Home > Crops & Livestock > Livestock > Pasture & Forage > Welcome to the LSU AgCenter Forage Production Web site. We hope you find all the information you need. Please view the links to the right that will guide you to the information you seek. If you are not able to find the information you are looking for, please click on "Faculty & Staff." We will be happy to assist you. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, because we are continually striving to serve you better. Louisiana AgSummary [Image: AgSummary Website] An accounting of the value of agriculture in Louisiana. Agents and specialists of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, as well as other agencies - both private and public - compile this information. It focuses on the animal, forestry, fisheries, plant and wildlife commodities that comprise our vital agricultural industry. This industry continues to contribute significantly to the state's economy with the potential for increased impacts through value-added processing. Growing Alfalfa in Louisiana This publication provides information on planting, growing and harvesting alfalfa as a forage crop in Louisiana. Performance of Cool-Season Annual Forage Crops in Louisiana 2007-2008 Winter annual forages are recommended for grazing, green chop, hay and silage production in Louisiana. Each year scientists of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center conduct performance trials to evaluate the forage production of annual ryegrass, cereal rye and oat varieties. Trials are conducted at various LSU Agricultural Center research stations throughout the state to provide information on the performance of varieties under varying soil and climatic conditions. Welcome [Image: Cattle] Welcome to the LSU AgCenter Forage Production Web site.  more articles... 2008 Warm-Season Crop Variety Recommendations [Image: 2006 Warm Season Crop Variety Recommendations] This publication provides yield performances of various warm-season forage crops grown in Louisiana. The results were obtained during trials conducted from 2004 to 2005. Salt Water Problematic For Sugarcane, Forage Crops Salt water flowed into sugarcane fields during Hurricane Rita, but the layout of a sugarcane field can be beneficial in ridding the field of salt. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck explains. (Radio News 12/12/05) Salt Contamination Of Soil After Rita May Not Be As Bad As Feared; Tests To Begin This Week [Image: Howard Cormier speaks at meeting about possible salt contamination of soil in Vermilion Parish] The LSU AgCenter soon will begin comprehensive tests for salt contamination in areas of Vermilion Parish hit by Hurricane Rita’s storm surge, but officials this week said the problem may not be as bad as originally feared. Faculty & Staff [Image: Crimson] This page contains the faculty and staff contact information on those working in Pasture & Forage. Louisiana Insect Pest Management Guide [Image: Pest Management Guide] This 2009 guide was compiled by LSU AgCenter experts and includes regulations, precautions and suggestions for pest control in Louisiana. Detailed topics include drift of pesticides, hazards of pesticides to beneficial insects and wildlife, phytotoxicity and using beneficial insects to control pest populations. A section on organic gardening also is included. Plant Disease Management Guide [Image: disease guide] This guide for 2009 contains suggestions for management of the most important or more prevalent diseases of Louisiana plants. It includes information on fungicides, bactericides and nematicides, as well as safety precautions for using them. Evaluation of Grazing Methods with Bermudagrass Pastures for Stocker Production [Image: Field of Bermuda grass at the Calhoun Research Sration] A high percentage of calves produced in Louisiana are sold at weaning and stockered in other sections of the country. Studies investigating grazing methods on bermudagrass pastures with stocker cattle are somewhat limited and results from these studies have been conflicting and are therefore inconclusive. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of continuous and rotational grazing methods at two stocking rates for stocker cattle consuming bermudagrass forages. Louisiana's Suggested Chemical Weed Control Guide [Image: weed management guide] This guide includes helpful information on herbicides and weed control with detailed suggestions for aquatics, commercial nursery stock, field crops, forestry, fruit crops, home gardens, lawns and many other Louisiana crops. It includes information on different types of herbicide registrations, as well as information on herbicide labels and restricted uses. Also included are sprayer calibration techniques, suggestions for reducing herbicide drift and a guide to proper spray tip selection. Bahiagrass Production and Mangement [Image: Bahiagrass Production] Bahiagrass tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than bermudagrass or dallisgrass. Variety descriptions and performance, establishment, fertility management and more included. Cool-season Pasture and Forage Varieties One of the most important decisions a forage producer must make is which variety or varieties to plant. To help farmers make logical choices among crops and varieties, the LSU AgCenter conducts variety trials and makes recommendations each year. Suggested varieties, seeding rates, planting depths and seeding dates are included. (PDF Format Only) Click for more information...