Pasture Growth by May 9, 2010

The following table shows the growth from pastures participating in the project. For information about the project see the introductory post. The information is reported in pounds of dry matter grown per acre per day. It contains the reported results as of the posting date. Some reports may be delayed for various reasons. Previous week’s information is updated when it is received. The current table will reflect the total information available.

Weekly Pasture Growth for 2010

Week Starting	Fields sampled	Minimum	Maximum	Average
	(no.)	(pounds of DM per day)
March 28	8	2.7	64.9	35.2
April 4	13	7.7	93.4	31.9
April 11	19	2.4	188.3	53.4
April 18	18	0.2	184.5	43.7
April 25	16	21.54	143.6	69.7
May 2	47	3.3	222.9	99.8

Pasture Measurement Project 2010

The Ohio Pasture Measurement Project is in full swing for 2010. For more details about this project check out the original post. Basiclly, this project involves graziers measuring the same pasture field every week using a commercially available rising plate meter and reporting the measurement. We then calculate how much the pasture is growing during that week. (The specific plate meter we are using is made by Jenquip and available through Eagle Dairy Direct.) Results will be posted on this blog.

This year we have over 29 volunteers measuring their pasture.

2010 Pasture Measurement Locations

Establishing a New Forage Seeding

Establishing a New Forage Seeding

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County, Buckeye Hills EERA

Early spring provides us with a window of opportunity to get a new forage stand established. The actual success in getting that new seeding established depends upon several factors including: soil fertility, species selection, weed control, timing of planting, planting depth, post planting management. Let's look at each factor in a little more detail.

There are certain minimum, sometimes termed critical, soil fertility levels that should be met to give a new forage seeding the best chance of success. Begin with soil pH. I sometimes have people ask me, "What is the minimum soil pH that (fill in the blank with some grass or legume) can tolerate? I think this is the wrong question to ask. Many of our grass and clover species can tolerate, can survive at pH levels in the 5.5 to 5.8 range. My question is; do you want your forages to merely survive or do you want them to thrive? The better question is; what soil pH will allow this forage species to have a chance to produce up to its genetic potential?

Soil pH should be above 6.0 for pure grass species plantings. When a legume, such as one of the clover species, is added to the mix, then the minimum soil pH goal should be 6.5. If the forage seeding is to be alfalfa, then the pH goal should be 6.8. Soil pH can't be changed very rapidly. Limestone is used to raise soil pH and is relatively insoluble, so it takes time to work its way down into the soil profile and go into soil solution where it can begin to change the soil pH. If limestone can be tilled into the rooting zone, this helps, but it can still take up to 9 months from the time of application and tillage into the root zone before the target pH is reached.

Soil phosphorous is very important to help a young forage plant get a root system established. The critical level for a pure grass stand is 15 ppm. If a legume is added to the mix, then the critical level is 25 ppm. Research has shown that depending upon the soil test level, it can require anywhere from 8 to 30 pounds/acre of actual P2O5 to increase the soil test level by one ppm. Notice that phrase actual P2O5. This is not the same as the amount of fertilizer material to apply. For example, if DAP is the fertilizer material that will be used to increase soil phosphorus, this has an analysis of 18-46-0. It contains 46% actual P2O5. So, it will require 2.17 lbs of this fertilizer for every 1 pound of actual P2O5 recommended.

Soil potassium is needed by plants to aid in disease resistance and winter hardiness. The critical or minimum level of soil potassium is based upon the cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) of the soil and determined by the following equation: 75 + (2.5 x C.E.C.). For example, many Athens County soils are in the 10-13 range for C.E.C., so our critical soil potassium level is in the 100 to 110 ppm range. Research has shown that depending upon the soil test level of potassium, it will require anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds/acre of actual K2O to increase the soil test level by one ppm. Once again notice the phrase actual K2O, and make the appropriate calculations with the fertilizer material you will be using to apply the correct amount of fertilizer material to meet the recommendations.

Species selection should be given some careful thought. Rather than a pure grass seeding, consider adding a legume component that can help to meet the nitrogen requirements of the stand. If the stand will consist of about 30% legumes, then application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer should not be necessary. Take a look at soil drainage when choosing a forage species. Alfalfa does not do well in poorly drained soils. Stand life will be reduced. A clover, grass mix might be a better choice. For example, reed canary grass is adapted to poorly drained and wet soils. Choose new and improved forage varieties. Yes, they will cost more than old varieties, but how many row crop farmers would think about planting corn and soybean genetics from 20-25 years ago? These new forage varieties have improved yield potential, are more drought, disease and insect resistance and more palatable.

Weeds can be a problem. If there are perennial and biennial weeds established in the soil where the new forage seeding is planned, they should be controlled before planting. Consider using a herbicide or herbicide mix to control weeds. Getting into all the herbicide options, rates, and planting restrictions is beyond the scope of this article. Give a call to your county's Ohio State university Extension office and they can help you out with recommendations, or see the Weed Control Guide for Ohio Field Crops, Bulletin 789.

Pay attention to timing and planting depth. Our window of opportunity in this part of Ohio for a spring seeding is from anytime March weather cooperates until about April 20. The reason for this is because it takes a forage plant about 6-8 weeks to get a root system established after germination. This should be done before we get into the stress of hot and dry weather. If you count ahead about 8 weeks from April 20, you will see why that is used as the deadline date. The actual seeding rate, in terms of pounds/acre will vary depending upon the species and the forage mixture you are planning to plant. Some factors to keep in mind are germination percentage and seed coatings. Always check the seed germination percentage, and when the germination percentage was determined. There can be old seed in the market, which can have significantly lower germination than listed on the tag. Lower germination can be compensated for, to a certain degree, by increasing the seeding rate. Some seeds may come with a seed coating, either containing a fungicide, a rhizobium bacteria, lime, or a combination. Seed coatings change the weight of the seed and the calibration of planters. Make sure the planter is calibrated to plant more seed to make up for the seed coating.

Depth of seeding can't be stressed enough. Planting too deep is responsible for many stand failures. Most forage seeds will do well planted at about one-quarter inch or less in depth. If you are going to err, err on being shallow rather than deeper.

Finally after the forage stand is planted, manage it to give it the best chance for success. Provide a 6-8 week period after germination before a light grazing pass or clipping is made. After the first light grazing or clipping, manage normally. Remember that if forage is being removed as a hay crop, that nutrients should be replace to maintain soil fertility.

For more information about establishing a new seeding, including forage species mixtures and specific seeding rates, contact a member of the OSU Extension Forage Team.

2009 Forage Performance Trials

The 2009 Forage Performance Trials Report is now available online at
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf/

The report is a summary of performance data collected from forage variety trials in Ohio during 2009. It includes commercial varieties of alfalfa, orchardgrass, tall fescue, annual ryegrass and teff, in tests planted in 2006 to 2009 across three sites in Ohio: South Charleston, Wooster, and North Baltimore.

A pdf file easy for printing is available, as are downloadable spreadsheet files of all the trials.

Links to forage performance trials in other states are included on the Ohio Forage Performance Trials website. One very useful link is interactive website to compare alfalfa varieties across many locations (including Ohio data).

North Central Ohio Dairy Grazing Conference January 28 and 29, 2010

North Central Ohio Dairy Grazing Conference will be January 28 and 29, 2010 at the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton, Ohio.  This two day program is full of information and opportunity to network with dairy graziers across Ohio and the Midwest. Speakers include Joe Tomandl from Medford, Wisconsin; Tom Weaver, dairy nutritionist and crop advisor from Cuba City, Wisconsin; Dale Neufeld, dairy grazier from Towanda, PA; Dr. David Zartman, retired Ohio State University Animal Scientist; and Ohio dairy producers: Jim Gasser, Eric Grim, Mose Hershberg, Mose V. Hershberger, Amos Nolt and Mike Gessel from Ohio. Both days offer beginner and advance sessions for dairy graziers.  The cost for the conference is $45 for the two days.  Registrations are due by January 20, 2010.  For a brochure or more information, contact Leah Miller at Small Farm Institute, 28850 SR 621, Fresno, Ohio 43812; leah@smallfarminstitute.org or 740.545.6349.

2010 Heart of America Grazing Conference

A multi-state meeting of grassland farmers, "Heart of America Grazing Conference," is coming to Roberts Centre, Wilmington, Ohio, January 20-21, 2010.

The annual meeting rotates among five states from Ohio to Missouri. The conference combines research information along with talks by producers from the Midwest, said Bob Hendershot, Lancaster, Ohio, NRCS state grassland conservationist,  who is helping to coordinate the program along with Jeff McCutcheon, Mt. Gilead, Ohio OSU Extension Educator.

The keynote presentation at the opening banquet on January 20 will be "International Grazing.”   The speaker, Ben Bartlett, a Michigan State University Extension Educator, has lead several groups on international trips to observe their grazing operations. 

The presentations on the second day, January 21, will feature Dr. Justin Sexten, State Extension Beef Specialist, University of Missouri.   Dr. Sexten, an Ohio native, will talk about the eight steps to stretching your pasture.  Justin was recently highlighted in Successful Farming magazine.  Howard Straub, a pasture based dairy farmer from Michigan, will be sharing the economics of his grazing operation.  Howard has three grown children who also are grass based dairy farmers.  Howard is vice chairman of the National Grazing Land Coalition Imitative Committee and vice-president of the American Forage and Grassland Council.   Ben Bartlett will also be presenting in the morning on “Low Stress Livestock Handling.”

The farmers' favorite parts of grazing conferences are reports from other producers. There will be breakout sessions focusing on beef, sheep and goat, dairy and advanced grazing management.  One farmer will be Katherine Harrison of Blystone Farms discussing direct marketing.  Katherine has been named a director to the American Goat Federation. Jake Wolfinger , Ohio Young Cattleman of the year, will be discussing his use of oats as late summer and fall forage crop. Curt Cline, sheep producer whose farm was selected for the 2008 American Sheep Industry Environmental Stewardship, will be talking on his grazing operation.  There will also be a panel discussion of experienced grazing dairy farmers.

Ohio State University specialists Dr. Steve Loerch and Dr. Dave Barker will each be discussing forage and grazing management.  The Ohio Forage and Grassland Council will be having their annual meeting as a breakfast meeting on January 21.

An exhibit of grassland vendors will be available at the conference center. Roberts Centre is located at Exit 50 on Interstate Route 71 and US Route 68. Conference registration fee will be $65, which includes dinner, lunch and breaks. Registration for OFGC members will be $60.  For registration send check, before Jan. 13, to Jeff McCutcheon, OSU Extension,  871 West Marion Road Suite 102, Mt. Gilead, OH 43338-1088, call Jeff  at 419-947-1070.  One-day registration fee for January 20 is $25 or January 21 for $45. A $10 late fee will be assessed for registrations after January 13, 2010. Rooms are available at the adjoining Holiday Inn at a special rate for the Heart of America Grazing Conference.  Call 1-888-465-4329 for hotel reservations before December 28, 2009.

For a registration brochure in pdf format click here

Grazing Field Day October 3, 2009

Do you have an existing grazing operation that you are thinking about making some changes to? Or are you ready to start a grazing operation and need some guidance or ideas?

If so, come to the Newcomerstown area on October 3, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for a Field Day. This will be an informative field day discussing grazing system planning, fencing, water distribution, and pasture health. There will be a fencing demonstration along with presentations, and a pasture walk.

Join us at the farm of Don and Ann Carruthers located at:
3656 SR 258
Newcomerstown, Ohio 43832

This event is free!!! Registration is recommended, however, because lunch will be provided, courtesy of the numerous event sponsors.

The registration deadline is September 30, 2009. Please send your name, phone number, address, and number attending to:

Guernsey SWCD
9711 East Pike
Cambridge, Ohio 43725

OR call to register at (740) 432-5624

This event is sponsored by Guernsey Soil & Water Conservation District, USDA-NRCS, The OSU Extension Service, and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.

Hope to see you there!