Cool-season perennial grasses are the foundation of productive horse pastures in the north-central, central and eastern U.S. Pastures are an affordable way to feed horses and are about one-third as expensive as hay.

However, horse grazing habits make pasture management challenging for horse owners. Horses are very selective grazers and will often overgraze preferred areas of grass to a very short height while avoiding other seemingly quality areas of the pasture.

To better understand the selective nature of horse grazing and its effects on forage grass persistence and yield, a research project was designed to evaluate grazing preferences, persistence and yield of twelve cool-season grasses under horse grazing.

Much of California’s Great Central Valley received uncharacteristically early rain events this year. Our corn crop for silage is seldom rained on and, as a result, levels of mycotoxins in California corn silages are typically low, at least compared to most other parts of the U.S., and California dairies are seldom concerned with mycotoxins in their corn silage.

However, the early rains this year stimulated mold growth in many corn crops prior to harvest and, thus, may have increased mycotoxin levels in the resultant corn silage.

If you live in California or another part of the country that experience similar conditions, should you be concerned?

I practice recycling – this includes cans and bottles, but also the information I’ve had to develop for farmer meetings.

Recently I presented a talk with the above title to some Virginia dairy farmers. Following are the high points:

1. Hybrid selection – The key to high-quality corn silage: A good ear on every plant. The key to high yield: Lots of plants – and therefore lots of ears – per acre.