skip to main content
Virginia Tech® home

Resources by J.H. Fike

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Agronomy Handbook 2023 Dec 11, 2023 424-100 (SPES-299P)
Agronomy Handbook 2023: Part II. Forage Crops Dec 15, 2023 424-100-B (SPES-299P-B)
Determining Forage Moisture Concentration
Harvesting and storing forage at the proper moisture concentration is essential to producing a high-quality product. Ideally, hay forage should have a moisture concentration between 15 percent and 18 percent during baling. Hay baled at higher moisture levels is subject to heat damage, dry-matter loss, mold spoilage, and hay fires. Protein and total digestible nutrient losses are increased for hay baled at lower moisture levels. Baling at the proper moisture level is critical to making quality hay, especially for larger bales (round and square) since moisture and heat dissipate more slowly in comparison to smaller bales.
Jul 2, 2020 442-106(BSE-330P)
Management Tips for Round Bale Hay Harvesting, Moving, and Storage
Hay production and feeding is one of the most expensive components of forage-livestock systems. Specific management practices are necessary to maintain hay quality and minimize hay loss during harvest, transportation and storage of large round bales.
Jul 1, 2020 442-454 (BSE-332P)
Large Round Bale Safety
This Extension publication covers the safety aspects of equipment used in large round bale packages such as: balers, front-end loaders, bale handling and transport devices. The key to safe and efficient systems for handling large round bales is an operator who knows the hazards involved and who follows safety practices that can prevent accidents. Operators must be constantly alert for situations that may cause injuries to themselves or others. Besides pain and suffering, accidents contribute to higher costs in terms of unnecessary downtime or costly machine repairs. Alertness and safety consciousness can result in more efficient and profitable baling and handling.
May 26, 2020 442-455 (BSE-331P)
Powell River Project - Conversion of Sericea Lespedeza-dominant Vegetation to Quality Forages for Livestock Use Jul 27, 2023 460-119 (CSES-219P)
Whitethorne Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Site at Virginia Tech’s Kentland Farm Jul 17, 2017 ANR-277
Defining Silvopastures: Integrating Tree Production With Forage-Livestock Systems for Economic, Environmental, and Aesthetic Outcomes May 6, 2021 CSES-146P
Creating Silvopastures: Some Considerations When Thinning Existing Timber Stands
Silvopastures intentionally integrate trees with forage and livestock production in a rotational grazing system. These systems have the potential to improve animal comfort, increase farm resource use efficiency, boost income, and mitigate environmental costs.
Apr 20, 2021 CSES-155P
Creating Silvopastures: Some Considerations When Planting Trees in Pastures May 1, 2023 CSES-185P
Facts About Industrial Hemp Aug 14, 2017 CSES-196NP
Tall Fescue, Endophytes and Alkaloids, and Fescue Toxicosis Apr 12, 2019 SPES-114P
Strategies for Managing Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue – A Whole-Farm Approach Nov 26, 2019 SPES-163P
Sampling Tall Fescue for Endophyte Infection and Ergot Alkaloid Concentration
Endophyte-infected tall fescue is the dominant forages in Virginia. As such, it is imperative to manage this important forage resource wisely. Ergot alkaloids produced by fescue’s fungal endophyte create challenges to accomplishing this. Tests for endophyte presence and alkaloid levels are important management tools that producers can use to minimize alkaloid consumption and the negative impacts of on animal performance. Consistent testing methods are important for adequately assessing alkaloid levels and for making comparisons among pastures over time. These results then can be used to develop a custom grazing strategy to avoid severe incidences of fescue toxicosis. Repeated testing during a grazing season can help determine possible benefits to pasture renovation or addition of legumes. Similar to testing forages for nutrient concentrations and devising a winter feeding and supplement plan, testing fescue-based pastures for endophyte infection level and for ergot alkaloid concentrations at various times during the year can facilitate management to reduce alkaloid consumption and also help determine if further mitigation is needed.
Aug 1, 2024 SPES-21P
Establishing Trees in Pasture Stocked with Livestock Nov 24, 2020 SPES-269-1
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Rockingham Co. VA Jul 26, 2022 SPES-410NP
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Wythe Co. VA Jul 26, 2022 SPES-411NP
Silvopasture Best Management Practices Jul 26, 2022 SPES-412NP
Silvopasture Challenges: Producer Perspectives Jul 26, 2022 SPES-413NP
Thinned Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Nelson Co. VA Jul 27, 2022 SPES-414NP
Thinned Hardwood Silvopasture Producer Perspective From Rockbridge Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-415NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture Producer: (#1) Perspective From Charlotte Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-416NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture Producer: (#2) Perspective From Charlotte Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-417NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer Perspective from Orange Co. VA Jul 28, 2022 SPES-418NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer Perspective From Pender Co. NC Jul 28, 2022 SPES-419NP
Fescue Toxicosis and Some Strategies to Mitigate Alkaloids May 3, 2023 SPES-6
Animal Performance on Toxic Tall Fescue During the Summer Sep 19, 2018 SPES-62NP
Tree Selection Guide for Mid-Atlantic Silvopastures Feb 2, 2023 SPES-476NP
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective from Madison Co. GA Dec 6, 2023 SPES-558NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer Perspective from Russell Co. AL. (Early stage conversion) Dec 6, 2023 SPES-559NP
Planted Hardwood Silvopasture: Producer Perspective from Jefferson Co, TN (Establishment system) Dec 6, 2023 SPES-560NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer (#1) Perspective from Oglethorpe Co., GA (Beef cattle) Dec 6, 2023 SPES-561NP
Native warm season grass variety trial, 2021-2023
Native warm season grasses may provide valuable forage resources for farmers in the summer months, while also providing habitat for wildlife, among other conservation benefits. This report provides the results of a three-year forage yield variety trial of 20 different cultivars and ecotypes of native warm season grasses at five different locations in Virginia.
Dec 1, 2023 SPES-562NP
Thinned Pine Silvopasture: Producer (#2) Perspective from Oglethorpe Co., GA (Goats) Dec 6, 2023 SPES-564NP
No-Till Seeding of Forage Grasses and Legumes May 6, 2019 SPES-92P