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Basics of forage productionBy Miles Dabovich Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent, agriculture, Wichita County Texas Well, it's starting to feel like spring is just knocking around the corner and I know that everyone is looking forward to it. It just seems like a fresh start when we can get out a little more and the warm days seem to provide us with new energy we didn't know we had. This time of the year, I get a lot of questions from small and large landowners about summer forage production; primarily, things such as Bermudagrass production, weed control, fertilizer and other related topics. Wichita County has several large and small producers who raise hay or have some summer grazing for their livestock. It takes time, effort and some money to establish and maintain high quality summer forage production. On April 8 (date subject to change), we are planning on having a forage production seminar in Wichita Falls. There will be experts on hand to present you with the latest updates and answer any questions you may have; but, in the meantime, I thought I might touch on a few basics on forage production. The first thing I need to point out for those with established grass is that there has been a recent emergency exemption use for PROWL H2O, which can be used as a pre-emergence for controlling sandburs in established Bermudagrass that is grown for forage, hay and pasture grazing. Prowl H2O must be applied when grass is in dormancy. Prowl may only be applied by ground and it will require adequate precipitation (1 inch of rain fall) prior to germination of sandbur to achieve effective control. It is most effective when the precipitation is received in one event. The rate is 2.1 to 3.2 quarts per acre prior to weed emergence and applications can be made during winter dormancy or in the spring, prior to green up. The second thing I wanted to talk about is some basic Bermudagrass selection and establishment. Choosing which Bermudagrass variety to plant is an important decision. There are several Bermudagrass varieties and they differ in performance characteristics related to adaptation, establishment, forage production potential and forage nutritive value. After the winter hardiness requirement is satisfied, subtle performance differences among varieties, such as disease resistance and site adaptation, should be considered. The current commercial Bermudagrass varieties can be categorized as to establishment type (seed or sprigs) and by growth morphology. For growth morphology, the varieties are separated into two groups often referred to as "grazing types" and "hay types." The grazing types are distinguished from the hay types by being shorter in stature and forming a more dense sod. Regardless of this terminology, both types of varieties can be grazed and cut for hay. Most of the grazing type varieties were selected as naturally occurring plants, as opposed to the hay type varieties that originated from breeding programs. Accordingly, nature selected the plants for the adaptation traits needed to survive in the environments from which they came. Compared with hay type varieties, the grazing type varieties generally spread more aggressively during establishment, resist weed encroachment to a greater extent in mature sods, but have lower yield capability, especially in high yield environments. There are two kinds of Bermudagrass seed with respect to seed tag labels, namely "Bermudagrass" and "giant Bermudagrass." Additionally, Bermudagrass seed is sold as VNS (variety not stated), by variety name (e.g. 'Cheyenne' or 'Wrangler'), or as a brand that usually is a blend of different varieties or types (e.g. 'Pasto Rico'). The components of blended Bermudagrasses sold by brand name are subject to change from year to year. However, the components and their compositions in a blend must be given on the label, so the information is available to the consumer. There are several seeded forage Bermudagrasses commercially available. Establishing a new Bermudagrass pasture may cost in excess of $100 per acre considering the price of fertilizer, lime, seedbed preparation, sprigs (or seed), and planting. Accordingly, the practices that minimize risk of stand failure are important. Sprigging dates Bermudagrass sprigs may be planted from late winter through the summer months, if soil moisture is available to promote bud germination and growth of the young plants. The best window for sprigging is generally considered to be during the four to six week period prior to the beginning of Bermudagrass growth. Sprigging usually begins in February and March in Texoma. Early sprigging is considered desirable because new spring growth uses the root carbohydrate reserves; so, planting before growth has begun will ensure the highest root carbohydrate levels for vigorous growth when warm weather occurs. Furthermore, the sprigs planted will be mostly rhizomes and root crowns, which are the sources of new buds. Most sprigs dug after spring growth has begun will contain a substantial amount of above ground growth, which has a very short life and seldom contributes to establishment success. However, successful stands can be achieved by using sprigs harvested after growth has begun; it is not unusual for sprigging to extend into June. Since Bermudagrass seed will not germinate until soil temperatures reach approximately 65 F, the optimum planting time for seeded Bermudagrass cultivars is from May 1 through June 15. Seeding methods Bermudagrass seed can be planted by broadcasting or using a drill capable of handling small seeds. Planting depth is critical. The seed should be distributed within the top 1/4 inch of the soil. When broadcast, the seed may be incorporated into the soil by lightly harrowing. The usual seeding rate recommended for pasture Bermudagrass is from 2 to 5 pure live seed (PLS) pounds per acre. Bermudagrass seed is sold as hulled (naked caryopses), unhulled (caryopses within lemma and palea), or a mixture of hulled and unhulled. The seed also may be coated with compounds claimed to enhance germination and seedling growth. Coating approximately doubles the weight of seed. The number of uncoated seed in a pound varies with variety but is on the order of 1.1 and 1.8 million for unhulled and hulled seed, respectively. Keys to successful establishment --Soil test to determine soil nutrient requirements. --Prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. Where required and if possible, lime should be applied at least three to four months before planting. Phosphorus and potassium should be worked into the soil just prior to planting. --Sprigs should be planted in moist soil. The preferred planting dates are late February through early April. Seeded varieties should be planted by June 15. --Weed control is essential. Anticipate the weed problems you are likely to encounter and take action to control them. --Avoid harvesting until the Bermudagrass has developed into a solid stand and the root system has established. --Regardless of the Bermudagrass variety planted, it is important that newly established Bermudagrass be allowed to make considerable growth during the late summer and early fall of the first year without being harvested. --Allow the Bermudagrass to accumulate growth during September and October. --Graze only after Bermudagrass has been browned by cold weather. --Follow a sound fertility and grazing management program in the following years to maintain a productive stand. 4/12/08 Date: 4/11/08 Advertisement
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