A quarterly news publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Clif Little and Mark Sulc, Editors
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Contents:

• Up Coming Events
• Do Foliar Fertilizers & Growth Regulators Improve Alfalfa Yield & Quality?
• Ohio Grazing Schools
• Are New Forage Varieties Really Better?
• Drought / Overgrazing / Frost seeding
  

[top] Up Coming Events

March 24, 31 & April 7 Intensive Pasture Management School, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen Restaurant, Mt. Hope (Holmes County, 7 miles north of Millersburg on SR 241) This is a “beginners” pasture school with two days of classroom instruction and one day of on-farm tours & workshop. Pre-registration is required by March 14 th , cost is $50 per person, includes three days' lunches, handouts, etc. Contact the Holmes County OSU Extension for more information 330-674-3015. Note: this is a “beginners/ basic school” for those who have little or no experience with intensive rotational grazing.

2003 Ohio Grazing Schools

Basic Grazing Schools

Knox County , Feb. 17 & 22, daytime Contact: OSU Extension, 740-397-0401

Greene County , Feb. 18, 20 & 26 evenings & Mar. 1 day, Contact Greene SWCD 937-372-8774

Perry County , March 3 & 4, evenings & Mar. 8 day, Contact Perry SWCD 740-743-1325

Fayette County , March 4, 5 & 6 evenings & Mar. 8 day, Contact OSU Ext. 740-335-1150

Wyandot County , Sheep Forage Meeting, Mar. 11, Contact OSU Extension 419-294-4931

Washington County , Mar. 18 & 20 evenings & Mar. 22 day, Contact OSU Extension 740-376-7431

Belmont & Monroe Counties , Mar. 20, 27 & Apr. 3, evenings, Contact Mark Landefeld 740-472-0810

Holmes County , Mar. 24, 31 & Apr. 7, days, Contact OSU Extension 330-674-3015

Miami County , Mar. 26 & 27, evenings & Mar. 29 day, Contact Miami SWCD 937-335-7645

Stafford Center , Delaware, March

Highland & Ross Counties TBA

Athens-Hocking Counties , Apr. 22 & 24, evenings & Apr. 26 day, Contact Athens SWCD 740-797-9686 or Hocking SWCD 740-385-3016

Advanced Grazing School

Knox County , March 27 & 28 days, Contact OSU Extension 740-397-0401

Forages for Horses

Shelby County , Mar. 10 & 13 evenings, Contact OSU Extension 937-498-7239

Clermont County , March 15 daytime, Contact Clermont SWCD 513-732-7075

Logan County , March 25 & 26 evenings, Contact Logan SWCD 937-593-2946

Meigs County , March 25, 27 & April 1, evenings, Contact OSU Extension 740-992-6696

Harrison County , April 7 & 8, evenings, Contact Patty Dyer 1-888-638-4702

Scioto County , April 8, 10 & 15, evenings, Contact OSU Extension 740-354-7879

Guernsey County , October, Contact OSU Extension 740-432-9300

[top] Do Foliar Fertilizers & Growth Regulators Improve Alfalfa Yield & Quality? - Clif Little

Marvin Hall, Robert Stout, and Scott Smiles of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University investigated eight treatments including controls and their effects on alfalfa. Various companies have reported foliar applied fertilizers and growth regulators increase alfalfa stem number, yield and quality. In this study foliar treatments were applied in accordance with company recommendations. Product costs ranged from $60 to $234 per acre per year.

The results from this experiment indicated there were no treatment differences at any locations for the forage quality parameters measured. The foliar treatments used in this study did not increase yield or alter plant growth. Furthermore, the additional cost of foliar applied products was not recovered in yield or quality increases.

[Top] OHIO GRAZING SCHOOLS - Bob Hendershot, USDA, NRCS

Since 1984, Ohio has offered grazing schools and in that time more than 90 schools have been held. These schools have taught the concepts of management intensive grazing as well as winter grazing techniques. Over 2470 participants have attended these sessions and a number of people have returned a second time to absorb more information on how to improve their current livestock operation.

Rural Sociologists have found a change in the rural population. The best and most efficient way to get new technology and conservation practices adopted on the landscape is through the delivery of information by way of groups.

A survey conducted by OSU Extension Agents Dave Samples, Jeff McCutcheon and Chris Penrose confirmed the successfulness of the Ohio grazing schools. The majority of participants have increased the productivity on their farm and dramatically reduced their costs. The increased utilization of forages has significantly decreased feed costs and nearly half of those surveyed decreased machinery cost. The individuals who have developed a rotational grazing system and a system of stockpiling forage growth for late season grazing have been able to increase their grazing season on both the beginning and end.

Research has also shown that well managed pastures are excellent for the environment. Managed pastures improve the soil and water quality and wildlife habitat.

The following comments are what involved producers have shared:

"Have increased the number of animals, better body condition on cows, and heavier weaning weights."

"Cleaner farm, less brush, less feed cost, keep livestock on grass most of the year."

"Increased animals per acre, increased weaning weights of lambs."

"Increased animals per acre, forage production, gains and improved calving intervals."

"Less feed bought, less manure to move."

"Decreased fertilizer costs."

"Cows calmer, easier to handle."

"Sheep are healthy being outside, a lot less work for me."

"Better manager of resources on farm."

"Wife enjoys farming with me more due to less stress and better attitude."

A variety of other states that have incorporated grazing schools and are now experiencing the same results that Ohio has encountered. The schools in Ohio have been very successful and recognized nationally. In addition to the Basic Grazing School (Pastures for Profit), the following programs have been created: Advanced Grazing School, Comprehensive Grazing Workshop, Pasture LEAP (Livestock Environmental Assurance Program) and Forages for Horses workshop. The producer interest in grazing management continues to grow and the Ohio Grazing Program will continue to try to meet the increasing demand.

Grazing school participants learn “pasture management is much more than simply placing animals in a fenced grass field.” Through presentations and on-farm, hands-on experience, as well as extensive written information, participants gain valuable insights about grazing management. After completing the course, one participant noted that, “I discovered that paddock layout is the most difficult decision because it affects so many different things, not only erosion control, but also pasture growth and consumption.” Another participant came to the realization that; “water is the most critical issue I have while creating my grazing plans because its location has such a tremendous impact on both erosion and forage consumption.”

[Top] Are New Forage Varieties Really Better? - Dr. Mark Sulc & Dr. David Barker, Ohio State University

Every year new varieties are released. But are these newer varieties really better, or will an old variety yield and persist as well as the new ones? After all, one could save a lot of money in seed cost by purchasing an older variety. But one only needs to look at forage variety performance trials in states across the Midwest to see that they demonstrate over and over again the benefit of planting improved varieties.

In Ohio, the old alfalfa variety ‘Vernal' will often yield well the first two years, but after that stand loss reduces yield. Over 57 test years in Ohio, Vernal has yielded 9% less than the average for the test. Does that seem insignificant to you? Well, if the average variety produces 5 tons per acre, then 900 lbs./acre is lost in one year with Vernal. At $100 per ton, this is worth $45 per acre for one year. Even if seed of Vernal were half the cost of new varieties, the yield loss with Vernal would consume the supposed savings in one year alone. When compared with the best varieties, the differences are even greater.

We are participating in a five-state trial to evaluate yield and persistence of alfalfa varieties released over the past five decades (from 1940 to 1995). In the establishment year (1999), all alfalfa varieties were similar in forage yield. But recent varieties began to yield more than older varieties over the next three years, especially as the stand aged. We found that newer varieties suffered less damage from diseases and had better stand density after four years. This is providing the yield advantage over older varieties like Vernal as the stand ages.

The value of improved varieties generally holds true across the most important forage species. For red clover, newer varieties yield more than common red clover. The return on investment for seed of newer varieties is realized even when stands persist for only two years, because they yield so much more than common red clover during those first two years. The newer red clover varieties have a better chance of surviving and producing well into a third year than older varieties. In a yield trial at S. Charleston, we had stands in excess of 60% at the end of the third year (October 2002).

It is important to consider where the variety was developed. Those developed under our conditions are most likely to be better than your “tried-and-true” varieties. Imported varieties may not be well adapted to our conditions. This is why you should always consider performance results from university trials or on farms in your region.

Consider the practice of doing your own test trials on your farm. It is a good strategy to plant small areas of three or four varieties. Pick the variety that performs well on your farm and that also looks good to your livestock.

Many new varieties have special characteristics that may or may not be of value to you.

Alfalfa varieties have been developed with potato leafhopper resistance, improved forage quality, and grazing and wheel traffic tolerance. For grasses, improvements in yield are not always as obvious as in legumes, but other improvements such as disease resistance (e.g. rust in orchardgrass and ryegrass), grazing tolerance, and maturity differences (from early to late) have been developed. Other improvements include novel endophytes in tall fescue, low alkaloids in reed canarygrass, and improved persistence of ryegrass and festuloleum in our environment.

Remember that the benefit of improved varieties will only be realized under good management practices. Good varieties will not solve the problems of poor management, but good varieties will add more return to your good management practices.

In summary, it pays to study the performance and characteristics of new varieties when establishing new stands of forages. One can often eliminate poor performers and varieties that are not adapted to our region by studying performance trial results. Extension offices can provide variety performance trial results, and many websites are available where data can be accessed, a few of which I've listed below:

Ohio Performance Trials (hay management)

Compare alfalfa varieties across states

Forage Trials in Other States

University trials under both grazing & hay management - Iowa State or University of Wisconsin

[Top] Drought / Overgrazing / Frost seeding - Mark Landefeld, Extension Agent, Monroe County

The drought we experienced this summer and early fall caused many declines in pasture production. Overgrazing of many pastures occurred. Overgrazing is not a result of the number of animals grazing, but the amount of time plants are exposed to grazing animals. This often happens in a continuous grazing system, but this year's drought conditions made it worse.

When plants are severely grazed, or re-grazed before a sufficient rest period has elapsed, the plant takes energy that has been stored in the roots as carbohydrates to support new leaf growth. As carbohydrates are removed from the roots, the root dies, separates from the plant and eventually decomposes. This process continues until enough leaf surface once again develops to catch sufficient amounts of solar energy that support additional leaf growth and reestablish lost roots. Depending on the severity of root loss, slow re-growth may be noticed for a period of a few weeks to three months or more.

Frost seeding may be a way for the farm manager to reestablish plants and maintain forage composition or introduce new species of plants. Areas chosen for frost seeding should not have large amounts of undecomposed plant material remaining in the field. If it does, allow animals to graze the area closely before seeding. Frost seeding works best with legume seeds typically, because it is easier for small seeds to fall to the soil surface than it is for grass seeds which are generally larger but lighter. However, grass seeds may work relatively well this year since there is very little plant residue remaining in most fields and openings in the sod are more abundant.

Encouraging legume growth in pasture fields can minimize production costs by reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilization necessary for maximum forage growth. Legumes also improve the quality characteristics of a grass stand. Frost seeding offers several potential advantages when properly implemented. These may include: establishment of forage in undisturbed sod, reduced labor, energy and cash expense compared to conventional tillage methods, the ability to establish forages with minimal equipment investment, and little, if any, “non-grazing” period.

Late winter is a good time to frost seed pastures. The freeze and thaw cycle of the soil helps seeds which are broadcast on top of the soil to obtain good soil-to-seed contact. This is necessary if seeds are to grow and compete with established grasses, other legumes, or weeds.

Planting mixtures and seeding rates differ greatly. Desired species and number of seedlings wanted in the final stand determine how much to plant. As a rule of thumb, if legumes are already present in the pasture, 3-4 lbs. of red clover and 1-2 lb. of ladino or alsike clover seed per acre works well. Birdsfoot trefoil could also be used at 2-3 lbs. per acre. If no legumes are currently present in the stand or seeding one species alone, doubling the above rates may return better results.

If grasses are to be frost seeded into existing pastures, perennial or annual ryegrass, orchardgrass, or smooth bromegrass would be recommended. Perennial/annual ryegrass should be seeded at 2-3 lbs. along with orchardgrass 1-2 lbs. or smooth bromegrass 8-10 lbs. per acre. When planting, using a spinner type seeder, do not mix legume and grass seed together. Grass seed will not spread as far as legume seed causing an uneven stand. Make two trips over the pasture and adjust spacing as needed for the type seed being sown.

The following spring, excessive growth competition should be reduced. Frost seeded pastures should be grazed in the spring at regular intervals to allow sunlight to enter the canopy. Do not allow animals to graze plants low enough the first or second rotation to ruin new seedlings before adequate roots are developed.

Warning- Frost seeding will not increase the productivity or quality of a pasture if soil nutrients and pH are not in acceptable ranges for the species you are trying to produce. Most often, pastures are a product of management practices. Many times a change in grazing practices (allowing rest periods) or addition of soil nutrients will correct declining pasture production. If you are thinking of making a frost seeding and do not know what your nutrient levels are, a soil test can be a valuable tool. It can tell you if your pastures need more seed or just more feed.

All educational programs and activities conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to all potential clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, handicap or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

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