AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — From the Coastal Plain to the Black Belt, Alabama cattle producers are utilizing forage systems to their advantage to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.

According to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Alabama ranks No. 17 nationally in beef cattle numbers. Cattle production is also a $2.5 billion industry in the state, including beef, leather, dairy and other agricultural byproducts. 

Leanne Dillard, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System specialist, has been instrumental in forage system research for many years. She uses her expertise to provide cattle producers with research, education and outreach. These tools equip producers for success when incorporating forage systems into their enterprises.  

Production and Profits

Dillard conducts research through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES). Her research indicates forages are one of the most effective ways to cut production costs. 

“Forage and grazing are the cheapest options in feeding cattle in Alabama,” Dillard said. “Our mild temperatures and ample rainfall make grazing at least 300 days a year feasible with a little bit of planning.”  

Climate-smart forage systems create a way for cattle producers to increase profitability throughout the calendar year. The ability to supplement feed with grazing forages in Alabama cow-calf operations is significant for herd nutrition and development. Additionally, cutting feed costs and selling hay or silage for profit allow producers to increase profitability and utilize their land during all seasons.   

Building a Healthy Environment

Forages also play an important role in contributing to the overall health of the environment. Agricultural producers are looking for ways to be good stewards of the land and forage systems are a great example of that contribution. Forage research conducted has shown that forage cover crops reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which improves air quality. Other environmental benefits include improved soil health, providing soil cover and carbon sequestration.  

Starting from the ground up, Dillard explains the need to assess soil quality to create the best recipe for success when selecting a forage field site.  

“Forage quality starts in the soil, with proper soil fertility — based on soil testing,” Dillard said. “Rotational grazing makes for more uniform grazing, which can help keep forage more vegetative and avoid having pockets of under-grazed and overly mature forage mixed with overgrazed areas.” 

 One advantage Alabama cattle producers have is an ideal climate for forage inclusion on their operations. In addition, this type of diversified production helps producers be better prepared for extreme weather scenarios and unpredictable financial markets.   

Grazing For Good

Dillard recommends rotational production practices for forage systems, ensuring growers can maintain quality throughout the grazing season. Additionally, this approach reduces the risk of parasites and pathogens by disrupting their life cycle. 

“Rotational grazing makes for more uniform grazing which can help keep forage more vegetative,” Dillard said. “This way we avoid having pockets of under-grazed and overly mature forage mixed with overgrazed areas.”

The benefits of forage production are not limited to financial gains. Notably, Experiment Station researchers are investigating how to best adapt forage systems for environmentally beneficial production in the state. 

Conversely, there are some potential environmental risks involved with the addition of forage systems. Water inefficiencies can occur without proper strategy, especially when irrigation systems are in place. While risks such as soil erosion, enteric methane from grazing and nitrate leaching are associated with forage systems, the positive impacts often outweigh these concerns.   

Variety Selection Tool

Cattle producers, however, are reluctant to incorporate sub-par forages in their operations. Instead, producers want to add forage varieties that offer the best advantages for optimum growth, superior quality, herd improvement and adaptability to climate variability.  

With the overwhelming number of forage varieties available, producers may find it difficult to choose the right one. That’s where the Official Variety Testing Program comes in — offering comprehensive data to help producers make informed decisions.   

Six of the outlying units of the AAES conduct forage variety trials to assess the yield and quality of each variety. Henry Jordan, director of the Official Variety Testing program for the College of Agriculture and the AAES, explains the value of the official variety trials for Alabama producers.    

“With funding from each of the commodity groups’ check-off dollars, we are able to report results in an online variety selection tool which allows our producers to tailor their variety selection for their unique scenario,” Jordan said. “Having results for multiple years and locations for a variety allows our producers to make confident decisions.”   

There are many factors that influence the selection of a forage, such as species, early or late production timing, termination of the crop and more. For this reason, the Official Variety Testing program can help producers choose which varieties can work best for them on a case-by-case basis.    

“Although each situation is slightly different, trials on different soil types and topographies enable us to offer more precise recommendations for our growers,” Jordan said.  

More Information

Forage systems in Alabama are an incredible opportunity for producers to supplement income through production diversification. With support from AAES research and Alabama Extension outreach producers can incorporate successful forages into their operations.    

To find out more about the Official Variety Testing program visit aaes.auburn.edu/variety-tests/. Learn more about the Alabama Extension animal science and forages team at aces.edu.