john fouts 509-477-2176 [email protected] start your pasture right
TRANSCRIPT
USDA USDA
Developed by: Developed by: Rhonda Miller Rhonda Miller Utah State UniversityUtah State University
Starting Over:Pasture Establishment and Renovation
What we’ll be covering:
Introduction Forage establishment Factors to consider
prior to renovation Plant characteristics Characteristics of
individual grasses and legumes
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UNCE, Reno, NV
Definitions
Establishment - planting a pasture where there is no existing pasture
Renovation - series of actions that lead to a long-term change in the botanical composition of a pasture Partial renovation Total renovation
Type of renovation
Partial renovation Rejuvenation or enhancement of existing
pasture Generally done when poor forage stands
result from winter injury, drought, flooding, or other stresses
Total renovation Destruction followed by reestablishment of
either the same species or another species
Definitions
Species - refers to the type of plant such as alfalfa, sweet clover, smooth bromegrass, etc.
Cultivar - refers to a specific variety within a specie. York, Saratoga, and Bravo are all improved varieties of smooth bromegrass.
Benefits of renovation
Replaces old or diseased pasture species with healthy improved varieties
Extends or increases productivity of pasture
Improves quality of forage Increases animal
productivity Reduces soil erosion Reduces pollution potential
www.farmphoto.com
www.farmphoto.com
When to renovate?
Renovate when: Pasture is in poor condition and even
proper management techniques will not improve pasture to desired level
You want to grow a different forage specie or variety
UNCE, Reno, NV
Forage establishment
Seedbed preparation Seeding methods Seeding guidelines Seeding rates Costs
USU, Logan, UT
Forage establishment
Seedbed preparation Seed requirements Tillage Other forms of
seedbed preparation
Fertility & pH
USU, Logan, UT
Seedbed preparation
Goal - Control weeds and provide a firm seedbed with just enough loose surface soil for shallow seed placement and good seed-to-soil contact
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Seedbed preparation
Seed requirements Minimal soil temperature Moisture Oxygen Seed-to-soil contact Accomplish by creating a firm, moist
seedbed
Seedbed preparation
Importance of a firm, moist seedbed
Essential for: Proper seed placement Good soil-seed contact Successful establishment
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Seedbed preparation
Deep tillage (plow) Disc Roller harrow or
cultipacker
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Creating a firm seedbed takes proper tillage
Seedbed preparation
Purpose of tillage Eliminate existing
vegetation Turn under surface
weed seeds Loosen soil Incorporate fertilizer
and lime Provide firm seedbed
for seeding
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Seedbed preparation
Other forms of seedbed preparation Close clipping
or grazing Burning Non-selective
herbicide
USU, Logan, UT
Seedbed preparation
Fertility & pH Base on soil test Add lime if pH is low Determine reasonable yield Add appropriate nutrients
Phosphorus and potassium Nitrogen
www.efma.org
Forage establishment
Seeding guidelines
Planting dates Seeding depth Inoculation of legumes Why forage seedings fail
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Planting dates
Late winter- early spring seeding Late February to 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
Planting dates
Late summer - early fall seeding August to mid-October Less competition from weeds Liming, fertilization, and tillage done during
drier weather thereby reducing compaction Fungal diseases reduced
Note: Seedlings need to have at least six weeks of growth before killing frost
Seeding guidelines
Seeding depth Approximately ¼ inch Varies with:
Soil type Soil moisture Time of seeding Firmness of seedbed
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Seeding guidelines
Inoculation of legumes All legumes should be
inoculated with the proper strains of N-fixing bacteria prior to seeding
Ensures that proper bacteria will be present for nitrogen fixation
www.clay.agr.okstate.edu
Why forage seedings fail
Germination through emergence Hard seed Temperature Improper planting depth Seed dries out Crusted soil surface Toxicity - allelopathic effects,
herbicide carryoverclay.agr.okstate.edu
Why forage seedings fail
After emergence Undesirable pH Low fertility Poor drainage Drought Inadequate legume inoculation Competition from weeds/companion crops Insects Diseases, winterkilling
clay.agr.okstate.edu
clay.agr.okstate.edu
Forage establishment
Seeding methods Broadcast Cultipacker Drilled No-Till Frost seeding Companion crop USU
Broadcast seeding
Cheapest and easiest method of seeding
Typically drag or pack the soil after broadcasting the seed
Tilled seedbed Seed placement
not uniform
www.modernforage.com
Cultipacker seeding Consists of 2 sets of rollers with seed
boxes between them Commonly used on tilled seedbeds Don’t use on heavy soils
www.faivre.com www.faivre.com
Drill seeding
Directly plants each seed into tilled soil at the proper depth
Need to use a forage drill
Grain drills will have poor seed placement for small forage seeds
UNCE, Reno, NV
No-till seeding
Plants seed directly into existing sod or vegetation Solid planting Band planting
Requires a no-till planter Reduces erosion Conserves soil moisture Reduced fuel, labor, and time
requirements
www.usda.gov
Frost seeding
Seed broadcast in late winter on soil surface
Freezing & thawing action plus rain will cover seed
Works well with Red Clover
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UNCE
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Companion crop seedingA companion crop is a small grain crop (i.e. oats) planted with spring-seeded grasses and legumes.
Advantages: Can be cut or grazed for feed Provides a quick ground cover Helps control soil erosion Reduces invasion of weeds
Disadvantages: Competes for nutrients, light, & moisture Good management essential
USDA
Forage establishment
Seeding rates
Desired stand Pure live seed % Other factors to
consider www.ca.wvu.edu
Seeding rates
Desired Stand Varies based on: Forage species
planted Ability to fill in
(rhizomes, etc.) % Hard seed Mixture, pure-stand,
companion crop
Availability of water
clay.agr.okstate.edu
NRCS
www.forages.orst.edu
Seeding rates
Pure live seed percent (PLS)%PLS = %Purity x %Germination
%Purity = % of seed that is the desired forage seed
%Germination = % of seed that germinates
when planted
Seeding rates
Other factors to consider Seeding method used
Seeding rate affected by uniformity of seed placement
Condition of seedbed Allelopathic toxins
Costs
Tillage Plowing
Moldboard $10.00 to $15.00/acre Chisel $8.00 to $12.00/acre
Disc/Harrow Tandem disc $6.00 to $10.00/acre Harrow/Cultipacker $4.50 to $6.00/acre
Planting Conventional $7.00 to $10.00/acre No-till $10.00 to $16.00/acre
Costs
Seed: Varies by species and variety Grasses
Orchardgrass $1.40 - $1.60/lb. (15 lb/ac) Smooth Bromegrass $3.50/lb. (15 lb/ac) Timothy $.95 - $1.45/lb. (12 lb/ac) Tall Fescue $1.60 - $1.75/lb. (35 lb/ac)
Legumes White Clover $3.25 - $3.85/lb. (2-3 lb/ac) Birdsfoot Trefoil $4.30/lb. (8 lb/ac) Alfalfa $3.25/lb (12-15 lb/ac)
Costs
Reduced yield in first year Spring-seeding
Reduced number of cuttings first year Reduced yield per cutting
Fall-seeding No harvest of new crop during year of establishment Reduced yield (of previous crop) during year of
establishment Ground preparation Time for establishment
Factors to consider
Pasture inventory Land wvailable Climate Soil fharacteristics
Forage use Livestock Grazing vs. hay production Continuous grazing vs. rotational grazing
USDA
Pasture inventory
Land available
Grazing land Water source(s) “Sacrifice” Area
Hay production
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Pasture inventory
Climate Growing season
Frost-free days Growing degree
days (GDD)
Temperature Precipitation
USDA
Pasture inventory
Soil characteristics Drainage Water holding
capacity (droughtiness)
OSU Extension Service
Forage use
Livestock Different animals have
different nutritional requirements and forage preferences Horses (timothy grass) Dairy cattle (perennial
ryegrass Beef cattle (tall fescue)
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Forage use
Grazing vs. hay production Determine 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 Trampling effects
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Forage use: Continuous grazing vs. rotational grazing
Continuous grazing Easy Reduced yields
Rotational grazing More
management Higher yields More
infrastructure required
UNCE, Reno, NV
Plant characteristics
Grasses Legumes Seasonal growth patterns Disease resistance Forage quality Pure stands or Mixtures
Grasses
Growth habit Bunchgrass Sod-forming
grass Stolon Rhizome
Re-growth Jointing Non-jointing
Grasses are more tolerant of poor soil conditions
Require nitrogen fertilizer
NRCS
Legumes
Legumes fix nitrogen from the air
Growth habit Upright (Sainfoin) Prostrate (Birdsfoot Trefoil)
New Growth Axillary (Sweet Clover) Crown (Red Clover) Axillary & crown (Alfalfa)
clay.agr.okstate.edu
Seasonal growth distribution
Forages have different growth patterns
Grasses Cool Season Warm Season
Forages
ISU
Insect & disease resistance & winter hardiness
Disease resistance/winter hardiness
Genetically inherited traits Select disease resistant
varieties Select varieties with good
winter hardiness if in cold climate
Intended years of use clay.agr.okstate.edu
Forage quality
Quality Forage intake
Palatability
Nutritive value Digestibility Chemical
compositionwww.farmphoto.com
Plant characteristics
Pure stands or mixtures Pure stands Mixtures Principles for composing mixtures
Should I plant a pure stand?
Advantages Management is
easier Weed control
easier
Disadvantages Lower yield
www.forages.css.orst.edu
Should I plant a mixture?
Advantages Higher yields Legumes fix nitrogen, reducing the
need for nitrogen fertilizer in grasses
Tolerate wider differences in soil conditions
More competitive against weeds
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
Principles for composing mixtures
Keep the mixture simple Similar maturity date Similar palatability Similar growth habit
Cool season grass cultivars Most productive in the spring and
fall Poor summer production
NRCS
NRCS
NRCS
Kentucky Bluegrass
Advantages: Good quality Withstands animal
traffic Good tolerance to
close grazing
Disadvantages: Low yield potential Poor drought & heat
tolerance Likes well-drained soil
NRCS
Basin Wildrye
Advantages: Good forage for wildlife Hardy, long-lived Tolerates salt and alkali
areas
Disadvantages: Easily damaged by over-
grazingNRCS
Garrison Creeping Foxtail
Advantages: Likes wet soils Highly palatable High yield
Disadvantages: May invade
canals, ditches, etc.
www.aginfonet.com
Meadow Bromegrass
Advantages: Good yield potential Good re-growth Tolerant of close
grazing
Disadvantages: Not tolerant of acidic
and poorly-drained soils
www.agric.gov.ab.ca
Orchard Grass
Advantages: Good quality Good re-growth Shade tolerant
Disadvantages: Suffers when
grazed continually
NRCS
NRCS
NRCS
Perennial RyegrassAdvantages:
Very good quality Easy to establish Good tolerance to close
grazing
Disadvantages: Poor drought & heat
tolerance Poor shade tolerance Likes well-drained soils www.forages.css.orst.edu
Reed Canary Grass
Disadvantages: Lack of palatability Produces best when
intensely grazed Poor drought & heat
tolerance
Advantages: Good quality Good re-growth Adapted to wide
range of conditions, including wet soils
NRCS
NRCS
Smooth Brome
Advantages: Usually grown with
a legume Graze after stem
elongation Provides good mid-
summer grazing High quality
Disadvantages: Aggressive and can
take over a pasture
NRCS
NRCS
Tall FescueAdvantages:
Good quality Tillering stimulated
through frequent grazing
Moderately winter hardy
Active fall growth
Disadvantages: Must be endophyte
free
NRCS
TimothyAdvantages:
High quality Easy to establish Winter hardy
Disadvantages: Sensitive to frequent
defoliation Poor re-growth Poor summer production Not suited to droughty soils
NRCS
NRCS
NRCS
Crested WheatgrassAdvantages:
Drought resistant Winter-hardy Vigorous seedlings
Disadvantages: Needs to be grazed
throughout season to maintain palatability
Goes dormant during hot summer
www.aginfonet.com
Tall WheatgrassAdvantages:
Tolerant of salty and alkali soils
Good winter forage
Disadvantages: Does not tolerate
continuous, close grazing
Low forage value
www.usask.ca
Switchgrass
Advantages: Productive during hot
summer months Tolerates a wide
range of soil conditions
Disadvantages: Not suited for cool
climates May be difficult to
establish
NRCS
Alfalfa
Advantages: Excellent quality Drought tolerant
Disadvantages: Causes bloat Potential for heaving
clay.agr.okstate.edu
NRCS
Alsike Clover
Advantages: Excellent quality Grows in variety of
soils and conditions
Disadvantages: Can graze
frequently, but not closely
Much lower yielding than alfalfa
www.agry.purdue.edu
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Advantages: Excellent quality Grows in variety of soils
and conditions Non-bloat legume
Disadvantages: Can graze frequently,
but not closely Slow to establish
NRCS
Cicer Milkvetch
Advantages:
Non-bloat legume Good forage quality
Disadvantages: Slow to establish Slow re-growth
clay.agr.okstate.edu
Red CloverAdvantages:
Good quality Easy to establish Works well with frost
seeding
Disadvantages: Generally does not
persist after two growing seasons
NRCS
Strawberry Clover
Advantages: Suited for grazing Suited for semi-wet and salty
soils
Disadvantages: Not suited for hay production Not as productive as white
clover
SainfoinAdvantages:
Good quality Well adapted to soils
of the Rocky Mountain Region
Good drought tolerance
Non-bloat legume
Disadvantages: Intolerant of frequent
defoliation
clay.agr.okstate.edu
White CloverAdvantages:
Excellent quality Good tolerance to close
grazing Withstands continuous grazing Grows best during cool moist
seasons on well drained soils
Disadvantages: Low yielding May cause bloat
NRCS