reading “Calving First-Calf Heifers on Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue is Hard to Beat”
Novel Fescue: One Year In
Hear from Virginia cattle producer Miller Adams one year after he began converting pastures to novel endophyte tall fescue. ~ Video produced by Becky Sz The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. For more resourcesContinue reading “Novel Fescue: One Year In”
Strange Behavior Exhibited by Cattle Consuming Toxic Tall Fescue
Here in the South it is not uncommon to see cattle standing in farm ponds that have not been fenced off. That behavior is common in the summer months when it is hot and humid, especially if there is limited shade to escape the scorching sun. However, cattle may exhibit strange behavior when grazing pasturesContinue reading “Strange Behavior Exhibited by Cattle Consuming Toxic Tall Fescue”
Why Should I Convert My Pastures?
In the past, I have asked myself this same question…” Why should I or suggest to others to convert to Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue”? As a disclaimer, I am not an Ag Scientist nor extension agent; this is written from the perspective of a producer. Most of us have heard that cattle grazing fescue canContinue reading “Why Should I Convert My Pastures?”
Amazing Endophyte, part 3: Use Tall Fescue Cultivars with Novel Endophytes
Epichloë coenophiala, the fungal endophyte found in tall fescue, can cause toxicosis by producing ergot alkaloids, but not all isolates are identical. For example, dogs are the same species, Canis familiaris, but different breeds represent genetic diversity of the species. Most Epichloë coenophiala in the fescue belt of the United States produce ergot alkaloids andContinue reading “Amazing Endophyte, part 3: Use Tall Fescue Cultivars with Novel Endophytes”
Research Highlight: Variability of Ergovaline and Total Ergot Alkaloid Expression among Endophytic Tall Fescue Cultivars
Tall fescue is one of the most widely grown grasses in the United States. Most plants are infected with an endophyte that produces high concentrations of ergot alkaloids, which cause fescue toxicosis in livestock. Of all ergot alkaloids, ergovaline has been determined to be one of the main causes of fescue toxicosis. The economic lossesContinue reading “Research Highlight: Variability of Ergovaline and Total Ergot Alkaloid Expression among Endophytic Tall Fescue Cultivars”
The Adams Farm to host Virginia Forage and Grassland Council’s Fall Pasture Walk
This event will highlight the entire process of novel fescue conversion, including site prep, varieties, seeding rates and dates, recommended fertilization, weed control and grazing management the following season. It is hosted at a farm where the farmer has enjoyed the success of a fall 2019 planting of novel fescue and a fall 2020 plantingContinue reading “The Adams Farm to host Virginia Forage and Grassland Council’s Fall Pasture Walk”
Details are Critical in Achieving Successful Stand Establishment
Many of our readers are preparing to plant cool season forages. Whether you are planting annuals in a regular rotation, or are transitioning into improved perennial forages (like novel endophyte tall fescue), the process of planting is one of the critical times you need to pay attention to details. Most of our recommended management practicesContinue reading “Details are Critical in Achieving Successful Stand Establishment”
Virginia Farm Renovates with Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue
Every wonder why some farmers are transitioning to novel fescue? Well, it usually boils down to improved cattle performance and calf weaning weights, but don’t take my word for it. Watch this short video of Kevin Moyers of Twilight Farms from Hot Springs, VA, and hear directly from him as to why he felt hisContinue reading “Virginia Farm Renovates with Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue”
First Exemplary Service Award given to Tony and Margaret Stratton
This year, Tony and Margaret Stratton received the first award bestowed by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal. The Exemplary Service Award recognizes extraordinary contribution, and the Strattons have more than earned that recognition. Tony was a charter member of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal. Of all board members, he has been the most knowledgeable andContinue reading “First Exemplary Service Award given to Tony and Margaret Stratton”
Amazing Endophyte, part 2: Some Tall Fescue Endophytes Cause Toxicity to Livestock
The presence of a fungal endophyte (endo = inside, phyte = plant) in tall fescue can limit animal productivity even though it enhances the grass’s ability to persist. Endophytes produce compounds like peramine, lolines and ergot alkaloids. Each of these provides protection against some insects, but the ergot alkaloids also cause toxicity to mammals. TelltaleContinue reading “Amazing Endophyte, part 2: Some Tall Fescue Endophytes Cause Toxicity to Livestock”
New-Crop Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Seed Reaching Dealers in Early September
We have had a lot of questions recently from farmers about when novel endophyte tall fescue seed will be available. Farmers can go today and buy either Kentucky 31 or many types of endophyte-free tall fescues at farm supply stores, but may be told that novel endophyte tall tescue seed is not yet available. ThisContinue reading “New-Crop Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Seed Reaching Dealers in Early September”
A Spring Break from Toxic Fescue Makes All the Difference!
My family has been raising cattle on the Virginia line, due north of Raleigh, NC, for 50 years, where we spent most of our childhood summers. I grew up thinking that it was a miserable life for a cow in NC compared to cows I was around out west in Northern Arizona where we livedContinue reading “A Spring Break from Toxic Fescue Makes All the Difference!”
Pasture Walk at Kevin Moyer’s Twilight Farms
Kevin Moyers and his family hosted the first summer pasture walk of 2020 for the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council. This event was co-sponsored by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal and the Mountains to the Bay (M2B) Grazing Alliance. As the afternoon rain cleared, we began the pasture walk with a total of 32 participantsContinue reading “Pasture Walk at Kevin Moyer’s Twilight Farms”
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal Welcomes Dr. Sam Ingram from Corteva Agrisciences to the Board
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is pleased to announce that Dr. Sam Ingram from Corteva Agrisciences will be joining the board. Corteva was a founding member of the Alliance which is a collaborative of Industry, Academia and Governmental members working to encourage and support the appropriate adoption of Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue. Dr. Ingram startedContinue reading “The Alliance for Grassland Renewal Welcomes Dr. Sam Ingram from Corteva Agrisciences to the Board”
Amazing Endophtes, part 1: Introduction to the Endophyte
A lush green tall fescue pasture can often hide an unseen dark side. Many livestock producers recognize that although tall fescue is considered a quality forage, the presence of a fungal endophyte (endo = inside, phyte = plant) can limit animal productivity. Unfortunately, most fescue grown in the United States (largely the Kentucky 31 variety)Continue reading “Amazing Endophtes, part 1: Introduction to the Endophyte”
Workshops Cure For Toxic Fescue Problems
Brownfield Ag News reporter Julie Harker interviews University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts about renovating toxic fescue pastures with novel endophyte fescue. Fescue renovation and management is taught in workshops every year throughout the Fescue Belt. The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novelContinue reading “Workshops Cure For Toxic Fescue Problems”
Novel Endophyte Establishment at Kevin Moyers Twilight Farms
Kevin Moyers, of Twilight Farms near Hot Springs, VA, also has cattle on a family farm in WV. He noticed a great difference in the weaning weights of his calves at the two separate farms. The farm at Hot Springs had a lot more fescue and the calf weaning weights were significantly lower compared toContinue reading “Novel Endophyte Establishment at Kevin Moyers Twilight Farms”
Current Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Varieties Being Compared at NCSU and Other Universities
Most member states of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal have planted many or all of the available varieties of novel endophyte tall fescue to use in research and extension programs. Some of these plantings have been used only for demonstration, but more detailed research has also been conducted. For example, the University of Kentucky hasContinue reading “Current Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Varieties Being Compared at NCSU and Other Universities”
Pasture Renovation for Horse Farms
When most of us think about pasture renovation, we think of overseeding with desirable grasses like orchardgrass and Kentucky bluegrass. We’ve learned after many years of giving advice on pasture renovation that the easy solution is often not the best solution. When your pasture has major issues, including broadleaf weeds, a high percentage of toxicContinue reading “Pasture Renovation for Horse Farms”
Under the Microscope: A four part look at Endophytes
Part 1: Ergovaline – A Toxin To Avoid in Pastures Endophytes are fungi that live inside plants and are often required in tall fescue and ryegrass pastures to ensure persistence against attacks by insect pests and environmental impacts such as drought. These endophytes enable plant survival through the production of a range of compounds knownContinue reading “Under the Microscope: A four part look at Endophytes”
Alliance for Grassland Renewal Launches New Website
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a partnership between seed and related industry companies, universities, non-profits and other interested parties. The goal of the organization is to support the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte technology through promotion, education, incentives and quality control. This unique collaboration is starting to make a big impact on the managementContinue reading “Alliance for Grassland Renewal Launches New Website”
Even Dung Beetles Prefer Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue
Tatsiana Shymanovich, UNC Greensboro and Sam Ingram, Corteva Agriscience The negative impact of Kentucky-31 tall fescue on cattle and other pastured animals is well documented. And from a recent study in North Carolina, data suggests this the ergot alkaloids produced from Kentucky-31 may also negatively impact beneficial dung beetles. To feed their larvae, dung beetlesContinue reading “Even Dung Beetles Prefer Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue”
What’s Next?
Selecting Winter Forages to Follow Warm Season Annuals. Following last summer’s drought, many beef producers converted thin tall fescue stands into annual rotations of cool and warm season forages to provide emergency forage. Most of the summer species like sorghum x sudan, pearl millet, or crabgrass are already planted and are producing high-quality forage. WhileContinue reading “What’s Next?”
Prevent Fescue Seeds from Maturing in Anticipation of Fall Pasture Renovation
Tall Fescue is the most common cool-season forage in the eastern US, and much of it is infected with a toxic fungus that lives in the plant (called the “endophyte”). There are many solutions to the problem of toxic fescue, but none better than killing out old stands and planting an exciting new type ofContinue reading “Prevent Fescue Seeds from Maturing in Anticipation of Fall Pasture Renovation”
Freezing, thawing aid in seeding legumes over thinning pastures this winter
Duane Dailey | Published January 29, 2020 Source: Craig Roberts, 573-882-0481 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Present weather with frequent freezing and thawing helps farmers overseed weakened pastures. Natural fluctuations in soil help work broadcast seed into thinned grass stands. “It’s no-till help,” says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. Thin stands of grass causedContinue reading “Freezing, thawing aid in seeding legumes over thinning pastures this winter”
Tall Fescue Revisited: Establishing Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue as a solution to Fescue Toxicosis
Dr. Matt Poore Tall Fescue. It performs better than any other cool season perennial grass over most of the Mid-atlantic and Mid-South of the USA. It can be stockpiled to provide winter grazing that can nearly eliminate the winter hay feeding season with good planning and help from mother nature. While it is not wellContinue reading “Tall Fescue Revisited: Establishing Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue as a solution to Fescue Toxicosis”
Novel fescue by the numbers
Becky Mills for Progressive Forage | Published 31 January 2020 Joe Davis is a numbers man. His brain is full of them, and every gigabyte of his phone and two laptops is crammed full. So naturally, when it comes time for the retired chemical engineer to answer a question or solve a problem, he turnsContinue reading “Novel fescue by the numbers”
