Southeast Research and Extension Center Agricultural Research 2020

Research report for the Southeast Research and Extension Center, Kansas State University, 2020


Introduction
Supplementation of grazing cattle is most economically feasible when cattle prices are high, relative to the price of grain. Energy supplementation of grazing ruminants may reduce forage intake and digestibility, but energy supplementation at low levels (less than 0.4% bodyweight) has been shown to have little effect on forage intake when crude protein was not limiting. Several studies have evaluated the effect of supplementation on stocker cattle gains and forage utilization during the grazing phase, but few have evaluated the effects of supplementation during the grazing phase on subsequent finishing performance and carcass traits. This research seeks to obtain a more thorough understanding of the interactions among grazing nutrition and management, finishing performance, and carcass traits to facilitate greater economic utilization of these relationships.
Thirty-six steer calves of predominately Angus breeding were weighed on two consecutive days, stratified by weight, and randomly allotted to nine 5-acre smooth bromegrass pastures on April 9, 2014 (446 lb); April 7, 2015 (488 lb); April 6, 2016 (444 lb); March 21, 2017 (437 lb); March 27, 2018 (443 lb); and April 9, 2019 (468 lb). Three pastures of steers were randomly assigned to one of three supplementation treatments (3 replicates per treatment) and were grazed for 181, 224, 223, 238, 224, and 189 days in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively Cattle in each pasture were group-fed supplement in meal form on a daily basis in metal feed bunks, and pasture was the experimental unit. No implants or feed additives were used during the grazing phase. Weight gain was the primary measurement. Cattle were weighed every 28 days. Cattle were treated for internal and external parasites before being turned out to pasture and later were vaccinated for protection from pinkeye. Cattle had free access to commercial mineral blocks that contained 12% calcium, 12% phosphorus, and 12% salt. Forage availability was measured approximately every 28 days in 2014,2015,2016, and 2017 with a disk meter calibrated for smooth bromegrass.
After the grazing period, cattle were shipped to a finishing facility, implanted with Synovex S, and fed a diet of 80% whole-shelled corn, 15% corn silage, and 5% supplement (dry matter basis) for 125, 97, 98, 91, and 112 days in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. All cattle were slaughtered in a commercial facility at the end of the finishing period, and carcass data were collected. Cattle that grazed these pastures in 2019 were being finished for slaughter at the time that this report was written.

Results and Discussion
Grazing and subsequent finishing performance of steers that grazed smooth bromegrass pastures are presented by supplementation treatment for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Grazing performance only is presented for 2019 in Table 6. Supplementation treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on the quantity of forage available for grazing in any of the years that it was measured. Pastures grazed by supplemented steers might be expected to have greater available forage DM as consumption of supplement by steers grazing these pastures would likely reduce forage intake thereby resulting in more residual forage. However, the levels of supplement fed in this study were likely small enough that forage consumption was not affected.
Supplemented steers had greater (P < 0.05) weight gain, daily gain, and steer gain/a than those that received no supplement in all six years. In 2014In , 2016In , 2017In , 2018, grazing weight gain, daily gain, and gain/a were not different (P > 0.05) between steers that were supplemented with the starch-based or fat-based supplement. In 2015, steers supplemented with the fat-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) grazing gains than those that received the starch-based supplement.
In 2014, steers fed the starch-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) final finishing liveweight, greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, greater (P < 0.05) overall (grazing + finishing) gain, and greater (P < 0.05) overall daily gain than those that received no supplement. Supplementation during the grazing phase had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing weight gain, feed intake, feed:gain, backfat, ribeye area, yield grade, or marbling score.
In 2015, steers supplemented with the fat-based supplement had higher (P < 0.05) slaughter weight, higher hot (P < 0.05) carcass weight, and lower (P < 0.05) finishing gain than those fed no supplement or supplemented with the starch-based supplement.
In 2016, 2017, and 2018, steers that were supplemented during the grazing phase maintained their weight advantage from grazing and were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the finishing phase, had greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, and greater (P < 0.05) overall gain than those that received no supplement. Final finishing weight and hot carcass weight were similar (P > 0.05) for steers supplemented with starch or fat during the grazing phase.
In 2016, dry matter intake was lower (P < 0.05) for steers that received no supplement while grazing than for those supplemented with fat, which may be due at least in part to the unsupplemented steers being lighter weight. Supplementation treatment during the grazing phase had no effect (P > 0.05) on backfat thickness, ribeye area, or percentage grading USDA Choice. Steers supplemented with starch during the grazing phase had lower (P < 0.05) numerical yield grades than those supplemented with fat. Steers supplemented with starch or fat during the grazing phase had higher (P < 0.05) marbling scores than those that received no supplement. Marbling scores and overall gains were similar (P > 0.05) between those supplemented with starch or fat.
In 2017, steers fed the starch-based supplement had greater (P < 0.05) finishing gain and lower (P < 0.05) feed:gain than those fed no supplement. Final finishing weight, hot carcass weight, and overall gain were similar (P > 0.05) for steers supplemented with starch or fat during the grazing phase. Supplementation treatment during the grazing phase had no effect (P > 0.05) on backfat thickness, ribeye area, yield grade, marbling score, or percentage grading USDA Choice.
In 2018, steers fed the starch-based supplement had higher (P < 0.05) marbling scores than those that received no supplement while grazing. Supplementation treatment during the grazing phase had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing gain, feed:gain, backfat thickness, ribeye area, yield grade, or percentage grading USDA Choice. Marbling scores and overall gains were similar (P > 0.05) between those supplemented with starch or fat.
Under the conditions of this study, supplementation of stocker cattle grazing smooth bromegrass pasture improved grazing performance, and increased slaughter weight and carcass weight. Most of the increase in slaughter weight and carcass weight can be attributed to greater gains of supplemented cattle during the grazing phase. Supplemental energy source while grazing had little effect on carcass quality.
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.      Means within a row followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P < 0.05).

Introduction
Bermudagrass is a productive forage species when intensively managed. However, it has periods of dormancy and requires proper management to maintain forage quality. Legumes in a bermudagrass sward could improve forage quality and reduce fertilizer usage; however, legumes are difficult to establish and maintain with the competitive grass. Clovers can maintain survival once established in bermudagrass sod, and may be productive enough to substitute for some N fertilization. This study was designed to compare dry cow performance on a bermudagrass pasture system that included ladino and crimson clovers (Legume) vs. bermudagrass alone (Nitrogen).

Experimental Procedures
Eight 5

Results and Discussion
Cow performance data are presented in Table 1. Cow gains and gain/a for the Nitrogen and Legume treatments were similar (P > 0.05).
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only.
No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer. Means within a row followed by the same letter do not differ (P < 0.05).

Introduction
Tall fescue, the most widely adapted cool-season perennial grass in the United States, is grown on approximately 66 million acres. Although tall fescue is well adapted in the eastern half of the country between the temperate north and mild south, presence of a fungal endophyte results in poor performance of grazing livestock, especially during the summer. Until recently, producers with high-endophyte tall fescue pastures had two primary options for improving grazing livestock performance. One option was to destroy existing stands and replace them with endophyte-free fescue or other forages. Although it supports greater animal performance than endophyte-infected fescue, endophyte-free fescue has been shown to be less persistent under grazing pressure and more susceptible to stand loss from drought stress. In locations where high-endophyte tall fescue must be grown, the other option was for producers to adopt management strategies that reduce the negative effects of the endophyte on grazing animals, such as diluting the effects of the endophyte by incorporating legumes into existing pastures or providing supplemental feed. In recent years, new tall fescue cultivars have been developed with a non-toxic endophyte that provides vigor to the fescue plant without negatively affecting performance of grazing livestock. Interseeding legumes into tall fescue cultivars with the toxic endophyte should be an effective way of increasing gains of cattle grazing tall fescue. However, these cultivars lack the competitiveness of highendophyte Kentucky 31 and their competitiveness with legumes could be a potential problem. Objectives of this study were to evaluate forage availability, stand persistence, and performance of stocker steers grazing tall fescue cultivars with non-toxic endophyte and high-and low-endophyte Kentucky 31 with and without ladino clover.

Experimental Procedures
Sixty-four mixed black yearling steers were weighed on two consecutive days and allotted to sixteen 5-acre established pastures of high-endophyte Kentucky 31  Pasture was the experimental unit and weight gain was the primary measurement. No implants or feed additives were used. Cattle were weighed every 28 days. Forage availability was measured at the same time in 2016 and 2017 with a disk meter calibrated for tall fescue. Cattle were treated for internal and external parasites before being turned out to pasture and later vaccinated for protection from pinkeye. Steers had free access to commercial mineral blocks that contained 12% calcium, 12% phosphorus, and 12% salt. Four steers were removed from the study in 2016 for reasons unrelated to experimental treatment and replaced with grazers to maintain equal stocking rates. Pastures were grazed continuously until November 29, 2016 (244 days); December 6, 2017 (253 days); November 7, 2018 (218 days); and November 14, 2019 (226 days) when steers were weighed on two consecutive days and grazing was terminated.
After the grazing period, cattle were moved to a finishing facility, implanted with Synovex-S (Zoetis, Madison, NJ), and fed a diet of 80% whole-shelled corn, 15% corn silage, and 5% supplement (dry matter basis) to determine the effect of grazing treatment on subsequent finishing performance. Cattle that grazed in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were fed a finishing diet for 98 days, 98 days, and 112 days, respectively. Cattle were then slaughtered in a commercial facility, and carcass data were collected on each individual steer. Cattle that were grazed during 2019 were being finished for slaughter at the time this report was written.

Results and Discussion
Grazing and finishing performance is pooled across legume treatment and presented by tall fescue cultivar for 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Table 1, Table 3, and Table 5, respectively, and pooled across fescue cultivar and presented by legume treatment for 2016, 2017, and 2018 in Table 2, Table 4, and Table 6, respectively. Grazing performance for 2019 is presented by tall fescue cultivar and legume treatment in Table 7 and Table 8, respectively. There were significant interactions (P < 0.05) between fescue cultivar and legume treatment for average available forage DM in 2016 and average daily dry matter intake during the finishing phase in 2017. In 2016, 2018, and 2019, steers that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the grazing period, had greater (P < 0.05) grazing gain, greater (P < 0.05) daily gain, and produced greater (P < 0.05) gain/a than steers that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31. Average available forage DM of high-endophyte Kentucky 31 pasture was greater (P < 0.05) than that of low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ. In 2016, MaxQ pasture had greater (P < 0.05) available forage DM than low-endophyte Kentucky 31. Average available forage DM of HM4 pasture was similar (P > 0.05) to that of lowendophyte Kentucky 31 and MaxQ pastures. In 2017, average available forage DM of low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ pastures were similar (P > 0.05). Steer gains were similar (P > 0.05) between pastures fertilized with an additional 80 lb/a N and those interseeded with ladino clover in all four years. Pastures with clover had less (P < 0.05) available forage DM than those without clover for all cultivars except highendophyte Kentucky 31 where available forage DM of pastures with and without clover were similar (P > 0.05).
In 2016, fescue cultivar had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing gain, dry matter intake, or feed:gain ratio. However, steers that had previously grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 had lower (P < 0.05) weight at the end of the finishing phase and lower (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight than those that had previously grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ. The weight differential between cattle that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 and those that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ was similar at the end of the grazing phase (156 lb) and the end of the finishing phase (155 lb). Therefore, the weight advantage of cattle that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ occurred during the grazing phase and was maintained during the finishing phase. Cattle that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 did not exhibit any compensatory gain during the finishing phase. Backfat thickness of steers that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 or HM4 were similar (P > 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) than that of steers that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31 or MaxQ. Yield grade of steers that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 was numerically lower (P < 0.05) than that of steers that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31 or MaxQ and similar (P > 0.05) to that of steers that grazed HM4. Fescue cultivar had no effect (P > 0.05) on ribeye area, marbling score, or percent of carcasses that graded USDA Choice. Overall gain of steers that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 was lower (P < 0.05) than that of steers that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ, and overall gain of steers that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ were similar (P > 0.05). Legume treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing performance or carcass traits.
In 2017, fescue cultivar had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing performance or overall performance. Steers that grazed pastures interseeded with ladino clover had lower (P < 0.05) finishing gains and greater (P < 0.05) feed:gain than those that grazed pastures with no legume.
In 2018, fescue cultivar had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing gain. However, steers that had previously grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ maintained their weight advantage from the grazing phase, were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the finishing phase, had greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, and greater overall gains than those that had grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31. Legume treatment had little effect on grazing performance. Steers that grazed pastures interseeded with ladino clover had lower (P < 0.05) feed:gain than those that grazed pastures without clover that were fertilized with additional nitrogen.
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.    Means within a row followed by the same letter do not differ (P < 0.05). *There was a significant (P < 0.05) fescue cultivar × legume interaction.   Means within a row followed by the same letter do not differ (P < 0.05).

Summary
A total of 400 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with 'MaxQ' tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P > 0.05) in 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheatcrabgrass were greater (P > 0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011, 2012, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P > 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass and similar (P > 0.05) to those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2013. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P > 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or 'Max Q' fescue in 2014. In 2015, daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or Max Q fescue and daily gain of steers grazing wheat-bermudagrass was greater (P < 0.05) than that of those that grazed MaxQ fescue. Finishing gains were similar (P > 0.05) among forage systems in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Finishing gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue were greater (P < 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass in 2011 and greater (P < 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass in 2015. In 2017, finishing gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue.

Introduction
MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, and a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system have been three of the most promising grazing systems evaluated at the Kansas State University Southeast Research and Extension Center in the past 20 years, but these systems have never been compared directly in the same study. The objective of this study was to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance of stocker steers that grazed these three systems.  All steers were slaughtered in a commercial facility, and carcass data were collected.

Experimental Procedures
Cattle that grazed these pastures in 2019 were being finished for slaughter at the time that this report was written.

Results and Discussion
Grazing and subsequent finishing performance of steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system are presented in Tables 1, 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. Grazing performance only for 2019 is presented in Table 10. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P > 0.05) in 2010, but total grazing gain and gain/a were greater (P < 0.05) for MaxQ tall fescue than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass because steers grazed MaxQ tall fescue for more days. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheatbermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 362, 286, and 258 lb/a, respectively. MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage dry matter (DM) than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. Grazing treatment in 2010 had no effect (P > 0.05) on subsequent finishing gains. Steers that grazed MaxQ were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the grazing phase, maintained their weight advantage through the finishing phase, and had greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass pastures. Steers that previously grazed wheatbermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass had lower (P < 0.05) feed:gain than those that had grazed MaxQ.
In 2011, daily gains, total gain, and gain/a of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than gains with MaxQ fescue. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 307, 347, and 376 lb/a, respectively. MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage DM than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. This was likely due to greater forage production by MaxQ and/or greater forage intake by steers grazing wheat-bermudagrass and wheat-crabgrass. Steers that grazed MaxQ had greater (P < 0.05) finishing gain than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass and lower (P < 0.05) feed:gain than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. Carcass weight was similar (P > 0.05) among treatments.
In 2012, daily gains, total gain, and gain/a of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than gains with MaxQ fescue. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 226, 325, and 313 lb/a, respectively. MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage DM than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. Grazing treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on subsequent finishing performance or carcass characteristics.
In 2013, daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass than for those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass, and daily gain from MaxQ fescue and wheatbermudagrass were similar (P > 0.05). Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 338, 244, and 316 lb/a, respectively. Gain/a was greater (P < 0.05) for MaxQ fescue and wheat-crabgrass than for wheat-bermudagrass. Overall gain was not different between forage systems; however, steers grazed MaxQ fescue for 49 more days than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. Overall daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for wheat-crabgrass than for MaxQ tall fescue. MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage DM than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass and wheat-bermudagrass pastures had more (P < 0.05) available forage DM than wheat-crabgrass. Grazing treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on subsequent finishing daily gain or carcass characteristics.
In 2014, daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass than for those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or Max Q fescue, and daily gain from MaxQ fescue and wheat-bermudagrass were similar (P > 0.05). Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 370, 282, and 383 lb/a, respectively. Gain/a was greater (P < 0.05) for MaxQ fescue and wheat-crabgrass than for wheatbermudagrass. Overall gain and overall daily gain for wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than for wheat-bermudagrass or MaxQ fescue, while overall gain and overall daily gain for MaxQ fescue and wheat-bermudagrass were similar (P > 0.05). MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage DM than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass and wheat-bermudagrass pastures had more (P < 0.05) available forage DM than wheat-crabgrass. Grazing treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on subsequent finishing daily gain or carcass characteristics.
In 2015, daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass than for those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or MaxQ fescue, and daily gain from wheatbermudagrass was greater (P < 0.05) than for those that grazed MaxQ fescue. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 291, 337, and 396 lb/a, respectively. Gain/a was greater (P < 0.05) for wheat-crabgrass than for wheatbermudagrass and MaxQ fescue and greater (P < 0.05) for wheat-bermudagrass than MaxQ fescue. Overall gain for Max Q fescue was greater (P < 0.05) than for wheatbermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass, while overall gain for wheat-bermudagrass and wheat-crabgrass were similar (P > 0.05). Overall daily gains were similar (P > 0.05) among forage systems. MaxQ tall fescue pastures had greater (P < 0.05) average available forage DM than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass and wheat-bermudagrass pastures had more (P < 0.05) available forage DM than wheat-crabgrass. Slaughter weight, finishing gains, hot carcass weight, and ribeye area of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue were greater (P < 0.05) and feed:gain was less (P < 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. Much of this difference in finishing performance can be attributed to muddier feedlot conditions during the time that the wheatbermudagrass and wheat-crabgrass steers were being finished for slaughter than for the MaxQ fescue cattle.
In 2016, daily gains were similar (P > 0.05) for steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. However, MaxQ tall fescue pastures were grazed 61 days longer and as a result produced greater (P < 0.05) steer grazing gain, heavier (P < 0.05) steer ending weight, and greater (P < 0.05) gain per acre than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass pastures. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 368, 280, and 287 lb/a, respectively. Average available forage DM for MaxQ tall fescue was greater (P < 0.05) than for the wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system or wheat-crabgrass double-crop system and average available forage DM for the wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, was greater (P < 0.05) than for the wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. Grazing treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on finishing gain or feed:gain; however, final finishing weight and hot carcass weight of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue were greater (P < 0.05) than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass.
Overall gain of steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue was greater (P < 0.05) and overall daily gain was lower (P < 0.05) than that of those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass. This was due to steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass spending a greater percentage of time in the finishing phase than those that grazed MaxQ tall fescue.
In 2017, daily gains were similar (P > 0.05) for steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. However, MaxQ tall fescue pastures were grazed 63 days longer and as a result produced greater (P < 0.05) steer grazing gain, heavier (P < 0.05) steer ending weight, and greater (P < 0.05) gain per acre than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass pastures. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 411, 312, and 332 lb/a, respectively. Average available forage DM for MaxQ tall fescue was greater (P < 0.05) than for the wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system or wheat-crabgrass double-crop system, and average available forage DM for the wheatbermudagrass double-crop system was greater (P < 0.05) than for the wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. Finishing gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater (P < 0.05) than those that had grazed MaxQ tall fescue and similar (P > 0.05) to those of steers that had grazed wheat-bermudagrass. Steers that had grazed MaxQ tall fescue had higher (P < 0.05) feed:gain and higher (P < 0.05) marbling scores than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass.
In 2018, daily gains were similar (P > 0.05) for steers that grazed MaxQ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system. However, MaxQ tall fescue pastures were grazed 56 days longer and as a result produced greater (P < 0.05) steer grazing gain, heavier (P < 0.05) steer ending weight, and greater (P < 0.05) gain per acre than wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass pastures. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 403, 305, and 302 lb/a, respectively. Steers that grazed MaxQ pastures maintained their weight advantage from grazing through the finishing phase and were heavier (P < 0.05) at the end of the finishing phase, had greater (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, greater (P < 0.05) ribeye area, and greater (P < 0.05) overall gain than those that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass pastures.
In 2019, daily gains were greater (P < 0.05) for steers that grazed a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system than for those that grazed MaxQ tall fescue. However, MaxQ tall fescue pastures were grazed 57 days longer and as a result produced similar (P > 0.05) steer grazing gain, similar (P > 0.05) steer ending weight, and similar (P > 0.05) gain per acre as wheat-bermudagrass and wheat-crabgrass pastures. Gain/a for MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, and wheat-crabgrass were 259, 245, and 271 lb/a, respectively.
Hotter and drier weather during the summer of 2011 and 2012 likely provided more favorable growing conditions for bermudagrass and crabgrass than for fescue, which was reflected in greater (P < 0.05) gains by cattle grazing those pastures. Lack of precipitation also reduced the length of the grazing season for MaxQ fescue pastures in 2012, which resulted in less fall grazing and lower gain/a than was observed for those pastures in other years.
Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Persons using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current label directions of the manufacturer.

Summary
Alternative methods to antibiotics/chemical usage in cattle production have been of interest in recent years and essential oils/spices have been promoted to fill this niche. The purpose of this research was to evaluate effect of feeding spices on heifer gains and as a control method for ticks. Eight bromegrass pastures were stocked (March to November) with four heifers per pasture to compare control mineral (CON) to mineral containing spices (SPICE; garlic + proprietary blend of 4 spices). Mineral (4 oz/hd/d) was blended in dried distillers grains (DDGs) and total blend was supplemented daily at 0.5% of heifer body weight. Heifers were weighed on two consecutive days at the start and end of the study and every 28 d. Weekly (first 10 weeks), ticks were counted and removed from every heifer. Average daily gain was increased by 0.15 lb/d with the SPICE mineral, and heifers on SPICE gained 33 lb more over the entire grazing period than heifers on CON. The gain advantage for SPICE was observed within the first four months on supplement and continued through the end of the study. Overall, these heifers had a low tick population (137 total ticks collected). Even so, there was a tendency for SPICE heifers to have more ticks/heifer than CON heifers when measured on weeks 2 and 3, yet at weeks 8 and 10 SPICE heifers tended to have fewer ticks/heifer than CON. SPICE in a mineral blended with DDGs increased heifer gains and appeared, after a minimum of 4 weeks of consumption, to show some repellent effects to ticks.

Introduction
The major driver for the economics of cattle production is still the increase in pounds of beef. Tools to improve gains are important options for producers. Essential oils have been promoted as a "natural method" to increase cattle gains and a method to control ticks and flies. Work completed mainly in feedlots located in South America showed that feeding spices (aka essential oils) increased calf gain more than no additive feeding. Additionally, some research has found that feeding spices/essential oils has resulted in similar gains in feedlot cattle as feeding the ionophore monensin.
Ticks are ectoparasites that reduce profits and preventing/controlling ticks is important in many types of cattle operations. Controlling ticks is especially important for anaplasmosis management. Essential oils from garlic and oregano have been shown to have the potential to kill ticks. Spraying a garlic extract with distilled water on cattle removed all ticks within 2 days of spraying and kept the ticks off the cattle for 7 days. Additionally, in a grazing dairy cow study, feeding garlic for 3 days reduced ticks on cattle, even when measuring 11 days after feeding ended. Most studies that have shown effectiveness in controlling ticks have included methods of spraying cattle with essential oils.
A limited number of studies evaluated growing calf gains on grass with essential oils, and a limited number of studies evaluated tick management while feeding essential oils, especially on beef species. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate heifer gains on bromegrass while feeding spices and to evaluate the ability of spices to control ticks.

Experimental Procedures
Eight pastures (5 acres each) of smooth bromegrass were stocked with 4 heifers per pasture beginning April 9, 2019. All heifers were fed dried distillers grains daily at 0.5% of body weight on a dry matter basis. This was adjusted every 28 days based on weights.
The two treatments consisted of complete mineral mixed into the DDGs. The two minerals (Table 1) were a control mineral with 25% of magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc coming from a chelated source or that same base mineral with garlic (3 pounds/ton) and Solus (18 pounds/ton; SPICE). Animals were fed four ounces of the mineral type for their group, mixed with the DDGs and offered daily. We hand-fed the mixture for a more accurate consumption base measurement and to know that all heifers ate the mineral every day. There were four pastures of each treatment type. Heifers were individually weighed every 28 days.
Beginning one week after heifers were placed on brome pastures each heifer was run through the chute and the number of ticks were counted and then removed from the heifer. The tick type, sex, and engorgement were recorded. Ticks were counted and collected weekly until May 22, when infestation level was drastically reduced. Ticks were counted and removed again on June 6 and June 20 when only 4 heifers had ticks. Generally, at this location there were no ticks on the cattle after the first month of grazing.

Heifer Gains
Average daily gain was increased by 0.15 lb/d with the SPICE mineral, and heifers on SPICE gained 33 lb more over the entire grazing period than heifers on CON (Table  2). By ~4 months on supplement, the SPICE heifers had gained more than the CON heifers ( Figure 1) and they continued this advantage through end of study.

Tick Control
Overall, there were more ticks on the SPICE heifers than those on the CON mineral (73 total ticks over the study versus 64 total ticks). However, there fewer overall number of ticks on the SPICE heifers that were engorged (7 ticks engorged for SPICE and 14 engorged for CON). Engorgement means ticks had been attached for a long enough period that they increased in size. Potentially the SPICE cattle had a less desirable blood flavor that did not attract these ticks to stay on the animal for longer period of time. The greatest number of ticks was observed 1 month after grazing started ( Figure  2). It took a month or more for the SPICE to have an effect on the ticks that attached to the heifers. By week 5 there were fewer ticks on heifers receiving the SPICE mineral, and a beginning of a trend for fewer heifers to have ticks (Figure 2). This might indicate a time to "build up" tick resistance with the levels of spices fed.  Control mineral is in green bars, spice mineral in purple bars. *Indicates gains tended to be different between treatments at 0.05 < P < 0.10. **Indicates gains tended to be different between treatments at P < 0.05.

Figure 2. Weekly number of ticks and heifers with ticks by treatment.
Black line is the number of ticks collected off of heifers each week that were fed SPICE mineral. Grey line is the number of ticks collected off of heifers each week that were fed CON mineral. Green bars are the number of heifers with ticks that were fed the CON mineral. Purple bars are the number of heifers with ticks that were fed the SPICE mineral. No effect P > 0.10 on number of heifers with ticks. Treatment × week (P = 0.02) was different for tick numbers. *Indicates gains tended to be different between treatments at 0.05 < P < 0.10. **Indicates gains tended to be different between treatments at P < 0.05.

Timing of Side-Dress Applications of Nitrogen for Corn in Conventional and No-Till Systems Introduction
Environmental conditions vary widely in the spring in southeastern Kansas. As a result, much of the N applied prior to corn planting may be lost before the time of maximum plant N uptake. Side-dress or split applications to provide N during rapid growth periods may improve N use efficiency while reducing potential losses to the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of side-dress N fertilization compared with pre-plant N applications for corn grown on a claypan soil.

Experimental Procedures
The experiment was established in spring 2015 on a Parsons silt loam soil at the Parsons Unit of the Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center. The experiment was a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design with four blocks (replications). Whole plot tillage treatments were conventional tillage (chisel, disk, and field cultivate) and no tillage. Sub-plot nitrogen treatments were six pre-plant/ side-dress N application combinations that include: 1. A no-N control; 2. 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant; 3. 100 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a applied at the V6 (six-leaf) growth stage; 4. 100 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a applied at the V10 (ten-leaf) growth stage; 5. 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a applied at the V6 growth stage; and 6. 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a applied at the V10 growth stage. The N source for all treatments was liquid urea-ammonium nitrate (28% N) fertilizer. Pre-plant N fertilizer was applied on March 13, 2019, side-dress N at V6 on June 3, 2019, and side-dress N at V10 on June 13, 2019, to appropriate plots. All N was broadcast applied with 7-stream pattern fertilizer nozzles. Corn was planted on April 11 and harvested on September 5, 2019.
In 2019, average corn yielded 22 bu/a more with conventional tillage than with no-tillage, partially due to having a 9% greater established stand (Table 1). Adding N fertilizer more than tripled yields obtained in the no-N control. Splitting the N fertilizer to apply 100 lb N/a preplant followed by 50 lb N/a at the V10 growth stage improved yields by 15 bu/a more than all N applied pre-plant. Adding 50 lb N/a extra at the V6 or V10 growth stages to a 150 lb N/a preplant application did not improve yields more than that obtained with 150 lb N/a applied split pre-plant and side-dress at V10. These effects of N application timing on corn yield in 2019 appeared to be related to the combined responses in kernel weight, ears/plant, and kernels/ear. Nitrogen treatments: Control = no N fertilizer. 150 PP = 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant with no side-dress N. 100 PP/50 V6 = 100 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a side-dress applied at V6 (six-leaf) growth stage. 100 PP/50 V10 = 100 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a side-dress applied at V10 (ten-leaf) growth stage. 150 PP/50 V6 = 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a side-dress applied at V6 growth stage. 150 PP/50 V10 = 150 lb N/a applied pre-plant with 50 lb N/a side-dress applied at V10 growth stage.

Introduction
Environmental conditions vary widely in the spring in southeastern Kansas. As a result, much of the N applied prior to corn planting may be lost before the time of maximum plant N uptake. Pre-plant N application method, pre-plant N rate, and side-dress N rate selections create opportunities to provide N during rapid growth periods and may improve N use efficiency while reducing potential losses to the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of pre-plant and side-dress N fertilization options on corn grown no-till on a claypan soil.

Experimental Procedures
The experiment was established in spring 2018 on a Parsons silt loam soil at the Parsons Unit of the Kansas State University Southeast Research and Extension Center that had been in continuous no-till for more than 10 years. The experiment was a factorial arrangement of a randomized complete block design with four blocks (replications). The two factors were pre-plant N fertilizer placement of broadcast and knife (subsurface band at 4 inches deep) and pre-plant/side-dress N rates of 0-0, 0-150, 100-0, 100-50, 100-100, 150-0, 150-50, 150-100, and 200-0 lb/a. Side-dress applications were broadcast at the V10 growth stage using 7-stream pattern, fertilizer nozzles dropped to less than a foot above the soil surface. The N source for all treatments was liquid ureaammonium nitrate (UAN; 28% N) fertilizer. Pre-plant N fertilizer was applied on March 19, 2019, and side-dress N was applied at V10 on June 20, 2019, to appropriate plots. Corn was planted on April 11 and harvested on September 4, 2019.

Results and Discussion
Knife application of the N applied pre-plant resulted in 14 bu/a greater yields than when the pre-plant N was broadcast applied (Table 1). This was partially because of approximately 7% greater number of ears per plant with knifing than with broadcasting. The other yield components were not affected by pre-plant application method (P = 0.05). Applying N at any rate and time more than doubled corn yield in 2019 compared to the 84 bu/a yield with the no-N control. In general, applying side-dress N increased yields compared to yields obtained with only pre-plant applications; however, the increase from side-dress appeared greater when the pre-plant N was 100 lb N/a than when the pre-plant N was 150 lb N/a. Increasing total N rate to greater than 100 lb N/a resulted in increased yield regardless of individual rates of pre-plant/side-dress N applications, with few differences in combinations where total N was 150 lb/a or greater. Stand was not affected by pre-plant/side-dress N rates, but fertilizing with N increased kernel weight, the number of ears/plant, and the number of kernels/ear compared with corn grown in the no-N control.

Summary
Tall fescue production was measured during the second year of a study with locations started in fall of 2016 and fall of 2017. In the second year at both sites, phosphorus (P) fertilization rate did not affect harvest yields. Applying nitrogen (N) in late fall or late winter resulted in greater spring yields than applying N in spring or not applying N. However, fall harvest yields at Site 1 in 2018 were greater without N, but were greater with spring N application at Site 2 in 2019. In both site-years, the secondyear tall fescue total yield rank as affected by N fertilizer timing was late fall=late winter>spring>no N, even though overall yields were greater in 2019 at Site 2.

Introduction
Tall fescue is the major cool-season grass in southeastern Kansas. Perennial grass crops, as with annual row crops, rely on proper fertilization for optimum production; however, meadows and pastures are often under-fertilized and produce low quantities of low-quality forage. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of N fertilizer timing and P and potassium (K) fertilization rates on tall fescue yields.

Experimental Procedures
The experiment was conducted on two adjacent sites of established endophyte-free tall fescue beginning in the fall of 2016 (Site 1) and 2017 (Site 2) at the Parsons Unit of the Kansas State University Southeast Research and Extension Center. The soil at both sites was a Parsons silt loam. The experimental design was a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block. The six whole plots received combinations of P 2 O 5 and K 2 O fertilizer rates allowing for two separate analyses: 1) four rates of P 2 O 5 consisting of 0, 25, and 50 lb/a each year and a fourth treatment of 100 lb/a only applied at the beginning of the study; and 2) a 2 × 2 factorial combination of two rates of P 2 O 5 (0 and 50 lb/a) and two levels of K 2 O (0 and 40 lb/a). Subplots were four application timings of N fertilization consisting of none, late fall, late winter, and spring (E2 growth stage). Phosphorus and K fertilizers were broadcast applied in the fall as 0-46-0 (triple superphosphate) and 0-0-60 (potassium chloride). Nitrogen, as 46-0-0 (urea) solid at 120 lb N/a, was broadcast applied to appropriate plots on December Dry conditions in 2018 resulted in low, second-year tall fescue yields at Site 1 (Table 1).
In the second year of the study at Site 1, spring harvest, fall harvest, or total yield of tall fescue was unaffected by P fertilization. Spring harvest yield was greatest when N was applied either in late fall or late winter. Even though applying N fertilizer at the E2 growth stage in spring resulted in greater yield compared with no N, delaying N application resulted in more than a 40% reduction in spring yield compared with the more traditional timings of either late fall or late winter. However, at the fall harvest, tall fescue yield was less with N application than without. Average annual total tall fescue yield was increased by applying N. Late fall and late winter application resulted in similar total yields which were 35% to 67% greater than with spring (E2) fertilization or no N, respectively.
Second-year tall fescue spring harvest, fall harvest, or total yields in 2019 at Site 2 were unaffected by P fertilization (Table 2). Spring tall fescue yield was similar with late fall and late winter N fertilization. However, as for the second year at Site 1 (Table 1), both late fall and late winter N fertilization in the first year at Site 2 resulted in greater spring yield than with no N or N applied at the E2 growth stage in spring (Table 2). In contrast to results from Site 1 (Table 1), spring N application did result in greater fall yield than with no N or N applied in late fall or late winter (Table 2). At Site 2, as with Site 1 (Table 1), the second-year tall fescue total yield rank as affected by N fertilizer timing was late fall=late winter>spring>no N (Table 2).

Introduction
Increased fertilizer prices in recent years, especially noticeable when the cost of phosphorus spiked in 2008, have led U.S. producers to consider other alternatives, including manure sources. The use of poultry litter as an alternative to fertilizer is of particular interest in southeastern Kansas because large amounts of poultry litter are imported from nearby confined animal feeding operations in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Annual application of turkey litter can affect the current crop, but information is lacking concerning any residual effects from several continuous years of poultry litter applications on a following crop. This is especially true for tilled soil compared with no-till because production of most annual cereal crops on the claypan soils of the region is often negatively affected by no-till planting. The objective of this study was to determine if the residual from fertilizer and poultry litter applications under tilled or no-till systems affects soybean yield and growth.

Experimental Procedures
Previous to this study, a water quality experiment was conducted near Girard, KS, on the Greenbush Educational facility's grounds from spring 2011 through spring 2014. Those treatments, listed below, were fertilizer and turkey litter applications based on 120 lb N/a and 50 lb P 2 O 5 /a rates applied prior to planting grain sorghum each spring. Individual plot size was 1 acre. The five treatments, replicated twice, were: 1. Control: no N or P fertilizer or turkey litter-no tillage; 2. Fert-C: commercial N and P fertilizer only-chisel-disk tillage; 3. TL-N: N-based turkey litter, no extra N or P fertilizer-no tillage; 4. TL-N-C: N-based turkey litter, no extra N or P fertilizer-chisel-disk tillage; and 5. TL-P-C: P-based turkey litter, supplemented with fertilizer N-chisel-disk tillage.
Starting in 2014 after the previously-mentioned study, soybean was planted with no further application of turkey litter or fertilizer. Prior to planting soybean, tillage opera-tions were done in appropriate plots as in previous years. A sub-area of 20 × 20 ft near the center of each 1-acre plot was designated for crop yield and growth measurements. Samples were taken for dry matter production at V3-V4 (approximately 3 weeks after planting), R2, R4, and R6 growth stages. Yield was determined from the center 4 rows (10 × 20 ft) of the sub-area designated for plant measurements in each plot. Soybean was planted on June 7, 2019, and harvested on October 28, 2019. Whole plant samples were taken on June 28 (V4), July 24 (R2), August 19 (R4), and September 23 (R6), 2019.

Results and Discussion
In 2019, the residual from previous high rate turkey litter applications, which were based on N requirements of the previous grain sorghum crops grown from 2011 through 2013, increased 2019 soybean yield compared to that obtained from the residual of P-based turkey litter applications (low rate) or the control ( Table 1). The soybean yields with the Fert-C treatment were less than TL-N, but were not statistically different than TL-N-C. The number of pods/plant were greater where N-based turkey litter had been applied in no-till than where a low rate of turkey litter or no fertilizer or litter had been applied. The effect of residual treatments on soybean dry matter production was non-significant through most of the growing season. However, by R6, dry matter production was greater where turkey litter had previously been applied on an N-basis (high rate) than on a P-basis (low rate) or the no-N/no-P control, with dry matter from the Fert-C treatment being intermediate.

Introduction
Double-cropping of soybeans after wheat is practiced by many producers in southeastern Kansas. Several options exist for dealing with wheat straw residue from the previous crop before planting soybeans. However, the method of managing the residue may affect not only the double-crop soybeans but also the following wheat crop. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of burning or no burning with three tillage options (reduced-till, strip-till, and no-till) on double-crop soybean and subsequent wheat yields.

Experimental Procedures
Six wheat residue management systems for double-crop soybean and the subsequent wheat crop were established in spring 2017. The experiment was a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block with three replications. The whole plots were burn and no-burn and the subplots were tillage options of reduced-till, strip-till, and no-till prior to planting the double-crop soybeans. In each year after the soybean harvest, the entire area was disked, field cultivated, fertilized, and planted to wheat. Thus, treatment effects on wheat yield was due to the residual from the residue management treatments for the double-crop soybeans.

Results and Discussion
In both 2017 and 2018, burning or not of wheat straw, or tillage prior to planting, did not affect double-crop soybean yields. In 2018, after one year of a continuous wheatdouble-crop soybean rotation, subsequent wheat yields were unaffected by the residual of burn or tillage treatments. However, in 2019 wheat yields were 41% greater where the wheat residue had been burned in 2018, even though wheat yields were unaffected by using reduced-, strip-, or no-tillage to plant the previous double-crop soybeans.

Introduction
Crop production is dependent on many factors including cultivar selection, environmental conditions, soil, and management practices. This report summarizes the environmental conditions during the 2019 growing season in comparison to previous years and the historical averages. In 2019, full-season corn varieties were flooded out at the river bottom location at Erie. Thirty full-season corn varieties were compared at Ottawa; 9 short-season corn varieties were tested at Parsons and Ottawa. Both hard and soft wheat variety plots were abandoned at both locations due to excessive rain and poor stand establishment. There were 29 sorghum varieties tested and seven sunflower varieties at Parsons. Soybeans tested included 31 varieties of MG3-4 and 37 varieties of MG4-5 at both upland and river bottom locations at Parsons and Erie.
Growing degree day information is now available on the Kansas Mesonet website (http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/degreedays/) .

Experimental Procedures
The Sorghum was planted on June 19, 2019, at a seeding rate of 87,120 seeds/a in Parsons and harvested October 3, 2019. Fertilizer was applied at a rate of 150-46-60 lb/a N-P-K. Weeds were controlled with atrazine (2 qt/a), Dual II (S-metolachlor, 2 pt/a), and 2,4-D Amine (2 qt/a).
Weather information was downloaded from the Kansas Mesonet site (http:// mesonet.k-state.edu/weather/historical/). Historical data from the Parsons and Columbus stations were used in preparing these reports. Rainfall is reported on a water year (WY) basis, that begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the next year. Cumulative rainfall during the summer growing season was also calculated. Growing degree days were calculated using a base temperature of 50°F.

Rainfall
Rainfall during the 2018-19 water year was near record highs ( Figure 1A). Initial rainfall in the fall was slightly higher than average. However, beginning with a 3.7 in. rainfall on April 30, the next 8 months received 47.5 in. of rain. There were several periods of very high rainfall totals, such as the 4.4 in. rain received on August 1. While high single-day rain events are not uncommon in southeast Kansas, the continuous high rain events made for a very wet year, well above the 9-year average of 40.4 in. Wateryear rainfall totals ranged from a low of 21.9 in. in WY2012 to 69.9 in. in WY2019. Total rainfall during the summer growing season (March-October, 60.7 in.; Figure 1B) greatly exceeded the 9-year average of 33.1 in. Summer rainfall can be quite variable, ranging from a low of 12.7 in. in 2011 to a high of 60.7 in. in 2017.

Temperature
Temperatures in 2019 were slightly cooler than average throughout the summer growing season (Figure 2A), especially later in the summer. Extreme values of cumulative GDD50 were experienced in 2012 and 2019, which also had the greatest and the least number of days, respectively, with maximum temperatures exceeding 90°F ( Figure 2B). Higher temperatures reduce the yield of corn and soybeans. High temperatures days during 2019 were much lower than average ( Figure 2B).

Crop Production
Winter wheat was planted on 6.9 million acres throughout Kansas. Wheat was particularly hard-pressed from the excessive rain. Wheat variety trials at many locations in the state were abandoned in 2019 due to poor stands. State-wide, wheat yields were slightly above average in 2019 at 52 bu/a (Figure 3).
Corn was planted in 6.4 million acres in Kansas in 2019, an increase from last year. Fullseason corn varieties were tested in river bottom ground at Erie. Flooding eliminated the crop and the crop variety test at Erie was abandoned. Thirty full-season corn varieties were tested at Ottawa, with an average yield of 154.8 bu/a and a range from 110.7 to

Introduction
Tillage has been used for centuries. The common thought is that it is required to loosen the soil to prepare a good seed bed and can be used to control weeds. However, tillage damages the soil structure and increases erosion. In addition, over the long term, tillage increases compaction of the soil because of poor soil structure.
This research explores the real cost of tillage from a broader standpoint. Impacts of tillage on soil erosion, crop productivity, equipment and fuel costs, nutrients, water, and time requirements are presented. Long-term productivity and profitability are determined for a silt-loam soil in southeast Kansas.

Experimental Procedures
Three crop production fields in southeast Kansas were used to estimate costs of tillage. The soil types in the fields included Verdigris silt loam and Kenoma silt loam. One field was in long-term conventional tillage. One field had been in conventional tillage and was converted to no-till 5 years prior. The third field had been in no-till for more than 20 years.
Conventional tilled and no-till production systems were compared for a corn/soybean rotation system using the SoilCalculator from Agren, Inc. For the simulation, field size was set to 80 acres with a silt-loam soil in Labette County, KS. Specific management practices for the conventional tillage included chisel and cultivate prior to corn and soybean planting. No-till management had no tillage operations. Fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, planting, and harvesting operations were the same for both conventional and no-till production. Grain yield for corn was estimated to be 170 bu/a with 3136 lb/a crop residue, and 40 bu/a for soybeans with 866 lb/a crop residue.
Cost-Return Budgets for southeast Kansas from the Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics were used to estimate production costs. Economic and productivity impacts for 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 years were calculated with the Agren Soil-Calculator based on the cost-return budgets for southeast Kansas. Crop water use was modeled using a modified evapotranspiration model based on the Penman-Monteith.
No-till crop production is a viable alternative for southeast Kansas. While there is concern that no-till fields remain too wet in the spring, the fact is that the no-till fields have better soil structure. This improved soil structure allows access to no-till fields earlier than for tilled fields. No-till requires careful management to control weed populations. However, the increase in herbicide-resistant weeds makes weed control important in any production system. Moreover, it has been shown that tillage can actually increase the weed population (Chism et al. 2019). While the weed population was reduced immediately after a tillage event, the weeds were not controlled and additional measures were required to reduce weed pressure. The productivity and profitability of crop production can be improved by implementing no-till production methods.       Figure 2. Soil water content of top 6 inches of soil from a conventional-tilled field, and fields that have been in no-till production for 5 years, and more than 20 years.

Introduction
Temperature and rainfall are important for crop growth and development. Growing degree days (GDD) for corn production are calculated by subtracting a base or threshold temperature of 50°F from the average daily temperature. The calculated GDD50 are available on the Kansas Mesonet website (http://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/ degreedays/). The cumulative GDD is a useful tool to estimate crop development and predict crop stage for management inputs, and is calculated by adding GDD from a date, such as day of planting, to the current day. On average, it takes 90-120 GDD for corn to emerge (https://www.rawlins.k-state.edu/agronomy/cornmaturity.html). Corn will silk at about 1500 GDD. Physiological maturity, or black layer, requires approximately 2670 GDD for a 110-day hybrid.
Early season soil temperatures are important for corn germination and growth. High temperatures later in the season can limit grain filling. The timing and amount of rainfall are important for crop development. Because corn only flowers once, it is very sensitive to drought during the flowering period (tasseling and silking). Insufficient rainfall can reduce the fertilization of ovules, resulting in unfertilized ovules and reduced yield. Conversely, excess rainfall during pollination can disrupt fertilization and reduce yield. Inadequate rainfall or temperatures that are too high or low may abort ovules and reduce yield. Climatic conditions cannot be managed. However, management practices can be implemented that make the best use of the environmental conditions. Corn planting in southeast Kansas begins in mid-March after soil temperatures are above 50°F. The later the corn is planted, the warmer the soil temperatures will be. However, previous research has demonstrated the need to time the flowering of corn to coincide with periods of adequate moisture in rainfed environments. Since our highest rainfall period occurs in late May, corn pollination ideally should be timed to occur prior to July 4.
This study was undertaken to explore the impact of planting date and planting depth on corn yield. Soil temperature and moisture change with depth in the soil profile. Planting at deeper depths may allow the corn roots to access more moisture. Conversely, shallower depths may have warmer temperatures and allow more rapid crop growth early in the season.
Yield was surprisingly consistent between planting dates, but was strongly dependent on planting depth (Figure 3). The best yield was measured at 2-inch planting depth. Either shallower or deeper planted corn had reduced yield, irrespective of planting date. Slight improvement in yield was observed at the mid-planting date. This is in contrast to previous years' data at this site, when the early-planted corn had higher yields than mid-or late-planted corn. Figure 1. Cumulative growing degree days from day of planting for corn at three planting times. Estimated growing degree days for emergence (120 GDD), silking (1500 GDD) and physiological maturity (black layer, 2670 GDD) are shown.