| Title |
Investigators | Department | Objectives | Approach Keywords | Progress Reports | Impact Statements | Publications | |
Project * COL00212 | |
| Title | Economic, Environmental, Genetic, and Nutritional Aspects of Grass-Fed Beef |
| Investigator(s) | Brummer, JE; |
| Department | Soil and Crop Sciences |
| Objectives | 1. Conduct research and provide information to agricultural community and general population regarding the various economic, health, and environmental issues related to grass-fed beef. |
| Approach | Four irrigated grasses or grass mixes (1. orchardgrass, meadow brome, smooth brome; 2. orchardgrass, meadow brome, Kentucky bluegrass; 3. tall fescue; 4. hybrid wheatgrass, tall fescue, hybrid brome) will be evaluated in combination with each of 4 legumes (alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, white clover, or kura clover) for yield and forage quality under organic production conditions. Each grass/legume mix will be replicated within each of 3 blocks with one replicate receiving an annual application of composted manure as the fertilizer source. Plots will be mechanically harvested multiple times per season to simulate rotational grazing. At each harvest, yield and forage quality parameters of crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber will be determined. Since weeds are a major issue under organic production, each grass/legume mix will be evaluated for its ability to suppress weed growth. The weeds present will also be evaluated for their contribution to yield and forage quality. |
| Keywords | grass legume mixes, organic forage production, forage yield, forage quality |
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