October 31, 2002

Forage Testing Offers Opportunity for Producers in Southwestern North Dakota

North Dakota State University's Dickinson Research Extension Center is studying ways to boost annual forage profitability in southwest North Dakota. They are surveying management, production and quality of forages produced in southwestern North Dakota to identify factors that will increase the value, quality and quantity of forages produced there.

"Optimizing forage production and use requires a careful balance between forage production and quality," says Chip Poland, an extension livestock specialist at the center. "Forage production systems developed to minimize unit costs of production could substantially increase profitability to the crop producer, while reducing overall operating costs of livestock production. Results from the survey should provide crop and livestock producers with information for matching forage production with their marketing and use objectives."

Poland and his colleagues plan to collect from producers about 100 samples of annual small grain forage such as oats and barley and about 50 samples of perennial forage such as grass and mixed alfalfa and grass. Samples will be analyzed for crude protein, acid- and neutral-detergent fibers, calcium and phosphorus. Energy concentrations will also be estimated.

Producers will be asked to submit $5 per sample to cover a portion of the analytical cost (total cost is $25) and complete a questionnaire covering agronomic and production issues related to each sample. In return, they will be offered the opportunity to have an extension agent or specialist assist them in developing a winter feeding program.

"The cost of winter feeding is a major expense associated with cow/calf operations," Poland notes. "Today's economic reality suggests we need to look at new ways of managing crops and livestock to obtain the optimum value from our productive capacity. In areas where hay is marketed in a quality bases, increasing forage quality could translate into increased economic value per unit. Similarly, livestock can be used to convert high-quality forage into value. Beef producers should be able to merge production and quality criteria to reduce the overall costs of providing harvested winter feeds."

Poland says the study is particularly pertinent as NDSU economists are projecting dismal economic returns for many annual crops traditionally produced in southwestern North Dakota. Returns from annual forages look promising and viable forage production would increase the options available to producers as they contemplate future cropping decisions. The project is partially funded by a grant from the North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education.

For more information or to participate in the study, contact your local county extension agent or Poland directly at (701) 483-2078 or by email at wpoland@ndsuext.nodak.edu .

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Source: Chip Poland, (701) 483-2078, wpoland@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu