Evaluating Forbs for Pasture Variety, Livestock Nutrition and Best Practices for Establishing Plantings

Commodities

• Agronomic: grass (misc. perennial)

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage, grazing management, pasture renovation

Vermont pasture-based livestock farmers are increasingly interested in improve pastures to increase the length of the grazing season, increase pasture productivity during droughts, improve pollinator habitat, soil health and resilience, and support livestock nutrition and productivity. One strategy being promoted to achieve these benefits is to increase forb species in pastures. Forbs are non-leguminous broadleaf species that can occur naturally or be seeding into pastures. These plants differ from others in rooting structures, nutritional content, and growth habit, thus possibly providing additional benefits to the ecosystem and our animals beyond what is provided by our common pasture species. Despite these potential benefits, it remains unclear how to best implement the use of these forb species in pasture-based livestock systems in Vermont.

Vermont farmers have had mixed results with establishing these species especially on the heavy clay soils prevalent in Vermont's Champlain Valley. Farmers are currently investing substantial resources into these species without regional-specific data and knowledge to justify the cost. While some farmers have been successful, it is unclear what methods were used and how reproduceable their results are across the landscape. Farmers are interested in utilizing forbs in their pastures, but the risk of establishment failure is currently too high given the expense of the seed and land preparation and variability of success.

Because there are few instances of successful establishment in Vermont, we have little information to support best management practices to support livestock health and productivity. While some basic information on forage quality and yield exists, with advances in forage quality testing and ruminant nutrition in the last decade, it is outdated and lacks specificity preventing fully understanding the nutritional impacts of including these species in livestock rations.

Therefore, this project addresses critical knowledge gaps around 1) best establishment and management practices and 2) nutritional value and impact on livestock health and productivity. It will focus on the most commonly available species: forage chicory (Cichorium intybus), narrow leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum).

Solution and Approach

The project will address these knowledge gaps through farmer-directed research and education.

Farmer-directed research: Research trials investigating seeding rates and methods informed by farmer questions and interest will provide science-based data to develop best establishment methods that will support successful integration of forbs into Vermont pastures.

Education: A major focus of this project is providing educational materials and opportunities to Vermont farmers. We aim to do this through a multi-faceted approach including:

• creation of the "Forb integration Roadmap" guide
• multi-media farmer case studies
• educational hands-on workshops

This outreach approach will provide farmers access to critical information, reducing the financial and management risks associated with increasing pasture change through addition of forbs.

10 farmers will introduce new forb species or enhance forb abundance across 50 acres. As a result, they will report any of the following perceived benefits: successful establishment of forbs, healthier pastures, and/or optimized animal production.