|
|
|
Wheat pasture grazing limited in ColoradoBy D. Bruce Bosley CSU Extension Agent, cropping systems Colorado Wheat pasture is a valuable source of high-quality forage, available in early spring, when other forage sources are low in quality and quantity. The crude protein content of wheat pasture commonly ranges from 20 to 30 percent. The stocking rate during the spring ranges from 250 to 500 pounds of live animal per acre. Studies in Colorado and Kansas indicate that grazing appears to have little effect on grain yields when fertility is adequate, grazing is not too heavy, and livestock are removed before the first hollow stem. Unfortunately, the time for wheat grazing can be very limited in Northeast Colorado. Livestock producers can start grazing when wheat has greened up until jointing has begun, which occurs in early- to mid-April Wheat forage provides succulent and highly nutritious feed for cattle and sheep. The forage is palatable--high in protein, energy, and minerals, and low in fiber. The high moisture content of wheat forage sometimes makes meeting the daily dry matter needs of grazing livestock difficult. To improve animal performance, producers should offer dry, high quality forage or grain in addition to the wheat pasture. Adequate amounts of all essential plant nutrients especially nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are necessary for maximum forage production. Wheat used for grazing will remove more soil nutrients than the wheat grain crop. Nitrogen is usually the most limiting nutrient associated with wheat forage production. Wheat forage containing 25 percent crude protein will have 80 pounds of nitrogen in each ton of dry matter. A general recommendation is to increase nitrogen rates by 20 to 30 pounds per acre for wheat as forage. Don't risk nitrate poisoning by grazing wheat that has had recent nitrogen fertilizers applied to fields. Providing some drier feed may offset possible animal digestive problems--including bloat--that result from the succulent, laxative wheat forage. High quality hay, silage or grain is helpful. To avoid overgrazing and damage from trampling, it is best to provide an area (preferably grass) near the wheat pasture for water, salt-mineral, supplemental feeding and animal loafing. Remove animals from the pasture during extremely wet weather, particularly on fine-textured soils. Two potential problems when grazing wheat pasture are bloat and grass tetany. To aid in preventing bloat, do not put hungry cattle on lush pasture. Bloat potential is greatest during the three- to four-week periods of lush growth in the early spring. Feeding Bloat-Guard (poloxalene) in a dry or liquid energy supplement, molasses block, or mineral supplement is the most effective procedure to prevent bloat. Feeding high-quality grass hay, silage and/or grain with Rumensin or Bovatec also will minimize the bloat potential. Tetany is characterized by a low blood magnesium level in livestock. It occurs more often in older cows nursing young calves, but may affect stockers as well. The easiest prevention is to provide 6 to 8 percent magnesium in a palatable, free-choice mineral supplement. Please contact me, Bruce Bosley, about this or other cropping systems or natural resources topics at 970-522-3200, extension 285 in Sterling or 970-542-3540 in Fort Morgan. 3/31/08 Date: 3/26/08 Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2009. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
