Episode Summary:

This week on Episode Two of the Ag in the Cab Podcast, Brennan and Robbie are talking with Dr. Leanne Dillard, Alabama State Extension Forage Specialist and Auburn University Associate Professor and Extension Specialist for Forage Agronomics. This episode focuses on the benefits of grazed cover crop forages for cattle and other livestock, integrated crop and livestock systems, as well as updates on Dr. Dillard’s current research.

Dr. Leanne Dillard’s Faculty Profile: https://agriculture.auburn.edu/about/directory/faculty/leanne-dillard/

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Cold Opening Intro

0:20 Ag in the Cab Podcast Intro

1:51 Robbie and Brennan’s opening segment

2:32 Introduction of Dr. Dillard

6:01 Discussion on what multi species blends of winter cover crops is

8:30 Discussion on the use of annual ryegrass and how to maximize that winter cover option

16:43 Discussion on fertilizing winter annual forages

19:41 Discussion on winter annual forages for non-cattle livestock and stockpiling summer perennial forages

23:45 Discussion on integrated crop and livestock systems

26:05 Discussion on Alabama Extension tour during the American Forage and Grasslands Council national meeting tour visiting Tim Tucker’s farm using drones to overseeding summer crop fields with annual ryegrass

28:31 Discussion on how nitrogen fixation and nitrogen transfer works for leguminous winter cover crops

30:38 Discussion on annual clovers being used in winter forages and cover crops

34:27 Discussion on other options for farmers and ranchers that are not using winter forages to provide food options for their livestock

36:13 Discussion on other current research focus for Dr. Dillard

39:54 Brennan and Robbie Closing Segment

41:39 Ag in the Cab Podcast Outro

Winter (Cool) Season Annual Forage Recommendations:

Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AA266

Georgia: https://swvt.uga.edu/content/dam/caes-subsite/statewide-variety-testing/docs/performance-trials/2024/winter-crops-2024.pdf

Alabama: https://aaes.auburn.edu/variety-tests/small-grain-forage-variety-trials/

Pasture Planning for Winter Forages (from Mississippi State Extension)

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/pasture-planning-for-winter-forages#:~:text=Healthy%20stands%20of%20cool%2Dseason,annual%20ryegrass%20or%20small%20grains.