Grassland and Pasture

American Forage and Grassland Council - The AFGC is dedicated to advancing the use of forage as a prime feed resource. Provides information on the Council and membership, the programs and services offered, events and publications.
www.afgc.org/mc/page.do

Biological Control of Pasture Mole Crickets with Nematodes - Mole crickets can cause serious damage to pastures. This article explains how they can be controlled by the use of the insecticidal nematode, Steinernema scapterisci.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN123

Blister Beetles in Forage Crops - Information on these toxic insects, their biology and habits, the risk to livestock of eating contaminated hay which is believed to be increased by hay conditioning, and control of the beetles.
www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05524.html

Brassica Home Page - Characteristics and adaptation, establishment, harvest management, fertility, and pests of Brassica crops for forage.
www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casdept/agronomy/forage/docs/species/brassica.html

Brassica napus: Rape - Information on this crop, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Brassica_napus_K_en.htm

British Grassland Society - Information about the society, the events and the journal.
www.britishgrassland.com/

Cicer Milkvetch: Plant Characteristics - Information on this legume that can be used as a fodder crop, the conditions that suit it, establishment, uses, management and varieties.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq11270

Clover Breeding - Outlines research being undertaken at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research into producing reliable varieties of clovers for sustainable agricultural systems.
www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk/Business/CloverBreeding.htm

Development of a Novel Antifungal Silage Inoculant, The - PhD research thesis into the isolation of inoculant strains with antifungal activities. Includes a review of the state of the art.
www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/tomsplace/scientific/phd/phd-fram.htm

Diseases of Legumes and Grasses - Information on the bacterial, fungal, nematode and viral diseases of sorghum and several leguminous fodder crops, with photographs of infected plants.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm8847

Ensiling Process - Describes the ensiling process and discusses the factors affecting silage fermentation, optimal conditions and methods to control the process.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for4911

Establishing Dryland Forage Grasses - Covers seed selection, seedbed preparation, fertilization, methods of seeding, time and rate of seeding and weed control.
www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=752

Estimating Moisture Content of Forages and Silage - Describes how moisture content can be estimated by a hand or squeeze method, and more accurately by the use of a microwave oven.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for4908

European Grassland Federation - Information about the events, the journal, the executive committee, and a list of members.
www.europeangrassland.org/

Evaluating Silage Quality - Describes how to take forage samples while filling the silo, visual evaluation of the fermented crop and chemical analysis.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for4909

Forage Conservation and Utilisation - Outlines research being undertaken at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research into developing silage technologies which maximise nutritional value and minimise aerobic spoilage and losses to the environment.
www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk/Business/Forageconservationandutilisation.htm

Forage Factsheets - The British Grassland society provides a number of factsheets on silage and grassland.
www.britishgrassland.com/bgs/services/forage.asp

Forage Information System - Extensive collection of resources on hay, pastures, silage, and the grazing animals. Forage plant identification. Seed vendors. Educational opportunities. Other resources and links.
forages.oregonstate.edu/

Forage Stand Establishment Trouble Shooting - Outlines several establishment problems, including the symptoms, causes, solutions and possible prevention methods.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for4859

Forage: Winter Annual Grasses - Information from Mississippi State University Extension Service on suitable crops for winter forage, their establishment, including overseeding and sodseeding, pest control and grazing management.
msucares.com/pubs/publications/p1022.htm

Forages - Provides information and links to hay and specialty hay resources, specialty forage blends and other forage sites.
www.mda.state.mn.us/food/mfocrops/forages.htm

Goat’s Rue or Galega - Information on this fodder crop, Galega orientalis, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Galega_orientalis_K_en.htm

Grasslands Index - Database of information about cereal and pasture grasses, includes facilities to search by botanic or common name.
www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/pasture/dbase.htm

Grazing - Information resources for efficient production of meat and milk from pastures
www.ibiblio.org/farming-connection/grazing/home.htm

Grazing Alfalfa - Information on grazing options, varieties, stand establishment and grazing management.
www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=552

Hairy Vetch - This legume is grown for soil improvement and for pasture. Information on its growth habits, environment requirement, culture, yield potential and economics.
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/vetch.html

Hay Preservation Systems - The way forage is harvested and stored determines how well the quality is preserved. Information on curing, preservatives and drying agents.
www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/00705.html

Improving Pasture Productivity - Information on understanding the weather and climate and how they affect forage plant growth, with particular reference to Alberta.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex10647

Insect Management in Pasture - Describes the insect and mite pests most commonly encountered in forage crops, with advice on monitoring and controlling them.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG061

Interpreting Your Forage Test Report - Forage quality is a complex trait and this article gives guidance on understanding the report on the potential nutritional value of a forage. [PDF]
alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/subpages/ForageQuality/interpretingfqreport.pdf

Kochia - Kochia is grown as a drought-resistant forage crop for sheep and cattle. Information on its uses, growth habits, environment requirement, culture, yield potential and economics.
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/kochia.html

Lucerne - Information on this fodder crop, Medicago varia, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Medicago_varia_K_en.htm

National Forage Teating Association - NFTA aims to improve the accuracy of forage testing and build grower confidence in testing animal feeds. It provides information on the benefits of testing and the proficiency certification for testers and samplers.
www.foragetesting.org/

National Hay Association - Organization for those involved in the production, sale and transport of forage products across the United States and the world. Provides news, events, history and membership details.
www.nationalhay.org/

NCSU Forages and Pasture Information Site - Includes a set of factsheets and information bulletins on forage crops, from North Carolina State University.
www.forages.ncsu.edu

Pasture Biodiversity - Outlines work being undertaken at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research investigating mechanisms and providing guidelines for the maintenance of species rich habitats and re-establishing biodiversity in grasslands.
www.iger.bbsrc.ac.uk/Business/PastureBiodiversity.htm

Pasture Management - This article discusses grassland management practices that are most suited for horses.
equineinvestigator2.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/pasture-management/

Penn State's Forages - Information and links on forage management, notes on related soil and botanic science.
www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casdept/agronomy/forage/forages.html

Perennial Forage Establishment in Alberta - Information on choosing the right species and ensuring strong seedling growth.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex9682

Range and Forage Resources - A collection of reference information published by Nebraska Cooperative Extension at the University of Nebraska.
ianrpubs.unl.edu/range/

Red Clover - Factsheet outlining the benefits of including red clover in a sward, its establishment, disadvantages, management and conservation.
www.britishgrassland.com/sources/4004719/4002069/4034620/KT%20red%20clover.pdf?id=4034620&noframe=true

Sainfoin - Information on this fodder crop, Onobrychis viciifolia, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Onobrychis_viciifolia_K_en.htm

Silage Production - Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of making silage as compared to hay, and how silage making fits in with other farm operations.
www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/for4912

Slender Wheatgrass - Information on this fodder grass, Roegneria trachycaulon, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Roegneria_trachycaulon_K_en.htm

Soil Fertility for Forage Crops - Gives detailed description of the soil and fertilizer requirements of forage crops during establishment and maintenance. University of Pennsylvania.
www.cas.psu.edu/docs/casdept/agronomy/forage/docs/fertility/fertility.html

Sorghum: Forage - Forage sorghums are used primarily as silage for livestock. Information on its uses, growth habits, environment requirement, culture, yield potential and economics.
www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/forage.html

Timing the Application of Beneficial Nematodes to Mole Cricket Activity on Pasture to Optimize Control - Describes the way in which the insecticidal nematode, Steinernema scapterisci, invades its host and considers the timing of application relative to mole cricket activity.
edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN413

White Clover - Factsheet outlining the benefits of including white clover in a sward, its establishment, disadvantages, management and conservation.
www.britishgrassland.com/sources/4004719/4002069/4034624/KT%20white%20clover.pdf?id=4034624&noframe=true

Windrow Grazing - Discussion on this alternative to feeding baled hay, which can significantly reduce harvesting, feeding and labor costs. [PDF]
www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1616/build/g1616.pdf

Yellow Sweetclover or Melilot - Information on this fodder crop, Melilotus officinalis, its biology and morphology, ecology, distribution in the former USSR, utilization and economic value.
www.agroatlas.spb.ru/cultural/Melilotus_officinalis_K_en.htm