Renovating Hay Fields, Pastures Makes Good Economic Sense

March 18, 2005

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Renovating Hay Fields, Pastures Makes Good Economic Sense

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE

Variety Adds Spice To Life Good For Your Health Too

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Youth Develop Expertise At 4-H Horse Camps

Renovating Hay Fields, Pastures

Makes Good Economic Sense

Source: Garry Lacefield

Grasses dominate the seven million acres of pastures and hay fields serving Kentucky's animal-based agriculture. Renovating grasses to renew productivity is one of the most important management practices to improve this acreage.

Research data and farmer experiences over more than 50 years have proven the benefits of higher yield, quality and summer production from establishing legumes in grass pastures and hay fields. Since legumes also fix nitrogen, renovation lowers fertilizer costs and use. In one study, using red clover to renovate a fescue pasture produced higher yields than using the equivalent of 180 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

A legume-grass mix increases palatability, intake, digestibility and nutrient content, compared to grass alone. Research shows that legumes improve animal growth rates, reproductive efficiency and milk production.

Inoculated legume seed provide a valuable nutrient by fixing nitrogen in the soil. Different legumes fix varying amounts of nitrogen. Alfalfa fixes the most at 200 to 300 pounds of nitrogen an acre per year; annual lespedeza, about 75 to 150 pounds. The value of this nitrogen can vary from $50 to more than $200 an acre annually. Legumes can put up to $75 worth of nitrogen into the soil.

Another advantage of renovation is that legumes produce more summer growth than cool-season grasses, providing forage during a slack-growth period.

The ultimate forage use is one consideration when deciding which legume to use. For instance, alfalfa and red clover usually are best for hay. Ladino and red clover and annual lespedeza work well in pastures alone. A combination of red clover and ladino clover are good for both hay and pasture.

Using legume and grass varieties that perform well in your geographical area is another important factor in successful renovation. Data from University of Kentucky variety trials will help you pick varieties that are appropriate for your area. This information is available from the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service, the "Variety Performance" information on the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Web page at http://www.ca.uky.edu/Ag/Agronomy/Extension, or the Forage Variety Trials information on the UK Forage Extension Web site at http://www.uky.edu/ag/forage.

To successfully establish legumes, you must control competition from grasses and weeds that reduces the light, nutrients and water young legume plants need. Graze or mow grass until new legume plants are three to four inches tall; then cease for four to six weeks to allow the young plants to become well established.

Legumes need a higher soil pH and fertility level than grasses so take soil tests and apply the recommended lime and fertilizer. Do not add nitrogen during the establishment year because it will stimulate growth of grass that will compete with the seedling legumes.

Buy certified seed. Mix a high-quality inoculant with the seed before planting and use a sticking agent to help the inoculant adhere to seed.

To improve seed-soil contact, use a disk, field cultivator, or field tiller to break up soil to improve the potential for seed germination and growth. Another method is to use a no-till renovation seeder. Broadcast legume seed on the soil surface in the late winter so soil freezing and thawing will cover them. This method does not work well with alfalfa.

For more information on pasture renovation, consult the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service, or visit the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Web site at http://www.ca.uky.edu/Ag/Agronomy/Extension.

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Variety Adds Spice To Life

Good For Your Health Too

Source: Sandra Bastin

Serving a variety of orange and leafy green vegetables spices up mealtime, gives many needed minerals and vitamins and provides substances that may prevent some chronic diseases.

In addition to their variety of colors, vegetables can be served many ways including fresh, steamed, wilted, braised, poached and stuffed.

Most leafy green and orange vegetables are high in vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and other nutrients necessary for good health. The darker green vegetable leaves are, the more nutrients they contain. Many vegetables also contain phytochemicals that scientists have indicated may reduce the risk of certain cancers, high blood pressure and heart disease.

People should eat vegetables in the cruciferous family at least two to three times a week because they are especially high in phytochemicals. Members of this family include all types of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale and broccoflower. Other vegetables containing these substances are spinach and turnip and mustard greens.

It is nutritionally desirable to maintain the bright green colors of spinach, Chinese cabbage and Swiss chard so cook them the least time possible and close to mealtime to prevent over-cooking. Also, use a minimal amount of cooking liquid to keep nutrients from leaching out and to maintain superior texture, flavor and color.

Use a variety of mixed greens, particularly darker varieties to prepare a tossed salad chocked full of minerals. Try something out of the ordinary by adding butternut squash, sweet potatoes or beets.

For more information on family nutrition and good health, contact the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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Youth Develop Expertise

At 4-H Horse Camps

Sources: Kristen Janicki

4-H Youth Development horse camps are popular with young equestrians and enable members to master horsemanship skills, share interests, skills and fun with other youth, and gain more independence and self-esteem.

NOTE AGENTS: If your 4-Hers will attend a horse camp, write pertinent information in the paragraph below.

(County Name) 4-H Youth Development members will attend the (name) horse camp on (date[s]). 4-Hers planning to go include (list names).

NOTE AGENTS: If you have a horse program in your county, put information in paragraph below.

We have an active horse program in (County Name). Youth (describe activities and events here.) [Agents, you also may want to put information about horse club meetings, times and locations.]

Horse camp durations and special activities vary by district and county.

These camps help 4-Hers learn how to properly care for horses in such areas as basic grooming and nutrition. Campers sign up for a particular riding group, and are divided into groups according to skill level. Then, professional trainers or instructors teach classes on horsemanship, showmanship and riding skills. These experiences improve campers’ abilities in equitation, stable management and related topics. Youth also gain a better understanding of all phases of the horse industry.

Horse camps are a learning experience for parents as well, because they can attend classes with their children to expand their equine knowledge. Parent-child teams can reinforce newly acquired knowledge when they return home.

Some camps might have a Horse Lovers’ Division for members who don’t own horses, or can’t bring their horses. In this division, youth learn about basic horse care, attend workshops, and have limited hands-on experience with a horse.

Camps aren’t all work, though; there are horse fun aspects, too. These might include hippology, horse bowl, scavenger hunts, crafts and the like. These experiences help 4-H members bond with each other.

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

For more information on horse programs and other 4-H Youth Development activities, contact me at the (County Name) Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

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