I live in Texas on the cusp of central and east about 40 miles east of Bryan/College Station. St Augustine. If you have a problem area or if your landscape presents different growing conditions, you may need to select a couple of options for good results. Laboratory analyses for protein, however, are expressed as. Most of our native mixes are designed for South Texas and Central Texas … As the hay dries it loses roughly 1 percent of dry matter for each percent of moisture. Drying agents do not affect forage nutritive value. Ryegrass is sensitive to acid soil pH values below 5.5. Rye matures earlier in the spring than most wheat varieties but generally produces more forage in the fall than wheat. It can be considered a forage grass, a turf grass or a noxious weed. The other problem with buying by the bale is that the amount of dry matter being sold or purchased is unknown. Millet may require a hay conditioner (a piece of equipment that crimps and crushes newly cut hay to promote faster and more even drying) and more drying days than the fine-stemmed species such as bermudagrass. Since the nutritive value of these crops is generally lower, animals will usually need supplements during the winter or during droughts when fed overly mature forages. Mapping and collecting soil samples properly will help you develop an accurate and efficient nutrient management plan. St. Augustine is a good choice for a shady Texas lawn with mature trees, as it prefers full shade. Soils with low pH levels can have higher concentrations of soluble aluminum and manganese. Inhibitors also help reduce leaf loss during baling and can reduce potential rain damage. Water-holding capacity, influenced by soil texture and slope, is often the main determinant of good land for hay production. 750. Be sure you understand your laboratory’s reporting method to ensure you don’t feed toxic levels of nitrate to livestock. Our hay and pasture mix lineup will provide solutions for a range of goals and growing conditions. Rotational stocking systems effectively maintain phosphorus availability. Quality in Coastal bermudagrass hay. you will address all nutrient, pH, and salinity limitations. This can be done independently or by a professional, and it helps keep the topsoil healthy and aerated. Crabgrass should be harvested in the boot to heading stages (normally 18 to 24 inches high); this can allow for at least two harvests a year. Though prussic acid accumulation occurs under the same conditions that cause nitrate accumulation, prussic acid volatilizes to a safe level during the curing process. You can determine whether an animal has died from nitrate poisoning by cutting a recently deceased animal; the blood will be dark and then turn red as it reacts with oxygen in the air. Then drill or core 12 to 18 inches into the bale and carefully put the sample into a paper sack. Hay for sheep and goats should contain more protein and be more digestible than hay produced for the dry, pregnant cow. In these systems, fecal deposits are quickly mineralized so the phosphorus can be used immediately. Copyright © 2016 TLC Landscapes LLC All Rights Reserved. Crude protein (CP) is the second important component of forage nutritive value. In the past, it was difficult to adjust cutting height and most mowers left a stubble height of 2 inches or less. The value of all cows and calves marketed in 2008 was estimated at approximately $50 billion. Twelve states account for approximately 63 percent of the total U.S. cow herd and of these top 12 states, Texas has nearly twice the cattle of the next closest state. Use a soil auger or soil sampling tube and sample 6 inches deep. Triticale tolerates drought and pests better than wheat. If interested, check with your local county extension agent, NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) personnel, or Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist to determine which species are best adapted to your location. Even a 4-inch band on the outer surface of a 6-foot diameter round bale can represent a 21 percent lossof dry matter and nutritive value (Table 7). It is a high-yielding grass; 5 to 7 tons of hay per acre can be produced with good management and ample moisture. For very large lots of hay you should sample at least 10 percent of the baled hay. , though primarily used for grain and pasture, can also be used as a hay crop. Sod installation is a deceptively difficult job, and you are probably better off leaving it to the experts. You can choose any for cultivating on your field, depending on your local facilities, weather and availability of the seeds. 8) or individual bales (Fig. When you fertilize according to soil test recommendations, harvest the forage at the appropriate stage of maturity, and carefully cure and bale your hay, it ends up being an expensive commodity worth protecting from the elements. The first introduction to the U.S. occurred in 1913 with common bahiagrass by the Florida Bermudagrass is productive from spring until fall and is well-suited for grazing or hay production. The standard mixes that we have will cover a variety of uses for your needs. Red clover should be reserved for well drained soils, as this legume does poorly when planted on wet soils. Though Table 4 may appear to indicate only a slight economical advantage to the herbicide treatment, each season usually requires more than one mechanical treatment. Like pearl millet, though, sorghum-sudan hybrids also have large stems, which require conditioning and extra drying time. Both products, however, can pose significant health risks to those applying the materials. Hay normally reaches its peak temperature from 7 to14 days after baling, but temperature may rise for as long as 30 days. Warm-Season Grasses Bahiagrass Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is a warm-season perennial grass native to South America. protein because the analysis is not for protein but for total nitrogen. In East Texas, ryegrass is mixed with cereal rye and wheat to extend spring grazing. Nutrient needs for grazing animals vary according to kind (cattle, sheep, goats, horses) and class (mature, dry pregnant, lactating, growing). are either energy (total digestible nutrients, TDN) or protein (crude protein, CP). This approach to weed management is usually more cost-effective than applying herbicide later. 4:4-5. Many producers also find the savanna ecosystem more aesthetically pleasing. It is best used for grazing rather than hay production. Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. One quick test is the diphenylamine spot test. Take a look at the most common grass types for Fort Worth lawns. Download a printer-friendly version of this publication: Hay Production in Texas. Bermuda. (ADF) is determined by processing the residue from NDF analysis or an intact forage sample in a sulfuric acid solution. However, success depends upon skilled installation. Alfalfa hay is very digestible and can be high in crude protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. The actual levels of crude protein and digestible energy, and other nutritive characteristics of the forage should be established through laboratory analysis so producers can make sound purchasing and feeding decisions. 2003. Though often considered a weedy species, it is palatable and can be used for hay production. There are numerous varieties of bermudagrass, both seeded (common, Cheyenne, Wrangler) and hybrid (Tifton 85, Coastal, Jiggs, etc.). Hay containing more than 30 percent moisture should not be baled even with a preservative. Warm-season perennial grass provides good grazing from April through June and again from July through … The cost to wrap long strings of round bales (Fig. Pictures of the grasses have been added. For horses, bermudagrass should be harvested 7 to 10 days earlier, or at approximately 12 inches in height, to capture a higher level of nutrients. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield. Turf-type tall fescues are used extensively in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Northern Texas, but generally will require irrigation to survive heat/drought. Bermuda grass is a grass of many names — Bahama grass, couch grass, or devil’s grass, the bottom line is that this type of grass can survive extreme temperatures and severe drought conditions. is a short-lived perennial that can last 2 to 3 years. Create different composite samples for those particular areas. It is essential to know the moisture content of the hay. The stems dictate the optimum size, but generally, the smaller the better. Tall fescue’s rainfall and temperature requirements generally limit its production to northeast Texas. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, E-543. It is important to pack the tube to the same density each time. Soil fertility is critical to forage production and nutritive value. Contains perennial rye grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy, orchard grass, and white clover. Johnsongrass should be harvested at heading. is better suited for hay production than for grazing because it can accumulate prussic acid in its leaves and poison livestock. Follow up any positive field test with laboratory analysis. This method works only on moist plants with stems thick enough to split and receive the test reagent. To test for nitrates in the field you can use qualitative spot color methods and/or quantitative methods that use colorimeters and nitrate electrodes. This composite sample will represent the nutritive value for that lot of hay. Though Old World bluestems respond to good fertility, the grasses are generally persistent with little or no fertilization. The low pH inhibits mold and respiration losses that typically occur in high-moisture bales. Why should a bale with only 6 percent crude protein sell for the same price as a bale that contains 14 percent crude protein? Forage with a higher nitrate percentage may be fed if it is ground and mixed with nitrate-free forage to an overall level of less than 1 percent on a dry-matter basis. It starts growing fairly quickly making it excellent for establishing and replenishing a pasture. Double Barrel Brome Grass and Double Barrel Orchardgrass - Both are cool-season grasses suitable for making hay. 9) is about $5 to $7 per bale. NDF is the residue left after boiling a forage sample in a neutral detergent. Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. Very helpful as we live in San Antonio, and believe our new house has Bermuda grass! Ranchers Agricultural Leasing Workshop: Online course, Connecting Agriculture and Health – From the Ground Up: online, Equine Reproductive Management Short Course, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8xY2YuOfM. Like pearl millet, though, sorghum-sudan hybrids also have large stems, which require conditioning and extra drying time. There are few options for managing baled hay containing nitrates other than grinding and mixing it with good forage to dilute the nitrate level to less than 1 percent. “Well fertilized” hay may not meet the animal’s nutrient requirements, and supplementation can dramatically increase the cost of the feeding program. It is more difficult to obtain an accurate forage sample from the field than from a bale. "Hay Type" or "Forage" Bermuda species are improved varieties to provide higher yields and higher nutritional value. Weeds hurt forage production by intercepting sunlight and removing moisture and nutrients forage crops need for growth. If you don’t have a probe available, split the bale open and collect lower stems of individual plants to ensure the highest possible nitrate level is revealed by the analysis. Historically, low potassium was only a problem in the sandier areas of Texas, but hay production in more clayey soils has also depleted potassium from the surface and subsurface of these soils. Fiber components in the forage also become less degradable. To convert nitrate-N levels to actual nitrate, multiply by 4.42. Hay grows best if it has plenty of nitrogen and organic matter. When choosing a forage species for hay, you must also consider the nutrient requirements of the animals that will likely be target of the hay feeding as well as the cost to establish, maintain and continue hay production. Economic analysis shows bermudagrass hay costs $110 to $120 per ton to produce when all inputs, (labor, equipment, fuel, repairs, taxes, depreciation, fertility, herbicide, etc.) Earl was released in 1996 by NRCS. You should obtain one composite sample for each lot of hay by taking sub-samples from at least 10 percent of each lot’s bales. Avoid sampling small gullies, slight field depressions, terrace waterways, or atypical areas. In the case of horses, low quality hay is the primary cause of impaction colic. It can be planted earlier, often produces more forage, and has a longer grazing period than many varieties of wheat or rye. It is endophyte free and can handle pasture traffic without dying off. Twelve states account for approximately 63 percent of the total U.S. cow herd and of these top 12 states. Many areas of Texas have inherently low amounts of soil phosphorus. has high nutritive value and is well adapted to sandy soils. Although cool- season annual grasses (small grains, ryegrass), and some legumes are harvested for hay each spring, most hay operations in Texas are based on warm-season perennial grasses. If the soil has a shallow clay layer within 12 inches of the surface, however, it may not need additional potassium fertilizer because potassium is available in the clay layer. I've never heard of Zoysia, but wish I had that vs. Bermuda. The following are some common forage types and species used for hay production. Other preservatives may be effective on hay containing 20 to 25 percent moisture, but many have not been scientifically tested. Take 10 to 15 subsamples from different locations in the area to be managed. You can seed your lawn in patches, or you can till the whole thing, prepare it properly, and sow your entire yard. Unlike most other legume crops used for hay, soybean foliage and pods both provide digestible protein. Old World bluestems (Bothriochloa ischaemum, B. bladhii, and Dichanthium spp.) If this is the case, you must select forages that can tolerate the high soil pH. The cellulose in ADF is more or less digestible depending on the maturity of the forage. Capturing that nutritive value requires careful attention to the maturity of the various forage species. Rye matures earlier in the spring than most wheat varieties but generally produces more forage in the fall than wheat. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. Nitrate content may be expressed as actual nitrate (% NO. Red clover should be reserved for well drained soils, as this legume does poorly when planted on wet soils. These surveys can be found at many public libraries, at local NRCS offices, or online using the Soil Web Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov). Anhydrous ammonia is difficult to apply and is a hazardous chemical. Zoysia is in the middle. Most forage species require soil pH levels of at least 5.8. Because of the long experience with common, it is often used as a standard for evaluating new material. (Bothriochloa ischaemum, B. bladhii, and Dichanthium spp.). After nitrogen, phosphorus is often the second most limiting nutrient. We have a variety of grasses that are great for livestock grazing, and making hay. Though Old World bluestems respond to good fertility, the grasses are generally persistent with little or no fertilization. At a moisture content of greater than 20 percent up to 35 percent, mold production becomes a great concern because it consumes nutrients in the hay and reduces its nutritive value. It is slow growing and coarse-leafed. We also keep hundreds of different individual species and varieties available and are happy to assist you in designing custom blends for your specific project. Mature sheep can get by on good-quality grass hay, but lambs do better with a legume—harvested while still growing so that it has finer stems. ‐ Plan Spring/Summer forage grazing program. Good-quality hay, silage, or haylage meet supplement criteria for grass-fed beef. Propionic acid is corrosive and can damage machines and injure workers. The grass is very tolerant of low-fertility, acid soils, but does respond to nitrogen and potassium. It is a popular choice for late winter/early spring grazing and hay production. Since hay may be the only source of nutrients for livestock during the winter, it is critical to know their nutrient requirements to ensure that the hay you feed will meet that need. An animal’s condition affects its ability to tolerate nitrates, so consult your veterinarian before feeding forage that contains nitrates. These grasses usually establish quickly and persist for long periods of time. Contrasts between mowing and herbicide for controlling pasture weeds. This height is a good compromise between dry matter yield and nutritive value in the plant at that stage. Timothy grass grows well in sandy soils as long as the soil is well drained. (NDF) represents the components (hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin) of plant cell walls, which are degradable depending on the plant’s maturity and degree of lignification. Similar to johnsongrass, sorghum-sudangrass also has a strong potential for nitrate accumulation when subjected to stress and/or high nitrogen fertilization and can produce prussic acid under stress conditions such as drought or frost. Phosphorous is less available in deeper soil and can be depleted when it is not replaced after hay harvests. Laboratory analyses for protein, however, are expressed as crude protein because the analysis is not for protein but for total nitrogen. To reduce losses, hay can be stored under tarps specifically designed for this task. Aerobic (free oxygen requiring) bacteria then consume the oxygen remaining inside the hay within a few hours. is primarily used for grain and pasture though it can also be used for hay. Under proper range management, stands are persisting and remain highly productive. Plant nitrates are expressed as ppm nitrate-N. To convert ppm nitrate-N to percent, divide by 10,000. is established from seed. Southern Forages, 3rd Ed. The low pH inhibits mold and respiration losses that typically occur in high-moisture bales. Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis and D. ischaemum) has high nutritive value and is well adapted to sandy soils. Alfalfa harvested pre-bloom typically has higher nutritive value and is more palatable than more mature hay. The species of forage used for hay production will have a large impact on hay nutritive value. It is best to mix similar forage types so that the feed has a uniform particle size and palatability. Pack the harvested forage into the PVC pipe, then insert the moisture meter into the hay to obtain a reading. Though monogastrics (horses, mules, swine, etc.) The productivity of soil across a field can vary significantly due to changes in slope, soil depth, soil moisture retention, and surface and subsoil textures. Proper soil preparation and good soil contact are imperative. If you are planting a pasture or other large area, and don’t especially seek out a manicured appearance, Mohawk Bermuda is the choice for you. After nitrogen, phosphorus is often the second most limiting nutrient. NDF is the residue left after boiling a forage sample in a neutral detergent. Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) represents the components (hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin) of plant cell walls, which are degradable depending on the plant’s maturity and degree of lignification. It is better suited for hay production than other clovers because it grows upright and late into the season. infection, which can be toxic to cattle if they eat infected seed heads. Dallisgrass can be used as a hay crop as long as it is cut before seed heads develop. ), with bermuda running a close second. Crabgrass hay normally cures more slowly than bermudagrass but more quickly than sorghum-sudan hybrids or pearl millet. Bermudagrass is an important warm-season, perennial, sod-forming forage grass grown across the southeastern United States. In most cases they should not, yet these differences are not obvious to the naked eye. Hay is often advertised as “well” or “heavily fertilized,” but these terms are not precise. These products are generally safe to use, though high relative humidity can reduce their effectiveness and unexpected rainfall can wash them off altogether. When sampling fertilized fields, avoid sampling directly in a fertilized band. Bermudagrass has many uses other than pasture and hay, such as lawns, general-purpose turf, and erosion control. Research has shown that stand of 2/3 alfalfa and 1/3 grass can out yield a pure stand of either grass or alfalfa by as much as 40-50%. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield. Under these conditions, anaerobic (non-free oxygen requiring) bacteria reduce the forage pH and preserve the forage in a more or less “pickled” state. It is an especially good choice for clay-based soils.Due to its runners, stolons, and general density, it is important to dethatch St. Augustine grass about once per year. This grass tolerates a wide range of soil types and soil pH values, making it adapted to most of the southern U.S. Bermudagrass provides good nutrition for cows during the growing season and is used extensively to produce hay for winter feeding. Annual ryegrass experiences few pest problems other than occasional beet or armyworm outbreak. Weed flowers in the hay meadow are usually the first indication of a weed problem. They can really take a toll on your yard and landscape. The following are some common forage types and species used for hay production. Baled hay should then be field cured to the proper level of moisture content and stored under cover to prevent loss of dry matter and nutritive value. Net wrap. Most perennial Texas forages scavenge nitrogen very well and leave little carryover at the end of the growing season. Soil testing is the most important tool in forage production. Take separate samples for areas with different soil types, different land uses or fertilizer uses, or different terrain. Mixtures of arrowleaf clover and annual ryegrass can make an excellent quality hay crop. Haylage does not, however, attain as low a pH as silage so it cannot be stored as long. Even if you have used certain herbicides for many years, check the label each year to see if the product instructions have changed. Read on to learn more. Proper sampling and testing are required to ensure the hay is safe to feed. Prescribed fire can extend the life of the herbicide application and repeated fires, especially warmseason fires, can convert wooded areas into savannas that provide better livestock and/or wildlife habitat. Oat is generally more cold sensitive than other small grain species and can suffer winterkill. are typically water-based solutions of potassium carbonate (K. ) with an appropriate surfactant to help them spread over the harvested forage. If you are growing hay only for sale, fertilize and plant every acre on which you can grow hay profitably. Good-quality hay, silage, or haylage meet supplement criteria for grass-fed beef. Centipedegrass is best suited as a low-maintenance lawn grass and is best adapted in East Texas. These bunchgrasses are well adapted to North, Northcentral, and Central Texas because they are cold and drought tolerant. There are three ways to handle high-moisture hay. Hay production, therefore, should be reserved for the highest yielding sites. In healthy cattle, the nitrate consumed in normal forages is converted into nitrite and then to ammonia, amino acids, and finally proteins. Its seeds are a bit more costly than Bermuda and St. Augustine, but it does very well in a wide variety of soils and weather conditions. Prescribed fire is generally used to suppress woody species and is often used after herbicide treatments. The answer to selling or buying round bales of unknown weight and nutritive value is to analyze and weigh the hay. According to Extension specialists at Ohio State University (Weiss and Underwood, 1992). Forage Grasses Forage grasses include (Crop Group 17) introduced and native grasses for … The following are descriptions of the various cultivars and collections of bermudagrass grown in East Texas: 2002. Price is currently $75/bale, price is negotiable depending on quantity ordered, Delivery is available for additional fee of $20/bale. Rain can also shatter leaves off harvested forage and reduce both the crude protein and energy levels of the hay. You must sample the hay correctly to get an accurate analysis, and each lot of hay should be sampled independently. Air-drying the samples before sending them to the laboratory will improve the nitrate-nitrogen analysis. This grass tolerates a wide range of soil types and soil pH values, making it adapted to most of the southern U.S. Bermudagrass provides good nutrition for cows during the growing season and is used extensively to produce hay for winter feeding. Hay with higher nutritive value, as documented by a laboratory, may cost more, but it could prove to be a more economical strategy if it eliminates the need for supplements. Regardless of method, take all samples from the same depth. Preservatives other than ammonia and urea do not improve feeding value, but can reduce storage losses. True proteins are complex structures made up of amino acids classes — sickle-bar cutters ( Fig harvested the... 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