Pasture and forages

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Livestock webinar series for farmers

Join us for a monthly livestock webinar series hosted by the OSU Extension Service Small Farms Program. Read more...

Latest Resources

Considerations for Managing Alfalfa Hay in the Face of Insecticide Resistance

This University of Wyoming Extension document reviews the insecticide resistance issue in alfalfa weevils and discusses results from insecticide efficacy trials.

Tyler Jones, Scott Schell, Jeremiah Vardiman | Oct 2024 | Online resource

PNW Insect Management Handbook - Alfalfa Weevil

This section of the PNW Insect Management Handbook provides insecticide products currently labeled for use in controlling alfalfa weevil in hay crops.

Stuart Reitz | Oct 2024 | Online resource

Revitalizing your pastures: A primer for overseeding pastures in Western Oregon

Many farmers are interested in overseeding rather than fully renovating their pastures to revitalize a flagging pasture. This article goes over best practices and considerations for overseeding pastures in Western Oregon.

Melissa Fery, Shayan Motazedi Ghajar, Evie Smith | Aug 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Introduction to Pasture and Grazing Management in Western Oregon

By Melissa Fery David B. Hannaway David Chaney Maud Powell and Garry Stephenson

Farmers and ranchers new to pasture management in the Pacific Northwest can learn the basics of establishing and maintaining a productive pasture for their livestock.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured Resources

How to stimulate early pasture growth and cut livestock feed cost

In parts of Oregon, pasture forage for grazing livestock is lacking early in the growing season. That forces livestock producers to rely on costly harvested forages for supplemental feed. There is another option. Research has ...

Shelby Filley, Gene Pirelli | Jan 2022 | Article

How to give your livestock the nutrients they need

The practice of matching the nutrient content of feeds with the nutrient requirements of your livestock is very important, especially if you are using feeds that you are not familiar with. Balancing rations can help keep feed ...

Shelby Filley | Nov 2021 | Article

Understanding your forage test results

Livestock producers use forage analysis as a management tool to improve livestock nutrition. Learn about 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 | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Invertebrate Pest Management for Pacific Northwest Pastures

By Amy J. Dreves Navneet Kaur Mylen Bohle David B. Hannaway Glenn Fisher and Silvia I. Rondon

A well-managed pasture has several ecological and economic benefits. However, several species of arthropods (insects, mites and garden symphylans), and gastropods (slugs) inhabit pastures of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and can diminish those benefits.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Drought resources

Alfalfa irrigation during drought

Alfalfa grown for forage in the arid Northwest requires 1.8-acre feet to 3.2-acre feet of water per year, depending on length of the growing season. This drought advisory publication recommends steps producers can take when water availability is reduced.

Thomas Ley | Apr 2022 | Online resource

Managing irrigated pastures and haylands in drought

Drought (a period of limited or no water during the growing season) reduces forage production for grazing and haymaking. Prolonged drought forces livestock and hay producers to need special strategies. This document provides information about maintaining healthy perennial pastures and hayfields, reducing livestock loss due to diet, and how to improve recovery of pastures after the drought ends.

Steve Fransen, Justen Smith, and Sarah Smith | Apr 2022 | Online resource

How to manage the production and use of hay in a drought

Drought conditions have drastically reduced hay yields in the last year or two. With dry conditions forecast to continue, livestock producers need to rethink strategies for conserving forage.

Shelby Filley | Feb 2022 | Article

When drought is in the forecast, start planning for livestock feed needs

When drought is in the forecast for Oregon and other states, it's time for cattle operations to start making plans to ensure they have enough feed for their herds. In times of drought, the availability of pasture and hay ...

Shelby Filley | Jun 2021 | Article

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OSU Livestock & Forages E-Newsletter

Seasonal articles, announcements on educational programs and important news & notices for western Oregon producers of beef cattle, sheep and goats, plus forages to support this livestock.

This newsletter comes only in electronic form for special delivery of added material. It is written by OSU Extension faculty to bring you agricultural production information, important news and notices, and announcements on upcoming programs.

Learn more

Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

News

Living on the Land supports small-acreage landowners in the south Willamette Valley

OSU Extension collaborates with Oregon’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts and watershed councils to develop the series to best address natural resources concerns in the local area.

Melissa Fery | Apr 2024 | Impact story

As Western Oregon climate changes, Extension specialist tests forages for resilience

In 2022, Shayan Ghajar planted randomized blocks of annual forages and evaluated them for yield and nutritive value and also set out to determine the best sowing dates and growing conditions.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 16, 2023 | News story

Comparison of irrigation systems shows promise for hay growers in water-depleted northern Lake County

The study showed changes in dry matter yield when comparing the two systems prior to the third harvest and illustrated a difference in forage quality.

Tammy Barnes | Mar 2023 | Impact story

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Upcoming Events

Oct 18

Coastal Forage Variety Trial Field Day

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Logsden, OR

Nov 20

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

10:00 am - 11:30 am PST Online

Meet Our Experts

Shayan Motazedi Ghajar

Assistant Professor (Practice), Extension Organic Pasture and Forages

I focus on organic, transitioning, and low-input sustainable pasture and forage management for producers in Oregon.

Shelby Filley

Regional Livestock & Forages

Gordon B. Jones

Extension Agronomist

Ian McGregor

Assistant Professor, Livestock & Irrigation (Former), Open Campus Coordinator, Klamath County (Former)

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What is this weed that has overtaken my pasture?

Q: This weed has overtaken my horse pasture in large amounts this year. I’m trying to identify it and I’ve come up with two possibilities but I’m not sure which one it is. Possibly hedge mustard or creeping yellowcress? ...

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