The goal of the Forage Management project is to affect a true change in the efficiency of forage production and utilization in Texas by emphasizing the integrated use of proven methods and technologies, assisting our state’s forage producers to improve yields, stand persistence, and inputting use efficiency, decreasing the threat to our environment, and increasing profitability.
Evaluation of the relationship between Bermudagrass Stem Maggot infestation and loss in forage value under field conditions.
Field studies documented a declining forage yield with increasing stem maggot damage as measured by the number of stems with the top 2 leaves dead or dying due to stem maggot feeding. An economic analysis of the cost of insecticide treatment and hay value found that in fields with good to high-quality forage (hay value of $100-80/ton), an insecticide treatment should be considered to control stem maggot when 22% ($100/ton) or 27% ($80/ton hay) or more of the stems are damaged by the stem maggot. This relationship appears to be valid for either Coastal or Tifton 85 and irrigated or dryland, making it an easy guide for growers to use.
Evaluation of Teff as a warm-season annual forage for Texas.
Evaluated in coordination with Dr. Jourdan Bell, Dr. Josh McGinty, and Matthew Brown.
Teff originated as a cereal crop in Ethiopia and Eritrea but is gaining use in the US a summer-annual forage crop thanks to the easing of establishment, flexibility in crop rotations, stress tolerances, and high forage nutritive value. The objective of this 3-year study was to evaluated Teff as a warm-season forage for Texas. Locations included Overton, Corpus Christi, College Station, and Amarillo.
The stand at Overton was routinely the only stand to get established. Weather conditions became a challenge in all locations regarding planting and germination. At Overton, the first two years only achieved one harvest. Yields ranged from 5,000-7,000 lbs/acre for the first harvest of both years. Weed pressure and drought became the challenges following the first harvest. During the third year, regrowth was successful following the first harvest. However, frequent rainfall events led to logging and eventual loss of the stand. Yields for the third year ranged from 10,000-15,000 lbs/acre. Despite the challenges with weeds and weather, Teff could be a warm-season annual forage option for producers in East Texas.
Ongoing Forage Programs Hosted at Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Overton:
- East Texas Pasture Management Program (typically offers 5 CEUs)
- Reduce Winter Feeding with Stockpiled Forage and Winter Pasture
- Pesticide Applicators Training (typically offers 5 CEUs)
Select Publications
- Forage Fax RSS Feed; http://foragefax.tamu.edu
- Forages Website; http://forages.tamu.edu
- Herbicide and Insecticide Cost Per Acre Spreadsheet
- Managing Grassy Weeds in a Grass Pasture or Hay Meadow
- Rainfastness of Select Pasture and Hay Meadow Herbicides
- Weed Control for Newly Sprigged Bermudagrass
- Weed Control in Pastures and Forages
- Forage Species for Texas
- Warm Season Annual Forage Grasses for Texas
- Bermudagrass Varieties, Hybrids, and Blends for Texas
- Seeded Bermudagrass and Establishment
- Hay Production in Texas
- How to Handle Hay Following Hurricane or Flood
- Hay Purchases: Grassed Not Adapted to Texas
- Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Management Guidelines 2019
- Managing Insect Pests of Texas Forage Crops
- Forage Management Strategies for Drought Conditions
- Cool Season Forage Legume Management Guide
- Establishing Cool Season Annual Grasses