2007 forage research update jon repair extension agent, crop and soil sciences (540) 463-4734...
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2007 Forage Research Update
Jon Repair
Extension Agent, Crop and Soil Sciences
(540) 463-4734
For Discussion• Orchardgrass Cutting Height Management
• Forage Fertility and it’s Affect on Yield
• Phosphorous Application
• Yellow Crownbeard, Wingstem, Stickweed Control
• Coral Berry (Devil’s Shoestring) Control
• Red Cedar Control
Orchardgrass Cutting Height Management
• First Year of Multi-Year Study
• Mowed with a Diskbine at Three Different Heights
• Measured Plant Density at Each Cutting and the end of the Growing Season
• Measured Plant Growth Between Cuttings
Orchardgrass Regrowth (Following Second Cutting)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
14-Jul-07 26-Jul-07 6-Aug-07 26-Aug-07 23-Sep-07 28-Oct-07
Measurement Dates
Pla
nt
Heig
ht
(In
ch
es)
Plot 1 (4.7")
Plot 2 (3.1")
Plot 3 (3.9")
Orchardgrass Regrowth (Following First Cutting)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
7-Jun-07 14-Jun-07 21-Jun-07 28-Jun-07 1-Jul-07 6-Jul-07
Measurement Dates
Pla
nt
He
igh
t (I
nc
he
s)
Plot 1 (7.3")
Plot 2 (2.93")
Plot 3 (4.0")
Measuring Plant Density
Orchardgrass Plant Density 2007
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Plot 1 (7.3") Plot 2 (2.93") Plot 3 (4.0")
Test Plots
Ave
rag
e P
lan
ts/s
q.f
t.
24-May-07
6-Jul-07
22-Nov-07
Phosphorous Fertility2 ton of Litter/acre Applied in Spring of 2006
Litter Phosphorous Value = 69lbs/ton
Total Phosphorous Applied = 138lbs/acre
0
5
10
15
20
25
Soil Test Phosphorous Results
2006 SpringTrial 1
2007 SpringTrial 1
2006 SpringTrial 2
2007 SpringTrial 2
2006 SpringTrial 3
2007 SpringTrial 3
Litter vs
Commercial Fertilizer
Five treatments:1) Split application of litter 60 lbs N/acre, 52 lbs
P2O5/acre, 1.5 t/acre spring and ~1st Aug2) Inorganic fertilizer at same N and P rate as 13) Single application of litter 120 lbs N/acre, 104 lbs
P2O5/acre, 3 t/acre all applied in spring4) Inorganic fertilizer at same N and P rate as 35) Unfertilized control
5 treatments x 4 replications = 20 plots
Can you see fertilizer effect?
Yield - Rockbridge County
Treatment1st Cut
5/11/07
2nd Cut
7/5/07
3rd Cut
8/23/07 Total
tons/acre tons/acre tons/acre tons/acre
Litter Split N 0.86 0.57 0.04 1.47
Fertilizer Split N 1.07 0.66 0.06 1.79
Litter Single N 1.09 0.76 0.05 1.90
Fertilizer Single N 1.26 1.07 0.06 2.39
No fertilizer (Control) 0.81 0.42 0.03 1.26
Conclusions Fertilization with either inorganic or litter
nutrients increased yield
Inorganic increased yield slightly more than litter, probably due to drought preventing litter breakdown. Some other research has shown the opposite
Drought decreased the yield response
Applying litter at an N rate increased soil P that will increase yield in future years
Coral Berry and Yellow CrownbeardForeFront R&P @ 2 pts/ac + 0.25% Activator 90 (20 gpa) May 2007
ForeFront R&P
Experimental Compounds Not Effectiveon Coral Berry, excellent control of wingstem
Coral Berry and Yellow Crownbeard ForeFront R&P @ 2 pts/ac + 0.25% Activator 90 (20 gpa) May 2007
ForeFront R&P
Surmount (picloram + fluroxypyr) @ 5 pts/ac + 0.25% Activator 90 (30gpa)
May 2007
Regrowth at end of season
End of Season Regrowth
Something New• Forage Radishes as a Cover Crop
• Compaction-Natural Sub-Soiler
• Grazing Crop for Dairy Heifers
• Forage Quality and Yield
Questions
Thoughts
Ideas
PH - RockbridgeTreatment Before
Application1 Week 1 Month
Litter Split N 5.6 5.6 5.9
Fertilizer Split N 5.5 5.8 5.8
Litter Single N 5.4 5.7 6.0
Fertilizer Single N 5.5 5.6 5.6
No fertilizer (Control) 5.5 5.7 5.9