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Superintendent
David Davis
21262 Genoa Road
Linneus, MO 64653
Phone: 660 895-5121
FAX: 660 895=5122
Email: DavisDK@missouri.edu

Forage Systems Update
Vol 14, No. 3

Here's what is new at FSRC this summer. Dr. Dale Blevins has started a project, "Phosphorus Fertilization of Tall Fescue Pastures Improves Rate of Gain and Weaning Weight of Beef Calves in Missouri". The objective is to evaluate the effect of grazing pastures high in phosphorus fertility on the rate of gain and weaning weight of nursing spring born beef calves. Dr. Bob McGraw and Jimmy Houx are looking at "Allelopathic Effects of Tall Fescue on Black Walnut Seedling Establishment". The objective of the study is to determine the optimum tall fescue free space needed for black walnut seedlings.

Some continuing projects that I have been working on this summer include: Dr. Jerry Nelson's "Effect of Potassium Fertilization on Leafhopper Tolerance and Persistence of Alfalfa". The objectives are to determine the effect of potassium fertilization on leafhopper tolerance, measure the effect of glandular hairs on leafhopper tolerance and evaluate the interaction of potassium fertilizer and glandular hairs on alfalfa persistence. Dr. Leon McIntyre and FSRC are continuing the Grass Variety Trial, and Dr. Robert Kallenbach is continuing the Alfalfa Variety Trial.

Dr. Kallenbach is also continuing several other projects. "The Influence of Nitrogen Rate and Pasture Composition on Stockpiled Tall Fescue" will conclude this fall. The objectives of this study are to determine the efficiency of a late summer application of nitrogen on tall fescue and tall fescue/red clover pastures used for stockpile forage, the effect of nitrogen rate on the ergovaline content of the forage and the effect of nitrogen rate on the red clover component of the pasture the following spring. The fall cow study started last year "Impact of Herbage Allowance on Lactating Beef Cows Grazing Stockpiled Tall Fescue" will continue this year and the year one progress report is contained in this newsletter. Another study started last fall "The Influence of Nitrogen Source on the Quality and Yield of Tall Fescue" will continue this year. The objective of this study is to evaluate sources of nitrogen fertilizer, with and without, nitrogen volatilization inhibitors, on tall fescue

Dr. Craig Roberts is planning on starting a project this fall to study ergot alkaloid concentration of tall fescue. The objective is to determine the total ergot alkaloid concentration in tall fescue in northern Missouri and central Georgia as affected by spring and fall forage accumulation and monthly forage growth.