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Available Topics
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Introduction to Forages
- Overview
- Pretest - Introduction
- Instructional Objectives
- Define forages and differentiate between forage types.
- Explain how forages have been and are essential to civilization.
- Summarize the history of forages.
- Define grassland agriculture. Discuss a typical grassland ecosystem.
- Define sustainable agriculture and discuss how forages are a key component.
- List several grassland organizations and describe their role in promoting forages and grassland agriculture.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Grasslands of the World
- Overview
- Pretest - World Grasslands
- Instructional Objectives
- Define and describe the natural grasslands of the world.
- Locate and describe the tropical grasslands and their forages.
- Locate and describe the temperate grasslands and their forages.
- Important issues affecting grasslands and their forages.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Forages in the US
- Overview
- Pretest - U.S. Grasslands
- Instructional Objectives
- Describe the role of forages in the history of the US.
- Describe the current role of forages in US agriculture.
- Discuss regional forage production.
- Discuss forages from a livestock perspective.
- Discuss the environmental benefits of forages.
- Discuss the possible future role of forages in the US.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Grasses
- Overview
- Pretest - Grasses
- Instructional Objectives
- Grasses are very common but very important.
- Differentiate warm-season from cool-season grasses.
- Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of grasses
- Describe the utilization of grass in forage-livestock systems.
- Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers.
- Provide specific information about the common grasses used as forage
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Legumes
- Overview
- Pretest - Legumes
- Instructional Objectives
- Legumes are a valuable part of forage production.
- Differentiate warm-season from cool-season legumes.
- Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of legumes.
- Define the utilization of legumes in forage-livestock systems.
- Provide specific information about the common legumes used as forage.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Plant Identification
- Overview
- Pretest - Plant Identification
- Instructional Objectives
- Explain the reasons why forage plant identification is important.
- Describe the major differences between the plant families used as forages.
- Provide the vocabulary needed to identify grasses.
- Provide the basic vocabulary for identifying legumes.
- Identify common species of forage.
- Provide practice in identifying common forages.
- Summary
- References
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Forage Selection
- Overview
- Pretest - Forage Selection
- Instructional Objectives
- The selection of a forage plant is crucial.
- Determine limitations to forage selection.
- Forage selection requires an understanding of species and cultivars.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of selecting mixtures.
- A model for forage selection
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Establishment
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture establishment
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture renovation.
- Discuss the steps in seedbed preparation.
- Discuss the considerations of seed quality.
- Discuss the methods and timing of seeding.
- Discuss the purpose and wise utilization of companion crops.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Weeds
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Define the term weed.
- Instructional Objectives
- Explain why producers and the public should be concerned about weeds.
- Describe several ways in which weeds cause forage crop and animal production losses.
- Describe methods in determining quality
- List several poisonous plants found on croplands, pasturelands, rangelands, and forests.
- Describe the five general categories of weed control methods.
- Describe the concept of Integrated Pest Management and how it applies to weed control.
- Distinguish between selective and non-selective herbicides and give an example of each.
- Describe how weeds are categorized by life cycle and how this is correlated with specific control methods.
- Describe conditions that tend to favor weed problems in pastures and describe how to alleviate these conditions.
- Describe several common weed control practices in alfalfa production.
- List printed and electronic sources of weed control information.
- List local, regional, and national sources of weed control information.
- Summary
- Exam
- References
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Management/Physiology
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the basics of grass growth.
- Describe the impact of defoliation on grass plants.
- Discuss how grasses regrow.
- Discuss how livestock interaction impacts grass growth.
- Discuss grass growth in mixed stands.
- Discuss the practical applications of regrowth mechanisms.
- References
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Fertilization
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the importance of soil fertility and the appropriate use of fertilization.
- Define and discuss the nitrogen cycle.
- Discuss the major elements needed for good soil fertility and plant growth.
- Define and discuss micronutrients.
- Discuss the uses and methods of liming.
- Discuss fertilizer management for mixed stands.
- References
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Biological Nitrogen Fixation
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Define biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and explain its importance.
- Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms.
- Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops.
- List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed.
- Describe the processes of infection and nodulation in forage legumes.
- Describe the process of inoculation in the production of forage legumes.
- Summary
- Exam
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Grazing
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the role of grazing in a pasture-livestock system.
- List and discuss the types of grazing.
- Compare and contrast the different types of grazing.
- Discuss the livestock dynamics on pastures and grazing.
- Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar.
- Summary
- References
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Mechanically Harvested Forages
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the purpose for mechanically harvested forages.
- List the characteristics of good hay and the steps needed to make it.
- Determine the characteristics of good silage and the steps in producing it.
- Discuss the potential dangers in mechanically harvesting and storing forages.
- Compare and contrast the types of storage and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Summary
- References
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Irrigation
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Describe the importance of irrigation in producing forages.
- Describe major types of irrigation systems in US forage production.
- List and discuss factors that affect irrigation efficiency.
- Describe basic principles of scheduling irrigation for efficient use of water resources.
- Describe potential problems that may arise from the use of irrigation in forages.
- Summary
- References
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Quality & Testing
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Define forage quality and management decisions that increase forage quality.
- Describe important factors that determine hay and silage quality.
- Discuss components of forage
- Define and discuss antiquality factors affecting animal health
- Discuss the need for and progress towards standards in national forage testing
- Summary
- References
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Breeding
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the history of forage breeding in the United States
- Discuss the philosophy of why new plant cultivars are needed
- Discuss the objectives of forage plant breeding
- Discuss the process of creating a new cultivar
- Discuss the steps in maintaining and producing new cultivars
- Compare and contrast plant breeding in the US and Europe
- Summary
- References
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Forage-livestock Systems
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Define a livestock system and their importance
- Describe the basic principles of a successful forage-livestock system
- Discuss forage-livestock systems in a larger picture
- Discuss how economics are a part of a forage-livestock system
- Discuss the types of forage-livestock systems
- Summary
- References
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Miscellaneous Forages
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Discuss the importance of utilizing forages other than common grasses and legumes
- Discuss the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
- Compare and contrast the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
- Discuss the utilization of crop residues in a forage-livestock system
- Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar
- Summary
- Exam
- References
- Economics of Forages
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Environmental Issues of Forages
- Overview
- Pre-Test
- Instructional Objectives
- Describe several important environmental issues that relate to forage production
- Define the terms renewable resource and nonrenewable and give examples of each resource type that are related to forage production
- Define the term sustainable agriculture and apply the concept to forage production
- Diagram and describe a sustainable forage production system
- Discuss factors that contribute to soil erosion and discuss ways that soil erosion control can be integrated into forage product
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages in using synthetic agrichemicals in forage production
- Explain the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how it can be used to enhance sustainable forage production
- Define the term biodiversity and explain how this concept could be applied to forage production
- Discuss the controversy over using agricultural land to produce crops for animal consumption
- Summary
- References
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Introduction to Forages
- Instructor Feedback
- Laboratory Strategies
- Lecture Strategies
- Mailing Groups
- Student Materials
- Reference Materials
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Africa
Alfalfa
Alfalfa
Alfalfa
Alfalfa field with weeds
Alfalfa Weevel
American Forage and Grassland Council
American Society of Agronomy
American Society of Animal Science
Annual Bluegrass
Annual Ryegrass Diagram
baler
bales
barren grassland
Beetle
Bermudagrass
bermuda grass stem
big bluestem
Biological Weed Control Agent (Caterpiller)
birdsfoot trefoil
bison
Boll Weevel
Bootstage
broadleaf cocklebur
buck
camel
Canada Thistle
canoe
The Cells of Mad Cow Disease
Cereal Grains (corn)
certified seed tag
Chart: pH vs. Nutrient Uptake
cheetah
cheetah
clean air
Clover
collar region
colorful temperate grassland
Common Lambsquarters
Common Vetch
Common Vetch
Country Road
cow menu cartoon
A cow with Mad Cow Disease
cows munching 
crop farming
Cultivating a field with a field cultivator
dairy cattle
Dairy cow eating Alfalfa
dairy products
dandelion
Development of self-tying hay bale
Discovery of nitrogen fixation in legumes by Hellriegel and Willfarth
drought
elephants
elk
equipment
European Cranefly
Feedlot
Fertilizer
Field
Field being cut
Field Bindweed
Field Burning
Field sprayer applying a Postemergence herbicide
flowers
foliage
forage
Forage Legumes Grown in Diff Fertility Levels
Foreign Materials Cartoon
Forest
fowl
fruit
gathering silage
Giraffes
goats
grand canyon cartoon
Grass and bales near water
Grass diagram
grasslands
Hairy Vetch
Hairy Vetch
hay
herbicide being sprayed onto existing weeds as a postemergence application
Highway Crewman Cartoon
Horse cartoon
horses
Incorporating Green Manure Crop into Soil
indiangrass
inflorescence
arrowleaf clover
inflorescence
International Grassland Congress
International Rangeland Congress
Irrigation
Kale
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky Bluegrass
Khan & Caesar Cartoon
Land Grant Universities
Larkspur
Larkspur
leafy spurge
leaves
legumes
Lespedeza
Lespedeza Leaf
ligule
Livestock Eating Turnips
llamas
lupine inflorescence
lupine leaf
Lupines
man-made grasslands
Meat Production
Meat Products
Mechanic Cartoon
Medic
Medicinal Plant
milk and meat
mixed grasses
mixed stands
Monocotyledon vs. Dicotyledon
Musk Thistle
natural fire
natural fires
Nematode
nodules on roots
Nutrient Cycle
Nutrient Cycle Cartoon
oats
Oil
orchardgrass
Over Grazing
part 1
part 2
part 3
part4
Pasture Ecosystem
Pasture with weed infestation
pearlmillet
people of Africa
perennial ryegrass
Pest
plant
Plant Breeder
Plots
pods
A Poisoned Rhino Calf With the Mother
Population Growth Chart
predators
Rape
Red Clover
Red Clover/Grass mix
Redroot Pigweed
Rhizomes
Ridge Till
Roadside
round hay bale
rye
Sagebrush
savannas of Africa
Seed drill planting
seedling
seeds
seeds
sheep
sheep
sheep
sheep grazing
Sheep grazing in a field
shelter
Shepherd's Purse
silage
shelter for babies
silage bags
silage bag
Silo
Smooth Bromegrass
Society for Range Management
soil erosion
Spraying Agrichemicals
spraying herbicide
Spraying Herbicide
stems
stipiles
Stolons
stipule
Strip Crop
sub clover
sudangrass
sunset
switchgrass
symbiotic association with rhizobium
Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue and White Clover
temperate
temperate grasslands
Terrace
Timothy
tractors
Trap Crop
tropical grasslands
Turnips
tussocks
watermarks
waterways
Weed Cartoon
Weevel
wheat
White Clover
white clover
Wild Garlic
windy temperate grassland
wool factory
zebras
