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County Impact Statements - Searcy County
Forage Quality Emphasis Program
Searcy County is in North Central Arkansas with its primary forage being tall
fescue. Tall fescue does well in the spring and fall of the year but drops in
production during the dry summer months that usually occur in our area. Tall
fescue has also been linked to health problems in cattle and horses. While it is
a good forage and has kept many producers in this area in the livestock
business, the County Extension Council recognizes the need to implement warm
season grasses into our forage supply.
The Searcy County Extension Council agreed upon implementing a Forage Quality
Emphasis program for 2001. Out of this program, Kenny Cassell in the Canaan
Community who had a five acre horse pasture was interested in eradicating the
fescue stand and planting a warm season grass that would be safe for mares and
colts. He was only able to stock the pasture with two horses during the summer
months and was not able to utilize the pasture with pregnant mares due to risk
of losing the colts from endophyte in the fescue.
Kenny followed Extension recommendations for using a nonselective herbicide
to eradicate the fescue, fertilized the field according to soil test
recommendations, and seeded the field with bermudagrass. The bermudagrass
established well with an above average year on rainfall. He was able to stock
the pasture with two mares, two colts, and two yearlings. This program improved
the stocking rate of his pasture 200%.
Kenny is well pleased with the results achieved through these recommendations
and many other producers have noticed and commented on the stand of bermudagrass.
Kenny Cassell showing his bermudagrass pasture.
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Impacts
- 119 individuals utilized soil testing service in 2001.
- In 2001, 621 soil test were processed with 12,959 acres being tested.
- 1,135 acres were soil tested to establish warm season forage.
- 12 producers sent off 28 forage samples for quality analysis.
- 28 producers were certified as private applicators to be able to control
weeds in pastures to improve forage quality.
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