ASC-207: Stall Bases: Are Your Cows Comfortable?

Jeffrey Bewley, Barbara Wadsworth | Mar. 18, 2013 (New)

Cow comfort generally refers to minimizing animal stress in order to maximize milk production and animal well-being. Lying behavior plays a critical role in the production, profitability, and well-being of dairy cattle. The potential economic impact of increased production, reduced lameness, improved milk quality, reduced culling rates, and increased longevity are immense.

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ID-205: Drought-Stressed Corn Silage Valuation, 2012

Kenny Burdine, Greg Halich, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Cory Walters | Feb. 6, 2013 (New)

Extended dry conditions have impacted the corn crop severely in many areas of the state this year. As the condition of the corn crop deteriorates, many have been forced to look at salvage options such as cutting corn for silage and possibly hay for some fields. Due to the extreme weather conditions this year, this publication will focus on valuing drought-stressed corn silage.

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ASC-195: Development of the Chick

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Jan. 14, 2013 (New)

Poultry eggs are part of a unique reproductive system. The egg serves to protect and provide nutrients to the developing embryo. Since the embryo receives no additional nutrients from the hen, the egg must contain all the nutrients essential for life. Nutrients are found in the yolk, the albumen, and the shell of the egg. The egg is a convenient, self-contained package for studying embryology.

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PR-652: 2012 Cool-Season Grass Horse Grazing Tolerance Report

Garry Lacefield, Laurie Lawrence, Gene Olson, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith | Dec. 14, 2012 (New)

Cool-season grasses such as 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 establish the effect of variety on persistence when subjected to close, continuous grazing by horses. The purpose of this report is to summarize current research on the grazing tolerance of varieties of tall fescue, orchardgrass, and other species when subjected to continuous heavy grazing pressure by horses within the grazing season.

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PR-651: 2012 Cool-Season Grass Grazing Tolerance Report

Joey Clark, Garry Lacefield, Gene Olson, Tim Phillips, Ray Smith | Dec. 14, 2012 (New)

Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and orchardgrass are the primary pasture grasses in Kentucky. Other species such as perennial ryegrass, festulolium, and prairie brome can be used in pasture systems. The purpose of this report is to summarize current research on the grazing tolerance of varieties of tall fescue, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, and other species when they are subjected to continuous, heavy grazing pressure by cattle within the grazing season. The main focus will be on plant stand survival.

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ASC-193: Poultry Producer Liability

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Dec. 10, 2012 (New)

As more and more producers begin to have small- or medium-sized poultry operations the issue of liability and responsibility has become a concern. It is important producers are aware of what is expected of them by consumers and society as a whole.

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ASC-190: Selecting the Right Chicken Breed

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Dec. 10, 2012 (New)

Many factors should be considered before selecting a chicken breed for your flock, whether you are planning to start a new flock or to add to an existing one. You might be looking for a meat breed, an egg breed, or perhaps a breed that performs reasonably well at both (referred to as a dual-purpose breed). Perhaps you just want a pet or chickens to show at exhibitions.

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ASC-191: How Much Will My Chickens Eat?

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Dec. 10, 2012 (New)

Before purchasing chicks (or chickens) it is important to consider the cost of keeping them. Much of this cost is in the feed they consume. So the key question is, "How much will my chickens eat?" Chickens need a complete feed that contains protein (with the right balance of amino acids), energy, vitamins, and minerals. Today we know more about the nutritional requirements of chickens than any other animal. The amount of feed they need will depend on several factors.

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ASC-189: Making a Hoop Pen for Pasture Poultry

Jacquie Jacob, Tony Pescatore | Dec. 10, 2012 (New)

Interest in pasture poultry production has been on the rise. This kind of poultry production typically involves housing the birds in a bottomless pen that is placed on pasture and moved at regular intervals. The flock has access to the pasture (plants and any associated insects) while providing them some protection from predators.

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PR-649: 2012 Alfalfa Grazing Tolerance Report

Joey Clark, Garry Lacefield, Gene Olson, Ray Smith | Dec. 5, 2012 (New)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the highest-yielding, highest-quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It forms the basis of Kentucky's cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef, and sheep diets. Recent emphasis on its use as a grazing crop and the release of grazing-tolerant varieties have raised the following question: Do varieties differ in tolerance to grazing? We have chosen to use the standard tolerance test recommended by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. This test uses continuous heavy grazing to sort out differences in grazing tolerance in a relatively short period of time.