A healthy pasture is a vital resource for a livestock operation, and it requires year-round attention. One of the most critical periods is the fall when decisions dictate how much forage will be produced for the season.
Mechanical and physical controls are among the most fascinating components of an integrated pest management program. This arsenal involves numerous physical barriers, traps, nets and other mechanical devices.
In integrated pest management, biological controls might include predatory or parasitic insects, bacteria or fungi, and biopesticides. More and more biocontrol methods are becoming available to the home gardener.
Alternative feeds can provide beef producers with economical alternatives to traditional feedstuffs. There are pitfalls, however, and special care must be taken to ensure the alternative feeds are safe.
Forage quality of common pasture weeds was determined through laboratory testing to compare feed value of weeds to desirable forage species and nutrient requirements for grazing livestock.
Shelby Filley, Andy Hulting, Amy Peters |
May 2010 |
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