NC1181: Optimizing Forage and Grazing Cattle Management

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Active

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/06/2025]

Date of Annual Report: 10/06/2025

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/06/2025 - 08/07/2025
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2024 - 09/30/2025

Participants

Sophie Westbrook, Kansas State University; Emma Briggs, Kansas State University; Erin DeHaan, South Dakota State University; Mitch Stephenson, University of Nebraska; Jaymelynn Farney, Kansas State University; Keith Harmoney, Kansas State University; Karla Wilke, University of Nebraska; Joel Caton, North Dakota State University; Gonzalo Irisarri, University of Wyoming; Andrea Basche, University of Nebraska; Warren Rusche, South Dakota State University; John Guretzky, University of Nebraska; Dr. Shibu Jose, Administrative Advisor

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief Summary of Annual Meeting:

Secretary: Warren Rusche

Possibly meeting in SD in 2026

NE Grazing Conference 2026 – Probably August 4-5

Historically this NC 1181 has been 1^st 2 weeks of August

Reports due to Secretary Sept. 19^th, 2025 – drop in Teams folder under 2025 Report or email.

Future collaboration ideas:

Virtual Fences in grazing systems

701X/data eartags as a method of data capture and cattle management

Lactipro on failed crops, crop residue use in cattle diets

Annual forages in cow/calf and growing cattle systems

Dual use perennial grains (kernza)

Accomplishments

Short-term outcomes: Objective 1: Enhance productivity and efficient use of pasture, rangeland, and other forage resources This committee identified virtual fencing (VF) as a strategy to address Objective 1. Two of the states in this committee (KS and NE) initiated projects using VF technology. Virtual fences were successfully used in a K-State study to rotationally graze mixed grass pastures. Rotational grazing increased forage yield by 30% when rotating heifers every 3-4 d over no rotation and 25% in monthly or weekly rotations. Heifer gains were similar across systems with 3-4 d rotations resulting in greatest gain per acre. Research at the University of NE was conducted between 10/1/2024 to 9/30/2025 that explored the use of VF. One project explored the efficacy of VF in keeping cattle out of relatively small areas (5 to 10 acres) within a larger pasture. Using VF as a tool to reduce grazing pressure in highly disturbed areas offers opportunities for 1) grazing the larger pasture and 2) restoring rangeland areas with additional recovery. This practice was highly effective as VF prevented nearly all cattle from accessing exclusion areas. Additionally, a demonstration was conducted for strip grazing with VF on corn stalks. Cattle in this study were limited to set amounts each day. VF allowed the producer to extend grazing on corn stalks and reduce risk of excessive grain intake. In addition, researchers from NE, KS, and WY have examined more traditional range management approaches to address Objective 1. University of NE research explored the efficacy of using patch-burn grazing in the NE Sandhills. This project is using a Collaborative Adaptive Management framework with stakeholder involvement to better understand different grazing management practices to 1) manage encroaching eastern red cedar trees, 2) improve landscape heterogeneity, and 3) improve livestock production. Currently in the 4th years, this project has provided insight to long-term plant biomass production at the UNL Barta Brothers Ranch, the influence of prescribed fire on plant production and recovery, grazing behavior, and weight gains of yearlings under different management. Kansas researchers have initiated a forage quality assessment survey of lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) across KS was recently completed following a two-year data collection period in conjunction with Extension personnel. Results have been summarized and presented in agricultural experiment station reports and currently in the peer-review process.     Intended short-term outcomes from K-State University will include increased producer awareness of mechanisms by which healthy soils contribute to high-quality forage, and a better understanding of situations in which manipulating grassland plant communities (e.g., through herbicide applications) might enhance livestock productivity and profitability. The soil seedbank results also help inform effective long-term weed management strategies. These outcomes are expected to occur upon dissemination of results to producers, e.g., during the Rannells Ranch Field Day scheduled for 2026.  Kansas researchers have also explored forage resources from less traditional sources. In 2023, 29% of KS wheat fields were not harvested, leaving 2.35 million acres abandoned (USDA-NASS, 2024). Many abandoned wheat fields then became infested with invasive species: kochia and palmer amaranth. The objective of this study was to determine if water captured from a failed wheat crop with kochia and palmer amaranth weeds can be utilized as a forage for finishing rations in the Great Plains region. For this study, 300 Angus and Angus cross steers were housed in 20 pens (10 pens per treatment) and fed for 148 d. The finishing ration consisted of rolled corn (64%), wet distillers grain (29%), failed wheat/kochia or sorghum-sudan roughage (7%), and a vitamin and mineral premix with monensin and tylosin. Average daily dry matter intake (ADMI) differed between treatments (P < 0.01), with steers fed sorghum-sudangrass (SOR-SUD) consuming more (27.80 ± 0.13 kg/d) than those fed wheat–kochia (WHT-KCHA; 26.80 ± 0.13 kg/d). When partitioned by feeding period, SOR-SUD cattle maintained increased intake both early (26.96 vs. 26.29 ± 0.14 kg/d; P < 0.01) and late in the feeding phase (29.49 vs. 27.36 ± 0.22 kg/d; P < 0.01). Overall feed-to-gain ratio was not different between treatments (P = 0.39). However, early in the feeding period, cattle fed SOR-SUD were less feed efficient (5.23 vs. 4.95 ± 0.10; P < 0.01) while during the late phase, SOR-SUD cattle were more feed efficient than WHT-KCHA (6.65 vs. 6.99 ± 0.10; P < 0.05). Initial, midpoint, and final body weights did not differ between treatments (P > 0.37). Average daily gain (ADG) was greater for SOR-SUD than WHT-KCHA (4.29 vs. 4.19 ± 0.04 lb/d; P < 0.05). Early ADG was decreased for SOR-SUD (5.09 vs. 5.29 ± 0.08 kg/d; P < 0.05), whereas late ADG was higher (3.52 vs. 3.06 ± 0.06 lb/d; P < 0.01). Carcass characteristics were not affected by treatment (P > 0.10). In conclusion, these data suggest that failed wheat/kochia can serve as a practical roughage alternative in beef finishing diets.  Research from the University of WY resulted in a published peer-reviewed article in Animal (Irisarri et al. 2025) based on nearly five decades of grazing research in the northern mixed-grass prairie of WY. This study evaluated the influences of climate, management, and animal factors on calf productivity. Results demonstrated that breed was the most important factor for calf weight gain, with calves from crossbred cows gaining 26% more than Hereford calves. Over time, the relative importance of drivers shifted from management-related factors such as stocking rate and cow body weight to climate-related factors, particularly increasing temperatures and declining precipitation. These findings highlight the growing importance of adaptive grazing management strategies for sustainable beef production.  Another approach to addressing Objective 1 includes supplementation strategies for grazing cattle. This year this strategy was examined by two of the member states – KS and NE. Researchers in KS examined essential oils as an alternative to ionophores in mineral for stocker cattle grazing tallgrass native range. Steer gains were not different between the two additives and could potentially provide an opportunity for natural and organic producers to increase performance measures without antibiotics. In another KS State study, feeding corn silage to cows during gestation and early lactation, at 1% of body weight increased available forage by 8% and increased calf weaning weights. above no supplement. While grazing bermudagrass pastures there was no advantage to supplementing corn silage at 1% of body weight. Another approach studied in KS used hand-feeding supplement to stocker steers grazing bromegrass which resulted in greater gains than self-fed supplements. Available forage was not different between feeding methods.  A study conducted by K-State at the Hays research station examined supplementing distillers grains using two different delivery methods (fed on the ground vs. in a bunk) to beef calves grazing native range. One hundred lightweight steers and heifers combined were stocked continuously on shortgrass rangeland from May to October, and were assigned to groups of 10-13 animals per pasture (depending on pasture acreage) at a stocking rate of 0.9 AUM/acre. The supplement treatments for the study began in mid-July and continued to the end of the grazing season in early October. Supplements were fed two days per week and were proportioned accordingly to receive an equivalent of 1.5 lb/hd/d. The study goal was to measure if grazing animals have lower gain if supplements are placed on the ground rather than in a bunk. In year 1, animals fed supplement had greater gains (P<0.10) than animals without supplement. Animals fed supplements on the ground had similar gain to animals fed protein supplement in bunks. Furthermore, pastures were clipped in July and October, and resulting primary and secondary production data will be correlated with climatic data for short-term and long-term production trends. Feeding supplements on the ground reduced plant production and density directly where supplements were fed, including a reduction in invading old world bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum). Late season protein supplementation on the ground with dried distillers grains increases late season and total animal production on an individual animal and on a land area basis. This management practice has potential to improve net returns from grazing stocker animals on western Great Plains pasture. A new study was initiated at the University of NE to evaluate how supplementing 7 d of dried distillers grains 3 times per week, the last half of the grazing season compared to implanting cattle for improved growth and efficiency. Objective 2: Create and evaluate opportunities to incorporate forage production within cropping systems. For many of the states represented in this committee, the working lands represent a mixture of permanent pasture along with cropland. This committee has identified that intentional management of cropland to produce forages represents a mechanism to increase feed supply and thus increase opportunities for greater livestock production. Two states (NE and SD) worked on research projects addressing objective 2. The team from the University of NE continued its work on diversified cropping systems that have potential to increase forage opportunities in typical annual crop rotations in NE. This includes work primarily funded by three grants.  The first is the Kernza CAP, a multi-state, multi-institution effort to expand the use of the perennial grain crop Kernza. We harvested grain from the fourth year of two experiments at the Eastern NE Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, NE. We also harvested fall biomass for the third time and are in the process of assessing forage quality for summer and fall samples. Preliminary analysis found that NE produced the highest amount of fall biomass in the first year, compared to the five other sites in the experiment. The team also published a joint multi-state publication featuring the first year of data from the fertility experiment.  The second ongoing project is the Cover Crop Initiative, a collaborative project funded by NRCS NE, where our team managed multi-site cover crop variety trials from 2022-2024. From 2024-2025, no new experiments were planted while instead the team focused on synthesizing results and compiling outreach materials, including fact sheets and webinar recordings to answer common cover crop questions in NE. The third project is led by the University of Missouri and includes co-PI Mary Drewnoski from NC1181. In this project the goal is to advance cover crop variety testing and science. I am leading the education efforts and in early October 2024, we planted the first variety trial at Eastern NE Research, Extension and Education Center which was sampled from in April 2025. This trial includes testing five new varieties of cereal rye, winter canola, winter pea, hairy vetch and crimson clover. Results were included in the national variety trial experiment report. Finally, in 2024, our team concluded its work with the Precision Sustainable Agriculture project funded by USDA-NIFA’s Sustainable Agriculture Systems program. In 2025, we published our second paper from the field research in NE evaluating nitrogen rates following cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops in corn. Research from SD State University has focused on interplanting blends of corn and forage sorghum as a strategy to increase yield stability under varying environmental conditions and reduce input costs. The resulting forage was fed to backgrounded steers calves at 55% of diet dry matter. Silage type did not affect ADG or feed efficiency; however, steers fed the corn-sorghum blend tended to consume less feed. We conclude that based on these results planting corn and forage sorghum in the same field to be harvested as a blend did not negatively impact backgrounded cattle performance. Objective 3: Develop management strategies for cows/calf systems that use limited or no perennial pasture. Available pasture acres for many of the states in this group are inadequate to support additional beef cow numbers, or in some cases, to maintain the number of cows currently residing in those states. This committee has been exploring multiple management strategies to increase the capacity of increased cow numbers including using harvested feeds in either partially or fully confined systems. South Dakota and KS initiated projects addressing objective 3. In a SD State University study, cows in late gestation and early lactation were fed ad libitum forage diets compared to limit-fed high-concentrate diets to determine what effects those different strategies would have on milk production and colostrum quality. Limit feeding a high-concentrate content tended (P = 0.08) to increase milk production with no differences in milk components or immunoglobulin concentrations. This strategy could be used in situations where pasture availability is limited without reducing calf performance. In that same study, limit-feeding a high-concentrate diet reduced CH4 emissions post-calving and reduced water intake compared to high-forage ad libitum diets. Results of this work will form the basis of a MS thesis (expected defense date of December 2025). Researchers have also evaluated alternative feeding strategies, such as limit feeding, in growing cattle systems. Limit feeding high concentrates to cattle has shown to be an effective substitute when forage or roughage resources are limited or unavailable. In a SD State University study, sixty crossbred newly-weaned steers (BW = 227 kg) were used in a 54-d receiving study. Treatments included ad-libitum forage-based diet [(ALF) 1.03 Mcal/kg] and a limit-fed concentrate-based diet [(LFC) 1.36 Mcal/kg; 76% of the ALF diet] with five pens/treatment (six steer/pen). Steers were fed a common diet throughout the growing (d 154) and finishing (d 304) phase following the 54-d receiving period. Steers from the ALF and LFC treatment had similar body weights and average daily gain at the end of the receiving, growing, and finishing phases. However, LFC steers (by design) had less dry matter intake during the receiving (12%) and growing (10%) phases. The LFC steers also improved gain efficiency during the receiving (14%), growing (8%), and finishing (4%) phases. Based on the conditions of this study, the LFC diet was less expensive compared to the ALF diet. Collectively, the results of this showed that limit feeding a high concentrate diet resulted in similar growth performance, improved gain efficiency, and feed cost savings compared to feeding a forage diet ad libitum. This study will be the basis for a MS thesis. The first year of a two-year experiment at K-State evaluating the effect of monensin supplementation to late-gestation and early-lactation beef cows on cow and calf performance, grazed forage intake, methane emissions, and level of coccidia was conducted. Year two of the experiment will begin in November 2025 and will continue through May 2026. Data from this experiment meets objectives for both objectives 1 and 3 and are directly applicable to cow-calf production systems managed in both grazed and forage fed situations. Additionally, a pilot project as part of the larger research effort was conducted to evaluate an external marker supplied through an automatic individual feed intake module as an alternative method to traditional dosing to predict dry matter intake. Directly from these efforts, graduate students that are currently being trained and are involved in this work include 1 Ph.D. and 2 M.S.   Objective 4: Assess economic performance, resiliency, and adaptability of the systems and management practices explored. Economic assessment was applied to feeding 7 d of supplement to growing calves 3x per week the last half of the grazing season to feeding it 6x per week all summer or the last half of the grazing season based on results from the University of NE. Objective 5: Improve stakeholder understanding of the systems and management practices evaluated.  SD State University hosted a forage field day at the Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, SD focusing in part on silage cropping systems. That station has planted corn and forage sorghum together using a split-row planter to reduce silage yield variability and production cost per acre. A field day was held at that facility to demonstrate the growing crop and to discuss the feeding value of the resulting silage in growing cattle diets. There were 25 individuals in attendance representing farmers, cattle feeders, and allied industry personnel. Meetings were held where the economic analysis of strategic supplementation was explained to stakeholders in two multi-state state meetings and 5 meetings in NE. Activities Objective 1: Enhance productivity and efficient use of pasture, rangeland, and other forage resources. Three states (KS, NE, and WY) reported activities addressing Objective 1. Activities from Kansas State University included: <ul> <li>4 research projects were completed at the Southeast Research and Extension Center</li> <li>One M.S. study graduated and used 2 of the studies in thesis document.</li> <li>Two undergraduate students were trained in research protocols</li> <li>5 research station reports</li> <li>One undergraduate student presented poster at Midwest ASAS meeting</li> <li>One MS poster and one oral MS presentation at Midwest ASAS meeting</li> <li>Two MS oral presentations at Southern Section ASAS meeting</li> </ul> Additional activities from KS State University include launching a multidimensional investigation into soil health, soil seedbanks, aboveground plant community composition, and forage quality. The purpose of this investigation is to help producers, especially stocker cattle producers, maximize livestock productivity and profitability of limited native rangeland acreage. In Fall 2024, my team measured soil and aboveground plant characteristics in 25 grazing units, all dominated by native tallgrass plants but representing a range of grazing and prescribed fire histories. In each unit, we collected measurements from areas dominated by native grasses and areas dominated by disturbance-adapted, “weedy” forbs. A seedbank germination assay was carried out over the winter and spring using fall-collected samples from each plot. In the spring, we collected additional soil samples from a subset of plots prior to a prescribed fire in May 2025. In summer 2025, we resampled soil, seedbank, and aboveground plants in all 50 plots sampled last fall. This initial phase of the project will end with a final biomass and forage quality assessment in October 2025, after which results will be shared with scientific and stakeholder audiences. The objective of work conducted by KS State University was to assess nutrient composition of standing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) forages across KS throughout the year in relation to various environmental and management factors impacting forage quality. Forage samples (n = 294) from a total of 25 different sites across 16 counties throughout KS were collected over 2 years. Samples were collected monthly and analyzed in a single commercial laboratory for crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, calculated energy, and macro mineral concentrations to determine nutrient composition changes throughout the year. While nutrient composition varied considerably by month, protein, and fiber and subsequent energy measurements generally followed typical seasonal patterns for warm-season forages. In May, forage samples collected from eastern KS were greater in total digestible nutrients (P = 0.03), and tended to have increased net energy for maintenance (P = 0.07) compared to western KS samples. Concentrations of most macro minerals appeared to change in response to the growing season with both calcium and potassium having increased ranges and variation within months compared to phosphorus and magnesium. Calcium concentrations appeared increased relative to phosphorus, and potassium concentrations increased during the growing season. The objective of this case study was to largely report nutrient data and associated variability in such data that exist. Knowledge of nutrient composition of CRP forages is critical for informed livestock management and policy decision making and these data will greatly contribute to helping fill an existing knowledge gap.   Research analysis was completed at the University of NE evaluating supplementing 7 d of dried distillers 3 or 6 times per week all summer or the last half. Another study evaluating supplementing 7 d of dried distillers 3 times a week the last half of the grazing season was compared with implanting cattle with a growth implant to enhance efficiency and production. Published a peer-reviewed article in Animal (Irisarri et al. 2025) based on nearly five decades of grazing research in the northern mixed-grass prairie of WY. This study evaluated the influences of climate, management, and animal factors on calf productivity. Results demonstrated that breed was the most important factor for calf weight gain, with calves from crossbred cows gaining 26% more than Hereford calves. Over time, the relative importance of drivers shifted from management-related factors such as stocking rate and cow body weight to climate-related factors, particularly increasing temperatures and declining precipitation. These findings highlight the growing importance of adaptive grazing management strategies for sustainable beef production.  Objective 2: Create and evaluate opportunities to incorporate forage production within cropping systems. High-moisture ear corn (HMEC), or earlage, is a harvesting strategy that produces feed containing both roughage and starch in a single feedstuff. Finishing beef steers at SD State University were fed diets containing 35, 55, or 75% HMEC compared to a control diet containing 10% hay. The HMEC diets were estimated to contain 6, 10, or 14% roughage based on an initial starch assay. Treatment diets had no effect on ADG. Increased dietary HMEC quadratically increased dry matter intake (22.98, 24.43, and 24.59 lbs/d for 35, 55, or 75% levels, respectively). Feeding a diet with the least roughage equivalent resulted in the most efficient gains. Diets where HMEC was fed were more efficient than hay-based control. These observations support the conclusion that HMEC is an effective strategy for incorporating roughage into feedlot cattle diets. This work resulted in one MS degree. Objective 3: Develop management strategies for cows/calf systems that use limited or no perennial pasture. Three states (KS, IL, and SD) conducted activities addressing objective 3. In year one of a two-year experiment at KS State University, multiparous, spring-calving beef cows representing 3 different breeds were utilized to assess the effect of monensin supplementation during both late-gestation and early-lactation on cow and calf performance, grazed forage intake, methane emissions, and level of coccidia infection. Cows grazed dormant, native Flint Hills rangeland and were allocated to one of two supplementation treatments beginning approximately 60 d prior to expected calving and continuing through approximately 90 d post-calving. Cows were supplemented at the rate of 1.5 lb per head per d of a 30% CP supplemented that was provided through an automatic feed intake monitoring system and supplemented with either monensin included at 200 mg per cow daily or not. During monthly periods, cows were dosed with an external marker (titanium dioxide) that was also provided through a precision feed intake monitoring system. Forage dry matter intake was calculated based on fecal output and cow and calf performance was measured in addition to cow methane emissions and coccidia level. Results will be compiled yearly and aggregated into a future multi-year report.           Research at the University of IL studied the effects of roughage inclusion in isocaloric and isonitrogenous total mixed rations (TMR) fed to cows in a drylot system on cow performance, calf performance, manure score, hygiene score, and behavior. Spring-born Simmental × Angus cows (5±2 yr; n = 72 in yr 1, and n = 72 in yr 2) and their calves were stratified by cow age, calf sex, and body weight (BW) and assigned to 24 pens over two years (yr 1; n = 12, and yr 2; n = 12) with 6 cow-calf pairs per pen. Pens were randomly allotted to one of two treatments: moderate roughage inclusion (40%) TMR targeting dry matter intake (DMI) of 1.7% of BW (LimitTMR) or high roughage inclusion (60%) TMR targeting DMI of 2.1% of BW (BulkyTMR). Cow-calf pairs were housed in concrete drylots with open-front buildings with 4.7 m concrete bunks (0.8 m/cow). Cow BW and body condition score (BCS) were collected at d-1, d0, d76, and d77. Pre-wean calf BW were collected on d-1, d0, d76, and d77. Artificial insemination (AI) conception and milk production were also measured. Hygiene and manure scoring were conducted on d40 and 76 by 2 trained evaluators. Hygiene was scored on a 1-4 scale; 1 – no manure, 4 confluent plaque of manure. Cow hygiene was evaluated on the lower leg, udder, and upper leg and flank. Manure from each pen was scored on a 1-5 scale; 1 – very liquid consistency, 5 – firm fecal balls. Calves were weaned on d77 and transported to the University of IL Beef and Sheep Field Laboratory (Urbana, IL). A receiving diet was then fed for 42 d post-wean. During the receiving phase, calf BW (d77 and d119), post-wean ADG, DMI, and G:F were measured. Performance data was analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Reproduction and behavior data were analyzed using the GLIMMEX procedure of SAS 9.4. The experimental unit was pen. There were no treatment differences in final cow BW (P = 0.27), pre-weaning calf BW (P = 0.72), and final BCS (P = 0.72). There were also no treatment differences in AI conception (P = 0.67), overall pregnancy (P = 0.55), and milk production (P = 0.78). There was a treatment effect detected (P ≤ 0.01) for hygiene of the lower leg and flank, as LimitTMR cows had greater scores than BulkyTMR cows. No difference (P = 0.15) was detected in hygiene of the upper leg. There was a tendency for manure scores to be greater (P = 0.09) for BulkyTMR cows than LimitTMR cows. No treatment effects were observed in calf receiving ADG (P = 0.79), calf G:F (P = 0.28), and final receiving calf BW (P = 0.25). BulkyTMR calves tended to consume more (P = 0.09) feed than the LimitTMR calves in the receiving phase. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.05) detected for cows at the bunk, in the feed area, in the bedding area, and loafing for pre-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.05) detected for cows at the bunk, in the feed area, and lying for post-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.01) detected for calves at the bunk, in the feed area, in the bedding area, and loafing for pre-bedding behavior observations. There were treatment × time effects (P ≤ 0.01) detected for loafing and lying for post-bedding observations. In conclusion, there were no differences in cow or calf performance prior to weaning, but calves from cows fed a bulkier, higher-roughage inclusion TMR tended to have greater intake during the receiving phase. BulkyTMR cows saw greater manure scores, but were not as dirty around their lower leg and flank when compared to LimitTMR cows. BulkyTMR cows and calves were also seen at the bunk and in the feed area more later in the day, while more LimitTMR cows and calves were seen loafing and in the bedding area. Objective 4: Assess economic performance, resiliency, and adaptability of the systems and management practices explored. Planting corn and forage sorghum in the same field could result in improved profitability to farmers producing forage for cattle as adding forage sorghum with corn reduces seed costs. Researchers at SD State University compared corn planted at 35,000 seeds per acre to a system where corn population was reduced by 50% and replaced with forage sorghum. Cattle performance was similar using both feedstuffs; however, reduced seed costs from the blend reduced diet cost per ton. The resulting savings in feed increased profitability by $32.22 per head with the blended silage with 20% added corn in the diet. This study will be part of a MS thesis for a student with a planned defense date in late 2026/early 2027. Objective 5: Improve stakeholder understanding of the systems and management practices evaluated. Outreach activities addressing objective 5 were conducted by KS, OK, MO, and NE. Webinar about virtual fences – Hosted in KS but included collaboration with Mitch Stephenson as speaker on event. AI in Agriculture event – organized by KS State including a virtual fence panel specialist with UNL specialist representing UNL in collaboration with Mitch Stephenson. KOMA Cattle Conference (a multi-state conference for cattle producers in KS, OK, MO, and AR). The in-person event was cancelled due to weather but Conference proceeding book posted online at KOMAcattleconference.com. Collaborators included Jaymelynn Farney (K-State), Paul Beck (OK State) and Eric Bailey (University of MO). Rotational grazing research and virtual collars use presented at Beef and Forage Field Day 2025 in Parsons, KS. Fifteen extension meetings where trial results were presented with approximately 450 attendees. Meetings organized by NE were held in UT, ID, and as well as five in NE to discuss the results of strategic supplementation with producers.

Publications

Outputs Abstracts/Posters/Professional Presentations (Bold = authors from multiple states) Objective 1: Jones, T. M. and J. K. Farney. 2025. Effects of corn silage supplementation while grazing Bermudagrass during late gestation with fall-calving cows. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement_2, June 2025, Page 27, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf170.033 Jones, T. M. and J. K. Farney. 2025. Effects of corn silage supplemental feeding of fall-calving cows grazing varieties of fescue. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement_2, June 2025, Page 28, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf170.034 Jones, T. M. and J. K. Farney. 2025. Effects of stocker steer performance and behavior while consuming essential oil or ionophore minerals. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement_1, May 2025, Pages 223–224, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.244">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.244</a> Jacquez, J., T. M.. Jones, and J. K. Farney. 2025. Effects of hand-fed versus self-fed supplementation on stocker steer growth, performance, and forage production on smooth bromegrass pastures. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement_1, May 2025, Pages 329–330, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.365 Jones, T. M. and J. K. Farney. 2025. Managing Serecia lespedeza in native pastures by concentrated grazing. Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement_1, May 2025, Pages 335–336, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.372">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.372</a> Adam King, Keith Harmoney, Emma Briggs. August 26, 2025. Efficient Water Use: Utilizing Water Captured by an Alternative Forage - Failed Wheat/Kochia/Palmer Amaranth. Presented at Agriculture Research Center Annual Field Day in Hays, KS  <ol start="2025"> <li>M. Salisbury, J. M. Warner, and L. R. Thompson. 2025. Evaluation of alternative titanium dioxide dosing method to predict dry matter intake. National ASAS Annual Meeting (in press).</li> </ol> Irisarri, J.G.N., Cipriotti, P.A., Castro Sardiña, L., Mortenson, M., & Derner, J.D. (2025). Influences on calf productivity during five decades of cow-calf grazing of northern prairie. Animal, 19, 101557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2025.101557. (collaboration with USDA-ARS and international partners).  Di Stefano, S., Ma, L., Augustine, D., Derner, J., Doro, L., Harmel, D., 2025. Enhancing Rangeland Modeling: Incorporating Spatial Heterogeneity for Improved Estimations of Grazing Management Outcomes on the Great Plains. Mueller, M., K. Dieckmann, N. McMillan, M. Stephenson. Management options for Bromus tectorum in western NE. 2025 Society for Range Management Annual Meetings, Spokane, WA (Presentation)   Zhao, B. et al. Can geo-analysis enhance forage biomass estimation in extensive grazing lands? 2025 Society for Range Management Annual Meetings, Spokane, WA (Presentation)   Stephenson, M., T. Mulliniks, J. Beard, K. Dozler. Heart rate monitoring sensors for grazing research in western NE. 2025 Society for Range Management Annual Meetings, Spokane, WA (Invited Presentation)     Objective 2: Francis, B. B., F. L. Francis, W. C. Rusche, J. J. Delver, T. L. M. Ribeiro, R. J. Leeson, G. H. Olinger, and Z. K. Smith. 2025. Increased feeding duration of a forage-based diet to Angus x Holstein steers previously fed a grain-based starter alters feedlot receiving-period growth performance and biological responses. J. Anim. Sci. 103:Suppl_1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.222">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.222</a>. Leeson, R. J., F. L. Francis, J. J. Delver, B. B. Francis, G. H. Olinger, T. Ribeiro, Z. K. Smith, and W. C. Rusche. 2025. Evaluation of high-moisture corn as a roughage source in finishing diets fed to beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 103:Suppl_1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.221">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.221</a>. Objective 3: Banks, T., J. Delver, B. B. Grimes Francis, F. L. Francis, R. Leeson, T. Maia Ribeiro, M. Nichols, G. Olinger, W. Peschel, F. Podversich, W.C. Rusche, Z.K. Smith, and DeHaan, E.R. 2025. Limit Feeding a High Concentrate Diet to Newly-Weaned Calves Does Not Negatively Affect Growth Performance. Pg 55. https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2025-07/P-00347.pdf  Wehrbein, M. A., G. H. Jardon, H. M. Menendez, W. C. Rusche, Z. K. Smith, and A. C. B. Menezes. 2025. Winter-feeding high concentrate corn-based diet pre- and post-calving improves milk production in beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 103:Suppl_1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.235/">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.235/</a> Wehrbein, M. A., E. R. Valasquez Moreno, H. M. Menendez, W. C. Rusche, Z. K. Smith, and A. C. B. Menezes. 2025. Winter-feeding high concentrate diets minimizes the carbon footprint and improves water usage efficiency in cow/calf systems. J. Anim. Sci. 103:Suppl_1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.232">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.232</a> Freeman, B.N, K.P. Ewing, W.T. Meteer, and D.W. Shike. 2025. Effect of roughage inclusion in limit-fed cow-rations on drylot-housed cow and calf performance. J. Anim. Sci. 103 (Supplement 1) <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.013">https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf102.013</a>. Journal Articles (Bold = authors from multiple states) Objective 1: Dalke, M., J.W. Karl, J. Kenyon, J. Pfander, S. Merrigan, S. Di Stefano, M. King, E. Winford, and K. Launchbaugh. In press. RangeDocs: searchable science for rangeland management. Rangelands. Dozler, K., Y. Xiong, T. Mulliniks, A. Little, M. Stephenson. 2025. Influence of virtual fence on heart rate response in beef cattle. Rangelands 47:72-83. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2024.04.003">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2024.04.003</a> Kray, J. A., D. M. Blumenthal, M. B. Stephenson, L. M. Porensky, D. J. Augustine, S. J. Romero, M. C. Mortenson, J. D. Derner. 2025. Using targeted grazing to close the phenological niche exploited by invasive annual bromes. Rangeland Ecology and Management 98:441-453. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.08.024">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.08.024</a> Zhao, B., M. B. Stephenson, T. Awada, J. D. Volesky, B. Wardlow, Y. Zhou, Y. Shi. 2025. 15-yr biomass production in semiarid NE Sandhills grasslands: Part II – Response to seasonal precipitation and temperature. Rangeland Ecology and Management 101:13-27. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.03.007">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.03.007</a> Accepted. Wilke. K.H. and J.C. MacDonald. Effects of Late Season Dried Distillers Grains Supplementation Frequency on Daily Gain and Economic Return of Yearling Steers Grazing Crested Wheatgrass. Appl. Anim. Sci.   Guretzky, J.A., H. Hillhouse, and K.R. Harmoney. 2025. Seeding rate effects on smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) interseeded with annual warm-season grasses. Agronomy 15:885. doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040885   Harmoney, K.R. and J.R. Jaeger. 2025. Using wet distillers grains placed on the ground as a late-season protein supplement for grazing stocker steers and subsequent effects on finishing performance and carcass characteristics. Applied Animal Science 41:319-328. doi.org/10.15232/aas.2024-02573     Objective 2:   Thapa, V., Koehler-Cole, K., Easterly, A., Menza, N., Pacheco, G., McKinley, B. and Basche, A., 2025. Assessing the productivity and forage potential of spring-planted cover crops in semiarid western NE. Agronomy Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70154">https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70154</a>   Almeida, T.F., Canisares, L.P., Robinson, E., Pesini, G., Poffenbarger, H., and Basche, A., 2025. Cover crops did not change optimal corn nitrogen rate over three variable precipitation seasons in the Western Corn Belt. Agronomy Journal. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70129">https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70129</a>   Cassani, M.T., Gutknecht, J.L., Basche, A., et al. 2025. Productivity of intermediate wheatgrass responds more to local soil and climate factors than fertility treatments in the first establishment year. Frontiers in Agronomy, 7, p.1528534. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2025.1528534">https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2025.1528534</a>   Oys, E., Krupek, F.S., Proctor, C., Koehler-Cole, K. and Basche, A., 2025. Exploring how multi-year cover crop use alters above and belowground weed communities in limited tillage corn–soybean systems. Frontiers in Agronomy, 7, p.1575785. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2025.1575785">https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2025.1575785</a>   Objective 3:   Ewing, K.P, W.T. Meteer, and D.W. Shike. 2025. Effects of rye or triticale with or without crimson clover on forage biomass and quality, gestating beef female performance, and in situ degradation kinetics. Applied Animal Science. Accepted 8/20/2025.   Extension Research Reports/Publications Objective 1: Jones, Tatiana M. and Farney, Jaymelynn K. (2025) "Effects on Stocker Steer Performance While Consuming Essential Oil or Ionophore Minerals," KS Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 11: Iss. 1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8672">https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8672</a> Farney, Jaymelynn K. and Jones, Tatiana M. (2025) "Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Bermudagrass and Calf Performance and Physiology – Year 2," KS Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 11: Iss. 2. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8685">https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8685</a> Farney, Jaymelynn K. and Jones, Tatiana M. (2025) "Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Tall Fescue on Cow Performance," KS Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 11: Iss. 2. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8684">https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8684</a> Farney, Jaymelynn K. and Jacquez, Jonathan (2025) "Form of Supplement and Addition of Ionophore Effects on Steer Performance while Grazing Bromegrass – Year 2," KS Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 11: Iss. 2. <a href="https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8686">https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8686</a> <ol> <li>M. Warner, A. G. Schwartz, B. J. Fraser, J. W. L. Banks, J. K. Farney, J. W. Waggoner, and S. K. Johnson. (2026) Assessment of Nutrient Content of KS Grasslands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. KS Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports (in press).</li> </ol>  Objective 2: National Cover Crop Variety Testing Program. 2024-2025 Trial Results. https://cra.missouri.edu/variety_testing_report_24_25/  Extension publications (peer-reviewed)   Workshops Objective 1: Five workshops with in-state (NE) producers on the results of strategic supplementation strategies. Objective 2: For the Cover Crop Initiative: We will host a field day in Lincoln/Rogers Memorial Farm (Sept 25 2025) where we anticipate approximately 50 attendees to showcase results of prior year’s annual cover crop/forage variety trial experiments. We also launched a workshop series in early October 2024 for NRCS field staff about common cover crop questions in NE. There were four webinars hosted from October 2024 through January 2025. Attendance at the webinars ranged from 40-100 participants and included NRCS field staff and NE extension educators. Objective 3: Banks, T., J. Delver, B. B. Grimes Francis, F. L. Francis, R. Leeson, T. Maia Ribeiro, M. Nichols, G. Olinger, W. Peschel, F. Podversich, W.C. Rusche, Z.K. Smith, and DeHaan, E.R. 2025. Limit Feeding a High Concentrate Diet to Newly-Weaned Calves Does Not Negatively Affect Growth Performance. Pg 55. https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2025-07/P-00347.pdf  <ol> <li>Presented results at SDSU Cottonwood Field Station 2025 Field Day </li> <li>Presented results at SD Cattleman’s Region Roundup </li> </ol>   Multi-State Outreach Presentations <ol> <li>The Siouxland Feedlot Forum is a joint effort between UNL-Extension and SDSU Extension addressing feedlot management topics. In 2025, we invited Dr. Justin Waggoner from KS State University to discuss historical feedlot returns and cost of gain under different management systems.</li> <li>“NE Technology for Grazing Management” ST Genetics, October 4, 2024 - 40 participants</li> <li>“CAM Update 2022-2024” BBR CAM meeting, November 8, 2024 - 20 participants</li> <li>“Cattle grazing and conservation: Rangeland Research at BBR and GSL” Agronomy and Horticulture Fall Seminar, November 14, 2024 – 35 participants.</li> <li>“Virtual fence and grazing management” NCTA GIS Workshop, November 21, 2024 - 75 participants</li> <li>“Virtual fence and grazing management” WY Stock Growers Annual Meeting, December 9, 2024 - 45 participants</li> <li>“Rangeland Forage Production” UNL Extension Panhandle Beef Meeting, December 16, 2024, Rushville, NE, 40 participants</li> <li>“Rangeland Forage Production” UNL Extension Panhandle Beef Meeting, December 16, 2024, Scottsbluff, NE, 60 participants</li> <li>"Virtual Fence for Grazing Management", KS State University Webinar (Online), Jan 23, 2024.</li> <li>"Rangeland Response to Drought", UNL Extension Webinar (Online and in Person), April 15, 2025. 80 participants</li> </ol>   Webinars/Videos and URL for online access Objective 1 Virtual fence Webinar hosted by KCARE. Involved Jaymelynn Farney (KSU) and Mitch Stephenson (UNL). <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCujzGKlazs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCujzGKlazs</a> UNL Beef Watch Podcast: Assessment of Nutrient Content of KS Grasslands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. <a href="https://unlbeefwatch.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/2025/June_2025_JW_CRP_Qlty1.mp3">https://unlbeefwatch.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/2025/June_2025_JW_CRP_Qlty1.mp3</a>

Impact Statements

Intended long-term impacts of research at KS State examining soil health impacts on rangeland include more efficient use of limited native rangeland resources. A variety of factors, including grassland conversion to cropland, widespread woody encroachment, and increasing land prices, have reduced the availability of quality native rangeland to Great Plains livestock producers. These pressures increase the importance of using all available acreage effectively. We can accomplish this goal by facilitating landscape-level conditions that support the maintenance of palatable, nutritious, and digestible forage resources. Good rangeland stewardship also supports the provision of other important ecosystem services, including water filtration, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat. Data from this project may support large-scale grant proposals, e.g., USDA AFRI, NSF, FFAR.
Research from the University of WY will provide critical insights for sustainable beef production in rangeland ecosystems. Findings highlight the benefits of crossbreeding for improving calf productivity and demonstrate the need for adaptive management strategies that account for increasing climate variability. The results are directly applicable to ranchers and land managers across the Great Plains and similar rangeland ecosystems, improving decision-making under changing environmental conditions.
University of NE research evaluating feeding supplement 3 times per week in the last half of the grazing season resulted in similar gain to feeding supplement 6 times per week all summer. A sensitivity analysis indicated that when cattle price was low and supplement was high feeding later in the season and less frequently was more profitable than 6 times all summer. However, when cattle prices were high and supplement low, it paid to feed all summer. Producers were able to make decisions about supplementation strategies.