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National Forage & Grasslands Curriculum

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    • Project Information
      • Support
      • Description
      • Development
        • Core Group of Developers
        • Regional Advisors Group
        • Topic Experts Group of Developers
      • Production
    • Instructional Design
      • Lesson Template
      • Overall Course Design
        • Goals
        • Objectives
        • Assessment
          • Instructor Materials: Assessments: Prerequisite Test
        • Topics
        • Evaluation
        • Revision
      • Production Process
    • Instructor Materials
      • Assessments
        • Exams
        • Learner Survey
        • Post Test
        • Prerequisite Test
        • Prerequisite Test
        • Pretests
        • Quizzes
        • Testing Rationale
        • Writing Evaluation
      • Available Topics
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
        • 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
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the balance needed between input and output
          • Describe marginal analysis
          • Discuss macroeconomic questions
          • Discuss microeconomic questions
          • Discuss enterprise budgets
          • Discuss the available tools for better economic management
          • Summary
          • References
        • 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
      • Instructor Feedback
      • Laboratory Strategies
      • Lecture Strategies
      • Mailing Groups
    • Student Materials
      • Mailing Groups
      • Math Review
      • Practice Exam
      • Reading Test
        • Reading Sample
      • Writing Evaluation
    • Reference Materials
      • CD's
      • Glossaries
      • People
      • Publications
      • Slides
      • Software
      • Videotapes
      • Websites
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Alumni & Parents
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Calendar
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Online Services
    • Make a Gift
  • Project Information
    • Support
    • Description
    • Development
      • Core Group of Developers
      • Regional Advisors Group
      • Topic Experts Group of Developers
    • Production
  • Instructional Design
    • Lesson Template
    • Overall Course Design
      • Goals
      • Objectives
      • Assessment
        • Instructor Materials: Assessments: Prerequisite Test
      • Topics
      • Evaluation
      • Revision
    • Production Process
  • Instructor Materials
    • Assessments
      • Exams
      • Learner Survey
      • Post Test
      • Prerequisite Test
      • Prerequisite Test
      • Pretests
      • Quizzes
      • Testing Rationale
      • Writing Evaluation
    • Available Topics
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
      • 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
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the balance needed between input and output
        • Describe marginal analysis
        • Discuss macroeconomic questions
        • Discuss microeconomic questions
        • Discuss enterprise budgets
        • Discuss the available tools for better economic management
        • Summary
        • References
      • 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
    • Instructor Feedback
    • Laboratory Strategies
    • Lecture Strategies
    • Mailing Groups
  • Student Materials
    • Mailing Groups
    • Math Review
    • Practice Exam
    • Reading Test
      • Reading Sample
    • Writing Evaluation
  • Reference Materials
    • CD's
    • Glossaries
    • People
    • Publications
    • Slides
    • Software
    • Videotapes
    • Websites

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Forage Information System
Oregon State University
Department of Crop and Soil Science
109 Crop Science Building
Corallis, OR 97331-3002

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