Background Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is one of the most common perennial warm‐season forages grown in the Southeastern United States. The incorporation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative source of nitrogen (N) while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. Methods A 2‐year grazing evaluation arranged in a randomized complete block design was conducted from May to September 2018 (Year 1) and May–August 2019 (Year 2) in Tifton, GA, USA. The objective was to compare the production of alfalfa–bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BG) the application of synthetic nitrogen on forage production and stocker cattle performance. Results Differences were observed for average daily gain (p = 0.10), gain per hectare (p = 0.02) and stocking rate (p = 0.01), in that BGA was greatest compared to BGN and BG, which did not differ from each other. Furthermore, BGA had increased forage crude protein (p = 0.01) and total digestible nutrients (p = 0.01) compared to BGN and BG. Finally, BGA provided the greatest economic return per hectare compared to BG or BGN. Conclusions These data illustrate improved animal performance and forage nutritive value using alfalfa–bermudagrass systems and offer a viable option for producers seeking alternatives to synthetic N sources for bermudagrass pastures in the Southeastern United States.

Since its 2010 discovery in southern Georgia, the bermudagrass stem maggot (BSM, Atherigona reversura Villenueve) has spread throughout the southeastern United States, damaging bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hayfields and pastures. The objective of this research was to quantify the damage potential of the BSM in terms of forage accumulation, nutritive value, and economic returns from five bermudagrass varieties grown in Tifton, GA. The BSM significantly reduced accumulated forage only from late July to September in each year of this study. This would generally correspond to the third, fourth, and/or fifth harvest of the year for bermudagrass hay producers in the states of the Deep South. When BSM damage affected accumulated forage, crude protein increased while other nutritive value parameters decreased in plots not treated with insecticide. The results indicate that spraying prior to every harvest is not an economical management strategy. Instead, insecticide applications should only be made when significant forage loss is expected (generally from late July to September). Producers should create and implement a strategic integrated pest management plan to manage BSM populations on their farms to ensure positive economic returns and slow the potential resistance of the BSM to pyrethroids by preventing their overuse.

Cool-season forages provide high-quality forage throughout the cooler months, which can reduce winter feed and hay consumption by extending the grazing season in the Southeast. Limited research has been conducted to simultaneously evaluate common annual and perennial cool-season forage options during this time period. A 2-year grazing trial was conducted to evaluate annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), mixtures of cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) and annual ryegrass, and novel endophyte tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Shreb.) Darbysh.] seeded with annual crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), perennial white clover (Trifolium repens L.), or treated with spring-applied N fertilizer. Parameters evaluated were timing and length of grazing season, forage nutritive value, forage dry matter (DM) availability, animal performance, and economic returns. Economic analysis evaluated monetary returns per acre. In Year 1 (2013-2014) annual treatments provided 68 days of grazing while perennial treatments provided 75 days. In Year 2 (2014-2015) mixtures of cereal rye and annual ryegrass provided 57 days, while annual ryegrass and novel endophyte tall fescue treatments provided 85 and 84 days, respectively. Animal average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) gain/acre was greatest for ryegrass and tall fescue and least in treatments containing cereal rye. No differences in animal performance were observed between legume and N fertilizer within forage base. Novel endophyte tall fescue treatments had positive returns per acre compared with negative returns for annual treatments. These results indicate that under conditions of similar animal performance and forage production, novel endophyte tall fescue systems may provide a more economical option for producers in the lower transition zone of the Southeast. Cool-Season Forage Systems for Extended GrazingHigh-quality, cool-season forage systems have forage production characteristics that complement annual production in warm-season grass-based forage systems common to the southeastern stocker industry (Beck et al., 2008;Gunter et al., 2012). In this region, cold weather limits winter forage production, so cattle

Producers cannot completely control infertility in their cow herds. However, understanding and addressing the factors that affect infertility will help producers implement management practices that can improve fertility and reduce the negative impacts of infertility on the profitability of beef cow-calf operations. This 4-page fact sheet discusses reasons why beef cows fail to become pregnant or wean a calf, identification of infertile beef cows, and economic impacts of reduced fertility and infertility in beef cattle. Written by Chris Prevatt, G. Cliff Lamb, Carl Dahlen, Vitor R. G. Mercadante, and Kayln Waters, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, revised September 2018. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an208