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| 'Normal' Hard to Define When it Comes to Rain by Chuck Coffey
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| We lived through a significant drought in 2006. Some much-needed winter precipitation has lessened our fears, but some forecasts still call for drier than "normal" weather starting in May. Normal? Who knows what "normal" is? | |
| 1996 Bermudagrass Variety Test by Jerry Baker
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| A new bermudagrass variety test was established on May 14, 1996 at the Headquarters Farm. Included in the trial are four newer commercial varieties, three promising experimental strains, and four older commercially adapted varieties in Oklahoma. | |
| 1996-97 Comparison of Planting Dates for Rye, Oat, Wheat &Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1996-97. | |
| 1996-97 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yield comparisons of different varieties of ryegrass for 1996-97. | |
| 1997 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 1997. | |
| 1997-98 Cool Season Grass Trials by Jerry Baker
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| Trials and evaluation of Cool Season Grass 1997-98. | |
| 1997-98 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Wheat, & Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1997-98. | |
| 1997-98 ForageYields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yield comparisons of different varieties of ryegrass for 1997-98. | |
| 1997-98 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Wheat, Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1997-98. | |
| 1998 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 1998. | |
| 1998-1999 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Wheat and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yield comparisons of small grain varieties for 1998-99. | |
| 1998-99 Comparison of Planting Dates for Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of the comparison of planting dates for small grain varieties for 1998-99. | |
| 1998-99 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yield comparisons of different varieties of ryegrass for 1998-99. | |
| 1998-99 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Wheat, Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1998-99. | |
| 1999 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Strains and Varieties by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 1999. | |
| 1999-2000 Comparison of Planting Dates for Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Comparison of planting dates for small grain varieties for 1999-2000. | |
| 1999-2000 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of small grains for 1999-2000. | |
| 1999-2000 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields from different ryegrass varieties for 1999-2000. | |
| 1999-2000 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Tables listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains for 1999-2000. | |
| 2000 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass for 2000. | |
| 2000-2001 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from bermuedagrass for 2000-2001. | |
| 2000-2001 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from rye, oat, wheat, and triticale for 2000-2001. | |
| 2000-2001 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from Ryegrass for 2000-2001. | |
| 2000-2001 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Grain yields fro Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale for 2000-2001. | |
| 2001 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Bermudagrass forage yields for 2001. | |
| 2001-2002 Comparison of Planting Dates for Rye, Oat, Wheat and Triticale Varieties and Strains by R.L. Dalrymple
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| This information on bermudagrass-weeping lovegrass mixtures was first compiled from research-plot and grazier-pasture information and published in 1976. Although we are racing to the end of the millennium, this updated version is still valid. | |
| 2001-2002 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Barley, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from rye, oat, wheat, barley, and triticale for 2001-2002. | |
| 2001-2002 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from Ryegrass for 2001-2002. | |
| 2001-2002 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Barley, Wheat and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Grain yields for Rye, Oat, Wheat, and Triticale for 2001-2002 | |
| 2002 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 2002. | |
| 2002-2003 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Barley, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 2002-2003. | |
| 2002-2003 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from Ryegrass for 2002-2003. | |
| 2002-2003 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Oat, Barley, Wheat, and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Grain yields for Rye, Oat, Barley, Wheat, and Triticale for 2002-2003. | |
| 2003 Forage Yields from Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 2003. | |
| 2003 Forage Yields from Ryegrass Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of ryegrass in 2003. | |
| 2003-2004 Forage Yields from Rye, Wheat, Triticale, Oat, and Barley Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Summary of yield comparisons of small grain varieties for 2003-2004. | |
| 2003-2004 Grain Yields and Estimated Returns from Rye, Wheat, Triticale, Oat, and Barley Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Booklet listing grain yields and estimated returns from small grains varieties for 2003-2004. | |
| 2004-2005 Forage Yields from Rye, Oat, Wheat and Triticale Varieties and Strains by Jerry Baker
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| Forage yields from rye, oat, wheat, and triticale for 2004-2005. | |
| A Picture is Worth a Thousand Pounds (of Forage) by Matt Mattox
and Chan Glidewell
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| The photos in this article depict bermudagrass and annual ryegrass with different heights and densities along with the actual production values (pounds/acre) for these plots – these examples should help producers "calibrate their eyes" and/or give them a reference for a known quantity of forage per acre to compare to their specific situations to more accurately determine forage production. | |
| A Process Verification Study for Spring Grazeout Wheat Pasture Calves: Year One of a Three-Year Study by Chuck Coffey
and Dan Childs
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| Interest in calf preconditioning and source and process verification has grown in response to value-based marketing. This study seeks to determine the health and performance effects of the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network preconditioning and process-verification system for stocker cattle. | |
| A Weed Wiper is Good for You, Bad For Weeds by Jim Johnson
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| Many people are unfamiliar with wiper or wick applicators. The concept is simple. Herbicide solution is supplied to an absorbent surface. The herbicide soaked surface only contacts weeds taller than the crop. Chemical is transferred to the surface of the weeds as the applicator "wipes" over them. | |
| Alfalfa Is 'Almost Permanent' Pasture by Hugh Aljoe
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| In recent years, grazing-type alfalfa varieties have been released, providing opportunities to livestock operations as a low-input, high-return forage, if managed properly; stands typically could last three to five years with good management. | |
| Alfalfa: Not Just Another Pretty Hay by Hugh Aljoe
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| Alfalfa's value as a hay or feed supplement is well recognized, but its usefulness as a grazing forage is often overlooked. | |
| Alternative Perennial Grasses for Bioenergy by John Guretzky
5 ratings:  |
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| In the 2006 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush proposed the Advanced Energy Initiative to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil through accelerated development of domestic, renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels. | |
| An Integrated, Homemade, Portable Salt/Mineral Feeder and External Parasite Control Cattle Rub Tool by R.L. Dalrymple
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| The details of homemade construction and management of a combination portable feeder and external parasite control cattle rub tool are covered in this publication. | |
| Are You In The Right Ballpark? by Matt Mattox
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| The "ballparking" method can make judging proper pasture use a little more interesting. | |
| At the Mercy of the Weather by Wadell Altom
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| A fertilization study was conducted on bermudagrass grown at the Noble Foundation's Pasture Demonstration Farm. Our data shows a definite relationship between rainfall and forage production and suggests that rainfall received during the growing season is critical. | |
| Avoid A Crisis Due to Drought by Chuck Coffey
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| Hindsight is always "20/20" but droughts should be considered normal because they will occur either regionally or locally and they cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is essential for you to make plans in advance. | |
| Bermuda Grass Variety Evaluation by Jerry Baker
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| The bermudagrass variety test has been clipped four times thus far during the 1998 growing season. An abundant accumulation of soil profile moisture during the winter and early spring was apparently sufficient to sustain the grasses through the early part of the growing season. | |
| Bermudagrass and Weeping Lovegrass - Mixtures for Forage by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Explains the advantages and techniques of incorporating Weeping Lovegrass into Bermudagrass pasture. | |
| Bermudagrass Blues by Matt Mattox
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| Drought and heavy grazing pressure have weakened many bermudagrass stands. Here are some steps you can take to improve bermudagrass production. | |
| Bermudagrass Establishment by Rod Reed
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| Establishment of bermudagrass is a major expense. Care should be taken to do everything possible to ensure success. | |
| Bermudagrass Variety Evaluation by Jerry Baker
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| Bermudagrass is widely adapted and serves as the primary forage base for many livestock producers in southern Oklahoma and north Texas. Evaluation of its varieties has been an integral part of the Noble Foundation's forage testing program since 1967. | |
| Bermudagrass Variety Evaluations by Jerry Baker
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| A summary of results from current Noble Foundation bermudagrass variety forage trials. | |
| Biotechnology Has Potential For Forage Improvement by Zeng-yu Wang
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| Plant biotechnology is an extension of traditional plant breeding with one very important difference modern plant biotechnology allows for the transfer of a greater variety of genetic information in a more precise, controlled manner. | |
| Bloat by Charles Griffith
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| Bloat can be a problem in cattle grazing high quality grasses and legumes. Bloat problems will vary with species of animals and among individuals of the same species. | |
| Boys will be Boys...and Cows will be Cows by Matt Mattox
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| The old adage "Boys will be boys" can be modified to apply to cattle: boys are influenced by their friends, and cattle are influenced by their herd mates; boys find the easiest way to do something, so do cattle. Understanding cattle behavior can benefit a grazing operation. | |
| Can Drought be Predicted? by Chuck Coffey
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| Precision prediction of drought is not feasible yet – but drought is a regular occurrence and managers should have a plan to overcome at least a short-term seasonal drought. | |
| Cause and Effect by Charles Griffith
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| Agricultural producers are confronted with persistent production problems that cost much time and money. We often attack symptoms and never get to the nitty-gritty of the land resource management that's causing the problem. | |
| Choosing a Nitrogen Source for Fall - Topdressing Small Grain by Jerry Rogers
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| If you want fall-early winter small-grain forage production, you can choose the nitrogen source for topdressing fall small-grain pasture by cost, availability and convenience. | |
| Clearing Up Some Tall Fescue Misconceptions by James Rogers
9 ratings: |
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| Across the nation, tall fescue covers some 35 million acres making it one of the most popular forages in the country. Unfortunately, for many people the mere mention of tall fescue brings an automatic dismissal conjuring up bad experiences with poor animal performance or lack of persistence. There are a lot of negative feelings that need to be overcome before tall fescue becomes an accepted option. | |
| Consider These Items Before Spraying by Eddie Funderburg
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| Spring has arrived, and many ranchers' thoughts turn to killing weeds. Before you hook up the trusty (or in some cases, rusty) sprayer and give 'er a go, think about the these things. | |
| Considerations to Reduce Further Effects of Drought on Your Operation by Matt Mattox
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| Fires in Oklahoma and Texas and record-low rainfall have caused many people who earn a living on the land to make decisions they have not faced in many years. Here are some items for producers to think about as they formulate drought-management plans | |
| Continued Stress from Drought by Jim Schaffer
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| Drought is a topic on every tongue in our service area. I've recently visited with several producers who have made plans to manage through this drought. But the length and severity of this dry spell is affecting everyone and is very serious for many. | |
| Controlling Livestock Distribution by Charles Griffith
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| Dividing a land resource with fencing into paddocks gives the operator control over livestock and allows him to allocate their grazing over a set period of time. How to fence a land resource can become a major issue, and thought and consideration must be given to establishing a fencing plan. | |
| Cool Season Forage Variety Production Update by Jerry Baker
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| This is a mid-season report of the small grains and ryegrass variety testing for the 2002-2003 season. Small-grain varieties and experimental strains again were planted at both the Headquarters Farm (HQF) and the Red River Demonstration and Research Farm (RRDRF), and ryegrass varieties and strains are being grown at the Pasture Demonstration Farm. | |
| Cool Season Legume Establishment by Charles Griffith
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| Often legume seed are planted into perennial grasses without thought to the management needs of the legume being planted. We have a tendency to manage grass to its fullest potential with external inputs that are contrary to the management needs of the legume. | |
| Cool Season Perennial Grass Evaluations by Jerry Baker
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| A cool-season perennial grass trial was initiated on October 4, 1996 at the NF Headquarters farm, in collaboration with Dr. Larry Redmon of Oklahoma State University. The establishment year conditions were characterized by intermittent wet periods during the fall and spring followed by extremely dry conditions during the summer of 1997. | |
| Cool-season Forage Variety Production Update by Jerry Baker
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| This is a mid-season report of the small grains and ryegrass variety testing for the 2003-2004 season. | |
| Crabgrass for Forage: Management from the 1990s by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Results of 26 years of research using crabgrass as a forage. | |
| Crabgrass Seed Characteristics by R.L. Dalrymple
and Bret Flatt
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| Crabgrass is increasingly used in planned, on purpose, forage, conservation and wildlife food systems. The initial stand may result from managing for volunteer or from planting seed of a naturalized ("native") crabgrass or the "Red River" variety. | |
| Creep Grazing Accesses in Electric Fences by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Most of our rotational grazings employ one wire, high powered, low impedance, electric fences. This report is on the various creep grazing accesses we have tried with these fences and management of the creep grazing technique. | |
| Creep Grazing Techniques Can Benefit Cattle Operations by Hugh Aljoe
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| Creep grazing calves is a management practice allowing calves to graze designated areas - separately from the cows - where the forage quality is higher than the grazing pasture. | |
| Demonstration, Research — Each Serves Unique Purpose by Bryan Unruh
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| Over the years, the Noble Foundation has conducted many demonstrations and applied research trials on its farms and ranches. The major distinction between research and demonstration relates to whether the objective is to learn something new or whether it is to demonstrate something that's already been learned. | |
| Do Your Forage Selection Homework by James Rogers
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| There are lots of shiny advertisements in the popular press for forages that sound like the best thing to come along since ice cream, washing machines or any other item that has improved mankind. Before buying into fancy sounding claims for forage selection, follow the homework assignment given in this article. | |
| Does Conservation Farming Pay for Winter Forage Production? by Jon Biermacher
and Chuck Coffey
3 ratings:  |
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| Over the past two decades, winter forage producers have been asking researchers if conservation farming practices are more economical than conventional practices. Studies dating back to mid-1980 have sought answers to these questions. | |
| Don't Rely on Weather Predictions in 2004 - Use These Strategies Instead by Chuck Coffey
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| I've thrown my crystal ball away for good and vowed never to predict the weather again – but I will share with you my five weather-related strategies for 2004. | |
| Don't Use Calendar Dates to Terminate Wheat Grazing by Jeff Ball
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| Using a calendar date to pull cattle off wheat pasture is risky because a number of variables affect jointing, including weather conditions, variety and planting date. To avoid grain yield loss, all grazing should stop at first hollow stem or "jointing." | |
| DROUGHT: Regular Occurrence in our Business by Hugh Aljoe
and Chuck Coffey
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| Hindsight is always "20/20," but droughts should be considered normal in our business. They will occur either regionally or locally, and they cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is essential for you to make plans well in advance of their occurrence. | |
| Dung Beetles by Charles Griffith
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| Dung Beetles are biological control agents for horn flies and intestinal parasites. They destroy the habitat for other insects and internal parasites to complete their life cycle. | |
| Eastern Gamagrass Update at the Coffey Ranch by Hugh Aljoe
8 ratings: |
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| This past summer, through the efforts of James Pitman, the 2007 pasture and range intern, and Frank Motal, wildlife and range research program supervisor, the Agricultural Division was able to collect data on the transects in what we refer to as "the eastern gamagrass paddocks" or Pasture 12 of the Coffey Ranch. | |
| Ecotype-Derived White Clover Cultivars and Their Place in the Southern Great Plains by Joe Bouton
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| White clover is the most widely used cool-season pasture legume throughout the world due to its aggressive running stems, called stolons, and its excellent reseeding ability. Can cultivars available to producers in the southeast U.S. be adapted for the southern Great Plains? | |
| Effects of Limit Grazing on Animal Performance by Chuck Coffey
and Devlon Ford
6 ratings: |
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| Forage availability is frequently a limiting factor during the fall in winter annual grazing systems. Limit grazing has the potential to stretch limited, high quality forage resources further without depressing animal performance. | |
| Establishing Native Grass by Matt Mattox
5 ratings: |
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| High fertilizer prices, the aesthetics of a rangeland prairie setting versus a monoculture forage base, and advantageous government cost-share programs have led to many acres being planted to native grass or rangeland over the past five to 10 years. Fall is a good time to look further into the pros and cons of this practice to prepare for the spring growing season. | |
| Evaluation of Methods Used to Predict Supplemental Feeding Needs for Cattle by Matt Mattox
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| A summary of a two year project to help ranchers improve their managerial efficiency by using technology to control the cost of one of the most expensive production items: supplemental feeding. | |
| Evaluation of Warm-Season Perennial Grasses by James Rogers
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| A study to assist producers with decision aids in the selection of warm-season perennial grasses. | |
| Explore Forage Alternatives in Southern Plains Pecan Orchards by Matt Mattox
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| In contrast to pecan production in the southwest, most of the pecan orchards in this region also consist of a base forage, giving producers the benefit of having multiple enterprises. | |
| Extending the Grazing Season: It's Not Too Late by James Rogers
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| The growing season is winding down, but from a forage production standpoint, an active growing season still lies ahead. | |
| Fall-Winter Forage Performance Update of Small Grains in Noble Foundation Tests, 1996-97 by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1996-97. | |
| FBG Seeks to Discover Heat-Tolerant Tall Fescue Genotypes by Rouf Mian
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| One major objective of the Forage Biotechnology Group (FBG) at the Noble Foundation is to develop persistent cool-season forage grass cultivars for the southern Great Plains. | |
| Feed Value of Crabgrass Seed and Management Characteristics of 'Red River' Crabgrass Seed for Planted and Volunteer Stands by R.L. Dalrymple
and Bret Flatt
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| Explains the feed value of crabgrass seed and how to manage seed for planting. | |
| Fertility Management of Bermudagrass by Rod Reed
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| Well-fertilized bermudagrass can provide more grazing than most other warmseason grasses. However, bermudagrass is not as productive or persistent under low fertility as other grasses. | |
| Fertilization Helps Increase the Efficiency of Rainfall by Wade Thomason
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| Proper fertilization affects the efficiency with which bermudagrass uses rainfall during the growing season. | |
| Follow This Checklist for Growing Winter Pasture by Eddie Funderburg
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| Most winter pasture fields are planted in late August or early September to optimize the potential for getting grazing in the fall; having a plan made beforehand can eliminate possible mistakes at planting time. | |
| Following Guidelines could Maximize Winter Pasture Production by Chuck Coffey
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| It's time to begin preparations for planting winter pasture in the fall, and following some suggestions regarding planting date, fertilization and seeding rates can help your pastures reach maximum production potential. | |
| Forage Bermudagrass Varieties by Rod Reed
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| This article discusses some of the basic information about these varieties, focusing on those that are adapted to The Noble Foundation service region. Effort was devoted to making sure all regionally adapted varieties were included, however some varieties may have been inadvertently omitted. | |
| Forage Flow by Chuck Coffey
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| It's time for you to begin estimating your forage supply/demand for the livestock you wish to support this year on warm-season forages. | |
| Forage Observations: Looking Back & Thinking Ahead by Chuck Coffey
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| Hopefully, we won't have to live through another year like 1998 in the near future but it always pays to plan ahead. And because droughts are a normal occurrence in our business, we should always have a plan to offset their severity. | |
| Forage Production and Utilization - A Major Economic Industry for Our Region by Chuck Coffey
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| With 1.2 million head of cattle utilizing forages within a 100-mile radius of Ardmore, OK, there is significant potential to increase the economic returns from these forages by improving the quantity and quality of existing forages, learning how to more efficiently utilize forages, scrutinizing the cost of production of each forage enterprise, and developing alternative forage systems. | |
| Forage Resource Management and Integration by Chuck Coffey
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| To better understand forages and integration, let's look at the energy requirements for plant growth, how plant manufacture food, factors affecting a plant's response to grazing, management for sustainability and integrating forage resources. | |
| Forage Testing Provides Useful Information by Hugh Aljoe
3 ratings: |
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| Much of the hay baled this spring was either mature when hayed or may have been rained on during the haying process. Therefore, testing the quality of your hay becomes extremely important. Some hays will require little, if any, supplement, and other hays will require substantial supplementation to meet the nutritional requirements of the livestock being fed. | |
| Forage Variety Production Notes by Jerry Baker
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| The performance of bermudagrass varieties in two trials conducted at the Foundation is addressed in this production update. | |
| Forage Variety Production Notes: Bermudagrass and Cool-Season Perennial Grass Evaluations by Jerry Baker
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| An update on the Foundation's bermudagrass and cool-season perennial grass evaluations. | |
| Forage Variety Production Notes: Bermudagrass, Alfalfa and Cool-Season Perennial Grass Evaluations by Jerry Baker
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| This report includes a production update for 2004 of two current bermudagrass variety trials on the Ardmore Headquarters Farm. | |
| Forage Yields from 2005 Bermudagrass Varieties and Strains by John Guretzky
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| Summary of yields obtained from different varieties of bermudagrass in 2005. | |
| Forage Yields from 2006-2007 Annual Ryegrass Variety Trial by John Guretzky
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| In an effort to assist producers in Oklahoma and Texas judge variety performance, the Noble Foundation has held trials to determine forage yields of commercially available varieties and advanced experimental strains of annual ryegrass. | |
| Forage Yields from 2006-2007 Small Grains Variety Trial by John Guretzky
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| In an effort to assist producers in Oklahoma and Texas judge variety performance, the Noble Foundation has held field trials to determine forage and grain yields of commercially available varieties and advanced experimental lines of small grains. | |
| Forage Yields of Small Grains in Noble Foundation Tests, 1995-96 by Jerry Baker
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| Small grain varieties were again evaluated for forage production during the 1995-96 season at the Ardmore Headquarters farm and the Red River Demonstration and Research farm near Burneyville. | |
| Forage Yields of Small Grains in Noble Foundation Tests, 1996-97 by Jerry Baker
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| Table listing grain yields and estimated returns for small grains varieties for 1996-97. | |
| Foundation Researches Alfalfa Grazing in the Southern Great Plains by Joe Bouton
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| In 2001, the Noble Foundation began a study to evaluate the potential of grazing alfalfa in the southern Great Plains region. The results are detailed here. | |
| Foundation's Plant Biology Division Works Toward Alfalfa Improvement by Rick Dixon
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| The Plant Biology, Forage Improvement and Agricultural divisions of the Noble Foundation have recently initiated an interdivisional program to improve the forage quality and stand longevity of alfalfa in order to deliver to farmers and ranchers a novel source of high-quality forage. | |
| From the Farm: December, 2001 by Russ Gentry
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| Hay feeding and handling techniques used on Noble Foundation farms. | |
| From Weeds to Forbs by Chuck Coffey
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| Let's not be too hasty to kill weeds until we know what we are eliminating and evaluate the costs. | |
| Get Legumes in the Mix by James Rogers
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| Now that it's January, the time for seeding legumes is fast approaching, with many species falling into a spring seeding window from March to April. | |
| Getting More Out of Your Grass by Matt Mattox
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| Over the past several years there have been numerous articles, testimonials, seminars, presentations, and short courses on grazing management. The audience for these efforts all work within a unique set of conditions, including rainfall amount and distribution, vegetation, terrain, time constraints, etc. | |
| Gone Native by Matt Mattox
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| The past several growing seasons have been pretty tough on many ranchers in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. Drought has caused many of the "good" native grasses in native grass plant communities to decline or die out. Where little bluestem and indiangrass once were, three-awn (ticklegrass), tumblegrass, and silver bluestem have established, not to mention high populations of ragweed, broomweed, bitterweed, and the like. | |
| Good Management Forms Great Habits by Matt Mattox
4 ratings:  |
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| In this age, we are all bombarded with a large amount of information every day. How you filter for the good information, and then decide what to do with it, is the key to making the information work for you. | |
| Got Lime? by Jim Johnson
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| There are some things to consider when purchasing lime. The two most important are the calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) and the fineness efficiency. | |
| Grass Burs by Hugh Aljoe
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| Why are there so many grass burs in the bermudagrass pastures this year? What can be done to inhibit the grass burs this spring? These two questions were posed by many producers this past fall. Not only is this a good time to ponder these questions, it is also the right time of year to develop a plan of action. | |
| Grass Mechanics 101 by Matt Mattox
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| When you compare forage yields, you find that all grass is not created equal. However, when you look closely at grasses, you find that they all have the same parts. | |
| Grass Seed Production by Andy Hopkins
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| Grass seed production is an important agricultural enterprise. This article examines some of the legal and technical aspects. | |
| Grazing Stick Instruction Manual by James Rogers
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| How to use a grazing stick, a tool used to estimate standing dry matter. | |
| Grazing Systems by Larry Keenan
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| Grazing systems employ the basics of grazing management to help producers accomplish their operational goals. Depending on what grazing system you choose, you may improve pasture conditions, increase forage use, or enhance livestock production. | |
| Grazing Winter Pasture by Chuck Coffey
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| Tips to recognize when winter pasture is ready to graze and how to calculate the number of animals a pasture will support. | |
| Hay is for Horses by Chuck Coffey
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| Many people consider feeding hay to be a necessary cost in any livestock operation. But do they really know the actual cost of substituting hay for a lack or absence of forage in their pastures? | |
| Hay Is for Horses, But Pasture is Too! by Hugh Aljoe
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| Forages are an essential component of a horse's diet, because they need it to help prevent digestion problems. Additionally, an adequate quantity of good-quality forage can minimize feed expenses, which is usually the single highest cost of owning a horse. | |
| Hay Quality Impacted by Five Factors by Chuck Coffey
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| Of all the feedstuffs livestock consume, hay is probably one of the most variable in terms of quality. What are the factors affecting the quality of hay? | |
| Here's A New Kind of 'B.S.' Degree by Matt Mattox
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| Cattle producers have used consistency of manure to make pasture rotation decisions for years – here's an explanation of how to estimate forage quality based on manure consistency. | |
| Hold On To Your Grass by Matt Mattox
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| The growing season of 2007 brought much needed range recovery in many areas of the country. To characterize the improvement of some rangeland from poor to very good within a single growing season would be an understatement in many cases. The amount and timing of the rainfall in 2007 was very unusual and very infrequent for most areas. | |
| Homemade Mineral Feeder/Cattle Rub by R.L. Dalrymple
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| This composite tool is good for external parasite control, animal nutrition, grazing management, and is very grazier friendly in our rotational grazing unit. | |
| Horse Forage and Forage Management by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Information compiled explaining types of forage and management of pastures for horses. | |
| How Bad Is It? by Chuck Coffey
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| The dry summer and fall last year, combined with this year's drought has set the stage for an abundant "weed crop" in 1999 due to a lack of forage produced this fall. The $64 question is, "What should you do, if anything, about all these weeds?" | |
| How Do You Stay in the Upper "Range" of Things? by Matt Mattox
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| Many areas of north Texas and southern Oklahoma rangeland have improved dramatically in terms of species composition and forage production. What can we do to keep it that way? | |
| How Does Tifton 85 Measure Up? by Hugh Aljoe
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| In 1996, the Noble Foundation's Dr. Jerry Baker established a bermudagrass variety trial near Ardmore, Okla. Since then, Baker has been producing annual reports presenting forage yields for bermudagrass varieties in the test. As producers begin considering sprigging options, variety trial information is often discussed. Tifton 85 is one variety that receives much interest because it is always one of the highest-yielding varieties. | |
| How is a Forage Variety Developed? by Andy Hopkins
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| A plant breeder's job is to develop varieties that are truly "new and improved." I hope this article will give you an idea of how this is done. | |
| How Much Does it Cost to Burn? by Russell Stevens
and Hugh Aljoe
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| Estimates the cost of a controlled burn including labor, materials, and liability with cost comparisons. | |
| How Much Does It Cost to Mow Weeds? by Jeff Ball
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| Have you ever stopped to think about what it costs to mow a pasture? Mowing is costly, and pastures that have weed problems this late in the growing season have no chance for optimum weed control. | |
| How Much Grass Have I Got? by Ron Mitchell
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| October is a good month to take a little stroll through the pastures and get a handle on how much grass there is in front of the cows. October marks the beginning of autumn when our warm season grasses quit growing, and the grass on hand is what the cows are going to winter on. | |
| Indicator Plants by Charles Griffith
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| Lanceleaf ragweed, Western ragweed, and Annual broomweed are the most frequent forbs that we have to deal with in pasture management. We should look on the presence of high populations of these plants in our pastures as indicators that something is not right in the management of our forage resource. | |
| Is There a Niche for Eastern Gamagrass in Southern Oklahoma? by Matt Mattox
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| Eastern gamagrass was a component of plant communities primarily in the eastern half of Oklahoma prior to European settlement and can still be found in areas not subjected to grazing pressure. This native grass is capable of producing forage of high quantity and quality – however, lack of producer familiarity, high seed costs and necessary grazing management practices have reduced the acceptance of eastern gamagrass in this region. | |
| Is Your Hay Cut Right but Baled Wrong? by James Rogers
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| Hay baled at a too-high moisture content can have decreased digestibility and significant increases in fiber concentrations and heat-damaged nitrogen. | |
| It's Time to Estimate Available Forage by Chuck Coffey
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| If you have enough forage to last until the spring of 1998, then all you need to do is develop a supplementation program. However, most of us are not in this situation and will have to feed hay or grow additional forage. | |
| It's Time to Think About Warm-Season Grasses by Hugh Aljoe
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| It's time to prepare for your spring plantings, if you have not already done so. Here are some of my thoughts for you to ponder — some based on research, some on observation, some on experience and all open to discussion! | |
| July is Critical in Forage Decision Making by Hugh Aljoe
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| Pastures should have a surplus of forage as of mid-July, either as standing forage or hay – if reserves are not adequate to pasture cattle through the remainder of the growing season, then alternatives need to be evaluated. | |
| Keep an Eye on Your Keys by Matt Mattox
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| When key forage species get overgrazed, forbs (weeds) or less desirable species will take their place. | |
| Know Your Grasses by Chuck Coffey
and Russell Stevens
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| Here are numerous photographs of grasses common to our area. How many can you identify? | |
| Legumes - More Valuable Now Than Ever by James Rogers
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| An increasingly common question asked by cooperators is "How many cows can I run if I don't fertilize anything"? Legumes can provide an alternative to nitrogen fertilization, but they require a much higher degree of management. | |
| Limit Grazing Studied by Chuck Coffey
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| In this project, we are evaluating the effects of limit grazing and method of limit grazing on animal performance, forage utilization and grazing enterprise profitability by comparing the effectiveness of every-other-day winter annual grazing, daily restricted grazing intervals and ad-libitum grazing. | |
| Limit Winter Grazing as Protein Supplement by Hugh Aljoe
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| Producers frequently ask, "How long and how often should I allow cattle to graze winter pasture to meet their nutrient requirements?" We initiated research to gain some insight into this dilemma. | |
| Limit-Grazing Winter Pasture by Cattle as a Means of Providing Supplementary Protein by Hugh Aljoe
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| New results from a study to develop limit-grazing guidelines to prevent dietary deficiencies during winter feeding programs with small grains as a protein supplement. | |
| Limit-Grazing Winter Pasture with Mature Cattle by Hugh Aljoe
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| In limit-grazing situations when managed properly, winter pasture can be used by mature cattle very efficiently – as a protein supplement. | |
| Livestock Distribution by Chuck Coffey
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| This concise fact sheet details one of the key principles of grazing management: proper livestock distribution. | |
| Looking For The "Silver Bullet" In Our Forage Arsenal by Hugh Aljoe
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| Though there are no "super forages," growers can select from many options in order to find the best fit for their operation. | |
| Low-Input Overseeding by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Explains how to manage equipment and time/labor input and planting management requirements when overseeding. | |
| Making an Informed Seed Purchase by Andy Hopkins
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| Knowledge is power. This adage can be applied to purchasing decisions, whether regarding buying a house, seed, or fencing wire. After you read this article, you should be able to make a "powerful" decision the next time you purchase seed. | |
| Manage Forage Before (and During) Drought by James Rogers
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| Are you flexible enough to manage for that unspeakable term ... drought? | |
| Manage In 'Segments' to Make It to Spring by James Rogers
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| Forage producers with grazing livestock have just come through two of the worst growing seasons most folks can remember. Let's break that down into manageable segments: September to frost, frost to March and March to May. There are management strategies for each segment that can help stretch forage and keep managers in control instead of just reacting to a limited forage situation. | |
| Management Guidelines Can Help Improve Pasture Condition, Optimize Forage Utilization by Chuck Coffey
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| General management strategies for maintaining or improving the condition of your pastures while optimizing forage utilization by livestock. | |
| Management of Annual Ryegrass by Rod Reed
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| Ryegrasses are productive, high quality cool season forages that are either perennial or annual in their growth. The ability of annual ryegrass to reseed itself is evident as we drive down the roads or see it in pastures that have not been recently seeded. Annual ryegrass can be managed to reseed under grazing with proper management. | |
| Manure Distribution in Paddocks by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Some of the advantages of a rotational grazing unit are the fringe benefits of higher stock density when compared to more extensive grazing situations. One of the obvious benefits is the more uniform distribution of excrement within paddocks provided management is in line to control distribution. | |
| Native Grass - Use (some of) It, Or Lose It by Matt Mattox
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| This article will focus on increasing harvest efficiency on rangelands or native grass communities. Harvest efficiency is the percentage of forage grown in a year or growing season that is actually consumed by livestock. | |
| Never Get Lost Again... by Russ Gentry
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| How many times have you been fertilizing and wondered if you were too wide or too close with the pattern the fertilizer rig was throwing? The Noble Foundation recently purchased a new piece of equipment to alleviate the stress of wondering "Where am I?" | |
| New Forage Bermudagrass Variety by Jerry Baker
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| The name of the new bermudagrass, previously referred to as 74x21-6, will be Midland 99. Oklahoma State University, the developer of the variety, is cooperating with the Noble Foundation, the USDA, and experiment stations in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas in jointly releasing this new pasture grass variety. | |
| New Legume Studies by Rod Reed
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| We are frequently asked for advice on legumes. To help answer some of these questions, we have returned to performance testing of clover varieties to study yield, yield distribution, cold tolerance, and general adaptation to our region's environment. Also, we have begun to examine some legumes that, although not entirely new, have not received much attention or effort in the past: kura clover and annual medics. | |
| New Plant Image Gallery Search Engine Makes Plant ID Easier by Chuck Coffey
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| Since its launch in 1997, the Noble Foundation's popular online Plant Image Gallery has helped thousands of natural resource managers, ecologists, students and homeowners who are seeking to identify plants. Now, Noble is pleased to announce some upgrades to the site that will make plant identification faster and easier. | |
| Nitrogen Fertilizer Giveaway by Hugh Aljoe
and Jim Johnson
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| Conservative estimates are that legumes can provide 20 to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre during a growing season after the establishment year. Here we discuss the overseeding of legumes into pastures. | |
| Old World Bluestem: Planting, Stand Establishment, and Early Stand Production Management, with Considerations for Other Grasses by R.L. Dalrymple
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| Compiles experiences, controlled demonstrations, and technical research about Old World Bluestem and other warm season grasses. | |
| Online Tools for Grazing Managers by Chuck Coffey
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| The Noble Foundation has introduced online calculators to assist grazing managers. | |
| Opportunities to Meet Tough Times by Charles Griffith
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| The early and mid-eighties were bad times in production agriculture. We saw many producers go out of business. Here we are today with the same picture. Has this happened because we are so efficient and do not need as many farmers? | |
| Organizations Provide Useful Resources for Farmers, Ranchers by Matt Mattox
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| In agriculture, it is important to stay current with technology and research, network with others in the field and discover the resources out there for farmers and rancher. | |
| Ozark Bermudagrass by Jerry Baker
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| Introduction of the Ozarka bermudagrass variety. | |
| Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later by Matt Mattox
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| Pasture maintenance is much the same as vehicle maintenance – if you want your pastures to be productive over an acceptable time frame, you must pay attention to details, just like you should with your vehicle. | |
| Performance of Cool Season Forage Grasses in Noble Foundation Tests, 1996-97 by Jerry Baker
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| Trials and evaluation of Cool Season Grass 1996-97. | |
| Performance of Forage Bermudagrass Varieties in Noble Foundation Tests, 1997 by Jerry Baker
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| Summary from different varieties of bermudagrass in 1997. | |
| Phosphorus Levels Can Affect Nitrogen's Impact on Forage Production by James Rogers | |