Research Project: Improving Forage Genetics and Management in Integrated Dairy Systems for Enhanced Productivity, Efficiency and Resilience, and Decreased Environmental Impact

Location: Dairy Forage Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Genetic and environmental drivers of legume cover crop performance: Hairy Vetch - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kucek, L.K., Muller, K.E., Bastos Martins, L., Moore, V.M., Reberg-Horton, C., Mirsky, S.B., Englert, J., Drinkwater, L., Douglas, J., Eagan, S.S., Mcgee, R.J., Ryan, M.R., Clark, K., Ehlke, N., Hendrickson, J., Guretzky, J., Wiering, N.P., Henriquez Inoa, E., Wayman, S., Archer, D.W., Bartow, A., Burke, A.N., Barrett, R., Bernau, C., Casey, A., Lee, S., Hillhouse, H., Smither-Kopperl, M., Wiggins, D., Carr, B., Crawford, R., Butler, T., Griffin, K., Bullard, V., Krogman, S., Mcgee, N., Silvermail, I., Wayment, J., Riday, H. 2024. Genetic and environmental drivers of legume cover crop performance: Hairy Vetch. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21318.

The role of perennial forages in reducing spatial and temporal yield variability when integrated into annual cropping systems - (Abstract Only)
Franco Jr, J.G., Hendrickson, J.R., Duke, S.E., Liebig, M.A., Clemensen, A.K., Archer, D.W. 2021. The role of perennial forages in reducing spatial and temporal yield variability when integrated into annual cropping systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.

Genomic prediction of regional-scale performance in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) by accounting for genotype-by-environment variation and yield surrogate traits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N.W., Bonnette, J., Boe, A., Fay, P.A., Fritschi, F., Mitchell, R., Rouquette, F., Wu, Y., Matamala, R., Maher, S., Jastrow, J., Juenger, T., Lowry, D. 2024. Genomic prediction of regional-scale performance in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) by accounting for genotype-by-environment variation and yield surrogate traits. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkae159.

Pooled DNA sequencing in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) reveals QTL for seed dormancy but not pod dehiscence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N.W., Kucek, L.K., Carr, B., Douglas, J., Englert, J., Ali, S., Raasch, J.A., Bhamidimarri, S., Mirsky, S.B., Monteros, M.J., Hayes, R.J., Riday, H. 2024. Pooled DNA sequencing in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) reveals QTL for seed dormancy but not pod dehiscence. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1384596.

Soil carbon stock potential in pastoral and silvopastoral systems in the Peruvian Amazon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Salazar, R., Alegre, J., Pizarro, D., Duff, A., Garcia, C., Gomez, C. 2024. Soil carbon stock potential in pastoral and silvopastoral systems in the Peruvian Amazon. Agroforestry Systems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-024-00969-w.

Intercropping in maize silage verses solo-seeding for alfalfa establishment in Wisconsin and Idaho - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grabber, J.H., Bjorneberg, D.L., Rogers, C.W. 2024. Intercropping in maize silage verses solo-seeding for alfalfa establishment in Wisconsin and Idaho. Crop Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.21189.

Editorial: Continuous living cover: Adaptive strategies for putting regenerative agriculture into practice - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Reilly, E., Conway-Anderson, A., Franco Jr, J.G., Jungers, J., Moore, E.B., Williams, C. 2023. Editorial: Continuous living cover: Adaptive strategies for putting regenerative agriculture into practice. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1320870.

Endophytic fungal infection of meadow fescue in the driftless area of the upper Mississippi River Valley: Impacts on agronomic fitness - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D., Waldron, B.L. 2023. Endophytic fungal infection of meadow fescue in the driftless area of the upper Mississippi River Valley: Impacts on agronomic fitness. Grasses. https://doi.org/10.3390/grasses2040019.

A synopsis of cover crop breeding techniques - (Proceedings)
Kucek, L.K., Riday, H., Moore, V., Ayres Carvalho, M., Major Pitta, R., Witt, T.W., Zwinger, S., Bastos Marins, L. 2023. A synopsis of cover crop breeding techniques. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Proceedings. October 29-November 1, 2023.

Rooting traits of 12 corn silage hybrids solo-seeded and interseeded with alfalfa - (Abstract Only)
Muerdter, C., Grabber, J.H. 2023. Rooting traits of 12 corn silage hybrids solo-seeded and interseeded with alfalfa. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. October 29-November 1, 2023.

Alfalfa establishment in silage corn verses conventional production systems - (Abstract Only)
Grabber, J.H., Bjorneberg, D.L., Rogers, C.W. 2023. Alfalfa establishment in silage corn verses conventional production systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. October 29-November 1, 2023.

Establishment of alfalfa intercropped under corn in response to varying rates of prohexadione with or without fungicide plus insecticide - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grabber, J.H., Dias, J.C., Renz, M.J. 2023. Establishment of alfalfa intercropped under corn in response to varying rates of prohexadione with or without fungicide plus insecticide. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112823.

Genome-wide association mapping in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) discovers a large effect locus controlling seed dormancy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N.W., Kucek, L.K., Carr, B., Marion, A., Douglas, J., Englert, J., Ali, S., Raasch, J.A., Bhamidimarri, S., Mirsky, S.B., Monteros, M.J., Krogman, S., Hayes, R.J., Azevedo, M.D., Riday, H. 2023. Genome-wide association mapping in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) discovers a large effect locus controlling seed dormancy. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1282187.

Breeding soft-seeded hairy vetch - (Abstract Only)
Riday, H., Tilhou, N.W., Kucek, L.K., Ali, S., Carr, B., Young-Mathews, A., Douglas, J., Bhamidimarri, S., Azevedo, M.D., Krogman, S., Monteros, M., Mirsky, S.B., Hayes, R.J., Englert, J. 2023. Breeding soft-seeded hairy vetch. Eucarpia Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses Section Symposium. September 10-14, 2023.

Analysis of total condensed tannins by the HCl-butanol-acetone-iron assay - (Abstract Only)
Grabber, J.H., Zeller, W.E. 2023. Analysis of total condensed tannins by the HCl-butanol-acetone-iron assay. Association Official Analytical Chemists Midwest Section Program Abstracts. Midwest AOAC Meeting, June 2023.

Current red clover breeding research - (Proceedings)
Riday, H. 2023. Current red clover breeding research. International Grasslands Congress. May 14-19, 2023.

Transcript profiling of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) identified interesting genes for seed dormancy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ali, S., Kucek, L.K., Riday, H., Krom, N., Krogman, S., Cooper, K., Jacobs, L., Mehta, P., Trammell, M., Bhamidimarri, S., Butler, T., Saha, M.C., Monteros, M.J. 2023. Transcript profiling of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) identified interesting genes for seed dormancy. The Plant Genome. 16(2). Article e20330. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20330.

Intercropped vs conventional corn-alfalfa crop rotations - (Abstract Only)
Grabber, J.H. 2023. Intercropped vs conventional corn-alfalfa crop rotations. Meeting Abstract. Midwest Forage Association Symposium, February 21, 2023.

Registration of 'Cedar Creek' Switchgrass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D., Lee, D. 2023. Registration of 'Cedar Creek' Switchgrass. Journal of Plant Registrations. 17(3):483-487. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20294.

Establishment of alfalfa interseeded into corn in response to one cycle of selection and hybridization - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grabber, J.H., Riday, H., Enjalbert, N., Wagner, S., Mickelson, D. 2023. Establishment of alfalfa interseeded into corn in response to one cycle of selection and hybridization. Crop Science. 63(3):1139-1147. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20923.

Assessing forage research and education needs of organic dairy farms in the United States - (Experiment Station)
Hatungimana, E., Darby, H.M., Soder, K.J., Ziegler, S.E., Brito, A.F., Kucek, L.K., Riday, H., Brummer, E. 2023. Assessing forage research and education needs of organic dairy farms in the United States. The University of Vermont Extension. Available: www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/2022%20Research%20Reports/OREI_Forage_Survey_Highlights_FINAL.pdf

Altering crop management practices to promote pollinators - (Book / Chapter)
Franco Jr, J.G., Mallinger, R. 2023. Altering crop management practices to promote pollinators. Book Chapter. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2022.0111.20.

Registration of 'Empire' big bluestem - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D., Lee, D. 2023. Registration of 'Empire' big bluestem. Journal of Plant Registrations. 17(2):223-227. https://doi.org/10.1002/plr2.20280.

Intercropping alfalfa with corn silage - (Proceedings)
Grabber, J.H., Osterholz, W.R., Bjorneberg, D.L., Riday, H., Dias, J., Patel, S., Smit, D.L., Ruark, M.D., Cassida, K.A., Burns, E.E., Lauer, J.G., Renz, M.J. 2022. Intercropping alfalfa with corn silage. Proceedings of the World Alfalfa Congress. World Alfalfa Congress, November 16, 2022.

Breeding for alfalfa compatibility with corn - (Proceedings)
Riday, H., Grabber, J.H., Li, W., Enjalbert, N., Wagner, S., Mickelson, D. 2022. Breeding for alfalfa compatibility with corn. Proceedings of the World Alfalfa Congress. 11/14/2022 - 11/17/2022.

Impact of ploidy on biomass yield of upland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.): A meta-analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D. 2023. Impact of ploidy on biomass yield of upland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.): A meta-analysis. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 70:1115-1122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-022-01489-1.

Biomass quality responses to selection for increased biomass yield in perennial energy grasses - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D., Mitchell, R., Adler, P.R. 2022. Biomass quality responses to selection for increased biomass yield in perennial energy grasses. BioEnergy Research. 15:3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-022-10513-2.

Growing season carbon dynamics differ in intermediate wheatgrass monoculture versus biculture with red clover - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wiesner, S., Duff, A., Niemann, K.M., Desai, A.R., Crews, T., Picasso Risso, V., Riday, H., Stoy, P.C. 2022. Growing season carbon dynamics differ in intermediate wheatgrass monoculture versus biculture with red clover. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 323(15). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109062.

Biomass yield improvement in switchgrass through genomic prediction of flowering time - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N., Casler, M.D. 2022. Biomass yield improvement in switchgrass through genomic prediction of flowering time. Global Change Biology Bioenergy. 14(9):1023-1034. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12983.

Genetic correlations between switchgrass performance in sward conditions and surrogate measures - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N., Casler, M. 2022. Genetic correlations between switchgrass performance in sward conditions and surrogate measures. Crop Science. 62(4):1511-1521. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20767.

Strong parallel evidence of selection during switchgrass sward establishment in hybrid and lowland ecotypes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N., Kaeppler, S.M., Casler, M.D. 2022. Strong parallel evidence of selection during switchgrass sward establishment in hybrid and lowland ecotypes. GRASSLAND RESEARCH. 1(1):31-42. https://doi.org/10.1002/glr2.12007.

Effects of seeding date on grain and biomass yield of intermediate wheatgrass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jungers, J., Schiffner, S., Sheaffer, C., Ehlke, N., DeHaan, L., Torrion, J., Noland, R., Franco Jr, J.G. 2022. Effects of seeding date on grain and biomass yield of intermediate wheatgrass. Agronomy Journal. 114(4):2342-2351. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21083.

Nitrogen fertilization and harvest management of switchgrass: Impacts on biomass yield and nitrogen removal - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D. 2022. Nitrogen fertilization and harvest management of switchgrass: Impacts on biomass yield and nitrogen removal. BioEnergy Research. 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-022-10435-z.

Ecological intensification of food production by integrating forages - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Franco Jr, J.G., Berti, M.T., Grabber, J.H., Hendrickson, J.R., Nieman, C.C., Pinto, P., Van Tassel, D., Picasso, V.D. 2021. Ecological intensification of food production by integrating forages. Agronomy. 11(12). Article 2580. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122580.

Establishment and first year yield of interseeded alfalfa as influenced by corn plant density and treatment with prohexadione, fungicide and insecticide - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grabber, J.H., Smith, D., Osterholz, W.R., Renz, M.J. 2021. Establishment and first year yield of interseeded alfalfa as influenced by corn plant density and treatment with prohexadione, fungicide and insecticide. Agronomy. 11(11). Article 2343. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112343.

Merging eddy covariance and remote sensing models to facilitate high resolution spatiotemporal monitoring of agricultural greenhouse gas budgets - (Abstract Only)

Breeding wheat for weed-competitive ability: I. Correlated traits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kucek, L.K., Mallory, E., Darby, H., Dawson, J., Sorrells, M. 2021. Breeding wheat for weed-competitive ability: I. Correlated traits. Euphytica. 217. Article e202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-021-02930-9.

Genetic loci associated with winter survivorship in diverse lowland switchgrass populations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poudel, H., Tilhou, N., Sanciangco, M., Vaillancourt, B., Kaeppler, S., Buell, C., Casler, M.D. 2021. Genetic loci associated with winter survivorship in diverse lowland switchgrass populations. The Plant Genome. 14(3). Article e20159. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20159.

Combining remote sensing models and eddy covariance to model natural climate solutions in agricultural production systems - (Abstract Only)

Surveying Grassland Islands: The genetics and performance of Appalachian Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N., Casler, M.D. 2022. Surveying Grassland Islands: The genetics and performance of Appalachian Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 69:1039-1055. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-021-01282-6.

Breeding wheat for weed-competitive ability: II. Measuring gains from selection and local adaptation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kucek, L.K., Dawson, J., Darby, H., Mallory, E., Davis, M., Sorrells, M. 2021. Breeding wheat for weed-competitive ability: II. Measuring gains from selection and local adaptation. Euphytica. 217. Article e203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-021-02905-w.

Subsampling and DNA pooling can increase gains through genomic selection in switchgrass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tilhou, N., Casler, M.D. 2021. Subsampling and DNA pooling can increase gains through genomic selection in switchgrass. The Plant Genome. 14(3). Article e20149. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20149.

Agronomic fitness of three temperate forage grasses divergently selected for lignin concentration or ferulate cross-linking - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D., Jung, H.G. 2021. Agronomic fitness of three temperate forage grasses divergently selected for lignin concentration or ferulate cross-linking. Euphytica International Journal on Plant Breeding. 217. Article 149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-021-02873-1.

Alfalfa establishment in high yielding silage corn - (Abstract Only)

Interseeding alfalfa into silage corn: current recommendations - (Abstract Only)

Alfalfa establishment in high yielding silage corn - (Abstract Only)

Genomic prediction of complex traits in forage plants species: Perennial grasses - (Book / Chapter)
Barre, P., Asp, T., Byrne, S., Casler, M.D., Faville, M., Rognli, O., Roldan-Ruiz, I., Skot, L., Ghesquiere, M. 2022. Genomic prediction of complex traits in forage plants species: Perennial grasses case. Ahmadi, N., Bartholomé, J., editors. Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol 2467. Humana, New York, NY. p. 521-541. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2205-6_19.

Forage quality calibration and validation of portable near infrared reflectance instruments using dry, ground forage samples - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Differential survival of alfalfa varieties interseeded into corn silage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grabber, J.H., Osterholz, W.R., Riday, H., Cassida, K.A., Williamson, J.A., Renz, M.J. 2021. Differential survival of alfalfa varieties interseeded into corn silage. Crop Science. 61(3): 1797-1808. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20465.

Interseeding alfalfa into silage corn: current recommendations - (Experiment Station)
Grabber, J.H., Osterholz, W.R., Smith, D., Renz, M. 2021. Interseeding alfalfa into silage corn: current recommendations. Electronic Publication. #1.

40 years of grass breeding: what a long strange trip its been - (Popular Publication)

Seed dormancy regulated by genotype and environment in Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kucek, L.K., Azevedo, M.D., Eagen, S., Ehlke, N., Hayes, R.J., Mirsky, S.B., Reberg-Horton, C., Ryan, M.R., Wayman, S., Wiering, N.P., Riday, H. 2021. Seed dormancy regulated by genotype and environment in Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth). Agronomy Journal. 10(11). Article 1804. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111804.

Biomass yield evaluation of switchgrass: seeded swards vs. transplanted plots yield different results - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Casler, M.D. 2020. Biomass yield evaluation of switchgrass: seeded swards vs. transplanted plots yield different results. BioEnergy Research. 14(1093-1105). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10214-8.

Synthetic cultivar parent number impacts on genetic drift and disease resistance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

But we want it now: Gene discovery and utilization in alfalfa breeding - (Trade Journal)
Riday, H. 2020. But we want it now: Gene discovery and utilization in alfalfa breeding. Progressive Forage Grower. Mar 1 2020 pg 34-35.

Accelerating yield improvement in switchgrass through genomic prediction of floral anthesis - (Abstract Only)

Pod dehiscence in hairy vetch (Vicia Villosa Roth) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kucek, L.K., Riday, H., Rufener, B.P., Burke, A.N., Seehaver Eagen, S., Ehlke, N., Krogman, S., Mirsky, S.B., Reberg-Horton, C., Ryan, M.R., Wayman, S., Weiring, N. 2020. Pod dehiscence in hairy vetch (Vicia Villosa Roth). Frontiers in Plant Science. 11:82. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00082.

Selection for winter survivorship in lowland switchgrass - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Poudel, H., Lee, D., Casler, M.D. 2020. Selection for winter survivorship in lowland switchgrass. BioEnergy Research. 13/109-119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-020-10091-1.

Using image object recognition to increase biomass in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sindic, C.M., Riday, H. 2019. Using image object recognition to increase biomass in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding. Crop Science. 60:1771-1781. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20028.

Developing Solutions for Seed Shattering in Cover Crops: Targeting Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) - (Proceedings)
Monteros, M.J., Hernandez, T.D., Krom, N.D., Montes, C.M., Kucek, L.K., Shahjahan, A., Bhamidimarri, S., Riday, H. 2019. Developing Solutions for Seed Shattering in Cover Crops: Targeting Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa Roth). ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. 11/13/2019.

Breeding for soft seeded non shattering hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.) - (Abstract Only)
Riday, H., Kucek, L.K., Douglas, J.L., Carr, B., Young-Mathews, A., Bhamidimarri, S., Hayes, R.J., Azevedo, M.D., Trammell, M., Monteros, M., Mirsky, S.B., Wiering, N.P., Bickhart, D.M., Sullivan, M.L., Ehlke, N., Englert, J.S. 2019. Breeding for soft seeded non shattering hairy vetch (Vicia villosa L.). National Association of Plant Breeders. 25 to 29 August 2019.