First Business Meeting:

The meeting was called to order by Jim Russell at 8:00 a.m. on June 17, 2004. After welcome and introductions, Jim called upon Darrell Nelson, administrative advisor, to discuss the renewal of NC-225, which will transition to NC-1020 on October 1, 2004. NC-1020 was approved for three years rather than the more common five years, partly because concerns were expressed by the reviewers. Some cited that there was little demonstration of interdependence among the participating states, and relatively few of the eligible states elected to participate. The work with co-products was viewed by some as redundant with feedlot work where it was deemed more relevant than in pasture research. Research with co-products was also viewed by some as having less potential for leverage. The proposal was also criticized for the lack of participation by economists.

The directors saw some overlap with the work of the NC-189 committee and its successor, and mandated interaction, including a joint meeting.

Darrell emphasized the importance of the termination report for NC-225. Discussion occurred regarding timing and format for the report. The report is to cover the entire 5-year period of the project. Darrell suggested that state coordinators forward synopses of activities for the period to the NC-225 secretary.

Jim introduced Maynard Hogberg, who welcomed the group on behalf of the Iowa State Departments of Animal Science and Agronomy, the latter for Steve Fales, who could not attend. Maynard provided his insights into the direction of Iowa State in grazing research, and events within the department and college that impinged upon future efforts and participation in projects such as NC-1020.

Jim introduced Gary Cromwell, representative of CSREES, who detailed some of the actions at the Federal level, and their possible impact on this project and related research.

State Reports. Objective 1. Nebraska: Terry Klopfenstein first mentioned that Dick Clark, who had another commitment and could not make this meeting, has been interim department head since last summer and will not be participating in NC-1020. His former position will be filled. Don Adams, who also assumed an interim administrative position and could not attend, provided information on (1) a winter supplementation study during the third trimester of March-calving cows; (2) effects of spring grazing meadows vs. feeding hay on June-calving cows; and (3) on cow PPI and calf growth.

In Lincoln, studies on effects of increased forage use on steer development were continued. This included the use of corn stalks supplemented with corn gluten.

The use of distillers’ grain co-product was studied to see how much substitution for forage would occur, with the idea that forages could become more expensive relative to co-product. (1) The use of brome hay compared to high-quality alfalfa-sorghum silage was investigated with the finding that gain was improved with lower intake of the better forage, resulting in a higher value for co-product with low- than high-quality forage. (2) On brome pasture, the response to grain was not as steep and forage intake was much more affected than in drylot, making the value of co-product lower on pasture.

Iowa: Jim Russell summarized results of the year-round grazing system. Over 3+ years, the two systems showed similar profits. The most limiting factor in the entire system was the performance of stockers, especially their price. The year-round system worked best with fall-calving cows. The greatest need was for better stockpile forage yields.

Stockpiled fescue-red clover was tested for 2 years to maintain heifers. Maintenance cost was lower with stockpile than drylot at both stocking rates used.

Correlations of iNDF with dry matter intake of forage were low.

P excretion by cattle was significantly affected by forage maturity, so has water quality implications.

Kansas: John Fritz’ KansasGrazer software is available on the web (http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/forage/ksgrazer.htm). To enhance its utility, a tutorial was developed and is accessible from the opening screen through the “Help” button (flash Macromedia plug-in required). Utility of the software will be demonstrated at grazing schools and conferences in 2004.

Objective 2. Nebraska: Walt Schacht reported on three projects. (1) Summer grazing big bluestem was most detrimental to etiolated tiller growth and root mass during the stem elongation stage of development (late June). There was almost no effect on roots of grazing big bluestem in May, little in August. (2) Species composition of warm-season grass pasture was studied over 8 years of treatment with different combinations of grazing and recovery times. Annual bromes and smooth bromegrass increased during that time regardless of the grazing strategy.

Ohio: David Zartman reported on (1) two winters of stockpiling intact corn for winter grazing. Forage quality was sufficient for non-lactating cows, and cost projection for corn production plus supplement for a 300 kg stocker steer to gain 600 g/day was $0.76/day. (2) Ryegrass was broadcast-seeded after removal of no-till corn silage in one experiment and (3) rye or triticale was drilled in another. In each, forages were grazed by dairy heifers with limited supplement from Nov. 22 until Jan. 10. Ryegrass was grazed again for 15 days in April, but heifers were unavailable for grazing the rye/triticale. Hay was supplied on only two days, during severe ice storms. (4) Renovation of high-endophyte tall fescue/white clover pasture with improved cultivars was performed after severe spring trampling. Data are being collected in 2004.

Iowa: Charlie Brummer reported on the winter stockpiling plot work in progress at Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. Samples were collected the previous winter, are being processed, and will be analyzed at Iowa State, along with next winter’s samples.

Jim Russell reported on winter grazing corn stalk residues. They found no difference in cattle use between lines with and without the Bt gene. Some compaction occurred under higher stocking density, mostly near the surface. Subsequent crop yields were not affected, except for one case where there was an 8% reduction.

Kansas: The use of lespedeza or 50 lb/acre of additional N for crabgrass in the wheat-crabgrass system resulted in similar forage dry matter and gain by stocker animals.

Dale Blasi is establishing baseline values for branched-chain fatty acids in Flint Hills forage, and their rate and extent of digestion by steers.

Objective 3. Nebraska: Walt Schacht reported on dry matter and crude protein removal from bromegrass-birdsfoot trefoil mixtures. Grazing removal was greatest from smooth brome alone with 80 lb/a of N. DM removal was lower from brome without N and brome with a high proportion of trefoil than from the other two treatments, but CP removal was lowest from brome with no N.

An interseeding study in smooth bromegrass with alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil was conducted. The main problems encountered were insect pests an soil P levels. Another trial initiated was a test with different varieties of orchardgrass.

Kansas: Twenty-four legume cultivars in endophyte-infected tall fescue are being evaluated under grazing and clipping management.

Iowa: Alfalfa genotypes are being evaluated under grazing, primarily for persistence.

Objective 4. The 4-State Grazing Conference was critiqued. The consensus of those involved was that it was very successful. The Ranch Practicum conducted at Nebraska was another model that was discussed. The committee members are to “brainstorm” for topics of programs that might be conducted by NC-1020.

The meeting was adjourned for touring.

At the ISU Agronomy Farm, facilities and equipment used for forage research were discussed by Ken Moore, Charlie Brummer, and Roger Hintz. Steve Barnhart showed facilities and plots used for hands-on training sessions for fieldmen and other practitioners.

At the ISU Beef Nutrition farm, Allen Trenkle discussed research being conducted using distillers’ grains in the feedlot, then outlined the program using grass-finished beef. The results from using wetlands to treat feedlot runoff were discussed by Jeff Lorimor. The committee then toured the stockpile pastures used for wintering heifers as they were described by graduate student, Ronda Driskill.

Second Business Meeting:

The meeting was called to order by Jim Russell at 8:00 a.m. on June 18, 2004.

Dr. Jeri Neal of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture addressed the group. The three main foci of the center concern ag policy, food and marketing, and agri-ecology, wherein the grazing initiative resides. While partnering for projects has been and will likely be for in-state projects, inclusion of a broader scope may be considered in the future, provided that it is linked to Iowa groups that are concerned with problems and solutions that will benefit Iowa agriculture.

Old Business. The termination report for NC-225 is due September 30. The report should be organized by objective. Format was located on-line, and questions may be addressed to Nikki Nelson. A draft will be circulated by Monday, August 16.

The minutes, due 60 days following the meeting, will be posted on the web page (http://www.ans.iastate.edu/nc225).

New Business. Location: It was moved and seconded that the next meeting be held in Nebraska. Passed.

Timing: We are to meet jointly with the new NC-1021 (formerly NC-189) and perhaps NCR-87. The hosts should direct efforts to meet the 3^rd week of June, 2005, in coordination with the officers of those other committees.

Nominations: Joe Moyer was nominated as chair. It was moved and seconded that nominations cease. Passed.

Bruce Anderson was nominated as secretary. It was moved and seconded that nominations cease. Passed.

Initiation of NC-1020 was begun with a discussion of plans for Objective 2. For outreach proposed in Objective 2a, the forage database should result from data from other objectives. This could also be a link to NCR-87. Terry Klopfenstein suggested that this activity could become more critical with discontinuation of “official” National Research Council requirements. Protocols for data and sample collection and analysis were discussed.

For Objective 2c, a conference on co-products use in grazing systems was proposed for fall, 2005 or spring, 2006. The audience that should be targeted was discussed, with the consensus that we should train the distillers’ reps and other technicians involved in marketing. Rick Rasby, Bruce Anderson, Dan Morrical, and Daryl Strobein will coordinate this effort.

The committee was then broken into “Objective” groups, led by the lead writers of each subcategory. Detailed plans and procedures were developed.

Meeting adjourned at noon.

Resolution:

David Zartman chaired an ad hoc resolution committee. It was unanimously resolved that the NC-225 committee enjoyed a profitable and stimulating meeting and that we are grateful for the leadership of our chairman, Jim Russell during the renewal planning and writing process, and for the arrangements that contributed to a profitable and enjoyable meeting.