UK To Host Summer Annual Forage Field Walk In July

LEXINGTON, KEN.

   University of Kentucky forage specialists will showcase their research and discuss considerations for livestock producers wishing to incorporate summer annuals in their operations during a free Summer Annual Forage Field Walk. The walk will take place July 15 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton.

   Summer annual forages include sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum- sudangrass hybrids, crabgrass, teff and millets. They grow best when temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees F. They can provide producers with high quality grazing when cool-season forages struggle in the heat and can help producers who are renovating pastures control erosion and weeds until they can seed cool-season perennials in the fall.

   Participants will tour research plots and variety trials and see hands- on demonstrations. Topics include fertility, establishment, grazing management, pest control, economics, species and testing for nitrates and prussic acid.

   “We encourage producers to come with their questions,” said Chris Teutsch, extension forage specialist in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We hope to frame our discussion around topics that interest our audience.”

   The event begins with registration and dinner at 4:30 p.m. CDT. Field walks will start shortly after 5 p.m. and last until 8 p.m.

   While the event is free, organizers encourage interested individuals to register online to help with meal planning.

   Event sponsors include the UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence, Kentucky Master Grazer Educational Program and the UK Cooperative Extension Service. ∆

 Summer annual forages like crabgrass can help producers get through the warm summer months.

 Photo by Jordyn Bush, UK graduate student.