Mission
Grazing lands are natural or planted pastures that provide an important source of nutrients for ruminants.  Grasslands are environmental friendly and contribute to economic development and social wealth through their milk and meat products.

In the semi-arid environments of the Virgin Islands, seasonal fluctuation of dry matter production and nutritive value of tropical forages affect animal animal performance.  With increasing emphasis being placed on sustainable low-input forage systems today, legume based pastures will become more important.

The mission of the forage agronomy program is the development of grass-legume based livestock production systems that results in the greatest economic benefits through production of  milk and meat products while managing our grazing lands in an ecologically sustainable manner.

OBJECTIVES 

• Evaluate tropical grasses and legumes for adaptation, persistence, yield, and nutritive value.
• Assess mob-grazing effects on yield and persistence of forage type and grass-legume combinations.
• Examine grazing management effects on yield and persistence of forage type and grass-legume combinations.
• Determine forage type and grass legume combinations effects on animal selectivity and performance.
• Ascertain management effects on seedling regeneration and rehabilitation of degraded pastures.

• Forage Introductions: Screening of Arachis spp,  Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria spp,  Paspalum Atratum and  Cynodon spp selections for adaptation to mildly alkaline soils.
• Mechanical Defoiliation: Ascertain defoliation effects on persistence of Pennisetum spp. hexaplod hybrids.
• Livestock grazing: Evaluate the effects of the incorporation of legumes in pasture on plant and animal performance.
• Pasture renovation: Assess herbicides, fertilizer and resting from grazing effects on seedling regeneration and weed control in pastures.

GRANTS

T-STAR

Livestock farmers in the Virgin Islands depend on livestock production for their livelihood.  Grass-legume combinations will enable these farmers to increase the productivity of their livestock system, maintain soil fertility, and preserve the  natural vegetation.  Greater economic returns to farmers is expected, together with beneficial effects to the environment.

International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Forage Information System
AgriSurf!
Oklahoma State University, Animal Science. Breeds of Livestock - Cattle
American Society of Agronomy

Outreach Publications