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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

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

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

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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Related Content from OSU Extension

Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen from Manure

This publication discusses management practices that increase crop nitrogen utilization. It also includes an interactive worksheet for calculating available nutrients supplied by manure application. The worksheet can be used to determine ...

Dan Sullivan | Jan 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog

New Calf Information and Care

People buying a new calf often have questions about the animal's care. Here are some answers to common questions about food, housing and health care.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Feb 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog

Pastures: Stewarding a Working Landscape

Whether you’re growing hay for market or providing forage for livestock, a healthy pasture maintains soil health, produces high yields, excludes weeds and has a positive impact on the environment. Proper management is key to a...

Gordon Jones | Dec 2020 | OSU Extension Catalog

Idle, uncleaned milk trucks don't compromise the quality of raw milk, OSU study shows

Raw milk quality isn’t compromised when tanker trucks sit empty and uncleaned for hours between loads, according to new research at Oregon State University.

Chris Branam | Mar 1, 2018 | News story

Home Pasteurization of Raw Milk - SP50-932

Raw milk can be a source of dangerous microorganisms that pose serious health risks. Home pasteurization is a good safeguard against possible risk of illness.

May 2018 | Publication

Is my cheese basket safe to eat?

We received by mail, a cheese basket. It was room temperature, and apparently had been for at least a day. We put it in the fridge. Is it safe to eat?

Jeanne Brandt | Dec 2017 | Featured question

Keep the compost cooking on the farm this winter

Start an active compost pile in winter, and you could have rich compost to add to your vegetable beds by spring. Livestock farmers can combine used bedding and manure to produce a valuable soil amendment — no matter the time of year.

Melissa Fery | Dec 2007 | 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

4-H Spark Kits

Get a spark for learning! Explore fun learning the whole family can do together! Each activity handout will introduce a new topic with hands-on activities and videos.

Kristen Moore, Patrick Willis, Tanya Kindrachuk | Dec 2020 | Collection

Living on the Land: Managing Manure

This publication is part of the Living on the Land series. It provides concise information on the basics of livestock manure management, including handling, storage, composting, use, and ways to reduce negative effects on the ...

Brian Tuck | Apr 2011 | OSU Extension Catalog

Dehorn calves with paste (Descornar terneras con pasta)

This publication specifies in detail (with explanatory pictures) the correct procedure for dehorning calves early in life to minimize pain. The publication contains both an English and a Spanish version.

Mar 2011 | OSU Extension Catalog

Sampling Agricultural Odors

Agricultural odors are a combination of many different gases in extremely low concentrations. The slightest difference in composition can alter the way a person perceives the odor. To distinguish among different odors, the ...

Jan 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog

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

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

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

The Veterinary Feed Directive: Questions and Answers for Oregon Livestock Producers

As of January 2017, Oregon livestock producers must comply with a new federal law that fundamentally changes the way feed-grade antibiotics are used in their operations: The Veterinary Feed Directive. This publication answers some ...

Sergio Arispe, Charles Estill, Troy Downing | Sep 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog

Dealing with Pesky Flies on Cattle

Fly control is of major importance to cattle producers. This article can help you make decisions about which products would fit your program, how to avoid causing insecticide resistance in flies, and ways to clean up your ...

Shelby Filley | Apr 2020 | Article

Estimated value of cranberries as a livestock feed

Value analysis of cranberries as a livestock feed in the U.S.

Amy Peters, Michael Gamroth, Art Poole | Aug 2001 | Article

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