Project Number: 6218-12210-002-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 11, 2003
End Date: Feb 10, 2008

Objective:
Develop low-input techniques for forage production on degraded or unimproved warm-season pastures to increase year-around availability of forages and to provide economically and environmentally sustainable forage production systems for underserved, minority and resource-limited livestock producers with small land-holdings.

Approach:
Evaluate cool-season grasses and warm- and cool-season legumes established in degraded or unimproved warm-season pastures for compatibility, persistence and impact on forage production and quality. Assess the productivity and persistence of non-traditional grass and legume mixtures under grazing. Determine indicators of onset and termination of forage growth to facilitate management. Evaluate low-input forage management systems with available resource, crop and decision support models. Results from this study will identify forage management systems adapted to low-input farms and forage mixtures that enhance and extend the productive grazing period of pastures and grasslands.

Project Team

Williams, Robert Bartholomew, Paul Mayeux, Herman

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003