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Forage Resources

Collection of forage resources, mostly for Coastal Oregon regions. Includes studies on fiber digestibility, phosphoric soil, rations, and cost/benefit of growing and buying locally grown forages.

Journal Publications

Improved Understanding of Fiber Digestibility in Ryegrasses

Dairy nutritionists have long known that forages with the same laboratory analysis could produce significantly different performance in lactating cows. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) may explain much of this variation. The objectives of the study described here were to demonstrate NDFD variation between varieties of ryegrass and season of harvest and to use this information as the basis for an educational Extension program.

Troy Downing, Patrick French | Apr 2009 | Online resource

Fiber Digestibility in Ryegrasses

A look at the fiber digestibility in ryegrasses for cow diets.

Troy Downing, Patrick French | Aug 2008 | Online resource

Research Reports

Assessing Phosphorus and Potassium Feeding on Oregon Dairies

A study was conducted on Oregon dairy farms in 2002-2003 investigating the quantity of phosphorus and potassium in cow diets and in the produced urine and feces.

Troy Downing, Amy Peters, Patrick French, Kathryn Higgs, Mary French | Sep 2016 | Online resource

Fiber digestibility in cool season grasses

The past several years we have conducted a trail looking at fiber digestibility of several cool season grasses. Grasses were planted in the fall and harvested for two consecutive years. Varieties were replicated three times, dry...

Troy Downing | Apr 2009 | Article

Nonstructural carbohydrates in forage cultivars

We are just beginning to see interest by researchers to learn more about a cultivar's palatability and intake potential. Understanding these performance differences between cultivars is of growing importance. In addition to the ...

Troy Downing | Aug 2007 | Article

Phosphorus on the farm from feed grains and by-products

Phosphorus is an important plant nutrient for growing dairy forages. Unfortunately, many dairies have more phosphorus excreted and stored in manure than they can use during a crop year. Soils have the ability to store moderate ...

Troy Downing, Michael Gamroth | Mar 2004 | Article

Extension Publications

What Are Your Forages Worth?

Designed to help dairy farmers calculate the costs of homegrown forages and compare them to the costs of purchasing forages. Presents typical per-acre costs of establishing, producing, and harvesting alfalfa or grass for silage to...

Troy Downing | May 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Selenium Supplementation Strategies for Livestock in Oregon

Provides an overview of the role of selenium in the diet of livestock, and discusses selenium supplementation rates and supplementation methods. Lists guidelines for assessing livestock's selenium status and summarizes research useful to Oregon livestock producers.

Fara Brummer, Gene Pirelli | Jun 2014 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Understanding Your Forage Test Results

Assists livestock producers in using forage analysis as a management tool to improve livestock nutrition. Explains the information commonly found in most laboratory forage reports: feed, protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy, ash, minerals, pH, nitrates, RFV, and RFQ.

Sergio Arispe, Shelby Filley | Nov 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Other Articles

Forage testing is important for balancing rations

Summer appears to be in full swing here on the coast. This is the time when many livestock producers spend their time cutting silage and hay and preserving it for use later this fall and winter. For years I have seen ...

Troy Downing | May 2009 | Article

Soil pH and pasture productivity on the Oregon Coast

Producers have questioned the conventional advice to apply lime to change the pH of coastal soils. We look at one set of data on ryegrass pastures that shows the return on investment may indeed be modest.

Troy Downing | May 2009 | Article

The value of locally grown forages continues to go up

A look at the cost/benefit of locally grown forages.

Troy Downing | May 2009 | Article

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Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen from Manure

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Dan M. Sullivan | Jul 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Calculating Livestock Winter Hay Needs

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Susan Kerr | Dec 2013 | Article

Federal and state licensed slaughter facilities

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Pastures: Stewarding a Working Landscape

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Managing Milking on the Dairy

This publication discusses ways to improve milking efficiency, drawing largely on time-motion studies initiated by Dennis Armstrong, University of Arizona.

Feb 2007 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Flame-clipping Udders on Dairy Cows

Explains benefits of removing hair from udders and how to flame-clip udders.

Troy Downing | Apr 2000 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Keeping Track of Manure Nutrients in Dairy Pastures

Designed to help dairy owners determine manure application rates and forage consumption. Describes how to: (1) estimate manure generated by animals and the confinement facility; (2) measure grass consumed by animals using clip and ...

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Feed Management: A Tool for Balancing Nutrients on Dairies and Other Livestock Operations

Excess phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in livestock diets is expensive and potentially damaging to the environment and to animal health. This publication suggests ways to improve feed management and avoid overfeeding P and K. ...

Troy Downing | Jul 2006 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Cálculo de Tasas de Aplicación de Estiércoles Nutrientes de Granja Lechera

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Troy Downing | Apr 2015 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Cool-season Grasses

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Troy Downing | Nov 2007 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

How to Make a Rope Halter

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