PSS 5328

COURSE OUTLINE

I. Introduction (Chapter 1)

                     Forages in Agriculture

II. Definitions (Glossary page 487 - selected terms)

                     Terms and definitions frequently used in grazing management and                                 grazing systems

III. Major forage species and classifying forages into groups that indicate their use           and management (Chapters 16, 17, 18, 26, 28, and 33)

Grasses, legume, other forages

                     Annuals, biennials, perennials

                     Cool and warm season forages

                     Biochemical pathways for carbon dioxide fixation

                     Geographical distribution

IV. Grassland ecosystems (Chapter 11)

                     Concepts

                     Soil-Plant-Animal Relationships

                     Competition

                     Altering forage-livestock ecosystems

V. Morphological characteristics that influence use and management of forages.

                     (Chapter 2)

                     Grasses, legumes

                     Methods of spreading

                     Growth stages

                     Relationship of morphology to management and use

                                Longevity and survival

                                Uses

                                Nutritive value

                                Competition

                                Seeding rates and mixtures

VI. Physiology of forage crop growth (Chapters 3 and 5)

                     LAI and TNC

                     Grasses

                     Legumes

VII. Forage Fertilization (Chapters 4 and 6)

VIII. Storage of Forage (Chapters 12 and 13)

                     Stockpiling

                     Hay

                     Silage

IX. Forage quality and chemical composition (Chapter 8)

                     Quality factors

                     Antiquality factors

                     Intake and digestibility

                     Management

X. Forage-Livestock Systems (Chapter 14)

                     Terminology

                     Principals

                     Beef cattle

                                Cow-calf systems

                                Growing systems

                                Forage-finishing systems

                     Dairy cattle

                                Lactating cows

                                Dry cows

                                Replacement heifers

                     Sheep

                     Horses

                     Others (Goats, hogs, poultry, wildlife)

XI. Designing Forage Livestock Systems

                     Project: Each student will be give a specific location to research and design a workable forage/livestock system that is appropriate to the local soil, climate, forage potential, and livestock enterprise.