• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.155-166
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• 2014

Organic forage production system is one of the most important aspects in organic livestock production. Animals in the organic farming system are also essential for manure to be used for organic forage production. Both organic forage and animals are essential to maintain the cycle of organic agriculture system. In this paper we introduce the organic forage production system in Korea. Summer and winter crops are getting popular in Korea because of their high forage yield and cultivation in double cropping systems. Common cropping system for forage production in Korea is the double cropping system with legume and grass mixture. Forage sorghum and sudangrass are the most popular ones of annual summer forage corps because of their high production with low cost in the double cropping systems. In the mixture of forage crops, inter cropping is more suitable in the corn and sorghum cropping system because of high lodging resistance and forage yield, and low weed population. Forage sorghum and sudangrass are difficult to preserve as direct-cut silage due to the fact that its high moisture content causes excessive fermentation during ensiling. Corn grain addition to sorghum silage could be recommended as the most effective treatment for increasing quality and reducing production cost. It is recommended that corn grain could be added up to 10% of total amount of silage. And agriculture by-products also can be added at the time of ensiling to minimize losses of effluent and have the additional advantage of increasing quality. Agriculture by-products as silage supplements increased DM content and quality, and decreased the production cost of sorghum silage. Field pre-wilting treatment of forage crops also increased DM content and quality of the silage. Wilting sorghum${\times}$sudangrass hybrid before ensiling was the effective method for reducing effluent and increasing pH and forage quality more than direct cut silage. Optimum prewilting period of sudangrass silage was 1 or 2 days. In organic forage, the most important factor is the enhancement of organic forage sufficiency in relation to the environmental-friendly and organic livestock. Consequently, there are many possibilities for animal production and organic forage production in Korea. No forages no cattle concept should be emphasized in organic farming system.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.792-803
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• 2023

This study aimed to assess the impact of weather events on the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor L.) cultivar production trend in the central inland region of Korea during the monsoon season, using time series analysis. The sorghum-sudangrass production data collected between 1988 and 2013 were compiled along with the production year's weather data. The growing degree days (GDD), accumulated rainfall, and sunshine duration were used to assess their impacts on forage production (kg/ha) trend. Conversely, GDD and accumulated rainfall had positive and negative effects on the trend of forage production, respectively. Meanwhile, weather events such as heavy rainfall and typhoon were also collected based on weather warnings as weather events in the Korean monsoon season. The impact of weather events did not affect forage production, even with the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall. Therefore, the trend of forage production for the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid was forecasted to slightly increase until 2045. The predicted forage production in 2045 will be 14,926 ± 6,657 kg/ha. It is likely that the damage by heavy rainfall and typhoons can be reduced through more frequent harvest against short-term single damage and a deeper extension of the root system against soil erosion and lodging. Therefore, in an environment that is rapidly changing due to climate change and extreme/abnormal weather, the cultivation of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid would be advantageous in securing stable and robust forage production. Through this study, we propose the cultivation of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid as one of the alternative summer forage options to achieve stable forage production during the dynamically changing monsoon, in spite of rather lower nutrient value than that of maize (Zea mays L.).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.185-188
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• 2019

The production of traditional cool season grasses in temperate regions is becoming hampered during summer seasons due to water deficit. Thus, incorporating water use efficient warm season annual grasses are generally considered to fill the gap of summer season forage reduction that would offer considerable flexibility and adaptability to respond to forage demand. Teff (Eragrostis teff Zuccagni) Trotter) is, a C4 drought tolerant warm season annual grass primarily grown for grain production, recently gaining interest for forage production particularly during summer season. Previous reports have showed that teff is palatable and has comparable forage biomass and feed quality as compared to other warm season annual grasses which would make it an alternative forage. However, the available data are not comprehensive to explore the potential of teff as forage, hence further assessment of genotype variability and performance along with compatibility study of teff with forage production system of specific environment is key for future utilization.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2020

Cattle feeding in South Korea has been heavily dependent on domestically produced rice straw and imported grain. Around 42% of domestically produced rice straw is utilized for forage, and the remainder is recycled to restore soil fertility. Approximately 35% of round baleages were made with rice straw. However, higher quality hay is desired over rice straw. Due to increasing stockpiles of rice, there has been an economic burden on the government to store the surplus; therefore production of annual forage crops in rice fields has been further promoted in recent years. Hay import from the USA currently constitutes more than 80% of total imported hays. The main imported hays are alfalfa (Medicago sativa), timothy (Phleum pretense), and tall fescue (Festica arundinacea). The estimated forage required for cattle feeding was approximately 5.4 million MT in 2016. Domestically produced forage sates only 43% of that value, while low quality rice straw and imported hay covered the rest of demand by 33% and 20%, respectively. As utilization of domestically produced forage is more desirable for forage-based cattle production, long-term strategies have been necessary to promote domestic production of high quality baleage. One such strategy has been utilizing the fertile soil and abundance of fallow rice fields of western region of S. Korea to produce forage crops. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is the most successfully produced winter annual in the region and is approximately 56% of the total winter annual forage production. Forage sorghums (Sorghum bicolor), sorghum × sudangrass hybrids, and hybrid corn (Zea mays) produce a substantial amount of warm-season forage during summer. Produced forage has been largely stored through baleage due to heavy dew and frequent rains and has been evaluated according to S. Korea's newly implemented baleage commodity evaluation system. The system weighs 50% of its total grading points on moisture content because of its importance in deliverable DM content and desirable baleage fermentation; this has proved to be an effective method. Although further improvement is required for the future of forage production in South Korea, the current government-led forage production in rice fields has been able to alleviate some of the country's shortage for quality hay.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2009

In Japan, since rice consumption has been decreasing with the westernization of Japanese eating habits, surplus paddy fields have been increasing. If these surplus paddy fields can be utilized for forage rice production as feed for animal production and excretions (feces and urine) from animal production can be applied to the paddy fields as manure, then the problems of surplus paddy fields and excretions from animal production may be solved, and the environment kept sustainable. The objectives of the present study were to apply a bio-economic model to dairy and forage rice integration systems in Japan and to examine the merit of introducing whole crop rice silage (WCRS), as well as economic and environmental effects of various economic and management options in the systems. Five simulations were conducted using this model. The use of WCRS as a home-grown feed increased environmental loads and decreased economic benefit because of the higher amount of purchased feed, when compared to the use of typical crops such as maize, alfalfa and timothy silage (simulation 1). Higher economic benefits from higher forage rice yields and higher milk production of a dairy cow were obtained (simulations 2, 3). There were no economic and environmental incentives for utilizing crude protein (CP) rich WCRS, because an increase in the CP content in WCRS led to the use of more chemical fertilizers, resulting in high production costs and nitrogen outputs (simulation 4). When evaluated under the situation of a fixed herd size, increasing forage rice yields decreased the total benefit of the production, in spite of the fact that the amount of subsidies per unit of land increased (simulation 5). It was indicated that excess subsidy support may not promote yield of forage rice. It was, however, observed in most cases that dairy and forage rice integration systems could not be economically established without subsidies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.703-715
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• 2015

One of the challenges to increase milk production in a large pasture-based herd with an automatic milking system (AMS) is to grow forages within a 1- km radius, as increases in walking distance increases milking interval and reduces yield. The main objective of this study was to explore sustainable forage option technologies that can supply high amount of grazeable forages for AMS herds using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model. Three different basic simulation scenarios (with irrigation) were carried out using forage crops (namely maize, soybean and sorghum) for the spring-summer period. Subsequent crops in the three scenarios were forage rape over-sown with ryegrass. Each individual simulation was run using actual climatic records for the period from 1900 to 2010. Simulated highest forage yields in maize, soybean and sorghum- (each followed by forage rape-ryegrass) based rotations were 28.2, 22.9, and 19.3 t dry matter/ha, respectively. The simulations suggested that the irrigation requirement could increase by up to 18%, 16%, and 17% respectively in those rotations in El-Nino years compared to neutral years. On the other hand, irrigation requirement could increase by up to 25%, 23%, and 32% in maize, soybean and sorghum based rotations in El-Nino years compared to La-Nina years. However, irrigation requirement could decrease by up to 8%, 7%, and 13% in maize, soybean and sorghum based rotations in La-Nina years compared to neutral years. The major implication of this study is that APSIM models have potentials in devising preferred forage options to maximise grazeable forage yield which may create the opportunity to grow more forage in small areas around the AMS which in turn will minimise walking distance and milking interval and thus increase milk production. Our analyses also suggest that simulation analysis may provide decision support during climatic uncertainty.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.294-299
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• 1991

Eight naked barley cultivars were grown in three production systems to select proper cultivars for dual production of forage and grain and to determine production system x cultivar interactions. In the forage systems. barley was seeded on September 27 and October 17, harvested for forage on November 1. December 10 and February 12 from the September 27 planting (forage system I) and on December 10 and February 12 from the October 17 seeding(forage system II). In the grain-only system, barley was planted on November 5. In forage system I, oven-dried forage yields of eight cultivars ranged 195 to 296kg/10a and Saessalbori and Naehanssalbori yielded significantly higher than the other cultivars recording 280 and 296kg/ l0a, respectively. In forage system II, oven-dried forage yields of eight cultivars ranged 106 to 143kg/10a showing no significant difference among cultivars. Production system x cultivar interactions were significant for lodging at maturity, powdery mildew rating, 1000 kernel weight and grain yield. Leaf area index and biomass at heading, no. of spikes per $m^2$, no. of kernels per spike and test weight were not affected by the production system. Forage utilization delayed heading by 3 days and reduced culm length, spike length, lodging due to heavy rain on May 5 and lodging at maturity except for Songhagbori and Naehanssalbori. Forage utilization did not significantly affect grain yield from the September 27 planting but reduced 9% from the October 17 planting. while Saessalbori and Hyangcheonggwa 1 yielded significantly less than in the grain-only system. Songhagbori appears to be a proper cultivar for dual production of forage and grain in Cheju, considering forage and grain yields. and lodging and powdery mildew resistance.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.529-540
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• 2019

The present study investigated the effect of forage sources and their inclusion levels in diet on the rumen fermentation of Korea traditional goat. Timothy and alfalfa were used as forage sources. Forages were mixed with concentrate diet in different ratios. The ratios of forage to concentrate diets were varied to 1:9, 5:5 and 9:1. The rumen fluid of goat was gathered from slaughter house. Dry matter digestibility was decreased and methane production was increased as forage levels in diet was increased. When forage sources, timothy and alfalfa, were compared, groups with timothy showed greater methane production than the groups of alfalfa. Molar ratio of produced acetate and valerate were increased when forage level in diet was increased. In the case of propionate and butyrate, they were decreased as elevated forage levels in diet. The result of this study provided a basic information for rumen fermentation of Korean traditional goat and these information could be applied in the development of nutritional and feeding strategy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 1992

Cheju Island has an optimal environment for herviborous animal production. However, the infrastructure has been degraded under the pressure from the development of tourism and thus the technological development for livestock production has not been great. This is the time to re-evaluate and re-direct the system of livestock production on the island. My suggestions on the development of grassland agriculture on the island are as follows : 1. Grassland area of Cheju, 65,695 ha should be maintained and the local government should try to improve more grasslands which can hold 3 or more cattle per ha on pasture. including enterpriseowned lands. 2. For better management of co-operatives village. the local government should evaluate the conditions of the grasslands yearly after being grazed and suggest a new management method accordingly. 3. In order to strengthen grassland research. it is recommended that Cheju Experiment Station be reorganized as a Grassland Research Institute or Department of Grassland Science be added. 4. [mport of good forage varieties. especially legumes, from foreign countries and distribution to farmers after adaption studies, are required to improve nutritive values of forage produced. 5. Methods for production of good quality forage seeds at rcasonablc prices should be established.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.970-977
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• 2006

Forage oat (Avena sativa L.) is grown extensively in a double-cropping system on dairy farms. Four oat varieties ('Swan', 'Targa', 'Foothill', and 'Nugene') were evaluated for forage production and forage quality during two growing seasons (spring and autumn) at two locations (central and southern region) in South Korea. The heading stage of four oat varieties was observed during spring, but the autumn season did not produce heading until harvest time except for the 'Swan' variety (early-maturing variety). The heading stage of 'Swan' in both locations was earlier compared to other varieties. The four varieties were resistant to both foliar disease and insects. Lodging resistance was higher during autumn except in 2002 at the central region, and late-maturing varieties ('Foothill' and 'Nugene') have lower lodging resistance. Dry matter (DM) content was significantly different between varieties (p<0.001). Comparing different varieties, 'Swan', an early-maturing variety, was highest in DM content. In DM, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) yield, the yield of oat varieties in the southern region was higher than in the central region, and forage yield of the oat varieties in the spring season was higher than during the autumn season. The DM and TDN yield showed significant differences between oat varieties. The CP content of oats grown in the central region (Cheonan) was lower than oats grown in the southern region (Daegu), and the spring season produced oats with lower CP compared to the autumn season. Among the four oat varieties, the CP content of late-maturing varieties was higher than the Swan variety (early-maturing variety). The acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were higher for the varieties grown in Cheonan and during the spring season. The ADF and NDF contents of late-maturing varieties were lower than the early-maturing variety. TDN and relative feed value (RFV) were higher for the varieties grown in Daegu and during the autumn season. Late-maturing variety had higher TDN and RFV than early-maturing variety. Our study showed differences in forage production and forage quality of oats grown in different locations, seasons and varieties. Forage quality as well as forage production was better in the southern region than in the central region. Forage quality was better during autumn, but forage production was better during spring. Late-maturing variety had better forage quality than the early-maturing variety. Therefore, late-maturing varieties are more suitable for use in the southern region.