Evaluation of management strategies for continuous forage production in central Oklahoma

Abstract

Forage production in the southern Great Plains is an important aspect of the agricultural industry because forage is used to feed livestock that produce many agricultural products that are consumed. A goal of agricultural production is to improve the output and maintain the profit of products while improving the efficiency of production. One attempt to improve the production of livestock is by increasing the quantity and quality of feed available. This can be done through management strategies employed to produce more forage via crop, nutrient, and soil management. Many research studies in the past have aimed to improve individual aspects of the forage production systems. This dissertation aims to evaluate combinations of summer cropping, tillage, and nutrient management strategies that can be employed by Oklahoma producers to improve forage production quality, quantity, and input efficiency, as well as promote the improvement of the system through precise management and application. We conclude that the use of adequate nutrients applied to summer fallow replacement crops in no-till winter wheat systems can increase production of high-quality forage.