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Forages include both native (157 million acres) and introduced
(111 million acres) pastures in Texas that provide about 70% of
the nutrients consumed by livestock. Forage crops are the
foundation on which the Texas livestock industry is built.
Currently, cash receipts are more than $7 billion for cattle, $3
billion for wildlife, and more than $700 million in hay to Texas
ranches. Forages also enhance water quality, serve as sinks for
the disposal of agricultural and municipal wastes, are renewable
sources of energy, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and
are used to revegetate disturbed lands and public right-a-ways.
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Forage species in Texas are as diverse as the soils and climates
found across the state. Research is conducted at Beeville,
College Station, Dallas, Kingsville, Overton, Stephenville, and
Uvalde to address ecosystem variations. The Texas Agricultural
Experiment Station forage research team includes expertise in
plant breeding, management, and forage utilization.
Additionally, forage specialists with the Texas Cooperative
Extension conduct numerous demonstrations across the state to
evaluate new forages and management practices at the producer
level. This collection represents the current research and
extension information on grasses and legumes to enhance economic
growth and animal production for Texas producers.
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