Two, Four, Eight Let s Renovate. Dr. AJ Foster Regional Agronomy Specialist University of Missouri Extension Stoddard County

Transcription

1 Two, Four, Eight Let s Renovate Dr. AJ Foster Regional Agronomy Specialist University of Missouri Extension Stoddard County

2 What we ll be covering: Introduction Definitions Know your forage options Existing stands Soil Resources Establishment /Renovation Pre-planting steps Seeding methods Why forage seedlings sometimes fail?

3 Introduction Renovating tall fescue pastures to include legumes has proven to be one of the most economically advantageous pasture management action a producer can employ. Joe Burns FARMING IS A GAMBLE, BUT SCIENCE IMPROVES THE ODDS!!!

4 Forage Management Goals!!! Use product and practices that offer the greatest value. Forage yield Forage quality Persistence Animal performance

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6 Definitions New stand establishment - planting a pasture or a hay crop where there is no existing forage crop Renovation - series of actions that lead to a long-term change in the botanical composition of a pasture or a hay field Partial renovation Total renovation

7 Types of renovation/establishment Partial renovation Rejuvenation or enhancement of existing forage Generally done when poor forage stands result from winter injury, disease, drought, flooding, or other stresses Total renovation Destruction followed by reestablishment of either the same species or another species

8 Evaluation of existing forage Examine Species (both desirable and undesirable) of forage on offer Vigor and density of desirable plants Endophyte infection level for tall fescue ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/wi/grazing/pasture-score-sheet.pdf

9 Evaluation of existing forage Renovate or re-establish when Forage is in poor condition and even proper management techniques will not improve production You need to grow a different forage to improve productivity Replacement of endophyte infected tall fescue Replacing a cool-season grass with a warm-season grass for summer forage production

10 Soil Testing Check engine light If you don t soil test, you ll be force to guess!!

11 Soil ph Cooling system Regulates Chemical and biological activities Nutrient cycling Microbial activity Impact of acidic soil ph on Canola: Okstate.edu

12 Gas and Oil for Plants..

13 Forage Plants Good variety decisions don t guarantee success, but bad ones can guarantee failure Forage yield Forage quality Persistence Animal performance USDA NRCS

14 Livestock Forage use Different animals have different nutritional requirements and forage preferences Horses (timothy) Dairy cattle (perennial ryegrass) Beef cattle (tall fescue)

15 Forage use Grazing vs. hay production Which will be your primary use? Many forages that are good for hay production are not good for grazing, and vice-versa Upright growth habit - better for hay production Consider trampling effects

16 Forage use Continuous grazing Easy But yields are reduced Rotational grazing Requires more management and infrastructure But yields are higher USDA NRCS USDA NRCS UNCE, Reno, Nev.

17 Plant characteristics Grasses Legumes Seasonal growth patterns Disease resistance Forage quality Pure stands or mixtures

18 Grasses Growth habit Bunch Sod-forming Stolon Rhizome Re-growth Jointing Non-jointing Grasses are more tolerant of poor soil conditions But grasses require nitrogen source USDA NRCS

19 Legumes Legumes fix nitrogen from the air Growth habit Upright (red clover) Prostrate (white clover) New growth Axillary (sweetclover) Crown (red clover) Axillary & crown (alfalfa) clay.agr.okstate.edu

20 Seasonal growth distribution ISU

21 Insect and disease resistance and winter hardiness Genetically inherited traits Select disease-resistant varieties Select varieties with good winter hardiness if in cold climate Consider the intended years of use clay.agr.okstate.edu

22 Forage quality Affects: Palatability, and thus amounts consumed Nutritive value Digestibility Chemical composition

23 Should I plant a pure stand? Advantages Management is easier Weed control is easier Disadvantage Yield is lower

24 Should I plant a mixture? Advantages Higher yields Reduced need for nitrogen fertilizer when legumes are included More tolerant of wider differences in soil conditions More competitive against weeds

25 Should I plant a mixture? Disadvantages Grazing management more difficult, especially if growth habits not similar If not managed properly grasses will dominate Weeds more difficult to control clay.agr.okstate.edu

26 Companion crop seeding A companion crop is a small grain crop (i.e. oats, wheat) planted with desired grasses and legumes. Advantages: Can be cut or grazed for feed Provides a quick ground cover Helps control soil erosion Disadvantages: Competes for nutrients, light, & moisture Seeding rates need to be minimal

27 Establishment or Renovation Good forage production requires an adequate stand of plants. Depth Rate Planting date Seed/soil contact Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals - Jim Rohn

28 Total Renovation Conventional or minimum tillage No-till In either case, minimum competition and good seedto-soil contact is desired Seeding depth for most forages should be ¼ to ½ inch

29 Cultipacker seeding Conventional Tillage (goal: firm but not compacted) Good seed placement Can compact clay soil Drill seeding Narrow row (6-8 ) Legume box Poor seed placement Broadcast seeding Cheapest and easiest Often used in frost seeding

30 Conventional Tillage Advantages Pre-plant fertilizers, lime and soil applied herbicides can be incorporated High success rate Disadvantages Expensive 6+ trips across the field Time consuming Susceptible to soil erosion

31 No-till Establishment (Manage the existing vegetation first; then plant)

32 Controlling Competition Grazing can be useful or detrimental depending on timing and severity Burning a good option if fuel is available Burn-down herbicide or light tillage can help

33 Spray-Smother-Spray Two herbicide applications are needed to kill many perennial forages, especially E+ tall fescue If replacing E+ tall fescue, clip seed heads in spring if they are present Spray exiting forage with a non-selective herbicide (ideally, existing forage is 3 to 4 inches tall and growing) No-till plant a summer annual as a smother crop In late summer, spray smother crop with a non-selective herbicide to kill any remnant plants No-till plant new forage in autumn spray & plant spray & plant Old Summer New Stand Annual Stand Spring Summer Autumn

34 For No-till Many Seeds Planted Too Deep Most small seeded grasses and legumes should be planted at ¼ to ½ inch below the soil surface Depth control on many no-till drills is poor Seeds planted too shallow have a better chance than those planted too deeply

35 No-till seeding Advantages Less labor, time, and fuel needed Conserves soil moisture Reduces soil erosion Disadvantages Requires a no-till drill Take the time to adjust to the proper planting depth A little more difficult to master the techniques

36 Partial Renovation No-till Frost seeding Minimum till (light disking, harrowing, etc.) Key element: Control the competition from the existing forage so that the young seedlings can establish

37 Frost seeding Seed broadcast in late winter (February in Missouri) Freezing and thawing action plus rain help cover the seed Works best with red and white clover. Fair with annual lespedeza and birdsfoot trefoil. Not recommended for alfalfa.

38 Nitrogen Fertilization and Legumes A Bad Idea New seeds do not compete well with established grasses N fertilizers exacerbate the problem Legumes are forage crop superstars!!

39 Seeding Rates for Frost-seeding Legumes to Existing Pastures Forage lb/acre Red clover 4 Ladino (white) clover 1 Lespedeza 10 Birdsfoot trefoil 6

40 Seeding rates Pure live seed (PLS) %PLS = %Purity x %Germination %Purity = % of seed that is the desired forage seed %Germination = % of seed that germinates when planted

41 No-till seeding into existing forage Advantages Higher success rate than frost seeding Lower seeding rates than broadcast Disadvantage More expensive, and time consuming

42 Broadcast or No-till? Method Success Rate Cost % $ Broadcast No-till 67 41

43 Seeding Rates for No-till seeding Legumes to Existing Pastures Forage lb/acre Red clover 3 Ladino (white) clover 0.5 Lespedeza 7 Birdsfoot trefoil 4

44 Inoculation of legume seeds Most forage legumes can obtain N through biological nitrogen fixation in root nodules Nodules are formed in cooperation between the plant and the bacteria Inoculate seed with specific Rhizobium bacteria to be sure of nodulation Inoculum should not be expired and should have been stored in a cool place Not inoculated Inoculated

45 Planting Dates Late winter- early spring seeding Frost seeding - Late February No-till planting for partial renovation - March or early April Total renovation Late March through early May More common in northern U.S. Soil moisture usually good If too early soil can be cold, resulting in fungal diseases If too late, soil can be dry and seedlings desiccate in summer heat

46 Planting Dates Late summer - early fall seeding Late-August to mid-september Less competition from weeds Liming, fertilization, and tillage done during drier weather thereby reducing compaction Most fungal diseases reduced Note: Seedlings need to have at least six weeks of growth before killing frost

47 Why forage seedlings fail? Germination through emergence Hard seed Temperature Improper planting depth Seed dries out Crusted soil surface Toxicity - allelopathic effects, herbicide carryover

48 Why forage seedlings fail? After emergence Undesirable ph Low fertility Poor drainage Drought Inadequate legume inoculation Competition from weeds/companion crops Insects Diseases, winterkilling

49 Forage Update Adequate moisture and soil temperatures (If continue) Hay production should be good Grazing is always cheaper Ideal for early establishment of fall pastures. Opportunities for fertilizing and stockpiling forage for fall and winter.

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51 Contact Information Anserd Julius (AJ) Foster, Ph.D Regional Agronomy Specialist Stoddard County Office: Cell: University of Missouri Extension- Stoddard County