Cooperative Extension Service

Communications and Technology

Department 3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

(307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: June 8, 2006

UW CES forage grass field day June 17 in Sheridan, Johnson counties

            The University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) will lead a field day Saturday, June 17, to view forage grass research on two ranches in Johnson and Sheridan counties.

            The tour begins at 9 a.m. at the Larry Vignaroli ranch on Lower Clear Creek in Johnson County near Ucross.

            At approximately 10:30 a.m., participants will travel to a nearby ranch on Piney Creek in Sheridan County. The ranch is owned by Neltje and leased by Ray Daly.

            Leading the field day is Blaine Horn, a UW CES area educator for Johnson and Sheridan counties. Horn is conducting research on perennial cool-season forage grasses under irrigation on the two ranches.

            “At this point, the meadow bromegrasses are standing out as the best overall for hay production and possibly even for grazing. The NewHy wheatgrass also looks pretty good,” Horn said.

            Other grasses under trial are pubescent wheatgrasses and smooth bromegrasses.

            “If you have limited irrigation water or limited time to irrigate, some grasses may fit your operation better. The wheatgrasses look like they may be better in this regard. They are a little more drought tolerant,” Horn said.

            Horn’s research is examining which of nine cool-season forage grasses are best suited for the area in lieu of alfalfa, which varieties are best for spring pasture, how fertilizer impacts yield and quality of the grasses, and how Canada thistle is being controlled with herbicides.

            The forage grass research started in 2003, and the fertilizer study got underway this year.

            For directions to the two ranches, contact Horn at (307) 684-7522 or bhorn@uwyo.edu

            For a detailed story on the grass research, see page 25 at http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/NEWLTRS/Ext_Connect/spring05.pdf.

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