A bi-monthly news publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Editors: Clif Little and Mark Sulc
This newsletter is made possible with support from the Bob & Jewell Evans Foundation
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Contents:

• Late Summer Seeding Of Forage Crops
• Pickaway County Pasture Growth in 2005
• Stockpiling Forage for Winter Grazing
• Horse Grazing Preference Study
• Grazing During Hot-Dry Times

[top]Late Summer Seeding Of Forage Crops- Dr. Mark Sulc, The Ohio State University

Late summer can be an excellent time to establish forage crops, provided there is sufficient moisture for germination and good seedling growth. It is also a good time to seed in bare or thin spots in forage stands established this spring. The following steps will improve the chances for successful forage stand establishment in late summer.

1. Apply lime and fertilizer according to soil test and control problem perennial weeds ahead of seeding. Be careful with herbicide selection because some have residual soil activity and will harm new forage seedings in proper waiting periods are not observed. Read the labels for details.

2. Prepare a firm seedbed if using tillage. Loose seedbeds dry out very quickly. Deep tillage is not ideal for late summer seedings, but if done should be completed several weeks ahead of seeding so rains can settle the soil before final seedbed preparation. A cultipacker or cultimulcher is an excellent last-pass tillage tool. The soil should be firm enough for a footprint to sink no deeper than 3/8 to 0.5 inch.

3. No-till seedings conserve moisture, and can be very successful provided weeds are controlled prior to seeding. Remove all straw after small grains. Any remaining stubble should either be left standing, or clipped and removed. Do not leave clipped stubble in fields as it forms a dense mat that prevents good emergence.CAUTION: No-till or reduced-till summer seedings of legumes are at risk of infection by Sclerotinia crown and stem rot, especially in fields where clover or alfalfa were present recently. Mid- to late-August plantings dramatically increase the risk of damage by this disease compared with planting earlier.

4. Don’t plant alfalfa immediately after older established alfalfa. Autotoxic compounds are released by old alfalfa plants, which inhibit growth and productivity of new alfalfa seedlings. It is best to rotate to another crop for a year before going back to alfalfa; however, thickening up spring seedings is fine because autotoxicity is only an issue with older, established alfalfa plants.

5. Seed when soil moisture is adequate or a good rain system is in the forecast. This is especially critical this summer with the dry weather we are experiencing. It is risky to place seeds into dry soil, because there may be just enough moisture to germinate the seed but not enough for establishment.

6. Seed as early as possible. Seedlings require 6 to 8 weeks of growth after emergence to have adequate vigor to survive the winter. Seed by August 15-20 in northern Ohio and by September 1 in southern Ohio. Slow establishing species like birdsfoot trefoil or reed canarygrass should be planted in early August. Fast establishing species like red clover, alfalfa, and orchardgrass can be seeded up to the dates listed above if moisture is present. Kentucky bluegrass and timothy can actually be seeded 15 days or more later than the dates listed above. Keep in mind that the above dates assume sufficient moisture to establish the crop. Planting later than the dates mentioned above is sometimes successful depending on fall and winter weather patterns, but there is increased risk of failure and reduced yield potential for the stand as planting is delayed. A good rule of thumb for alfalfa is to have 6-8” of growth before a killing frost.

7. Plant seed shallow and in firm contact with the soil. Carefully check seeding depth, especially when no-tilling. Drills with press wheels usually provide the greatest success in the summer. Broadcasting seed on the surface without good soil coverage and without firm packing is usually a recipe for failure in the summer.

8. Use high quality seed of known varieties. Cheap seed often results in lower yield and shorter stand life. Make sure legume seed has fresh inoculum of the proper rhizobium.

9. Do not harvest new summer seedings this fall. The only exception to this rule is perennial ryegrass. If perennial ryegrass has tillered and has more than six inches of growth in late fall, clip it back to 3 to 4 inches before snowfall.

10. Scout new seedings for winter annual weeds in October to November, and apply herbicides as needed. Winter annual weeds are much easier to control in late fall than in the spring.

[top] Pickaway County Pasture Growth in 2005 - Bob Hendershot, Grassland Conservationist, NRCS

Evaluating, measuring and observing pasture growth can give valuable information early on in a grazing season to help producers make management decisions. Using pasture growth measurements can help make grazers decide to slow or speed up the grazing system and to fertilize before you need the forage and when there is adequate soil moisture to still grow more forage. Looking at the following information if we would have fertilized with nitrogen back in the middle of May when the grass started to slow its growth we could have produced more pasture that could be utilized back in late June and now.

The pasture growth measured in Pickaway County has been at both ends of the growth curve. The growth was tremendous the early part of May, but now has slowed down in an extreme summer slump. The pasture measured was a thick, dense, mixed pasture of tall fescue, bluegrass, orchardgrass and white clover. The soil test levels are medium to high. The soil type is Alexandria, a deep, well drained, medium lime glacial till, upland soil on a 3 percent slope. There has been no fertilizer added this growing season. The only fertility added came from the grazing animals during their grazing events. The pasture was grazed last December.

On 27 April, 2005, 2315 pounds of dry matter (DM) per acre was measured. The pasture averaged 7 inches tall. This growth had accumulated since spring green up. A residual level of 1200 pound per acre was left after grazing, about three inches of forage stubble. The pasture was measured again on May 3rd. It was 8 inches tall and had grown at a rate of 123 pounds of dry per acre per day. May 11 it was 11 inches tall and was growing at a rate of 153 pounds DM per acre per day and was grazed to about three inches or 1200 pounds DM per acre. May 22 the pasture was 7 inches tall and the growth rate slowed to 84 pounds of DM per acre per day. May 30 the pasture was 8 inches tall and the warmer and drier weather had slowed the growth rate to 40 pounds DM per acre per day. The animals were allowed to graze the pasture to the residual level. Rains helped the pasture grow at a rate of 59 pounds per acre per day from a measurement taking on June 5. The paasture to this point of the year had produced nearly 6000 pounds of dry matter. That is about 75% of the soil survey predicted yield for this soil and is about the state average grass hay yield.

Summer started early in Pickaway County. The measurement two weeks later on June 19 was 5 inches tall and the dry matter growth rate for the two weeks was 13 pounds per acre per day. It is now taking the pasture 12 days to grow the same pasture mass that it grew in one day the first full week in May. The next measurement was taken July 9. The pasture had grown two inches taller, but the growth rate dropped to 7 pounds DM per acre per day. The pasture was grazed to the residual level of 1200 pounds per acre. Two weeks later on 25 July 25 the pasture was 4 inches tall and had grown at a rate of 8 pounds of DM per acre per day.

The rainfall on this pasture in southeastern Pickaway has been limited to 0.7 inch in June and 0.8 inch thus far in July. The pasture has produced over 6400 pounds of DM and has been grazed 4 times, even though only 200 pounds have been produced per acre in July. Hopefully the late summer and fall rains will encourage the pasture growth to jump back up. We would like to get one more grazing this summer before we set it aside to grow stockpile for this winter.

[top] Stockpiling Forage for Winter Grazing - Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County

Our recent spell of weather with temperatures in the 90’s may have put thoughts of winter far from the minds of livestock producers, or perhaps they brought about a longing for the winter season. Regardless of the temperature, August is the time when the prudent livestock producer begins preparation for the winter-feeding season by stockpiling forages. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term, stockpiling simply means letting forage grow and accumulate for later use.

Research in Ohio has demonstrated a relationship between the date when a producer begins to stockpile, the application of nitrogen, and the quality and quantity of forage available for fall or winter grazing. The greatest quantity of forage is produced when forage is allowed to begin to accumulate in early July and when approximately 50 pounds of nitrogen is applied to the forage. The best quality forage is produced when again 50 pounds of nitrogen is applied, but when the start date for stockpiling is delayed until mid to late September. For most beef producers, the best compromise for forage quality and quantity results when forage is stockpiled from an early to mid-August date with a 50 pound nitrogen application made within about 2 weeks of the time from when stockpiling is started.

Possibly the best reason for a livestock producer to stockpile forage for winter use is to reduce winter feed costs. An economic analysis of winter feed costs by researchers at the University of Missouri found that mature, gestating beef cows could be maintained on stockpiled fescue for one-fourth the cost of feeding hay.

Orchardgrass, tall fescue and some legumes such as red clover and alfalfa can be stockpiled, but not all are equal for winter grazing. In fact, if legumes and orchardgrass are to be stockpiled, they are best used for late fall grazing rather than waiting for winter. Legumes will lose their leaves as we get hard killing frosts and both legumes and orchardgrass will quickly decline in quality as we get beyond the late fall season. Tall fescue has thus become the preferred forage for stockpiling not only because it retains its nutritive value through the fall and winter but also because it generally produces more fall growth than other forages in our area, and, especially in contrast to a legume like alfalfa, its fall growth is almost entirely leaf growth, making it a very palatable forage for livestock. Finally, experience has demonstrated that generally fescue stands up well to winter grazing so that growth the following season is only minimally affected provided we don’t get a winter like last year where the ground was saturated from fall through the spring.

Researchers from the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas published an article in a 2003 issue of the Crop Science journal where they reported the results of a two-year study evaluating the tonnage, nutritive value and ergovaline concentration (as an indicator of fescue toxicity) of stockpiled tall fescue. They found that tonnage did not change from mid-December through mid-March, and while the nutritive value of the stockpiled fescue was highest in mid-December, it declined at a slow rate after that date so that forage value was still acceptable in mid-March. Research by Extension Educators in Ohio has shown that when approximately 50 pounds of actual nitrogen is applied to stockpiled fescue in the mid to late August period, that crude protein levels are around 14% in early November, 10.5 to 11% in mid-December and 10 to 10.5% in mid-February. With regard to the ergovaline concentration as an indicator of fescue toxicity in thee Arkansas study, the concentration was highest in December and then declined rapidly after mid-December, losing 85% of its concentration by mid-March. The conclusion of the authors of the Crop Science article was that livestock producers concerned about fescue toxicity should consider waiting to use infected stockpiled tall fescue until after December.

Experience in Ohio has shown that animal health problems associated with endophyte-infected stands occur primarily in the summer when animals are under heat stress. Adverse health effects are less common on stockpiled infected fescue pastures grazed in the fall and winter. Part of the reason for this is that the toxin produced by the fungal endophyte is less concentrated in leaf tissue than in the seed heads and stems and stockpiled fescue is mainly leaf growth. Still, for a livestock species more sensitive to the effects of endophyte-infected fescue, (such as horses) late winter grazing of stockpiled fescue may be a sound management decision. Going back to the earlier discussion of forages that can be stockpiled, if a farm has the ability to stockpile both orchardgrass and tall fescue pastures, then the orchardgrass could be used first and the tall fescue at a later date when ergovaline content should be lower.

Stockpiling forage in August requires some planning and preparation on the part of the livestock producer, but it is a management practice that pays significant economic returns and can lessen the chore of winter-feeding. For more specific details about stockpiling forage and use of stockpiled forage, contact your local county Extension office.

[top]Horse Grazing Preference Study- Gary Wilson, Extension Educator, Hancock County

Horses have long been known to be selective grazers. Horse pastures are often observed being uneven with patches of both over-grazed, and under-grazed grasses. A basic question to this situation is if horses actually have a preference for different species of grasses. To answer this question, a horse grazing study was conducted at the University of Findlay Center for Equine and Pre Veterinary Studies. Four different grass species, recommended by two different grass seed companies, were utilized in this study. The two companies were Barenbrug and Ampac Seeds, and the four grass varieties were Tetraplus Perennial Ryegrass, Cambia Orchard Grass, Tekapo Orchard Grass, and Duo Festulolium. The grasses were planted in a quadrant pattern in three replications in 1/3 acre paddocks. The goal of the study was to have spring, summer, and fall grazing events with two horses per paddock, observed for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon; and recording every 5 minutes which quadrant the horses were grazing.

Data were recorded for the months of June, August, and October; allowing adequate pasture rest between grazing events. An irregularity was observed with the afternoon grazing event in that horses tended to spend more time in the quadrant closest to the gate, waiting to be led out. For this reason, a recording was not made for the afternoon in October. For this reason, we also based our conclusions upon observations made during the morning.

The order of preference for the four grasses was:

1. Tekapo Orchardgrass

2. Cambia Orchardgrass

3. Duo Festulolium

4. Tetraplus Perennial Ryegrass

The only statistically significant difference (P=.01) was between the top pair (orchardgrass) and the bottom pair, whereas there was no statistical difference between the two orchardgrasses or between Duo Festulolium and Tetraplus.

An attempt was also made to keep the same two horses paired together for each grazing event, but have the pairs rotated between the 3 paddocks. The behavior of these horses did affect their grazing preference as some pairs liked being together and others did not. Some horses also were more easily distracted, either by other horses grazing in adjacent pastures or by a cat walking in the pasture. A common observation for all horses was that they all showed enjoyment to be in the pasture indicated by the freedom to run and exercise and the willingness to eat fresh grass. All horses were also fed hay in their stalls.

Recommendations for future research would be to use even more different grass species in the study.

[top]Grazing During Hot-Dry Times- Daryl Clark, Extension Educator, Noble County

Has the summer of 2005 been a drought for your grazing operation? Ask this question of grazers and you’ll receive a number of answers. These range from “no doubt” to “maybe a little.” Rains have been spotty, and have varied greatly in amounts. Heat and humidity have also had a bearing on plants and livestock.

Many producers remember vividly the wide spread droughts of 1988 and 1999. Meetings discussing the effects of drought on forage, livestock, and market results were well attended. However, the greatest effects of these extreme dry, hot years has been on the forage managers memory. These memories include the almost hopeless feeling of not being in control. No decision could change the helpless feeling and make the situation go away.

So again forage producers are facing situations that are difficult to manage. So what can be done? What strategies and plans will help us get through this challenge?

Strategies:

1. Remember to take care of the forage. The forage plant must be our focus. Rain will come. Will your forage be ready to take advantage of it? Don’t graze your forage to the ground. Forage needs leaves to generate energy to survive and grow after drought.

2. Hold to the principle “Don’t graze until the forage has matured enough to develop root reserves.” Premature grazing weakens the forage and in some cases causes the plants to die. Recovery time can also be doubled due to grazing too quickly.

3. When heat and lack of rain slow growth, don’t graze as close. Additional residue helps shade the soil but also provides leaf surface for photosynthesis. These conditions are best geared toward the statement “take half - leave half.”

4. A word of caution, taller residuals tend to favor deeper-rooted plants. Those who are “managing fescue” need to be aware that residuals need to change during the year. As a general rule, a short residual in wet warm weather favors shallower rooted forage like bluegrass/white clover. So vary the residual to maintain a diverse forage base.

5. If forage growth isn’t adequate for livestock nutrient needs, supplement forage with stored feed! This supplementation can occur in the paddock with the pasture growth. However, if growth has stopped, and no additional paddocks of forage are available, chose a “sacrifice area” to feed the stored feeds. This “sacrifice area” could be an area where the additional fertility from the stored feed and manure can also be utilized.

6. Supplemental feeds can be quite varied.

a) Old round bales

b) New round bales

c) Corn or other grain

d) Grain byproducts like corn gluten feed or soy hull pellets.

e) Your neighbor’s un-mowed meadows etc.

f) Let your imagination wonder.

BUT ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER TO FOCUS ON THE FORAGE! Stored feed comes and goes but forage lives perennially - maintain its vigor. RAIN will return, have the forage in a state ready to benefit from it.