Most livestock producers are true environmentalists. Their love of farming is tied to their land and the environment, so they have an interest in making sure their land, water, and air resources remain clean and pure. This will allow the future generations to enjoy farming and the rural lifestyle. Information provided here will provide publications, guides, information, stewardship, and environmental bio-security recommendations. Also, included here will be information sheets to include insects, diseases, and other issues affecting plants.
Information and Resources
Johnsongrass in Forage Systems: Control, Risks, and Benefits
Johnsongrass is one of the most troublesome weeds in Tennessee, most commonly present in soybean, corn, cotton, hayfields and pastures. Some cases of resistance to glyphosate, fluaziflop-butyl and quizaloflop-butyl have been reported on row crops. Competition from johnsongrass may reduce yield in grain crops and complicate the harvesting process. Johnsongrass can compete with other forage grasses, negatively impacting the production of the desired grass. Since Johnsongrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in summer, it becomes more challenging to control when cool-season grasses like tall fescue and orchardgrass go dormant. Due to its extended growing season and competitiveness against cool-season grasses, johnsongrass is often a challenge in second-cutting hay in Tennessee.
Managing Broomsedge in Tall Fescue Pastures and Hayfields
Many producers have seen an increase in infestations of broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), a warm-season perennial grass that competes with cool-season grasses, reducing yield and quality. Broomsedge is not a sign of bad luck but rather an indicator of low soil fertility and inadequate management. It thrives in acidic, low-phosphorus soils and gains a foothold when cool-season grasses are weakened by overgrazing, mowing too low or inadequate nutrient management
The Dangers of Poison Hemlock in Pastures and Hayfields
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a highly toxic plant that poses a serious risk to livestock. Its presence in pastures and hayfields can lead to death if consumed. For cattle producers, it is essential to know how to identify poison hemlock, understand its toxicity, and take proactive measures to eliminate it from pastures.
Know Before You Plant: How to Check Soil, Manure or Compost for Possible Chemical Contamination from Herbicides
Changes in farmland management, such as purchasing new land, experiencing flooding, or sourcing compost or manure from unfamiliar suppliers, can introduce risks of chemical contamination that may affect crop growth. A bioassay is a practical and cost-effective method to determine whether soil or compost has been contaminated with herbicides or other chemicals that could limit crop emergence or development.
Nitrate Toxicity in Forages
In Tennessee, many beef producers rely on tall fescue fields for hay. Some also use summer grasses like bermudagrass or sorghum x sudangrass hybrids. While these grasses can be effective for hay production, there is a risk of nitrate buildup, particularly in these plants, especially during droughts. Knowing what nitrate toxicity is and how to avoid it is important.
Considerations: Post-Flooding Soil Management
In October 2024, Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in several counties in East Tennessee. Many farms and thousands of acres were affected with some farms suffering extensive damage to property, barns, equipment and livestock. Some fields lost significant amounts of topsoil or were covered in sand, clay sediments, woody debris, river rocks or other debris washed in from upstream. This factsheet provides guidance to landowners on steps to restore fields and bring them back into production.
Pasture and Hay Challenges after a Hurricane
In recent years, changes in weather patterns, experts have stressed the need to be ready for more frequent and extreme events. The fact is, in Tennessee with approximately 3.5 million acres of pastureland where producers manage more than 1.6 million cattle, a hurricane event can have a substantial impact on both state and national economies. In addition, forage is the most important feed source to Tennessee’s livestock industry, which is a crucial player in the livestock industry in the country due to its important cow/calf operation.
Assessing the Potential for Nitrogen Leaching From Your Tennessee Soils
The potential for nitrate nitrogen to leach through an agricultural soil depends on several factors, including soil properties that affect rate of water movement through the soil and rate of surface runoff, rainfall, and the amount and type of nitrogen fertilizer being applied to the field.
