1. Forage Management Unit for Adults Lesson 1 - Orientation

2. Direction and Purpose to: Simplify the complex Provide management points of reference Concentrate on maximum profits, rather than maximum production Provide informational tools for all producers to utilize

3. Key Points: What are the items to be covered in this forage management course? What are the economics of forages?

4. Lessons Include: Orientation to the Unit Establishing Forages Renovation & Maintenance of Forage Making, Harvesting, & Storing Quality Forage & Seed Management of Grazing Systems Costs & Returns for Forages

5. Types of Forage Crops Perennial Grasses Cool Season Warm Season Legumes Annual Forages Warm Season Cool Season

6. Cool Season Grass Perennials Tall Fescue Orchardgrass Bromegrass Kentucky Bluegrass Timothy Reed Canary Grass Perennial Ryegrass

7. Warm Season Grass Perennials Bermudagrass Big Bluestem Indiangrass Switchgrass Eastern Gamma Grass Caucasian Bluestem

8. Legumes Alfalfa Annual Lespedeza Red Clover White & Ladino Clover Birdsfoot Trefoil

9. Annual Crops Sudangrass & Sorghum Millets Wheat Other Small Grains Cereals Annual Ryegrass Cornstalks

10. References Include: Extension Guides University of Missouri Other Universities Industry Literature MFA Potash & Phosphate Institute NRCS Publications

11. Activities: Bring in forage test results or… Bring in forage sample to be sent off for testing. WHY?? Learn how to interpret forage test results (Lesson 4 – Making, Harvesting, and Storing Quality Forages & Seed)

12. Such As: Proper Hay Sampling Method Need a cross- section sample of of entire bale See picture for positioning For square bales take core sample from the end of bale.

13. Activities: Contact the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) for: Aerial photos of your farm Soil maps for your farm Soil descriptions for your farm

14. Learn: How to determine the forages that best fit your situation (Lesson 2 – Establishment of Forages) How to determine paddock layout and waterer locations (Lesson 6 – Management of Grazing Systems)

15. Activities: Bring in soil test results less than one year old or…. Bring in soil samples to be sent off for testing. Why??? Interpreting soil test results and determining lime/fertilizer needs (Lesson 3 – Renovation and Maintenance of Forages)

16. Management of Hay Feeding Methods of preventing cows from wasting so much hay. Storage Prevention of yield loss due to weathering on round bales.

17. Are these the table manners of your cattle?

18. Storage Method Examples: Such as the GOOD…..

20. and the BAD…..

21. Did you know….? A 6’ x 6’ bale will receive about 22 gallons of water for each inch of rain 30 inches = 660 gallon Dry matter storage loss Hay stored inside = 5% Hay stored outside = 30% or more

22. Conclusion This course will provide: General management practices Aid to simplify the complex issues Informational tools