2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1. Develop forage sequences and combinations for cow-calf, heifer development and stocker and finishing systems to deliver optimal nutritive value for efficient production of cattle for pasture finishing. Objective 2. Produce pasture finished beef and define carcass merit and meat quality as a function of pasture-based systems. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Different systems based on pastures will be evaluated for the cow-calf phase. Variables will include stocking density, grazing methods, species of forages, use of legumes, and use of conserved feeds. Variables for backgrounding, heifer development, and stocker cattle will include grazing management and optimizing nutrient levels. Grazing high quality pastures and drylot feeding will be compared for finishing cattle. Calves generated at Steeles Tavern, VA will be set into finishing phases in cooperation with ARS and WVU. 3.Progress Report This report documents research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house associated project 1932-21630-002-00D, Pasture Based Beef Systems for Appalachia. The evaluation of the original cow-calf systems was completed in FY 2006. Scientists designed new cow-calf systems based on the results of the initial project and stakeholder input. Emphasis for new systems was to increase the number of grazing paddocks, continue creep grazing, and to offer premier forages (alfalfa-fescue) for creep grazing, and to evaluate cows with different frame scores. Cows will be allotted by size (moderate vs large) and bred to corresponding bulls to produce calves to expand the harvest season of finished steers. Infrastructure for new forage systems (fencing, water, and forage establishment) was started in FY 2006 and completed in March 2007. Cows have been allotted to new forages systems and have calved. 4.Accomplishments None 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations None 6.Technology Transfer Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings 4 Number of newspaper articles and other presentations for non-science audiences 6