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Georgia Soils

Georgia Forages: Grass Species Over 35 forage grasses. Cool Season Annuals Cool Season Perennials Warm Season Annuals Warm Season Perennials

Georgia Forages: Legume Species Over 25 forage legumes. Cool Season Annuals Cool Season Perennials Warm Season Annuals Warm Season Perennials

Georgia ’ s Grass: A Diverse Forage Base 1)Tall fescue (pasture) 2)Bermudagrass (hay) 3)Some annuals (pasture, hay) 4)Some legumes and forbs. 1)Bermudagrass (hay, pasture) 2)Bahiagrass (pasture) 3)More annuals (hay, pasture) 4)Few legumes and forbs.

Forage Productivity Differs Throughout the Year Piedmont

Forage Productivity Differs Throughout the Year Coastal Plain

Tissue Sampling and Troubleshooting

Tissue Sampling 6 in.

Troubleshooting

Plant Tissue Analysis

Most Common Establishment Mistakes

Thou Shalt Soil Test Most common cause of poor establishment:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low. Most common cause of poor persistence:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low. Most common cause of poor drought tolerance:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low. Most common cause of poor establishment:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low. Most common cause of poor persistence:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low. Most common cause of poor drought tolerance:  Soil pH and/or fertility is too low.

Poor Stress Tolerance Leafspot Diseases The Stand is Gone! Not Competitive Grows Very Slow Poor Winterhardiness K is for Persistence

Other Specialists with Forage Responsibilities: Weeds and weed control issues  Dr. Patrick McCullough, Griffin Insect and insect control issues  Dr. Will Hudson, Athens (Perennial grasses)  Dr. David Buntin, Griffin (Winter annuals) Disease issues  Dr. Alfredo Martinez, Griffin Economic issues  Dr. Curt Lacy, Tifton Soil fertility issues  Dr. Glen Harris, Tifton Weeds and weed control issues  Dr. Patrick McCullough, Griffin Insect and insect control issues  Dr. Will Hudson, Athens (Perennial grasses)  Dr. David Buntin, Griffin (Winter annuals) Disease issues  Dr. Alfredo Martinez, Griffin Economic issues  Dr. Curt Lacy, Tifton Soil fertility issues  Dr. Glen Harris, Tifton

Top 10 Weed Submissions 2006 – 9/2007 Georgia Grass Forages 1.Arrowleaf sida 2.Maypop passionflower 3.Verbena sp. 4.Hedge mustard 5.Thistle spp. 6.Wild radish 7.Hemp dogbane 8.Pigweed sp. 9.Dogfennel 10.Camphorweed 172 submissions – 72 species 1.Arrowleaf sida 2.Maypop passionflower 3.Verbena sp. 4.Hedge mustard 5.Thistle spp. 6.Wild radish 7.Hemp dogbane 8.Pigweed sp. 9.Dogfennel 10.Camphorweed 172 submissions – 72 species 1.Dicanthelium sp. 2.Bahiagrass 3.Vaseygrass 4.Rescuegrass 5.Sedge sp. 6.Rush sp. 7.Broadleaf signalgrass 8.Sandbur sp. 9.Foxtail, yellow 10.Smutgrass 120 submissions – 37 species

Weed ID Websites

“If used incorrectly, this will be the biggest limit to your profitability.”

What is the difference? 1)Digestible energy 2)How much can be eaten 1)Digestible energy 2)How much can be eaten

What is “high quality forage?” Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) Large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI). Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23 Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) Large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI). Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23

Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Heifer, mo. Dry cow Mature horse, lt. work Heifer, mo. Lactating beef cow Lactating mare Mature horse, mod. work Dairy, last 200 days Heifer, 3-12 mo. Stocker cattle Weanling horse Mature horse, int. work Dairy, 1 st 120 days Dairy calf Quality Required

Forage Quality has High Value Now CropMaturityCPTDNSupplement † Cost ‡ -- % -- lbs/hd/day$/hd/day Bermudagrass4 weeks $0 6 weeks $ weeks $0.75 Tall FescueLate boot $0 Early head $0 Dough $0.53 † Assuming 50:50 corn gluten:soyhulls supplementation for forage quality on low end of the range. ‡ Approximate price = $200/ton (current as of ). Supplementing a Lactating Beef Cow + $2.00/hd/day in hay fed

What Affects Forage Quality?

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

The Paradox of Forage Quality and Quantity Digestibility & Palatability

Fescue Maturity- Digestibility Majority of hay harvested at hard seed stage Only truly applicable with spring harvest JUST MORE MANURE!!!

Bermudagrass Harvest Interval: Effects on Protein and Digestibility McCollough and Burton., 1962 DMI 11.9, 8.8, 9.5 lbs ADG 1.2,.9, 0 lbs Percent, %

Harvest Timing Recommendations Hybrid Bermudagrass - 1st cut at inches - Subsequent cuttings at week intervals Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc. - Spring cut at early flower stage - Mid to late boot stage for higher quality - Subsequent cuttings at inches (better quality) Alfalfa - Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are blooming - Cut at late bud – 10% bloom stage Hybrid Bermudagrass - 1st cut at inches - Subsequent cuttings at week intervals Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc. - Spring cut at early flower stage - Mid to late boot stage for higher quality - Subsequent cuttings at inches (better quality) Alfalfa - Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are blooming - Cut at late bud – 10% bloom stage

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species Maint. Mod. Production High Production

Typical Range in Quality of Common Forages

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

14 inches

Moisture distribution of mixed grass-legume round bales stored on the ground Shinners, University of Wisconsin Twine Wrapped % Moisture Net Wrapped

Moisture distribution of mixed grass-legume round bales stored on the ground vs. elevated Shinners, University of Wisconsin Twine Wrapped % Moisture On a Pallet

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

The Effect of Rainfall on DM Loss DM Loss, % Rainfall, in. Scarbrough et al., 2005

Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass DM Loss, % Rainfall, in. Scarbrough et al., % Moisture, Not Significant. 40% Moisture 13% Moisture

Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass NDF, % Rainfall, in. Scarbrough et al., % Moisture, Not Significant. 40% Moisture 13% Moisture

The Effect of Rain on Tall Fescue Hay Turner et al., 2003

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

Heat Damage to Crude Protein Heat Protein Useable Protein Heat-Damaged Protein DM Intake

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality. Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.

Yield and Digestibility of Bermudagrass Hybrids

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality. Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations

CP in Bermudagrass Forage as Effected by N Fertilization Source: Dr. Bill Anderson, USDA-ARS Tifton

Effect of N Rates on Bermudagrass CP & Digestibility Burton et al.

Does fertility or harvest timing affect quality more?- Crude Protein Colovos et al (4X as much N) Bromegrass

Does fertility or harvest timing affect quality more?- Digestibility (3.8 X as much N) Colovos et al Bromegrass

Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the highest-quality species that will persist in your environment. Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.) Rain During Curing Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing. Moisture at Baling Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality. Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations

Be Careful of Cutting Height

Write this down in BIG BOLD letters! “GRASS GROWS GRASS.”