Success StoryDealing with weather related forage issues



Dealing with weather related forage issues

Author: Robert Amburgey

Planning Unit: Bath County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Improved Efficiencies in Livestock, Tobacco, Forages and Grain Production

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The winter and spring of 2019 did a tremendous amount of damage to our hay and pasture fields, particularly where cattle were fed and equipment was required to move across rain soaked fields.  It is usually hard to get farmers to agree on a lot of things, however, there was 100% agreement among cattle producers in Bath County that these high traffic, and heavy feeding areas were in need of a lot of work.

To try to address this issue, on March 19th the extension office hosted a video training conducted by Dr. Chris Teutsch on managing “pugged” pastures.  This training addressed many of the concerns farmers had in managing these problems.  There were 65 Bath County farmers in attendance and the responses from the program were extremely positive.  One recommendation from the video was to try some of the improved crabgrass varieties to establish summer forages in these areas.  Four local producers established crabgrass as a part of their operation and results from these four were very good. These producers are attempting to manage these crabgrass stands in a manner that will allow them to reseed and reestablish next year.

As we now know, the spring and early summer rains turned off to extremely dry pastures and near record heat into early fall.  The hot and dry weather has caused issues for pastures and hayfields, and has caused some concern about hay supplies going into this fall and winter.  

To build on our work in the forage area, the Bath County field day focused heavily on forages.   NRCS conducted a session on winter feeding areas management and establishment and the Extension office and conservation district featured the new county hay wrapper.  The wrapper provides a tool that can be used to put up hay when it is in the proper stage of growth to maximize nutritional content and reduces hay losses, as compared to hay stored outside.  The reduction in loss, may be the difference between having enough hay and being short this season.  

As we move into the winter months, more work will be done to address the effects of the late summer drought and extreme heat on pastures and hayfields next spring.






Stories by Robert Amburgey


covid 19 educational efforts

about 4 years ago by Robert Amburgey

Due to the Covid 19 epidemic, extension programming required new methods to address the needs of our... Read More


Introduction to Hemp production

about 4 years ago by Robert Amburgey

The Bath County Extension Office hosted the east region Hemp production meeting which was designed t... Read More


Stories by Bath County CES


Project Linus

about 4 years ago by Nicole Gwishiri

In 2018, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent began working with a Homemaker volunteer to establis... Read More


Medicare Minute

about 4 years ago by Nicole Gwishiri

According to Data USA, 10 percent of people living in Bath County receive Medicare benefits. Another... Read More


Stories by Forages


Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

Small Horse Farm Improves Forage from UK Equine Pasture Evaluation Program

about 4 years ago by Jimmy Henning

In 2016, Paul and Melita Knapper were the first farm to be enrolled in the RCPP Overgrazing and Soil... Read More


Baleage Program Success

Baleage Program Success

about 4 years ago by Benjamin Conner

Producing feedstuff for livestock is important in Scott County because of the large importance of be... Read More