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Summer annual forage evaluation discussion Sept. 11By David G. Hallauer Meadowlark District Extension Agent, crops and soils/horticulture Kansas Summer annual forages can be an integral part of a grazing system. For producers with only cool season pasture, it can fill that summer time frame when cool season grasses are dormant. Summer annual forages can also provide quite a bit of production from a hay standpoint. If you have an interest in summer annual forages, hold Sept. 11 for a discussion of their management, characteristics, and use. The program will start at 10 a.m., at the Lee and Scott Doyle Farm north of Holton. This Summer Annual Forage Evaluation will include a tour of various summer annual forage types in a plot planted by KSU Agronomist Dr. Kraig Roozeboom. He'll discuss characteristics of the forage types in the plot and how they can be of benefit to you. We'll also share information on general management of summer annual forages as well as animal considerations to their use. Hay or grazing, sorghum or sudan, there will be something for any forage grower. The plot is located on the Doyle farm north of Holton. Take old Highway 75 north a half mile to 238th Road, then travel one-eighth of a mile east. The plot is located on the north side of the road. Watch for signs. The program is sponsored by K-State Research and Extension, The Holton National Bank (Branch GNB) and the Meadowlark Extension District. For details or further information, check out the Crops and Soils link at www.meadowlark.ksu.edu or David Hallauer at 785-863- 2212. Hope to see you there. Give cool-season grasses a boost September is here and that means it is prime time to fertilize tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass lawns. If you could only fertilize cool-season grasses once a year, this would be the best time to do it. These grasses are entering their fall growth cycle as days shorten and temperatures moderate (especially at night). Cool-season grasses naturally thicken up in the fall by tillering (forming new shoots at the base of existing plants) and, for bluegrass, spreading by underground stems called rhizomes. Consequently, September is the most important time to fertilize these grasses. Apply 1 to 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. The settings recommended on lawn fertilizer bags usually result in about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. We recommend a quick-release source of nitrogen at this time. Most fertilizers sold in garden centers and department stores contain either quick-release nitrogen or a mixture of quick- and slow-release. Usually only lawn fertilizers recommended for summer use contain slow-release nitrogen. Any of the others should be quick-release. The second most important fertilization of cool-season grasses also occurs during the fall. A November fertilizer application will help the grass green up earlier next spring and provide the nutrients needed until summer. It also should be quick-release applied at the rate of 1-pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. 9/8/08 Date: 9/11/08 Advertisement
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