Forages
Before
- Soil test at least once every three years and apply nutrients as outlined in OMAFA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
- In perennial hay fields, establish species that tolerate dry conditions, such as alfalfa, reed canarygrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue.
- Include warm-season crops in the farm’s forage plan, such as corn, sorghum-sudangrass, or millet.
- Consider if Forage Rainfall Insurance offered by Agricorp is the right business risk management tool to help protect your farm’s forage supply.
During
- Scout alfalfa for potato leafhoppers and act if populations exceed the threshold.
- Scout for true armyworm in forage crops starting when cereal crops begin to mature, and act if populations exceed threshold and the armyworms are less than 2.5 cm (1 in.) long.
- If the alfalfa is tall enough to justify cutting and a 30- to 35-day harvest interval can be maintained, it can be cut. When rains return alfalfa will regrow from the crown.
- Do not cut red clover or birdsfoot trefoil during a drought, as this will thin the stand.
- For extra fall forage after winter wheat harvest, seed oats at 80 kg/ha (72 lbs/acre) and apply 50 kg/ha (45 lbs/acre) of nitrogen. Apply a fungicide against crown rust.
- For farmers facing challenges due to dry weather and early harvesting for livestock feed, silage, or green chop, contact Agricorp promptly (1-888-247-4999) and discuss your options through the Production Insurance program. Check the labels of any crop protection products applied for feeding/forage restrictions.
- Cereals before heading can be put up as baleage. Between milk and soft dough stage they can be chopped and put up in a silo (like corn silage).
- Soybeans are difficult to ensile and not recommended for boosting inventories on short notice.
- Canola and other brassicas will not store as forage.
- For extra forage in early spring, seed a winter cereal after corn silage or soybean harvest:
- Fall rye matures earliest, so it must be established on well-drained fields. Seed at least 110 kg/ha (100 lbs/acre) and increase rates if seeding conditions are less than ideal. Apply 60 kg/ha (55 lbs/acre) of N and 6 kg/ha (5 lbs/acre) of S in the spring at green up.
- Winter triticale matures 10-14 days later than rye and responds to greater management. Seed at 100-125 kg/ha (90-110 lbs/acre). Apply 135 kg/ha (120 lbs/acre) of N and 14 kg/ha (12 lbs/acre) S in the spring at green up.
After
- Beware of silo gases!
- Test forages for nutritional value and nitrates. Work with a nutritionist to balance rations, dilute nitrates, and “stretch” supplies if inventory is a concern.
- Reduce storage losses:
- In dry hay by storing it off the ground or on a well-drained base and keeping it under cover (either tarped or in a shed).
- In baleage by checking the plastic for holes and promptly taping them closed. Mow grass near bales stored outside to reduce rodent pressure.
- In haylage by packing the crop to at least 80 g DM/L (15 lbs DM/ft3), and completely sealing the silo.
- Minimize feed-out losses:
- Use a feeder to reduce forage waste.
- Promptly remove spoiled feed from feeders and bunks.
- Feed dry silage in January/February to counteract heating and minimize the risk of fire.
Pastures
Before
- Train all livestock to respect an electric fence.
- Soil test at least once every five years and apply nutrients to maintain results above 12 ppm P and 120 ppm K.
- Establish species that tolerate dry conditions, such as alfalfa, reed canarygrass, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and creeping red fescue.
- Implement a rotational grazing system on your farm.
- Consider if Forage Rainfall Insurance offered by Agricorp is the right business risk management tool to help protect your farm’s forage supply.
During
- If you are not rotationally grazing, start!
- Leave 7.5-10 cm (3-4 in.) of residual grass after each grazing event.
- Lengthen the amount of rest each paddock receives, so the grass plants have time to grow 4-5 new leaves before re-grazing.
- Combine groups of animals into one herd/flock.
- Increase stocking density by offering livestock less space at a time and moving them more frequently.
- Increase the number of grazed acres by using hayfield regrowth and diversifying your grazing (below).
- Feed supplemental forage on pasture before livestock run out of grass.
- If you run out of grazing, pull livestock off the pasture and feed them stored forage until the pasture has recovered.
- Diversify your grazing.
- Grain crop stubble can be good grazing for dry cows/ewes.
- Cover crops can be excellent grazing. Some species are not safe for livestock to eat, while others can pose health risks if not managed carefully. Research the species in the mix before grazing.
After
- Apply 55-85 kg/ha (50-75 lbs/acre) of nitrogen to grass pastures in the early fall to encourage tillering.
