Category: Forage

Considerations for Improving Hay Quality

Amanda Grev, Pasture & Forage Specialist
University of Maryland Extension

With a new growing season comes new opportunities, one of which is the opportunity to do a better job with making hay. With spring being a busy time of year, hay-making is often one of the lower priorities on the long list of things to do, but this means that all too often much of the hay that is made is moderate to lower in quality. In many cases, making better quality hay can significantly reduce the need for supplemental feed purchases and help keep adequate condition on animals. Below are some practical considerations for improving the quality of your hay this year.

Harvest at the Correct Maturity Stage

The single most important factor affecting forage quality is the stage of maturity at the time of harvest. This is especially true in the spring when forages are growing and maturing rapidly. For high quality hay, harvest must start at an earlier growth stage—a good goal is around the boot stage for grasses or around late bud to early bloom for legumes. In a mixed grass-legume stand, the decision for the first cut should be based on the maturity of the grass, since grasses usually mature earlier than legumes in the spring.

Cut Early, Wide, and High

Because plants continue to use carbohydrates for respiration during the night but are not able to fix sugar through photosynthesis, the nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC, or sugar and starch) content of a plant is lowest in the early morning hours prior to sunrise. At sunrise, the plant can resume the photosynthetic process, allowing NSC concentrations to increase throughout the day and reach a peak in late afternoon. However, even though NSC concentrations are usually highest in the late afternoon, cutting hay late in the day doesn’t leave much time for forages to dry before nightfall. In a high rainfall environment, maximizing curing time should be the highest priority. Therefore, hay should be mowed in mid- to late-morning after the dew has dried off. This will allow for a full day of drying right away, maximizing exposure to sunlight and wind and resulting in a faster drop in moisture and reduced respiration.

When mowing, set the mower to make as wide of a swath as possible, ideally at least 70% of the cut area. Maximizing the swath width shortens the wilting time by exposing a larger portion of the forage to direct sunlight, leading to faster drying and preserving more digestible dry matter. Avoid cutting hayfields too close. If not properly adjusted, disc mowers can cut very close to the soil surface and this can cause significant damage to cool-season grass stands. Be sure to leave 2 to 3 inches of residual for alfalfa and 4 inches for cool-season grasses. Not only will this result in improved stand persistence, earlier regrowth, and sooner subsequent cuttings, but the stubble will help to elevate the swath and promote air flow and rapid drying.

Rake, Ted, and Bale at the Correct Moisture

Forage should be tedded or raked above 40% moisture. Tedding and raking the forage while it is still pliable helps to reduce leaf loss and maintain forage quality. Once the moisture content is below 40%, leaf losses increase rapidly, particularly for legumes. Adjust the rake to minimize the amount of tines touching the ground to avoid soil contamination. Using rakes that handle the hay gently or slowing the speed of the rake are also ways to further minimize leaf loss and maintain forage quality.

Bale the forage at 15 to 18% moisture. Baling in this moisture range inhibits mold growth and reduces heating. Hay that is excessively dry will have greater leaf loss due to leaf shatter, and hay that is too wet (above 20% moisture) is prone to excessive heating. Of course the worst case scenario is the potential for spontaneous combustion, but even heated hay that doesn’t burn is subject to having high concentrations of heat-damaged, indigestible protein.

Time Cuttings Appropriately

Appropriate timing includes not only harvesting at the ideal forage maturity, but also timing your cutting schedule for optimal growth based on seasonal weather conditions. For example, completing the first cutting in a timely manner allows time for adequate regrowth and a good second cutting prior to the onset of the hot summer months. A nitrogen application following first harvest can help with this by stimulating forage regrowth.

Be sure to allow cool-season hayfields to go into the summer with at least 5 to 6 inches of regrowth; this will shade the crown of the plant, moderating its temperature and reducing soil moisture losses. And finally, time fall hay cuttings to allow stands enough time to regrow and replenish their carbohydrate reserves prior to winter dormancy.

Ensure Balanced Soil Fertility

A sound fertility program provides adequate nutrients for the growing plant. In a forage system, this involves more than simply adding nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; it should also include monitoring soil pH, soil compaction, nutrient removal rates, and overall nutrient status.

High-yielding cuttings of hay remove substantial amounts of nutrients from fields, making a balanced fertility program essential for optimizing hay production. Take the time to soil test and apply nutrients and lime according to soil test results. Use nitrogen to promote growth in the spring and throughout the growing season. Avoid using “complete” fertilizers like 10-10-10, which commonly over-apply phosphorus and under-apply potassium. Adequate soil fertility is critical to achieving optimum forage production and quality.

Store Hay Properly

Last but not least, hay that has been baled will need protection from the weather to avoid losses in both quality and quantity. Losses during hay storage can accumulate quickly. To avoid this, store hay off the ground and preferably under cover. Much of the weathering damage is a result of the hay bale wicking moisture up from the ground, so storing hay off the ground can greatly reduce deterioration. Protecting hay from weathering through proper storage will help to reduce dry matter losses and maintain forage quality.

Maryland Crop Report: May 2021

Reports are for crop conditions up to May 6, 2021

Western Maryland

The weather here has been a little dry. Soil moisture levels are adequate but more rain would be welcome once the corn is planted. Triticale harvest is rushing to a conclusion to make way for manure tankers followed closely by the corn planter. Full season soybeans are also being planted and the first of the alfalfa is being mowed. Wheat is looking good and barley is in full head. Hopefully May will bring more showers than April did. —Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Northern Maryland

Corn and full season soybean planting has been in full swing for about two weeks now. The weather and soil conditions have been great. We were starting to get slightly dry but some timely showers this week brought some needed moisture. Corn and soybeans that have emerged look very good. Barley is heading out, triticale has been cut, and wheat varieties are between boot and heading. Right now head blight risk is low in our region, but that can change quickly so don’t fall asleep on it!—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper and Mid Eastern Shore

Barley is in stage 10.1 – 10.5 and looks good. Wheat is in stage 10 – 10.1 and also looks good. Corn and soybean planting is moving along rapid and smooth. Soil conditions have been ideal since planting started. Early planted corn and beans are germinating and emerging without too many issues. We are off to a good start. There have been a few acres of hay cut and baled. Most of the rest will be cut in the next few dry days. —Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Eastern Shore

Wheat is in boot stage or starting to head. Cover crops have been mostly terminated. Growers are spreading poultry manure and some lime. There has been more tillage than normal this spring, as wet conditions during harvest last fall caused ruts in fields. 10-20% of corn acreage has been planted. Weather has been relatively favorable these last couple of weeks for planting, although scattered rains have prevented some fields from drying out. A few farmers have started planting soybean, with much more acreage anticipated for next week.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

The region has experienced good planting conditions over the last couple of weeks. Corn planting progress is still a bit behind schedule with cooler soils limiting the number of early-planted acres. We have earlier planted soybeans this year as well. Germination and plant stands for both crops look good. Recent rains have made for ideal conditions for slugs. Farmers are keeping a careful eye out especially in no-till fields with heavy crop residue. Wheat is at the late boot to early heading stage. Farmers will be evaluating the need for a head scab fungicide in the next week. Insect and disease pressure has been light so far. Forage crops look great this spring. Alfalfa weevil were active very early this year and many fields required treatment. Pyrethroid resistance in alfalfa weevil is common in our area. First cutting of cool season grasses is underway. Tobacco transplants are ready to go to the field this week.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

 

April IPM Insect Scouting Tips

Emily Zobel, Senior Agriculture Agent Associate | ezobel@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension, Dorchester County

Alfalfa

Alfalfa weevils emerge and lay eggs in alfalfa stems in Mid-April. The larvae are yellowish-green with blackheads. The easiest way to scout for this pest is to randomly collect 30 stems from the field and shake them into a bucket. The economic threshold for alfalfa weevil is determined based on the height of plants, the value of the forage, and the cost of insecticidal treatment. A threshold chart can be found on Penn State Extension website https://extension.psu.edu/alfalfa-weevil (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Economic threshold for Alfalfa Weevil. Source: Penn State University

Small Grain

Cereal leaf beetle adults become active in Maryland around mid-April. Adults will lay eggs and larvae will start feeding around the end of the month. Scouting should be done away from the field edge since they tend to clump in fields and near edges. Check tillers of 50-60 randomly selected plants per field and count the number of eggs and larvae. The economic threshold is reached when there is an average of one or more larvae on 25% of tillers. The populations can be spotty, so checking individual fields is often necessary.

Several species of aphids will start to appear in small grains and other spring crops in April, depending on the weather. The most common species in our area are English grain aphid, bird cherry-oat aphid, corn leaf aphid, and the greenbug. Springtime feeding damage can cause discoloration on the leaves and shriveled heads. To scout for aphids, examine one linear row-foot at ten sites within the field. The economic threshold for aphids in wheat in pre-heading stages varies based on the aphid species present. Still, the general rule is treatment is recommended if there is an average of 150 aphids per linear foot of row, with no natural enemies present. For information about species identification and thresholds, check out the “Early Aphid Occurrences: a Possible Result of Warmer Winter Temperatures” article on the Maryland Agronomy News Blog, or contact your local Extension agent.

 

2020 Forage Variety Trial Update

Amanda Grev, Pasture and Forage Specialist
University of Maryland Extension

As new forage varieties continue to be developed and released, the efficacy and performance of these varieties needs to be evaluated. Similarly, as forage and livestock producers are making decisions on which forage species and variety to establish, it is helpful to compare performance data from a number of available varieties. To this end, the University of Maryland Extension Forage Team is in the process of establishing a series of forage variety trials.

In September 2019, an orchardgrass variety trial was established at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center (WMREC) in Keedysville, MD in order to evaluate select orchardgrass varieties based on forage production and quality. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with each individual entry replicated four times. All varieties were planted at a rate of 25 pounds per acre; seed was broadcast and then cultipacked to establish good seed-to-soil contact. The varieties planted included: Alpine, Bounty II, Extend, HLR Blend, Inavale, Olathe, Pennlate, and Rushmore II.

Data collection began when the majority of forage varieties reached the boot stage of development (prior to seed head emergence). The first cutting occurred on May 18, 2020; this was followed by a second cutting on August 3, 2020 and a third and final cutting on September 28, 2020. At each cutting, forage biomass was collected along a 3 ft. by 20 ft. strip from the center of each plot using a forage harvester set to a cutting height of 4 inches. Collected biomass was weighed, dried in a forced air oven, and weighed again for dry matter and forage yield determination. Sub-samples were also taken from each plot and sent to a commercial laboratory for forage quality analysis.

Seasonal cumulative yield for all orchardgrass varieties ranged from 3.6 to 3.8 tons per acre (Figure 1). Statistical analysis indicates no significant difference in forage yield among any of the varieties for the 2020 growing season. Forage quality analysis is underway; forage quality results will be shared once the analysis is complete.

A big thank you to Jeff Semler and the entire WMREC crew for their assistance in getting this trial started and their help with harvest and data collection. Seed for this study was donated by DLF Pickseed, Seedway, and Kings Agriseeds. These plots will continue to be evaluated for yield, quality, and additional performance parameters in the coming years. We hope to expand the trial to include multiple locations, as well as additional forage species and varieties.

Figure 1. Orchardgrass forage variety trial yield results for 2020, presented as total seasonal yield in tons per acre. Varieties marked by a common letter indicate similar yield production (i.e. no significant difference).

Maryland Regional Crop Reports: October 2020

Reports are for crop conditions up to October 6, 2020.

Western Maryland

Soybeans and corn are being harvested with wheat and cover crops being planted as soon as combines leave the fields. Manure is also covering many fields planted with cover crops. Welcome rains of early September have been followed by another dry spell. Hopefully the clouds of October will be more generous with their moisture.—Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

The cooler weather has been a welcome change from this summer. September’s rain amounts and locations were scattered across the region. Corn grain harvest has begun. Soybean fields are drying down, with some ready to be harvested in the next couple weeks. It’s not too early to start thinking about weed control for next season, especially if dealing with herbicide resistant weeds like marestail. If planting a small grain, be sure to start clean and stay clean!—Kelly Nichols, Montgomery Co.

Northern Maryland

We were a tad dry in September and recent rains have been welcome. Corn harvest has been occurring for approximately 3 weeks now, although not at full force until the last few days. Corn yields are certainly down compared to last year’s record numbers; probably 10-20% lower. Even with that said, corn yields are better than anticipated considering how dry June/July was. Full season soybeans are drying down quickly and what’s been harvested so far has yielded exceptionally well. The double crop beans do not look nearly as promising, as a dry July severely inhibited establishment and dry September reduced pod set/bean size. Cover crop establishment has been good and the 2021 wheat and barley crop are going in the ground smoothly.—Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper & Mid Shore

Corn harvest is around half complete. Dryland yields are well above average, and may end up near all time highs. Irrigated yields are off 10-15%- probably due to too many cloudy, humid, hazy, poor light quality days.  Soybean harvest is just beginning. Beans look really good. It’s still too early to predict yield, but we definitely grew a tremendous amount of forage. Early planted cover crops are off to a great start. Small grain planting is just beginning.—Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Shore

Harvest is underway. Approximately 25% of corn has been harvested. Corn yield reports are 125 plus or minus bushels per acre. Sorghum is also ready to be harvested. Soybean harvest has not yet begun, although fields are now beginning to reach full maturity. We had a 2-3” rain event last week, which prevented entry to fields for several days. So far, the weather has been sunny and breezy this week, helping to dry crops down. Palmer amaranth is apparent in some fields, and we urge growers to harvest these fields last and thoroughly clean equipment to prevent the spread of seed. The planting of fall cover crops is underway.—Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

Sunny conditions this week are finally allowing for good progress on corn harvest.  Corn moisture levels are stubbornly running around 18-22% and saturated ground has made corn harvest a challenge this year. We continue to see a fair amount of ear rot issues. Cover crop planting is behind schedule as farmers struggle to get corn in. Soybean harvest has not yet begun, but there are some really good-looking soybean fields. We expect excellent double crop beans and a very good full season crop. The drier weather has provided some opportunities for getting in dry hay. We continue to struggle with orchardgrass persistence in this area. Fields that looked picture perfect in the spring and early summer are now looking more like fields of weeds with patches of crabgrass and the majority of orchardgrass gone. We have some work to do to figure out the persistence issue or rely more heavily on other species. Vegetable harvest is winding up. The pumpkin and cucurbit crop was hurt by heavy rainfall.—Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

Tall Fescue, Friend or Foe?

Amanda Grev, Extension Forage Specialist | Jeff Semler, Principal Agriculture Agent
University of Maryland
Sjoerd W. Duiker, Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics
Penn State Cooperative Extension

Across the Mid-Atlantic, tall fescue covers millions of acres, making it one of if not the dominant forage in many of our cool-season perennial pastures. Release of the Kentucky 31 (K-31) variety of tall fescue in the 1940s had a large impact on the forage and livestock industry. Today there are approximately 40 million acres of tall fescue pastures across the United States, much of it K-31. However, even with its widespread use this may still be the most mismanaged and misunderstood perennial forage around.

Kentucky 31 tall fescue is infected with a fungal endophyte. This fungus lives between the cells of the plant as part of a symbiotic relationship. The plant provides the endophyte with shelter and nutrients—a place for the fungus to live and reproduce. The endophyte returns the favor by producing alkaloid compounds that provide the plant with insect and drought resistance, grazing tolerance, and overall plant persistence. Regrettably, some of the alkaloids produced by an endophyte-infected plant cause poor animal performance, including low average daily gain, decreased reproductive performance, rough hair coats, elevated body temperatures, etc. Collectively, this poor performance is referred to as fescue toxicosis, and it is the reason many producers have developed a bad taste for tall fescue.

As a result of this, for many people the mere mention of tall fescue brings an automatic dismissal conjuring up bad experiences with poor animal performance. However, while fescue toxicosis can be a very real and valid concern, there can also be a time and a place for it if managed appropriately. Given the prevalence of this type of tall fescue, there are several steps producers can take to reduce fescue toxicosis and mitigate its harmful effects without a complete stand renovation. Some practical methods to achieve this are discussed below.

Rotation

For several reasons, moving cattle off of fescue during the hot summer months greatly increases animal performance. First, fescue is not productive during the summer months, so moving cattle to a summer pasture simply gives them something to graze. Second, high temperatures can intensify the toxic effect of infected fescue, so moving cattle to a nontoxic pasture can help eliminate this summer slump. Research suggests that 88°F may be a threshold for significantly decreased gain. Additionally, after moving cattle should remain off of infected tall fescue for the entire summer; research also indicates a residual effect of toxicity, suggesting that rotating off of tall fescue for only one to two weeks will not greatly reduce the summer slump.

Using rotation within a grazing system will also help with avoiding close grazing. The highest levels of alkaloids are typically found in the bottom 3 inches of the fescue plant, so by leaving a greater amount of residual (ungrazed) forage you will also be limiting the animals’ exposure to the most toxic forage. As an additional bonus, grazing no shorter than 3-4 inches will also help improve stand persistence long term.

Timing

Tall fescue pastures should be grazed when the endophyte concentrations are naturally lower. The endophyte concentrates in the lower parts of the plants until the plant goes reproductive. At that time, the endophyte grows through the stem and eventually, alkaloids concentrate in the seed. Because of this, avoid grazing tall fescue when seedheads appear. Tall fescue produces seedheads during the first spring growth only, so one option is to graze the fescue aggressively in the spring to a 3-4 inch stubble height to keep it from going to seed. Another option is to clip seedheads or mow tall fescue pastures in the spring to make hay.

Timing can also be used to your advantage by stockpiling tall fescue for later grazing. Tall fescue is one of the preferred grasses for stockpiling. It grows well during the late summer and fall and its nutritional value improves in the fall as temperatures drop; thus, its feed quality is often better than other grasses in the winter. Recent research has shown that alkaloid concentrations decrease as much as 85% from December to March, making late winter grazing of stockpiled fescue a great option.

Tall fescue also has great standability in winter due to its relatively rigid leaves and robust root system. Its rigid leaves make it easier for livestock to graze during the winter months, and its robust root system withstands freezing and thawing cycles well. This characteristic also makes fescue an ideal candidate for grazing during wetter soil conditions. Furthermore, it is highly persistent, making it more likely to come back even after mistreatment or when grazed under poor conditions.

Dilution

Ever heard the phrase “dilution is the solution to pollution?” The toxic effects of infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue can be diluted by adding diversity to a pasture, particularly with legumes. In the Mid-Atlantic region, common grazing legumes for interseeding include red clover, white clover, alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil. Each of these legumes differs in its persistence and growth characteristics, but all can be maintained with proper management. Keep in mind that legumes should be inoculated, and red clover and birdsfoot trefoil will require occasional reseeding if they are not allowed to reseed naturally every couple years.

These legumes not only help add species diversity and reduce the total toxin concentration within a pasture, but they also serve as a protein-rich companion to the fescue. Because they have the capability to fix nitrogen, large nitrogen applications are no longer needed. This is important because nitrogen fertilization, especially larger applications, has been shown to raise the alkaloid level. Red clover in particular shows promise as a companion of tall fescue because research has revealed that it produces artery-dilating isoflavones that have the ability to counteract the artery-restricting effect of alkaloids from the toxic tall fescue endophyte. Unfortunately, clovers lose their leaves sometime after a frost, so graze the fescue/clover stands prior to a hard frost and keep the pure fescue stands for stockpiling.

Supplementation

Supplementing with corn or other feeds also reduces the toxic effects of the endophyte on cattle. Although feeding corn at a rate of 1 percent of body weight can be effective, it may interfere with efficient forage fiber digestion. For this reason, feeding corn at a rate of 0.6 percent of body weight offers an economic compromise—it allows efficient digestion of forage fiber, lowers feed costs, and reduces the effects of toxicity. An alternate supplement is corn gluten feed, which can be fed at a higher rate without greatly reducing fiber digestion.

In summary, while these recommendations may not totally eliminate the risk of fescue toxicosis, they do provide some tools to help minimize its effects while capitalizing on the positive attributes of a tall fescue stand. When managed to its advantages, endophyte-infected tall fescue can be one of the many valuable tools in a grazers tool box.

References:

Hall, M. (2016), Tall fescue, University Park, PA: Penn State Extension.

Roberts, C. (2000), Tall Fescue Toxicosis, University of Missouri Extension. https://extension2.missouri.edu/g4669

Poore, M., Drewnoski, M. (2010), Utilization of Stockpiled Tall Fescue in Winter Grazing Systems for Beef Cattle, Professional Animal Scientist; Apr 2010; 26, 2; Agricultural & Environmental Science Collection pg. 142

Rankin, M. (2016), The complexities of tall fescue, Hay & Forage Grower

Rogers, J. (2011), Clearing Up Some Tall Fescue Misconceptions, Noble Research Institute

Maximizing Potential of Winter Forages

Amanda Grev, Pasture and Forage Specialist
University of Maryland Extension

The time for silage harvest is either here or soon to be here, which means the subsequent planting of winter forages is quickly approaching and now is the time to be thinking ahead on plans for winter forage plantings. With proper fertilization and management, winter forages can be a high yielding forage crop with as much as 17-20% crude protein and 180+ relative forage quality while also providing environmental benefits in the form of nutrient retention and soil erosion control.

Regardless of your choice of species, there are several steps you can take to boost production and achieve maximum success with these winter forages. One of the biggest things you can do to maximize the benefits of winter forages and increase yield potential the following spring is to use an earlier planting date. The ideal time to plant is typically 10 days to two weeks ahead of the recommended wheat for grain planting date for your region. By planting winter forages in this earlier timeframe, the plants have more time to generate tillers during the fall. When it comes to forage production, more tillers equals greater forage yield. Replicated trials in New York have reported 9 to 11 tillers per seed for earlier plantings of triticale compared to 2 to 5 tillers per seed for later plantings. As a result, winter triticale planted around mid-September produced 25-30% greater dry matter yield compared to winter triticale planted in early October. This earlier planting date also resulted in an earlier harvest the following spring, with triticale planted in September being ready to harvest a week earlier than that planted in October.

Planting winter forages earlier also allows you to better capitalize on any remaining nitrogen left in the soil from the previous crop. When manure is applied to corn in the spring, it not only releases nitrate during the growing season but it will continue to release it after corn silage harvest. Earlier-planted winter forages are able to capture this nitrogen and use it to produce more tillers that will increase yield potential the following spring. Research out of Cornell showed that triticale nitrogen uptake averaged 62 pounds of nitrogen per acre for triticale planted before September 20th compared to 19 pounds of nitrogen per acre when planted after September 20th. For every ton of triticale dry matter biomass that was produced in the fall, approximately 70 pounds of nitrogen was taken up. In other words, more dry matter produced in the fall meant more nitrogen was stored and held over until the following spring. The bottom line is by planting on time, a considerable amount of nitrogen can be taken up and stored in the crop that would otherwise likely be lost or leached away.

Other added benefits stemming from additional fall biomass include greater protection of the crown from cold weather due to the additional top growth, as well as greater root growth which can reduce injury potential from winter heaving. And finally, early planting also results in a rapidly growing crop that can better outcompete weeds and will likely lessen the need for herbicides.

If early planting is not feasible due to the corn coming off later or for another reason, planting a winter forage at a later date can still provide economical yields of high quality forage and will still serve to protect the soil from erosion and improve soil health and structure by having living roots in the soil throughout the winter. That being said, if you are planting later, don’t try to make up for lost yield by putting down more seed. Research has shown that there is rarely an advantage to this, even with a later planting date. Triticale planted in New York the third week of October at seeding rates increasing from 100 to 200 pounds of seed per acre showed no significant yield differences the following spring. Instead of spending the money on extra seed, consider spending it on having a 3-way fungicide seed treatment applied to the seed. Field trials have shown a 15% increase in yield for treated seed compared to untreated seed when planted at an earlier or on-time planting date, and a 28% increase in yield for treated seed when planted at a later planting date.

Additionally, although seed planting depth is always a critical factor in forage plantings, as planting dates move later than optimum it becomes more critical that winter forage seeds be planted deep enough. Winter forages need to be planted a minimum of 1.25 inches deep. This deeper planting depth will allow the roots to establish firmly in the soil and resist early spring heaving.

For both early- and late-planted winter forages, a shot of nitrogen in the fall can help stimulate fall tillering without affecting winter hardiness. This can be applied in the form of manure or commercial fertilizer and can have a beneficial effect on yields the following spring. In New York trials, adding and immediately incorporating 4,000 gallons of manure per acre prior to planting increased yields for early-planted winter triticale by 14% and for later-planted winter triticale by 33%. However, manure application at this time can be harder to accomplish as harvest is ongoing and labor is often tied up in chopping and hauling. If a choice must be made, it is more important to get the winter forage in the ground early than it is to delay for the sake of adding manure. Getting the winter forage in the ground on time is more critical than applying manure because it maximizes both fall tillering and the absorption of leftover soil nitrogen. Most corn that has had manure applied will have some leftover nitrogen to support the fall tillering necessary for higher spring yields.

Last but not least, don’t forget to consider variety selection. New forage varieties continue to be developed and released because they offer improvements over existing varieties, and winter forages are no different. Choose a variety that has been tested and has shown superior performance in terms of forage yield and quality, and be sure to select and plant certified, weed-free seed in order to reach maximum potential.

 

Short Forage, Fall Oats, Winter Forage Options

Jeff Semler, Principal Agriculture Agent
University of Maryland Extension, Washington County

Each year, someone, somewhere, ends the growing season short on forage. There are many more this year. For much of our area, dry conditions are continuing as the jet stream tends to not move for extended periods during the present solar minimum we are experiencing. One area gets dumped on while the other goes begging for water. This has impacted the second (and some areas the first) cutting. Hay crop yields are reported to be down 30 to 40%. The extended days with temperature over 85 F can decrease corn silage yields as corn stops growing above that and we have had many days that fit that picture. Added to it the dry conditions and the potential is for corn yields both be down and later maturity as the corn stopped growing for extended days this summer. It is nearly the beginning of September, and you need to identify how much feed you need and what will supply that. There are still a few options open for last chance forage this year. There are also steps you can take this fall to get very early forage next spring when you run out of haylage. 

If you are looking for high-quality dairy forage, no mechanically harvested crop will produce as much and as high a quality as late summer planted spring oats. Because of the increasingly cool fall temperatures, the forage quality is incredibly high (higher than forage oats in the spring). You may want plant later to wait for the cooler nights to reduce the aphid population which can bring in in Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. Aphids can infect the plant with BYDV in less than 30 minutes. If you are planting early or on time, it is recommended using a neonic seed treatment as they are effective in limiting aphid feeding, based on research from the Cornell IPM coordinator. A moist fall can hammer this excellent plan by a major outbreak of rust. It could reduce quality and yield. Normally it starts to show a week or so before harvest. If scouting finds it, a highly suggested practice is to apply a fungicide to the oats when they are starting stem elongation. If you have a cereal leaf beetle outbreak an insecticide can be applied at the same time as the fungicide. Both are low cost assurance of top forage yield. 

It is suggested 3 bu/acre of oats. Klicer’s research found NO yield increase from increased fall oat seeding rate. If you use grain type oats, remember it will go through its life cycle quicker and so be ready to plan your timing to dry it for silage. If you are not going to be able to plant until later or have to harvest or graze later, then the slower forage oat type would be the better recommendation based on Ohio State research. Be liberal with the preplant manure but within your Nutrient Management Plan recommendations. In a 2010 study, Cornell studies had a relatively low yield of 2 tons DM/acre due to extremely dry weather. Despite the low yields, over 120 lbs of nitrogen/acre was removed as protein. *NOTE: If you applied manure don’t feed this to dry cows because of high potassium. 

For high producing dairy cows, mow as soon as the flag leaf is out, or early boot. Even early boot is still very good forage. The reason for this is because of the very cool night temperatures inhibit respiration of the most digestible parts, and they accumulate in the plant. As soon as it hits flag leaf, mow wide swath. You are trying to dry something that can yield 2 – 3 times more tons of dry matter than a heavy alfalfa first cutting, compounded by cooler temperatures and much less intensity and hours of sunlight. Even with wide swath, the high yield sheer mass will allow only the top to dry. As soon as the top has a light grey cast (pick up a surface plant and see if it is greener underneath) tedd to get the lower layers spread and drying. Watch forward speed so you don’t make tedder lumps. It is critical that it be ensiled the same day you mow because of the very high sugar levels (exception to rule: if it goes into the 30’s F at night it stops respiration and sugar loss and you can go to the next day). Leaving it overnight in warmer temperatures burns off the sugars and produces higher populations of Clostridia and higher levels of butyric acid. With same-day haylage, these are reduced or eliminated even at higher moisture conditions. On the flip side, the very high sugar levels, if preserved until you ensile the crop; will speed the process and produce an excellent fermented forage if inoculated. 

Fall Spring Oats plus Winter Triticale. This is a triple crop system where oats and winter triticale (100 lbs. oats/acre with 80 lbs. of triticale/acre) are planted after corn silage harvest or in fallow wheat ground. After the oat harvest, the triticale continued to grow and produced an excellent forage the next year. It is CRITICAL that you mow the oats with the cutter bar set at a minimum of 4 inches. Where 4 inches or more is left, the triticale thrived. Where mowed less than 3.5 inches the triticale died. Target flag leaf oat harvest to maximize triticale fall regrowth. Fertilize the triticale as normal the next spring and had an excellent harvest. This can give you two very high-quality forage crops in one planting. 

Last Chance Forage: If it rains, cool-season grasses put on a burst of growth in late August, September, and early October. Feeding the crop with nitrogen and sulfur can give you some very high-quality forage for your dairy herd. It will be wet so chop it ¾ to 1 inch long to reduce leachate. As with the oats above, use a homolactic inoculant and ensile it the same day it is mowed (unless temperatures drop to the 30’s at night). Remember to cut grass at 4-inch cutting height to maintain the stand.

First Chance for Very High-Quality Forage Next Year. Now is the time to get seed for winter forage. This will be the earliest highest quality forage you can get into your cows next spring. Fermented energy levels are equal to corn silage, protein (with sulfur fertilization) can equal good alfalfa. Both rye and winter triticale could be used to produce winter forage. Winter triticale is preferred as it is 35% higher yielding than rye in side by side tests. Flag leaf triticale resists lodging at nitrogen rates over 100 lbs.N/a which gives high crude protein, while rye lodges. 

The Key to High Winter Forage Yields is Planting on Time, which is: 10 DAYS TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE WHEAT-FOR-GRAIN PLANTING DATE IN YOUR AREA. This has proven true over the past 20 years of winter forage research. Earlier planting means more tillers which means more spring yield potential. On-time planting research showed a 25-35% yield increase next spring vs late (same date or later than wheat). 

Should we skip winter forage? NO! Go ahead and plant. You will protect the soil against long term yield-robbing soil erosion; improve the soil health and structure for long term yield gain and still could have economical yields of very high-quality forage. There are several steps that our research has found to improve the yield and survival of late winter forage. Don’t fall for the old story that if you plant late you can make up for it by putting down more seed. Research has not seen any advantage planting over 100 lbs winter triticale seed/acre. If you are forced this year to plant later than the optimum two weeks before wheat grain planting; instead of spending money on extra seed, spend it on having a 3-way fungicide seed treatment applied to the seed. In replicated trials at the on-time planting date, the treated seed yielded 15% more than the control of untreated seed. For the late planting date, the treated seed yielded 28% more than the untreated seed. The late seeding still produced 2.8 tons of dry matter (8 tons/a 35% dm) yield which is a very profitable crop. Much depends on fall weather. The management most critical to survival in late planting is to plant at 1.25 inches at a minimum. If you don’t, in early spring thaw the heaving will push the plant up and they don’t grow. For keys on planting watch the YouTube video Establishing Winter Triticale Forage.

Like cool season grass, oats with an under-crop of winter triticale must be mowed at 4-inch cutterbar height or it will be killed. Mowed properly, this triticale crop is growing very nicely the next spring. 

(adapted from research by Tom Klicer; Cornell University Emertis).

Forage Performance of Cereal Cover Crops in Maryland

Nicole Fiorellino, Extension Agronomist
University of Maryland, College Park

Dairy farmers are constantly looking for sources of forage to meet their feed needs. One source that many of our region’s dairy farmers utilize is the fall planting of cereal grains that are green-chop harvested the following spring. Among the cereal species used for this purpose are rye, triticale, barley, and wheat. Per the Maryland Cover Crop Program guidelines, cereal grains planted as a cover crop prior to November 5 and suppressed via green-chop in the spring are eligible for the grant payment for participation in the Cover Crop Program.  In addition, per the Nutrient Management Regulations, a fall application of dairy manure is allowed to a field planted to a cereal cover crop.

Planting a cereal cover crop that will be green chop harvested fits well into the crop rotation used by many dairy farmers. The scenario that many follow is to plant the cereal cover crop following harvest of corn silage. Prior to planting the cover crop, an application of manure is made to the field. The subsequent planting of the cover crop provides incorporation of the manure into the soil. The fall and spring growth of the cover crop is supplied nutrients from the manure. At the same time, the cover crop provides protection to the soil from loss of nutrients via leaching and/or erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate select varieties of cereal species for cover crop performance and forage production and quality.

Cereal varieties (21) representing four species (rye, triticale, wheat, barley) were evaluated at Central Maryland Research and Education Center – Clarksville Facility. Three replications for each entry were planted using a randomized complete block experimental design.  Planting date was October 11, 2019. The 3’ X 18’ plots were planted with a small plot planter with 6-inch spacing between each of the 7 rows. The germination percentage for each entry was used to calculate the seeding rate needed to establish 1.5 million seedlings. Good stands were established in most plots by late fall.

Our goal each year is to time spring biomass harvest with when entries reach late boot to early heading stage of development. With the cool spring this year, plant growth and development slowed, with heading delayed until mid-May for most entries (Table 2) and harvest dates varying among the entries (listed in Table 1). Each harvest sample was collected by cutting the plants just above ground-level from three center rows of each plot from an area 2.5 feet in length and from two areas within the plot. The samples were placed into cloth bags and dried using a forced air dryer set at 60o C where they remained until sample water content was zero. Each sample was weighed and is reported as pounds of dry matter production per acre (Table 1). Each of the dried samples was ground through a 20-mesh screen using a large plant grinder and the ground biomass samples were sent to Cumberland Valley Analytical Laboratory for standard forage quality analysis.

Cover crop performance is measured by amount of biomass produced and the concentration of nitrogen (N) in the biomass. These two factors were used to estimate N uptake (Table 2). The cool weather this spring delayed harvest of this study, likely contributing to the higher biomass and N uptake observed this year compared to last year’s trials. There was no significant difference in nitrogen uptake among the varieties tested. A number of forage quality characteristics for these cereals was measured (Table 2). The descriptions of the various quality characteristic are described here and in the footnotes at the bottom of Table 2. Crude protein (CP) is the N content of the forage, with higher protein representing better feed quality. This value was used to calculate nitrogen uptake of each variety (Nitrogen content = % CP/6.25). Both rye varieties and the barley check variety had significantly greater CP than the overall mean, with a number of triticale varieties having significantly less CP content than the overall mean. One rye and the barley variety also had rumen degradable protein (RDP) content significantly greater than the overall mean.

Neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF) are measures of feed value and represent the less digestible components of the plant, with NDF representing total fiber and ADF representing the least digestible plant components. Low NDF and ADF values representing increased digestibility; ideally NDF values should be <50% and ADF values should be <35%. Values of both traits were above the ideal this year, as the late harvest resulted in more mature plants. Despite this, four triticale varieties (TriCal EXP 20T02, BCT 15509, BCT 18001, bCT 19005) had significantly lower NDF and ADF values than the overall mean, representing a digestible triticale varieties. This same variety also had significantly higher total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy for lactation (NEL), relative feed value (RFV), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), indicating good performing varieties.

The characteristic that best captures the overall forage quality performance is Relative Feed Value (RFV). A RFV of 100 is defined as the forage value that full bloom alfalfa would have. In addition to the triticale varieties mentioned previously, one additional triticale variety (TriCal Gainer 154) and the barley and wheat check varieties had RFV values significantly greater than the overall mean.

Though, none of these green-chop cereal forages are considered to be adequate as a stand-alone feed for a dairy operation, they can supply a source of forage used in a total mixed ration at the time of year when feed supply may be running short. When this forage benefit is added to the environmental benefit that is gained, planting winter cereal cover crops on a dairy farm can be a win-win decision.

Download a PDF copy of this report by clicking here

Acknowledgements

This work could not be accomplished without the assistance and oversight of all field operations by Mr. Louis Thorne and Mr. Joseph Crank. We acknowledge the assistance of the undergraduate students who work with Dr. Jason Wight (Shana Burke and Deonna Cousins) for their assistance with seed packaging.

 

Table 1. Average harvest date for cereal species evaluated in Clarksville, MD in 2019-2020.

    Variety Species Average harvest date
TriCal Exp 19R01 Rye May 11
Rye VNS (check) Rye May 4
Mercer Brand Tri-Cow 814 Triticale May 4
TriCal Gainer 154 Triticale May 4
TriCal Flex 719 Triticale May 13
TriCal Surge Triticale May 11
TriCal Merlin Max Triticale May 13
TriCal Thor Triticale May 13
TriCal Exp 20T02 Triticale May 13
TriCal Exp 20T03 Triticale May 13
TriCal Exp 20T04 Triticale May 27
BCT 15509 Triticale May 11
BCT 15513 Triticale May 27
BCT 18001 Triticale May 13
BCT 18002 Triticale May 13
BCT 19003 Triticale May 27
BCT 19004 Triticale May 13
BCT 19005 Triticale May 13
BCT 19006 Triticale May 13
Nomini (check) Barley April 14
P25R25 (check) Wheat May 27

Table 2. Forage and cover crop performance of cereal species evaluated in Clarksville, MD during 2019-2020 growing season.

Variety Species Biomass Yield

lb DM/a

 Head

Date

 1Nitrogen

Uptake

lb N/a

 2Crude

Protein %

 3Soluble Protein

% DM

 4RDP

% DM

 5ADF

% DM

 6NDF

% DM

 7Ash

% DM

 8Total

Digestible

Nutrients

% DM

 9Net

Energy

Lactation

(Mcal/lb)

 10RFV 11Non Fiber

Carb.

% DM
TriCal Exp 19R01 Rye 20655 April 17 395 11.9* 6.7* 9.3 41.8 64.0 7.4 56.5# 0.57# 82.0 15.2#
Rye VNS (check) Rye 20490 May 3 351 10.7* 4.4 7.6* 42.5 65.6 7.4 57.2 0.58 79.2# 14.4#
Rye Mean 20573 April 25 373 11.3* 5.6 8.4 42.2 64.8 7.4 56.9 0.58 80.6 14.8
Mercer Brand Tri-Cow 814 Triticale 23096 April 23 344 9.4 3.9 6.6 39.3 62.4 7.0 59.1 0.60 87.0 19.5
TriCal Gainer 154 Triticale 22925 May 4 260 9.5 3.9 6.7 37.4 59.5 6.6 60.3 0.61 96.5* 22.7
TriCal Flex 719 Triticale 24363 May 13 296 7.6# 2.8# 5.2# 42.7* 64.6 7.2 57.3 0.58 80.0# 19.2
TriCal Surge Triticale 22601 May 13 312 8.5 3.0 5.8 40.8 62.0 7.7 58.2 0.59 85.5 20.1
TriCal Merlin Max Triticale 22618 May 13 295 8.1 3.1# 5.6# 41.1 63.4 8.0 57.3 0.58 83.5 19.0
TriCal Thor Triticale 27172 May 14 357 8.2 3.6 5.9 44.7* 65.3 7.8 55.7# 0.56# 78.0# 17.4
TriCal Exp 20T02 Triticale 23820 May 12 290 7.6# 2.5# 5.1# 34.5# 54.5# 7.0 62.9* 0.64* 106.0* 29.0*
TriCal Exp 20T03 Triticale 24867 May 13 341 8.6 3.0# 5.8 41.6 61.5 8.5* 57.9 0.59 85.3 19.8
TriCal Exp 20T04 Triticale 28459* May 15 343 7.6# 4.0 5.8 48.7* 72.6* 7.4 52.7# 0.53# 65.3# 11.3#
BCT 15509 Triticale 22927 May 14 318 8.6 3.8 6.2 35.3# 56.9# 6.9 62.1* 0.63* 100.5* 25.7*
BCT 15513 Triticale 28316* May 16 358 7.8# 5.0* 6.3 42.6 64.7 6.4 57.1 0.58 80.5# 19.8
BCT 18001 Triticale 25363 May 11 347 8.6 3.4 6.0 37.1# 56.7# 7.7 61.4* 0.63* 98.3* 25.1*
BCT 18002 Triticale 25654 May 12 318 7.8# 3.1# 5.4# 41.6 63.2 6.5 58.4 0.60 84.0 21.1
BCT 19003 Triticale 28526* May 16 329 7.2# 3.8 5.5# 47.4* 70.2* 5.7# 64.2* 0.55# 69.0 15.9#
BCT 19004 Triticale 28740* May 13 366 7.9# 2.8# 5.4# 41.3 62.2 7.0 58.2 0.59 85.0 21.3
BCT 19005 Triticale 24173 May 13 332 8.6 3.0# 5.8 36.6# 57.7# 7.1 61.4* 0.63* 97.5* 24.7*
BCT 19006 Triticale 27915 May 12 330 8.5 3.1# 5.8 36.7# 58.6 7.2 60.7 0.62 95.5 23.9
Triticale Mean 25358 May 12 329 8.3 3.4 5.8 40.3 61.8 7.2 58.7 0.60 87.5 21.1
Nomini (check) Barley 15044# April 23 341 14.2* 6.6* 10.5* 34.4# 55.6 9.0* 61.7* 0.63* 104.2* 19.2
P25R25 (check) Wheat 25376 May 16 189 7.3# 3.7 5.5# 34. 4# 53.7 5.3# 62.7* 0.64* 107.7* 32.4*
Overall Mean 24269 May 10 329 8.9 3.8 6.4 39.9 61.5 7.2 58.8 0.60 88.5 20.8
LSD0.1 3816 2 days – 0.9 0.6 0.7 2.7 3.4 0.8 2.1 0.02 7.5 3.4
*,# Indicates the entry was either significantly greater (*) or significantly (#)less than the overall mean for that feed characteristic.
1Nitrogen uptake (lb N/acre) for each entry was estimated by multiplying the lb DM/ac X % nitrogen contained in the DM. The percent nitrogen for each entry was calculated by dividing crude protein by the conversion factor 6.25 which is the average amount of nitrogen (%) contained in protein.
2Crude Protein %: represents total nitrogen content of the forage; higher protein is usually associated with better feed quality.
3Soluble Protein %: non-protein N and portion of true proteins that are readily degraded to ammonia in the rumen.
4RDP (Rumen Degradable Protein): portion of crude protein that microbes can either digest or degrade to ammonia and amino acids in the rumen.
5ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber): represents the least digestible fiber portion of forage; the lower the ADF value the greater the digestibility.
6NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber): insoluble fraction of forage used to estimate the total fiber constituents of a feedstock.
7Ash: mineral elements of the forage.
8TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients): measure of the energy value of the forage.
9Net Energy Lactation: estimate of the energy in a feed used for maintenance plus lactation during milk production.
10RFV (Relative Feed Value): indicates how well an animal will eat and digest a forage if it is fed as the only source of energy.
11Non Fiber Carbohydrates: represents all forms of digestible carbohydrates (starch, sugar, pectin, and fermentation acids) in the forage.

Table 3. Brands and companies in the 2019-2020 Maryland cereal forage trials.

Brand Address
Eddie Mercer Agri-Services, Inc. 6900 Linganore Road

Frederick, Maryland 21701

www.eddiemerceragri-services.com
Seed-Link Inc. 208 St. David Street

Lindsay, Ontario (Canada) K9V-4Z4

www.seed-link.ca
TriCal Superior Forage 12167 Highway 70S

Vernon, Texas 76384

tricalforage.com

Assessing Pastures in Preparation for Fall Pasture Renovation

Amanda Grev, Pasture and Forage Specialist
University of Maryland Extension

With the current warm temperatures it may feel like fall is still far away, but the end of summer will be here before we know it and now is the time to be thinking ahead about plans for pasture renovation this fall. Despite our best managerial efforts, many of our forage stands will eventually require some form of renovation. Whether we have simply let our fertility slip, lapsed a little in our harvest management, allowed some fields to become overgrazed, or some weeds have taken over and outcompeted the desirable forages, an unproductive pasture is often the result. Couple this with the severe drought and extreme wet conditions that Mother Nature has all too often thrown our way in recent years and we may find ourselves scratching our heads and wondering how we got here and what to do about it.

The first step is to recognize that poor forage stands are often a symptom of an underlying cause. More often than not, the major causes of poor pasture productivity include a lack of adequate fertilization and/or poor grazing or harvest management. If this is the case, keep in mind that if a stand is thin as a result of poor soil fertility or overgrazing, the problem will not correct itself just because you’ve added more seed. To achieve real success, these underlying issues will need to be corrected. If environmental conditions such as flooding or drought are at fault, we can work to overcome those by selecting species or varieties that will be more resilient to those conditions moving forward.

Along those lines, one other point of note is that renovation does not always require completely starting over with a full reseeding. Renovation can also occur in the form of improvements in management, better fertilization and weed control, the addition of legumes into grass pastures, or overseeding into thinner areas.

When deciding whether or not renovation is needed, take some time to assess the current condition of your pastures. Are they performing as well as you would like? Has there been excess damage from environmental conditions? How well have you been managing the stand? Are there a lot of undesirable species or weeds present? In addition to asking yourself these questions, an objective assessment of the pasture stand can be helpful. One such assessment is the step-point method, which involves walking through each pasture in a random pattern and noting the forage species (or lack thereof) at various locations throughout the pasture (see specific steps below). Recording these observations allows you to objectively calculate the vegetative cover and percent desirable forages for a given field. In addition, take note of other key indicators such as forage diversity, plant vigor, presence of insect or disease damage, signs of erosion, or other observations as you walk.

If damage is light and there is a high proportion of desirable species and a low proportion of bare ground or undesirable weeds, then some rest, fertility, and weed control might be all you really need. If the damage is more moderate, perhaps frost seeding in some clovers or overseeding the worst areas would also help. If you have a low proportion of desirable species and a higher proportion of bare ground or undesirable weeds, you may want to consider terminating the existing stand and reestablishing the field with a suitable forage species based on your farm, your system, and your needs.

If you do decide to fully renovate, you have several options. The renovation process is a chance to upgrade your forage system and to capitalize on new and improved forage genetics. You may decide to do a rotation or two with an annual forage as a smother crop to help suppress weed populations, prevent soil erosion, build soil fertility, mitigate soil compaction, and provide a high quality forage source during the renovation process prior to planting the field back into a perennial stand. Either way, there are several steps you should follow to make sure the reseeding process goes smoothly, so start thinking ahead on some of the necessary steps moving forward. Think about forage options that will work for you and look for good quality seed to purchase. If you don’t have a recent soil test, take some soil samples and begin correcting any soil pH or fertility deficiencies. If weeds are a problem, be sure to allow adequate time to achieve good weed control and still be able to plant in a timely manner. Recognize that in some situations a single herbicide application may not always be enough, and be mindful of any herbicide carryover that might affect seeding.

No matter how you decide to proceed, now is the time to be thinking ahead and making plans for this fall. Stay tuned next month for an overview of the key steps for optimum forage establishment and some common establishment mistakes to avoid.

The Step-Point Method for Pasture Vegetative Cover Assessment
Step 1 Denote or mark a specific spot on the tip or edge of a shoe or boot.
Step 2 Based on the major species present in your pasture, determine which forage species to include as categories. As an example, you could include tall fescue, orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, white clover, red clover, other legume, other grass, undesirable species (weeds), and bare ground.
Step 3 Walk through the pasture in a random zig-zag pattern stretching from one end of the field to the other. Avoid walking near gates, waterers, laneways, or other heavily used areas. Every 10 to 20 steps (depending on pasture size), stop and take note of what is directly under the designated spot on your shoe. The spot will fall directly on top of a specific plant species, make a mark for or write down which forage species (or bare ground) is present based on your pre-determined categories.
Step 4 After recording 50-100 stops, add up the number of marks for each forage species or category and calculate the percentage of each species.
Step 5 Repeat the above steps for each pasture.