UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY TO MEASURE AND MONITOR FORAGES IN NORTHERN MISSOURI
Animal Science
James Humphrey
Field Specialist in Livestock
University of Missouri
Savannah
Abstract
Forages are an important component of most livestock operations in Northwest Missouri. The New Zealand Feed Reader Project was started to help producers better monitor the forages they are currently producing and improve the efficiency and utilization of forage production in Northwest Missouri while increasing individual farm income. The program objectives include: 1) a total quality management approach for forage management; 2) the creation of reliable information on quality and quantity of forages produced in rotational grazing systems. Over the past 3 years Regional Extension Specialists have been documenting the quantity and quality of forage produced on operations located in Northwest Missouri. Based on 2007 Census on Agriculture data, we currently have 19,333 acres of forage in Andrew County, producing close to 45,000 tons of pasture, hay and other forage consumed by livestock in Andrew County. Based on these numbers, providing high quality and quantity of forages that will be productive over the long haul is essential for the livestock industry in Northwest Missouri and the New Zealand Feed Reader Project is demonstrating practical ways to more accurately monitor and measure forages in Northwest Missouri.
Authors: Humphrey,* J.R., Kelly, R.A.
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Humphrey,* J.R. Livestock Specialist, University Of Missouri, Missouri, 64485
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Kelly, R.A. Ag Business Specialist, University of Missouri, Missouri, 64507