SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

Dale Blasi (dblasi@kstu.edu) – Kansas State University; Zachary Carlson (Zachary.e.carlson@ndsu.edu) – North Dakota State University; Mary Drewnoski (mary.drewnoski@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jaymelynn Farney (jkj@ksu.edu) – Kansas State University; Walter Fick (whfick@ksu.edu) – Kansas State University; John Guretzky (jguretzky2@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Keith Harmoney (kharmone@ksu.edu) – Kansas State University; Karla Wilke (Jenkins; kjenkins2@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Doohong Min (dmin@ksu.edu) – Kansas State University; Jay Parsons (jparsons4@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Darren Redfearn (dredfearn2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Warren Rusche (warren.rusche@sdstate.edu) – South Dakota State University; Dan Shike (dshike@illinois.edu) – University of Illinois; Mitchell Stephenson (mstephenson@unl.edu) University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jerry Volesky (jvolesky1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jason Warner (jasonwarner@k-state.edu) – Kansas State University

  • Welcome, introductions: Introductions from each member were done with the whole group. participants all joined via Zoom connection.
  • State report highlights: participants shared research results obtained thus far in the multi-state project.
  • Future grants: the group discussed upcoming research from awarded funds and potential directions for others with grants.
  • Additional discussion was conducted on sharing information through webinars and other electronic media and in-person meetings for the following year (2024: fifth year of current multi-state committee). Participants also planned a series of joint meetings across state lines (North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas) as has been done in the last project.

Accomplishments

The NC1181 committee has grown and expanded our collaborative team with additional universities (NDSU, SDSU, University of Illinois, University of Missouri) joining in recent years. One of our main goals is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration. This year and in previous year’s meetings, the interactions between committee members have fostered collaboration leading to research that would not have occurred without NC1181. Members of the committee have been awarded grants from USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and USDA-NIFA-AFRI Sustainable Agriculture Systems.

 Short-term Outcomes:

  1. Research results were translated for use by producers and disseminated through electronic newsletters, podcasts, media interviews (print and visual), extension publications, and distributed through social media.
    • Kansas State University
      • Beef and Forage Field Day hosted at the Southeast Research and Extension Center: 70 attendees
      • Recorded the presentations and posted on @KansasStateUniversitySEREC YouTube page
      • Bressner Pasture Field Day: 124 attendees
      • Talked about topics related to Objectives 1 and 2 at 15 meetings with ~500 in attendance
      • Hosted 20 podcasts on Dr. Js Beef Podcast in which half are related to topics associated with these objectives.
    • University of Nebraska
      • Presentations were given both virtually (webinars) and in person reaching 2,036 producers and consultants.
      • 10 podcasts were recorded discussing various aspects of the research conducted as a part of this project.
      • Five posters on various research conducted in this project were presented to 16 Nebraska Extension Educators at an in-service training in May.
      • 5 research reports were published
      • Member of team is co-instructor on course offered at UNL in collaboration with 6 other institutions and 8 other instructors. Course specifically focuses on cover crops in agrosystems.
    • North Dakota State University
      • Beef Cattle Field Day hosted at the Beef Cattle Research Complex: 65 attendees

 Activities:

Objective 1: Enhance productivity and efficient use of pasture, rangeland, and other forage resources

A research project at the University of Arkansas Livestock and Forestry Research Station (LFRS) was conducted to determine the effect of to hand-fed (HF) or self-fed (SF) summer supplementation programs on gain response of growing calves grazing bermudagrass pastures. The research objectives were to evaluate the effect of to hand-fed (HF) or self-fed (SF) summer supplementation programs on gain response of growing calves grazing bermudagrass pastures. At Kansas State University, the third year of evaluating supplementation feed ingredients (hand-fed or self-fed) and effects on cattle performance and forage utilization. Supplementation during the late summer was more efficient than supplementing throughout the entire summer. Self-fed molasses-based supplements did not consistently improve performance and required over 10 pounds of supplement per pound of added gain. Depending on supplement delivery costs the most cost-effective way to add gain with supplement to growing calves grazing bermudagrass pasture is to hand-feed.

John Guretzky completed a multistate project in collaboration with Keith Harmoney (KSU). Studies were conducted from 2020 to 2022 to introduce warm-season annual grass species into perennial cool-season grass pastures to increase dry matter production during the mid-summer time period that perennial cool-season grasses would be most dormant. The research evaluated effects of seeding rate of three species: crabgrass, sorghum-sudangrass, and teff.  Seeding rates were 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 x recommended rates and were compared to unseeded controls. Combined over 2 years, plots with interseeded sorghum-sudangrass had significantly greater total forage output.

 

Objective 2: Create and evaluate opportunities to incorporate forage production within cropping systems

Oats provide an important forage crop in the central Great Plains, but challenges (e.g., drought and other weather variables) may limit the value of this crop when planted as a spring or fall forage crop. Data from a 2-year study conducted at multiple locations in Nebraska and Kansas was organized that evaluated differences in seeding and fertilizer rates. Initial findings indicate that lower seeding rates may increase vegetative growth and increase opportunities for higher nutritive value in hay. The outcomes of this research provide opportunities to adjust seeding and fertilizer rates to better match forage oat production with the environment.

Basche: The University of Nebraska team continued its work on diversified cropping systems that have potential to increase forage opportunities in typical annual crop rotations in Nebraska. This includes work on two prior projects and a newly funded project. One of the prior projects are the Kernza CAP, a multi-state, multi-institution effort to expand the use of the perennial grain crop Kernza. We harvested grain from the second year of two experiments at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska. We also harvested fall biomass for the first time and are in the process of assessing forage quality for summer and fall samples. The second ongoing project is the Cover Crop Initiative, a collaborative project funded by NRCS Nebraska, where our team is managing multi-site cover crop variety trials. In the past year we planted three fall cover crop sites, two spring cover crop sites, and two summer cover crop sites. Many of these treatments are being evaluated for forage quality.

The newly funded 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 will plant a cover crop variety trial in subsequent years. The education team has met twice to begin planning new cover crop variety testing modules for undergraduate and graduate students.

 

Objective 5: Improve stakeholder understanding of the systems and management practices evaluated

Results from studies associated with Objectives 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been presented at multiple on-line and in-person producer workshops.

At the University of Nebraska, the conclusions from the strip grazing trials were presented to 160 stakeholders at 4 different meetings this year. A webinar “Is Strip Grazing Worth It? Getting More Out of Fall Forage Cover Crops” in which a cooperating ranch (Brock and Heidi Terrell) talked about their operation and gave their perspectives on how cover crops fit their systems as well as the benefits of strip grazing cover crops in the fall was produced, with 32 attending live and 335 have watched the recording. A BeefWatch Podcast was recorded in which Doug Steffen, a producer in Eastern NE, talked about how he uses cover crops in an integrated crop and cattle operation. Three of the cooperating producers completed a post-survey about their experience grazing fall forage cover crops. When asked about the advantages and disadvantages of strip-grazing, a producer from southwest Nebraska commented, "Strip-grazing gives you more control of the amount of forage harvested and residue left behind. Although it requires more time and labor moving fence, it is worth it for the increased forage utilization. It forces you to spend more time in the field observing the livestock, soil, and plants." All three producers stated that they plan to continue strip-grazing cover crops while making minor adjustments to best fit their system. At the University of Missouri, provided educational content on drought management strategies in two states outside (Minnesota and Nebraska) Missouri and produced two YouTube videos on the same topic. At Kansas State University, hosted yearly field day to present information about supplementation methods and forage utilization. Host podcast (Dr. Js Beef) with weekly episodes talking about “Something beef related” (tagline of the podcast). Publication of research findings in State Association publications and regional media. Data has been shared in experiment station reports, in podcast, in popular press articles and on Ag Today (radio program from Kansas State).

Impacts

  1. From Oct 1, 2022 to Sept 30, 2023, progress was made to develop and continue proposed research projects evaluating rangeland and pasture management strategies, opportunities for forage production on croplands, and cow-calf management strategies with limited pasture. This NC-1181 group of researchers was able to develop webinars resulting in over 9,000 views. Information was also shared through electronic newsletters and podcasts with over 50,000 subscribers and additional downloads from search engines. Funding secured in 2023 by the members of NC-1181 for research to accomplish objectives 1-5 totaled $10,498,100. This strengthens our commitment to continuing research and Extension on optimizing land use for beef cattle production. Several management practices can be adopted by cattle producers to improve the efficiency and profitability of their operations. Specific to strip grazing of late summer planted cover crops can increase carrying capacity and gain per acre. Our estimates suggest that the increases in harvest efficiency can easily pay for the increased labor demand. However, late summer-planted annual forages in northern climates struggle to produce adequate forage for grazing. However, the use of annual forages as a cover crop in cropping systems in northern climates seems viable without impacting soil conditions negatively. As world populations continue to grow, the efficient, sustainable, and responsible conversion of forage into high-quality protein products is increasingly important. Pasture management is critical for maintaining the productivity and sustainability of the pastures and the livestock species. One method to improving pasture may be using annual forages interseeded into perennial pastures. Over 4 years, with varying degrees of precipitation, cattle performed better while grazing bermudagrass, crabgrass, or interseeded sorghum-sudan into fescue, compared to fescue only. There is potential that interseeding sorghum-sudan into fescue can be a viable summer grass option. With drought persisting throughout the Great Plains, confined cow-calf research continues to remain a discussion point with producers. Calf management in confined cow-calf systems has a great impact on the feasibility and sustainability of these systems. Decisions on whether to creep feed and the duration of creep feeding affect the short-term growth of calves and overall operation profitability. By assisting producers with the implementation of novel management practices for optimized environmental and economic outcomes of integrated crop-cow/calf systems this project helps to ensure that the public has access to safe, affordable, and healthy beef.

Publications

Abstracts/Posters/Professional Presentations

  1. Rodriques, A. C., Volesky, D. Redfearn, K. Harmoney, M. Stephenson. Differences in oat forage production with different nitrogen and seeding rates across multiple locations. 2023 American Agronomy Society meetings, St. Louis, Mo

Journal Articles

  1. Stephenson, M. B., T. M. Grijalva, D. Volesky, T. Mulliniks. 2023. Grazing subirrigated meadow regrowth influences subsequent year plant production and nutritive value. Agronomy Journal - Accepted.
  2. Wheeler, K. E., M.S. Most, D.T. Dustin, Parsons, M.E. Drewnoski, and K.H. Wilke. 2023. Effects of Strategic Supplementation of Distillers Grains on Gains and Economic Return of Yearling Cattle Grazing Cool Season Pastures in the Summer. Applied Animal Science. Accepted.
  3. Grabau, M.T., J. C. MacDonald, E. Carlson, and M. E. Drewnoski. 2023. Impact of cattle grazing corn residue in spring on soil and subsequent soybean yield. Agronomy Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21407

Extension Research Reports/Publications

  1. Davies-Jenkins, S.L., A. Sartin, D. Jakub, Carlson, E. Laborie, J. Arterburn, B. Beckman, B. Schick and M. E. Drewnoski. 2024. Impact of Strip-Grazing Stockpiled Annual/Cover Crop Forages on Carrying Capacity and Animal Performance. Nebraska Beef Report. MP118: 37-41.
  2. Yasuoka, J.I.; Helwig, D.; Powell, W.; Farney, J. K.; Sassenrath, G. F.; Pedreira, B.C. Nutrient management strategies to control broomsedge infestation and improve yield and quality of tall fescue hayfields. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports, v. 9, n. 2, 2023.
  3. Yasuoka, J.I.; Powell, ; Fick, W.; Pedreira, B.C. Impact of stubble heights on native hay meadows in Southeast Kansas. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports, v. 9, n. 2, 2023.
  4. Yasuoka, J.I.; Helwig, D.; Fick, W.; Pedreira, B.C. Yield and forage quality on native meadows as affected by burn and fertilization management. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports, v. 9, n. 2, 2023.
  5. Yasuoka, J.I.; Powell, W.; Fick, W.; Pedreira, B.C. Impact of lime, phosphorus, and potassium on yield and forage quality on native hay meadows in southeast Kansas. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports, v. 9, n. 2, 2023.
  6. Harmoney, K. and Guretzky, J. 2022. Interseeding Sorghum-Sudangrass into Perennial Cool-Season Western Wheatgrass Pasture. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8276
  7. Harmoney, K., and Guretzky. 2022. Interseeding warm-season annual grasses into perennial cool-season western wheatgrass. American Forage and Grassland Council National Meeting Abstracts, Wichita, KS.
  8. Pedreira, B. C., D. Helwig, M. Haywood, K. Farney, and G. Sassenrath. 2022. Bermudagrass Under Different Fertility and Harvest Management Practices. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8280
  9. Pedreira, B. C., D. Helwig, M. Haywood,. K. Farney, and G. Sassenrath. 2022. Impact of Fertility and Mowing on Crabgrass Quantity and Quality for Hay Production in Southeast Kansas. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8281
  10. Pedreira, B. C., D. Helwig, M. Haywood,. K. Farney, and G. Sassenrath. 2022. Fertilization Management to Improve Stockpiled Tall Fescue in the Fall. Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8282

Funding (include grants and contracts)

  1. NC SARE Research and Education Grant. Evaluating virtual fences for cattle in regards to water resources, forage management, invasive weed control, and wildlife systems,” $249,998. Lead PI Jaymelynn Farney, Co-PIs Bruno Pedreira and Drew Ricketts. 2022-2025.
  2. Meehan, M., Carlson, C. Byrd, M. Drewnoski, Y. Xiong, J. Parsons, K. Sedivec, and C. Tobin. Grazing Technologies to Enhance Integrated CropLivestock Systems in the Northern Great Plains. 2024-2027. NCR-SARE. $248,102.
  3. Myers, R., V. Ackroyd, M. Bagavathiannan, Bailey, A. Basche, M. Berti, M. Blair, D. Brake, C. Brummer, K. Clark, A. Conway, H. Darby, M. Davis, M. Drewnoski, N. Ehlke, F. Fritschi, A. Gaudin, R. L. Gonzalez, R. Hayes, M. Hendrickson, E. Kladivko, L. Kucek, C. Lowry, R. Milhollin, V. Moore, M. Niles, A. Raturi, C. Reberg-Horton, H. Riday, M. Ryan, M. Stammn, J. Thomas, R. Udawatta, J. Wade and K. Wilson. 2023-2027. Catalyzing cover crop advancement as a climate-smart practice through a national variety improvement and seed production program. USDA-NIFA-AFRI Sustainable Agriculture Systems. $10,000,000.
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