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Agriculture - Forage & Pasture Management

AGR 2244 Principles of Forage and Pasture Management taught by Dr. John Murphy

"I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied." -- Deuteronomy 11:15

This guide is designed to serve the research and information needs of students researching forage and pasture management.

Cow and calf foraging for food. Photo by Stephen Ausmus.

Definitions

Baleage: Partially dried forage, which is baled and wrapped with plastic
Ensilage: see Silage
Fodder: General term for feed for livestock
Forage: Plants eaten by grazing livestock, generally eaten directly as pasture or crop residue
Forage crop: Crops which are grown to be eaten by grazing livestock
Grazing: A method of animal feeding where livestock roams in fields and consumes grass and other plants
Hay: Grass that is cut, dried, and used as animal feed
Haylage: A fermented grass forage that is fed to animals like hay
Livestock: Farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats pigs which are raised for profit
Pasture: Land used for grazing
Silage: Grass or green foliage crops, generally stored in a silo. Silage is preserved by fermentation, not drying.