With variable weather conditions in the past few years, pasture management and hay quality have become a priority for many livestock producers. Fayette County teamed up with the Franklin, Woodford, and Scott County Ag Agents, UK Forage Specialists, and Corteva Agriscience Range & Pasture representatives, to put on a Beef Pasture Workshop in May. This workshop was designed to help producers find the best forages for their pastures, understand how to control undesirable forages and weeds, and understand the importance of not only visual evaluation of hay but also the importance of testing hay for nutrient analysis.

We had three stations set up for participants to partake in, including, NovaGraz and Duracor trial plots, a Pasture Establishment station, and an Understanding Hay Quality station. In the first station participants learned broadleaf weed ID and how to control them. They also got to see the results of the trial plots and how the pasture responded to each herbicide. Of the 13 participants, 100% of them had an increase in knowledge on weed ID and herbicide selection.

In terms of the pasture establishment station, the producers learned from UK Forage Extension Specialist, Dr. Smith about the importance of soil testing and applying fertilizer and soil amendments, using high-quality or improved variety seed, planting at the right time, managing weed competition, allowing enough time for the new forage stand to become established, and implementing rotational grazing. 100% of the participants also reported that they increased their knowledge and 75% of them reported that they will change their pasture management techniques by soil testing, changing their seeding dates, and/or creating a better spray schedule.

In the last station, we discussed hay quality and the importance of not only visually looking at hay for quality but also testing hay to see what nutrients there are. All animals have different requirements at different stages in their life. Knowing the nutrient profile for that hay will allow producers to feed enough to maximize their animals’ production which in turn can increase profits. From this station, 100% said they had an increase in knowledge and 41.5% of the participants said they would start testing the hay they buy or grow, spraying weeds in their hay fields, and/or seeding better suited forages for hay.

Overall, 100% of participants agreed that the information from this workshop will help increase the productivity, quality, and/or profitability of their operations. All participants also noted that they look forward to more programming like this in the future.