Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Chapter 18

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Unit 8 Objectives: Describe the practices for growing oats Understand necessary methods of forage grasses, selection Knowledge of fertilizer needs

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Growing Small Grains Used as cash crop and livestock feed Well-adapted to most soils and for cool-season growing conditions May be used as a companion crop Seed development Contain carbos, fat, protein, vits, minerals Can be harvested at 13-15% moisture May be stored ~2 yrs at <13% w/ little spoilage

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses 3 parts of the seed Seed coat (pericarp) Embryo Endosperm Germination & Early Growth Germinates and anchors quickly under proper conditions Roots May be 3-6’ deep 3-4’ horizontal Very susceptible to weather problems early in development

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Growing point remains below the soil until the first visible node appears above the soil line Plant has produced several additional shoot (tillers) Growth of the main stem Can withstand very cold temps early in life Growth Stages Seedling Tillering Side shoots appear from the crown Jointing Nodes begin to separate and can be felt on the lower parts of the plant

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Boot Head can be felt inside upper leaf sheath Flag leaf has developed Heading Head spikes emerge Fertilization and kernel development Seedbed Preparation Provide proper amount of tillage to promote adequate moisture, firm seedbed Must have good seed/soil contact Dry, loose soil is unsatisfactory

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Selecting a Variety High quality seed is essential Selection factors Yield Maturity Disease resistance Straw strength Shatter resistance Plant height Grain quality

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Quality Factors Protein content Milling qualities Plumpness Test wt. Straw strength? Disease Resistance Leaf rust, smut, tan spot, scab Winter hardiness Planting Seed ASAP after frost is out in the spring Germination begins at 24-36º Best soil temp is 40º

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Early planting leads to higher yields Temps >90 will reduce pollination and yields Want to complete development before hot weather Seed from late April to early May for spring seeding Seed early enough for good development before winter weather in fall (late August to September) Plant ~2” deep, depending on soil moisture and temp Grain drill may be best tool for seeding Fertility Needs Adequate amounts of N, P, K must be available (though not as much as corn, etc.) Major portion of nutrients taken in between tillering and heading

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Most N & P is removed w/ the grain Apply P & N at planting N application in the spring for winter varieties Weeds Many weeds can cause problems Vigorous stand will compete effectively w/ weeds Weeds to watch: Foxtail, quack grass, wild oats, mustard, pigweed, lambsquarter, wild buckwheat May need control w/ herbicides Broadleaves may outgrow the crop, and must be controlled w/ herbicide

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Diseases Fungi, bacteria, viruses Most spread by spores Fungal diseases can overwinter on dead plant material, seed, soil May attack leaves, developing heads Leaf rust, septoria leaf blotch, smuts Can be carried over to the next crop Most can be controlled w/ seed treatment or resistant varieties

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Oats Can be removed early for forage Used mostly in livestock feed, can be used in high-protein cereals Grow on a wide range of soil types Less sensitive to soil conditions than wheat Grows better on medium to fine textured soils Requires more water for development than any other small grain

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses More susceptible to higher temps, and limited moisture N management is key to good yields Spring oats should be seeded early (Mar 1-Apr 15) Seeding rate & depth 75-100 lbs/ac No more than 1” Little crop residue is best

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Sorghum Usually cannot compete economically w/ corn New varieties have higher yield potential Grain can replace corn in animal rations Good cash markets are limited Hybrids Bird-resistant varieties have been developed Bitter taste to birds

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Cultural Practices Use bird-resistant varieties, if birds are a problem Plant one wk later than corn 30” rows or slightly less 8-12 lbs/ac seeding rate Fertilize according to needs Control weeds effectively Harvest at <26% moisture Plan to dry the grain in most years Market crop before planting to ensure profitability

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Kentucky Bluegrass Predominant pasture grass Can survive severe droughts Optimum temp for growth = 60-90º Injury will occur at temps >100 Produces a dense sod Relatively unproductive in midsummer Can be increased or sustained Favorable moisture N fertilization

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses More energy/lb than smooth bromegrass Extremely palatable Carrying capacity can be increased w/ weed control, addition of legumes, fertilization Don’t graze to <2-3” Overgrazing will increase weed pressure Reduces growth rate and vigor Poor root & rhizome development Controlling Pasture Weeds Can be annual, biennial, or perennial Ragweed, fleabane, sunflower can come back each year from seed

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Dock, ironweed, etc. – common perennial problems Mowing/clipping may help reduce weed stands Early bud stage is best for mowing of perennials, annuals should be mowed before seed production Bluegrass & Other Forages Improves production and lengthens growing season Bird’s-foot trefoil, ladino clover, red clover, alfalfa may be seeded w/ bluegrass Trefoil may be best companion crop – produces heavily during summer Fertilizing Bluegrass Pure bluegrass – fertilize annually w/ 60-20-20 May be able to omit potash if levels are high enough

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses If legumes are included in the pasture – omit N, use higher levels of P, K Seeding rate Pure – 10 lbs/ac Mixed w/ forages – 2-4 lbs/ac Canada Bluegrass More tolerant of acid soils Can be found in KBG pastures Bluer foliage than KBG Matures later, less productive, slow recovery after grazing

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses If present, good sign to soil test Orchard Grass Versatile, perennial bunch grass Establishes rapidly Good for hay, silage, or pasture Rapid regrowth Produces well under intensive cutting or grazing More summer growth than other cool-season grasses Tolerates drought better Grows best in deep, well-drained soils

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Especially suited for mixtures w/ alfalfa, red clover Rapidly declines in palatability as it matures Timely harvest mgmt is essential Perennial Ryegrass Bunch grass suitable for hay, silage, or pasture Excellent quality, palatable forage Vigorous Long growing season High yield Moisture not lacking Good fertility

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Best seeded on combination w/ other grasses Less winter hardy Less competitive w/ legumes Matures later than orchard grass Sturdy Hard to cut, slow to dry Reed Canary Grass Tall, leafy, coarse, high yielding Hay, silage, pasture Poorly palatable, low forage quality

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses New varieties making it more acceptable Drought tolerant, grows well in various soils Resistant to leaf diseases, persistent, responds to high fertility, tolerates flooding, low pH Forms a dense sod Establishes slowly Quality declines rapidly after heading Smooth Bromegrass Leafy, sod-forming Best suited for: hay, silage, early spring pasture

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Spreads through underground rhizomes and seed dispersal Good companion w/ cool-season legumes Matures somewhat later than orchard grass w/ less summer growth Winter hardy Deep rooted Drought tolerant Excellent quality forage Especially if harvested early Harvest for hay in early heading stage

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Grazing or cutting during jointing will decrease production Tall Fescue Deep-rooted, long living, sod-forming Spreads by short rhizomes Suitable for: Hay Silage Pasture (beef, sheep) Highly adaptable Highly tolerant

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Best grass for heavy livestock or machinery traffic May contain a fungus (endophyte) Reduces palatability Animal performance Severe health problems Breeding problems Endophyte-free varieties should be selected Timothy Hardy, perennial bunchgrass Grows best in cool climates Not suitable for drought conditions Shallow root system

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Most yield comes in the first crop Summer regrowth is limited Horse hay Adversely affected by cutting or grazing during jointing Perennial Warm-Season Grasses Can produce good hay during warm, dry midsummer months Initiate growth in April and early May 65-75% of growth mid-June to mid-August Compliment cool-season grasses well

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Bermuda Grass Grown extensively in southern U.S. Aggressive Spreads quickly by: seeds, stolons, rhizomes Used for: Hay, pasture, lawns, turf Best in fertile clays soil, warm full sun Managing Forages Seeding Year Management Establish a good stand Select varieties adapted to the target soils

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Crop rotation will improve productivity Reduces disease Can fail an entire crop Rotate out at least 1 yr Insect problems Fertilization & Liming Essential for optimum production Soil test Pay close attention to soil pH and the preferences of the crop

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Seed Quality Use only high quality seed Certified seed is best Free from weed seed, or other crop seed Weed Management Establish and maintain a vigorous crop Competition will contain most weeds in well maintained forage crops Proper fertilization Control insects Proper harvesting

Unit 8: Small Grains & Forage Grasses Weeds can reduce yields, quality, palatability Control weeds w/ herbicides prior to planting, when needed Check labels when used postemergence herbicides