Final report for OS21-142
Project Information
Stockpiling limpograss is the proposed solution to reduce the forage shortage in the Fall. Grazing stockpiled limpograss is also more sustainable than conserved forages such as hay or baleage. These conserved feedstuffs require greater use of inputs, including machinery, fossil fuel, and fertilizers. Limpograss has unique characteristics including a slow decrease on its digestibility compared with other warm-season perennial grass, being a perfect candidate for stockpiling. Limpograss is less light sensitive compared with other warm-season perennial grasses such as bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) or bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. As a result, if there are warmer periods within the cool season, limpograss starts greening up, enhancing forage nutritive value. Limpograss can also help to bridge the Spring gap, when bahiagrass and bermudagrass are still dormant. Limpograss is one of the warm-season perennial grasses that have the earliest growth in the Spring. Therefore, establishing limpograss along the Gulf Coast can extend the grazing season and reduce off-farm inputs, increasing sustainability of beef farm operations.
Because lack of planting material and lack of knowledge on how to manage limpograss along FL Panhandle is one important ‘bottleneck’ for adoption, we established Gibtuck limpograss on producer’s sites along the FL Panhandle and performed management trials at each location. These producers can also be a source of planting material in the future, disseminate planting material across different locations along the region and increase adoption. We performed on-farm small plot trials assessing limpograss growth and nutritive value using different stockpiling periods. Results indicated greater biomass accumulation in Year 2, likely because of the establishment in year 1. Crude protein was also better in year 2, with average of 7.25% across stockpiling periods. Forage IVDOM declined with the increase in stockpiling period, but 60 days of stockpiling would provide satisfactory nutritive value. Livestock would need protein supplementation, but the stockpiled grass would provide the bulk of the diet a=in a more sustainable way than using hay. We had a field day to distribute planting material and disseminate educational information about limpograss, and another field day is scheduled for 27 June 2023. One large farm (Deseret Cattle & Timber) located in North FL is planting extensive areas of limpograss, which can help changing the perception and increasing adoption of limpograss in the region. We generated videos and articles with information on how to successfully establish limpograss. The information generated in this project will help to educate farmers to manage limpograss along FL Panhandle as well as produce planting material for further multiplication.
Four producers strategically located along the FL Panhandle participated in this project. Planting material of Gibtuck limpograss is available at UF IFAS NFREC in Marianna and was used to establish producer’s field in this project. Each producer provided 1-acre field to establish the limpograss. Prior to planting, we collected soil samples from 0-16”and analyzed for soil fertility and soil physics. Producers prepared the soil prior to planting. Limpograss stolons were harvested and planted in the same day, at a rate of 1,500 lb/acre. The planting material (stolons) was spread along the prepared land, disked in, and rolled/cultipacked. Fertilizer was applied following IFAS recommendation.
After limpograss establishment, plots were staged by late August to early September to start stockpiling periods. On the planted area, we installed a small-plot trial with different stockpiling periods (treatments): 30, 60, 90, 120 days. Each plot measured 6 x 15 ft and were replicated four times. Treatments were allocated in a randomized complete block design. These on-farm trials generated information on herbage accumulation and nutritive value of stockpiled limpograss along these different deferment periods. The trials were repeated in 2022.
The central portion of the plot was harvested using a quadrats. All forage in the harvested area was weighed (fresh weight) and recorded. Subsamples were collected for DM determination and for nutritive value. Subsamples were weighed before and after drying at 131˚F for 48 h in an air-circulating dryer for DM (131˚F) determination. Samples were milled to pass through a 2-mm mesh using a Wiley Mill (Model 4, Thomas-Wiley Laboratory Mill, Thomas Scientific). Samples were analyzed for in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) and crude protein (CP). The IVDOM was determined using the protocol described by Moore and Mott (1974). Nitrogen concentration was analyzed using the Dumas dry combustion method. Prior to analysis, samples were ball milled in a Mixer Mill (MM 400, Retsch, Haan, Germany) at 25 Hz for 9 min. Ball-milled samples were used to determine total N concentrations by dry combustion using an elemental analyzer (Vario Micro cube, Elementar, Germany). Total N concentration was multiplied by 6.25 to calculate crude protein.
Data were analyzed using the SAS statistical package and the proc mixed procedure. Stockpiling period and year were considered fixed effect. Farm and replication within each farm were considered random effects. Least square means were separated using the PDIFF procedure from SAS and significance declared at P < 0.05.
The outreach plan is described in the specific section later in the document.
Cooperators
- (Researcher)
- - Producer
- - Producer
- - Producer
Research
We established limpograss in four farms: Mrs. Hodges, Hasting, Riley, and Mauldin. Planting occurred June 10th, 2021 for all four farms. We added Mrs. Hasting and Mauldin among our cooperators since Mr. Hendricks could not plant limpograss in the first year because of his duties during the cropping season. He later decided not to plant limpograss anymore, but we replaced him with the other producers (Hasting and Mauldin). In addition to the farmers, the Alabama Extension System also planted limpograss in two of their experimental Stations. South Carolina Extension System also established a limpograss plot in 2022. Below is a table with key dates along the four cooperating farms:
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|
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Year 1
|
Year 2
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|
Producer |
Planting |
Staging |
1st harvest |
2nd harvest |
3rd harvest |
4th harvest |
1st harvest |
2nd harvest |
3rd harvest |
4th harvest |
|
Mr. Hodges |
6/10/21 |
9/6/21 |
10/4/21 |
11/1/21 |
11/29/21 |
12/27/21 |
10/5/2022 |
11/4/2022 |
12/5/2022 |
1/4/2023 |
|
Ben Hasting |
6/10/21 |
9/17/21 |
10/15/21 |
11/12/21 |
12/10/21 |
1/7/22 |
10/5/2022 |
11/4/2022 |
12/5/2022 |
1/4/2023 |
|
Josh Riley |
6/10/21 |
10/1/21 |
10/29/21 |
11/26/21 |
12/24/21 |
1/21/22 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Mark Mauldin |
6/10/21 |
10/1/21 |
10/29/21 |
11/26/21 |
12/24/21 |
1/21/22 |
10/5/2022
|
11/4/2022 |
12/5/2022 |
1/4/2023 |
We provided fertilizer for all participating farmers. We pulled soil samples from all four farms and recommended applying 60 lb N, 30 lb P2O5, and 60 lb K2O per acre. We provided fertilizer 20-10-20 to farmers. There were problems with weed infestation in some of the farms, and year 1 was considered an establishment year. We worked closely with farmer cooperators to manage the plots in year 2. We did collect data in all harvests mentioned above and determined forage mass and analyzed for crude protein and digestibility. Josh Riley put the cattle in the area and we could not collect data from his farm. We analyzed the data from Hodges and Hasting because they had two complete years of data. The results were analyzed using SAS software using proc mixed. Stockpiling period and years were considered fixed effect and farm site and blocks random effects, with blocks nested within farm.
As indicated in the methods section, in Year 1 we performed four harvests in the established limpograss, and forage mass increased from 692 kg DM/ha in the first harvest to 1,463 kg DM/ha in the last harvest (average of four farms). This was considered an establishment year and there were large variability among farms. At two cooperators (Riley and Mauldin), livestock entered in the area and grazed the plots, therefore, the herbage mass does not represent the growth during the period for those farms. We staged and fertilized the plots in the Spring and multiplied planting material at the participating farms. In August, plots were be staged again for the stockpiling period. The two-year results from Hodges and Hasting's farms indicated that Year 2 had more biomass accumulated (P = 0.0002) during the stockpiling period (1566 vs. 4005 kg DM/ha in years 1 and 2, respectively). This reflects the successful establishment of the limpograss with the improved yield in Year 2. The stockpiling periods, however, did not differ (P > 0.05) and ranged from 2435 kg DM/ha with 30 days up to 3670 kg DM/ha with 60 days, with declining biomass after that likely due to wildlife grazing and senescence of the planting material. There was a stockpiling period*year interaction for crude protein concentration, with the forage having greater CP concentration (P = 0.0056) in Year 2 (7.25%) compared with year 1 (6.75%). For the IVDOM, there was effect of the stockpiling period, with IVDOM concentration of 51.2, 45.4, 41.8, and 36.4% for 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of stockpiling. There was also greater IVDOM in Year 2 than Year 1. Overall, we can conclude that stockpiling period of 60 days would provide the best option in terms of forage nutritive value and herbage accumulation.
Producers are enthusiastic about planting more limpograss. We had a field day in 2022 and we distributed planting material to 25 producers. The list is below. We will repeat the distribution day again in 2023 on 6/27/2023. There are numerous requests and we will be able to attend. We also developed educational materials, including an extension article (2023 Limpograss Nursery Establishment Guide) and a video (Steps for Planting a Limpograss Nursery) that helped producers to establish their fields.
| First Name | Last Name | Home City | Cell Phone | Home County | Bale Type for Planting | |
| Billy | Bigham | 8507187294 | ||||
| Thomas | Frost | tom@tgfrost.com | Lady lake | 8082246296 | Lake | 4 round bales =~1500 pounds |
| Georgina | Frost | georgina@tgfrost.com | Lady lake | 8082246296 | Lake | 4 round bales =~1500 pounds |
| Terri | Hardin | terri.hardin@ufl.edu | Marianna | 8504829620 | Jackson | 4 round bales =~1500 pounds |
| Clifford | White | whitecliff@live.com | Vernon | 8502601071 | Washington | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Joseph | Alday | joseph@aldayhowell.com | Marianna | 18505572747 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Everett | baggett | everettbaggett@gmail.com | Altha | 8502093582 | Calhoun | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Caroline | Chappell | nicholsc027@gmail.com | Graceville | 8503266619 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Albert | Milton | albertmilton1976@gmail.com | Marianna | 8507187834 | Jackson | 4 round bales =~1500 pounds |
| Joey | Brady | joeytbrady@gmail.com | Altha | 8503486670 | Calhoun | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Benjamin | Collier | bcollierscr@gmail.com | Altha | 8504472054 | Calhoun | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Orion | Douthit | oddouthit@yahoo.com | Sneads | (850)-526-8329 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Donald | Stanley | donaldstanley1986@gmail.com | BLOUNTSTOWN | 8506436622 | Calhoun | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Terry | Stone | tanddstone7380@gmail.com | Blountstown | 8506438546 | Calhoun | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Luiggi | Escalante | luiggi_escalante@hotmail.com | Center hill | 4075344318 | Sumter | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Herman | Laramore | hermanlaramore@gmail.com | Marianna | 850-573-6943 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Darryl | Matthews | darryldmatthews@gmail.com | Sneads | 3347901768 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| George | Owens | psowens@yahoo.com | Chipley | 8509336898 | Washington | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Peter | Scott | scottsatsumas@gmail.com | Cottondale | 8506930929 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Scott | Borth | sdbknight@gmail.com | Fr. McCoy | 3528125271 | Marion | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Kim | DeFelix | defelix.kim09@gmail.com | Campbellton | 8502093274 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Zane | Walden | zane.walden@gmail.com | Sneads | (850) 718-6465 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Bill | Williams | 77gatorcreek@gmail.com | Chipley | 850-258-2956 | Washington | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Ryan | Ziglar | thelazyacresfamilyfarm@gmail.com | Marianna | 8505570471 | Jackson | 25 square bales = ~1500 pounds |
| Cody | Peck | cpeck@deseretranches.com | Wewahitchka | 3077510281 | Gulf | They will be here on 6/21 |
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
The on-farm research was conducted jointly among state-wide forage extension faculty, county extension faculty, and farmers. Involvement of each of these groups occurred during field assessments and at the field day. A field day was organized in 2022 to distribute planting material for producers in the region and highlight our research results with limpograss. Another field day is being organized in 27 June 2023. We gave several presentations across FL during field days, workshops, and online trainings addressing the use of limpograss. We developed videos and educational materials and their links are described below. The results of this project were presented at the International Grassland Conference in Kentucky in May 2023. Scientific results will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and presented in annual meetings of professional societies (ASA-CSSA-SSSA).
The information for the 2023 Limpograss Distribution Day – Tuesday, June 27, 2023 and educational material put available for producers are described below:
Eventbrite Registration site: https://2023LimpograssNursery.eventbrite.com
Publications for producers:
2023 Limpograss Nursery Establishment Guide
Limpograss Overview and Management
Video: Steps for Planting a Limpograss Nursery
Learning Outcomes
Farmers learned about establishing and managing limpograss, a new forage in the region.
Farmers are multiplying planting material to expand their fields
Farmers learned how to manage stockpiled limpograss
Project Outcomes
Stockpiled limpograss can bridge the forage gap during the Fall. This will reduce the need to feed conserved forages such as hay and/or silage, which demand machinery, fossil fuel, and greater fertilizer inputs because of removal of forage and less efficient nutrient cycling. Considering the current price of fossil fuel and industrial fertilizer, adoption of stockpiled limpograss might be a cost-saving opportunity for producers with benefits to producers. Our project established limpograss in four farms from cooperators and we provided planting material for Alabama and South Carolina. Producers from Louisiana and Mississippi already contacted us and they are coming to pick up planting material during the summer. Deseret ranch, a large cattle company installed at FL Panhandle is also establishing limpograss in large scale for stockpiling. We have been using our 9-acre field of limpograss to provide planting material for other farmers that are not part of this project.
This grant is a great opportunity to scale up technologies to farmers, who will serve as multiplicators of the knowledge. Thank you for the opportunity to participate on it.