1. Resource or Product?

2. Forage Management Unit for Adults Lesson 2: Establishing Forages

3. Direction and Purpose to: Understand the steps involved in establishing forages Determine which forage crops will produce optimum results in your situation

4. Match Plants to Soils and Climate What type of soil is present? Determine soil type by use of: County soil survey maps Aerial photos Soils descriptions

5. Supply Proper Fertility Soil Testing Taking good samples Interpreting and using test reports

6. Supply Proper Fertility Liming Effects soil acidity Proper application methods and times of year

7. Supply Proper Fertility Fertilizing with: Nitrogen - N Phosphorus - P Potassium – K Magnesium - Mg

8. Which Crops Fit the Soil Type and Climatic Region? Select a forage species Based on how the land is utilized Crop production can be limited by climatic region

9. Match Plants to Intended Use

10. HayPasture

11. Seed Silage

12. Select High Quality Seed of an Adapted Variety To ensure optimum crop production Utilized to increase crop yield and profit

13. Prepare an Adequate Seedbed An adequate seedbed increases the chances of higher crop yields Custom rates for farm and ranch services

14. Inoculate Legume Seed Introduction of specific microorganisms into the soil Enables legume plant to “fix” nitrogen from soil atmosphere into form that can be used by legume or other plants

15. Use Proven Seeding Methods No-till drilling Spreading with fertilizer Planter

16. Seed at Right Time with Correct Amount of Seed Examine:  Seeding rates  Seeding dates  Seeding depths

17. Conclusions Recognition of soil types Determine intended use of plants Understand which forage crops best fit Ability to read a soil test Understand what nutrients need application for establishment

18. Conclusions Best method of seeding Proper seeding rates Optimum seeding dates Proper depths for planting Government programs available for aid