An introductory level-based educational program was developed for stakeholders interested in learning more about the basics of beef cattle management systems in Alabama. The Beef Systems Short Course was designed to 1) introduce concepts related to best management practices in beef operations to producers and 2) to create awareness among producers about educational services offered through Alabama Extension. Ten Beef Systems Short Courses were offered in fall 2019 and winter 2020 throughout Alabama. There were 136 participants enrolled in the program statewide. Eight topics were taught over a four-night time period (2 topics per meeting; 45 mins each). Topics included: Forages; Nutrition; Herd Health; Reproduction; Animal Identification, Genetics, and Records; Environmental Stewardship; Economics; Meat Science. A post-program survey was conducted to evaluate 1) potential change in knowledge and intent to adopt beef cattle management practices (n = 130 responses). Seventy percent of the producers in the program had less than 10 years of experience in the beef business, and the majority of these were part-time farmers (55%). Overall, producers were highly satisfied with the program with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 (Likert-type scale) across program topics, and 81% of participants planned to begin the adoption one or more of the management practices shared at the program in the next 12 months. The top three practices producers planned to implement included 1) establishing a calving season, 2) proper identification of livestock, and 3) improved forage management strategies. Participants reported significant knowledge gain across topics presented ranging from a 45 to 76% increase in understanding of practices. Notably, 55% of the participants reported that this was their first time attending an Extension program, demonstrating a great level of effectiveness in this program reaching new clientele. 100% of the participants indicated that they planned to attend Extension programs and use available online decision-making resources in their operations in the future. The total economic impact of the program was $525,450, with an estimated return on investment of 6:1.

The development of newer alfalfa cultivars with improved adaptation to local growing conditions and dual-purpose applications has increased alfalfa incorporation into grass systems in the southern United States. The complementary growth of both species helps to extend the forage production season length, decreasing producer reliance on supplementation. The objective was to determine forage mass (FM) and nutritive value, botanical composition, and structural responses of alfalfa-bermudagrass systems managed under five stockpiling strategies (6-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-weeks of accumulation) in Shorter, AL. A randomized complete block design with eight replications was used. Harvested forage samples were manually separated into individual components and placed into 60° C until constant weight, then weighed. Measurements of ground cover, and alfalfa density and persistence were taken prior to plot harvest. There was a treatment × year interaction (P= 0.009) and greater FM was observed for 10- and 12-wks of regrowth (4,279 and 4244 kg DM/ha, respectively) in Year 2. This response was associated with greater (P < 0.001) bermudagrass percentage in the mixture in Year 2 than 1 (averaged 57 vs 23%, respectively). Weeds remained below 4% in both years. There was a direct relationship between increased regrowth period length with leaf shattering and lodging. Over 10-wks of regrowth, percentage of lodging was >30% and rate of leaf shattering doubled. This response directly affected leaf area index observed for the alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures at 14-wk with a reduction of 30% when compared to 6-wks regrowth (2.6 vs 3.9, respectively). Greater (P < 0.001) digestibility was associated with shorter regrowth period (6-wk), although the values observed ranged from 62 to 87% which represents high nutritive value forage that can meet higher animal requirements. Based on results, stockpiling alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures using varying accumulation period lengths may be a viable system to provide high quality feed and extend the grazing season length into the fall and winter. This can also be an important strategy aiming to increase diversity and sustainability in forage-based livestock systems.

Whole cottonseed (WCS) is a byproduct of the cotton industry and can be used to supplement protein and energy to beef cattle. Given rapid industry changes in cotton variety use and their influence on WCS size, density, and quality characteristics, periodic evaluation of cotton byproducts is needed to determine appropriate feeding strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate total WCS intake, gossypol intake, and digestibility of a widely-planted common variety of WCS in the southeastern U.S., Delta Pine 1646 (DP1646), compared with a low-gossypol variety, Ultra-Low Gossypol Cottonseed (ULGCS). Six Angus and Angus-cross calves (two steers and one bull per group) were used in a 28-day feeding trial in a crossover design. Each group was fed either DP1646 or ULGCS for a 7-d acclimation period followed by a 7-d measured intake period. Treatment groups were then switched to the other variety for a second acclimation and measured period. Intake was greater (P = 0.0011) for ULGCS than for DP1646, with an average intake of 2.20 ± 0.24 kg and 1.06 ± 0.24 kg, respectively. Free gossypol intake was not different (P = 0.9371) among treatments with an average daily intake of 13 ± 0.1 ppm and 2 ± 0.8 ppm for DP1646 and ULGCS, respectively. An in situ digestibility trial was conducted using two ruminally-cannulated steers to compare the 72-h digestibility of DP1646 and ULGCS. There were no differences (P = 0.5910) between treatments in total DM digestibility between WCS varieties or treatment by time interaction (P = 0.1270). When evaluating digestibility relative to time, differences were observed (P ≤ 0.0013) at 24, 48, and 72 h. These results indicate that WCS intake was greater for the ULGCS than DP1646, and significant digestibility of either variety was not observed until 24 h of digestion.