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Grazing wheat pasture is a good way for producers to cut down on feed costs. It also provides a low-cost forage that produces adequate gains for yearlings to grow. But according to Dr. Larry Redmon, associate professor and extension specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, certain cool season perennials may also provide good grazing for wintering cows or growing yearlings. "Cool season perennials have several benefits," says Redmon. First, they have a longer grazing season than wheat. "Most provide pasture before wheat is established enough to graze. And when you're pulling cattle off wheat that will be harvested, the grass is still going strong with good protein levels." Second, cool season grasses remain high in protein even toward the end of the season. "Some cool season perennials will have as much as 17 to 18 percent crude protein in May. Wheat is typically playing out by then," Redmon says.
And third, perennials are environmentally friendly. "Planting perennials reduces the need to plow. Where possible, we're trying to get people out of annual planting. With good stocking rates and fertilization, the perennials will come back year after year." Redmon, while at Oklahoma State University, researched several varieties of cool season perennials to see what works the best in the southern Great Plains. Even through the drought in the summer of 1998, Jose' tall wheatgrass demonstrated its ability to survive the heat and drought. "I have yet to see a field of Jose' tall wheatgrass that did not survive. As soon as moisture became available, the grass produced good quantities of forage to help reduce winter feeding costs." Redmon says Jose' tall wheatgrass can be grown in a variety of soils, including problem soils such as saline, sodic or areas prone to periodic flooding.
Other grasses that performed well in his study were the pubescent wheatgrasses, Luna and Manska, and the intermediate wheatgrass Oahe. "I have personally observed fields of Luna and Manska that went completely dormant during the summer, only to come alive again with adequate precipitation," Redmon says. The research also looked at re-seeding annuals such as ryegrass or plants that behave as re-seeding annuals like Matua prairiegrass. "The mature plants were destroyed by the heat and drought, however they produced a tremendous seed crop. The Matua and ryegrass stands were excellent in December thanks to a new crop of seedlings," Redmon says. "But in the long run, adapted perennials will be more valuable to livestock producers." Cattle performance on cool season perennials was similar to performance on wheat. "The grasses work best with a moderate stocking rate. Rotating cattle provides the cool season grasses a chance to rest, and results in more forage growth overall," Redmon explains. When establishing a cool season perennial, Redmon suggests testing the soil for pH levels, potassium and phosphorus. "Know how much fertilizer the ground needs. Not enough or too much just wastes money."
He also recommends checking the specific establishment guidelines for the type of grass. "Know the proper time to plant, the seed bed preparation, seeding rate, and seeding depth." With adequate moisture, the grass can be grazed the first fall. "It takes good management to sustain a cool season perennial. You can't graze it down as short as an annual plant like wheat. You must take care of it to keep it coming back," he says. |
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