Project Number: 6227-21310-008-41
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 30, 2008
End Date: Mar 31, 2011

Objective:
Examine the use of 'AU Grazer' sericea lespedeza as fresh (grazed) or dried forage (hay, pellets), for gastrointestinal nematode control in sheep and goats.

Approach:
Organic methods of establishing sericea lespedeza (SL) will be tested, including use of cover crops to increase soil fertility and annual grasses to suppress weed growth and provide protection for developing legume seedlings. Experiments on establishment of SL intercropped with grasses (grasses and SL seeded in spring) or overseeded on stubble of grasses (grasses seeded in fall, cut in spring before overseeding) were initiated at AU in 2006. The experiments use 5 x 20 ft plots with treatments (ryegrass, oats, wheat, or rye, plus a tilled control; 4 reps of each) planted with 'AU Grazer' SL (30 lb/acre). SL and weed biomass, SL stand and height will be measured. Number of legume plants/ft2, forage DM yield, and nutritional quality will be determined from small plots at the end of the growing season during Years 1 and 2. Auburn University will provide 'AU Grazer' sericea lespedeza seed as needed for university, ARS, and on-farm trials.