WCC91: Improving Stress Resistance of Forages in the Western United States
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
WCC91: Improving Stress Resistance of Forages in the Western United States
Duration: 10/01/1999 to 09/30/2004
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
Rangelands of western North America are valued a prime source of grazing and habitat for livestock and wildlife as well as for their watershed, aesthetic, and recreational qualities. Rangeland environments are extremely variable, and plants are often subjected to severe water deficits and other abiotic and biotic stresses. Although the condition of western rangelands has improved during the last 100 years, mismanagement has left nearly 50% of this vast resource in poor to very poor condition. Less than 20% of the area is classified in good condition or is producing within 60% of its natural potential. Environmental pressures to restrict livestock grazing on public lands have fueled interests in research to maximize the potential of private lands. The value of both private and public grazing lands can be improved through better management systems as well as through breeding genetically improved cultivars of grasses and forbs. Research to achieve these goals requires meaningful interactions among geneticists, plant breeders, physiologists, educators, and user groups.
Feeding harvested hay to livestock during the late fall and winter has been a common practice for over a century in the temperate regions of the United States and Canada. During the last decade, however, economic trends have forced the cost of hay to levels where it is no longer cost-effective for many livestock operations. A logical alternative for reducing the cost of feeding livestock is to establish perennial plants on irrigated and dryland pastures that possess the forage characteristics to extend the grazing season and decrease our dependence on harvested forages. In preliminary trials, grasses of the Leymus and Elymus genera have demonstrated potential for grazing during the late fall and winter. Because of their relatively tall stature, many of these grasses protrude above the snow, and their leaves appear to have better curing qualities than many other temperate grasses.
Objectives
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Exchange research approaches and results relating to the physiology, genetics, and breeding of stress resistance in forage species.
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Identify forage species, cultivars, and experimental lines with potential to extend the livestock grazing season during the late fall and winter.
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Encourage adoption of research findings into more appropriate management systems on western grazing lands.
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Exchange information in a timely fashion on the availability and adaptability of new germplasm and cultivars of forage species.
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Procedures and Activities
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Cooperative research and exchange of ideas and expertise stemming from this WCC proposal are expected to achieve specific goals relating to identification and development of improved plant germplasm, more efficient management of western grazing lands, and more effective transfer of information to user groups. The proposal directly relates to the following five of the top seven rankings of ESCOP initiatives established by the Western AES Directors: 1) conserve and enhance air, soil, and water resources; 2) develop integrated and sustainable animal production systems; 3) protect plants for sustained productivity; 6) develop alternative plant management systems; and 7) use genetics to improve plants for the 21st century. Most of the stresses affecting forage plants, such as extreme temperature, drought, wind, soil salinity and alkalinity, insects and diseases, and grazing are common to all states in western U.S. Substantial amounts of genetic resources of both grasses and legumes are available through representative agriculture experiment stations and USDA agencies in the region. The proposal will provide a mechanism for exchange of scientific technology, expertise, and germplasm as well as collaboration on research projects which will lead to more efficient development, evaluation, and application of these genetic resources to the solution of common management problems. The committee has recently planned and established a multi-state research program to evaluate the potential of several forage species to provide grazing for livestock and wildlife during the late fall and winter. The goal is to reduce costs associated with production and storage of hay in western livestock operations. Other cooperative research involving members of the committee relates to the evaluation and development of alfalfa germplasm for grazing under dryland conditions in the West. Cooperative interactions also are underway to determine the physiological basis for persistence of alfalfa and other legumes under grazing in semiarid environments. Results from these research projects will be published in scientific and popular outlets. Active interchange of ideas and expertise relating to a wide range of issues associated with the improvement of western grasslands is a regular occurrence at each committee meeting.
Projected Participation
View Appendix E: ParticipationEducational Plan
The WCC-091 project is composed of scientists with research, teaching and extension appointments. The integration of Extension faculty into WCC-091 provides the unique opportunity to effectively transfer and disseminate forage research results directly to clientele. During the annual meeting discussions involve the utility of incorporating new and current findings into new and existing educational forage programs. Both individually and through cooperative efforts extension programs, based on WCC-091 results, are provided to the public through field days, reports, popular articles, and other publications. Directly or indirectly all members of WCC-091 support extending quality information on forages to traditional producers and new partners. The new WCC-091 project captures and capitalizes on the expertise and cooperation among its members.
Organization/Governance
Chairperson - Responsible for coordinating annual meeting, including general meeting agenda, reports, meeting facilities, and notification of members.
Vice-Chair - Assist Chairperson in carrying out responsibilities in coordinating annual meetings.
Secretary - Take minutes, prepare annual report, and send to Administrator Advisor.
Literature Cited