The Importance of Forages to Agriculture

Forage production in all of its ramifications is of major importance to agriculture. This chapter examines the use of fertilizer on forage crops that include annual and perennial grasses and legumes consumed by livestock as pasture, range and stored feed. It outlines some of the factors that have influenced the development and use of grasslands in the U. S., and hopefully it may aid in identifying the contribution and fundamental importance of forage grasses and legumes to U. S. agriculture. The development and expansion of animal agriculture in the north eastern and north central regions were based on persistent, introduced species of forage grasses and legumes. The use of high-quality forage crops will increase the efficiency of livestock programs, encourage the adoption of good soil fertility and pasture management technology, and hasten the movement away from practices inimical to the protection of soil resources and the environment.