PR-857: 2024 Annual and Perennial Ryegrass and Festulolium Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Tim Phillips, Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning | Dec. 11, 2024 (New)

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are high quality, productive, cool-season grasses used in Kentucky. Both have exceptionally high seedling vigor and are highly palatable to livestock. In Kentucky, winter survival can be an issue for many annual ryegrass varieties, so before planting, review winter survival results in this publication.

---

ASC-267: Controlling the Calving Season

Les Anderson, Katherine VanValin, Darrh Bullock, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Kevin Laurent | Dec. 11, 2024 (New)

In 2017, the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), a USDA source for cattle production statistics, reported that less than half of cow-calf herds across the country had a defined calving season. One reason is that most herds surveyed (85%) had fewer than 50 cows and therefore the cattle enterprise was likely not the primary source of income for these producers. Two common arguments against having a controlled breeding and calving season are, “I do not have anywhere to put the bull,” and “I like having a calf ready to sell whenever I need it throughout the year.”

---

PR-852: 2024 Red and White Clover and Annual Lespedeza Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning | Dec. 11, 2024 (New)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a high-quality, short-lived, perennial legume used in mixed or pure stands for pasture, hay, silage, green chop, soil improvement, and wildlife habitat. This species is adapted to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Stands of improved varieties generally are productive for 2½ to 3 years, with the highest yields occurring in the year following establishment. Red clover is used primarily as a renovation legume for grass pastures and hay fields. It is a dominant forage legume in Kentucky because it is relatively easy to establish and has high forage quality, yield, and animal acceptance.

---

PR-856: 2024 Timothy and Kentucky Bluegrass Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Tim Phillips, Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning | Dec. 11, 2024 (New)

Timothy (Phleum pratense) is the fourth most widely sown cool-season perennial grass used in Kentucky for forage—after tall fescue, orchardgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. It is a late-maturing bunchgrass that is primarily harvested as hay, particularly for horses. It also can be used for grazing or wildlife habitat.

---

FOR-178: How to Preserve and Display Your Wildlife Harvest: Turkey and Deer

Michael Carpenter, Matthew Springer | Dec. 11, 2024 (New)

There are multiple ways to mount and display your wildlife harvest right at home that will lead to long-lasting memories. This guide covers the two most commonly hunted species in Kentucky (wild turkey and white-tailed deer) and the necessary steps that can be completed at home to obtain, preserve, and display the contents of the harvest.

---

PR-860: 2024 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning, Tim Phillips, Laurie Lawrence | Dec. 6, 2024 (New)

Cool-season forages such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass are dominant pasture grasses for horses in Kentucky. Variety evaluations for yield have been carried out for many years, but little work has been done to evaluate varieties of these grasses for persistence when subjected to close, continual grazing by horses.

---

NEP-242: Growing Your Own: Rhubarb

Erika Olsen, Rachel Rudolph, Rick Durham | Dec. 5, 2024 (New)

Rhubarb is a cool-weather vegetable often eaten like a sweet fruit. The crisp stalks add tart flavor to spring fruit desserts, jams, and baked goods. Rhubarb is a perennial plant, so it grows back each year. This means that you can plant it once and enjoy delicious treats for several years.

---

PR-853: 2024 Alfalfa Report

Gene Olson, Ray Smith, Jimmy Henning, Chris Teutsch | Dec. 4, 2024 (New)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has historically been the highest-yielding, highest-quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It is an important part of Kentucky’s cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef, and sheep diets.
Choosing a good variety is a key step in establishing a stand of alfalfa. The choice of variety can impact yield, thickness of stand, and persistence.

---

NEP-238: Growing Your Own: Cucumbers

Erika Olsen, Rachel Rudolph, Rick Durham | Nov. 12, 2024 (New)

Cucumbers are a warm-weather crop that you can grow from a seed or transplant. They give many harvests over one to two months and can be enjoyed fresh or pickled.

---

FCS3-571: Fiber: Are You Bulking Up on the Benefits?

Ingrid Adams | Nov. 12, 2024 (Major Revision)

You may have heard you should eat more fiber, but do you know why? Fiber, in adequate amounts, decreases the risk for heart disease, supports blood sugar management, improves digestive health, and contributes to weight management.