Getting the Most from Drought Stressed Forages
Dan Undersander, Extension Forage Agronomist
The drought has stressed most of the crops we are growing. Most farmers got at least one (and often two) cutting(s). Then stress has reduced growth over the last month. With the rains we have had most forages will begin to regrow again. The questions we should be considering is how to maximize that growth for good hay, silage or pasture production. Below we will consider the major crops and what actions should be taken.
Much alfalfa has been stunted and is flowering.
Recommendations:
1. If stand is over 10 inches tall and flowering, harvest as quickly as possible.
2. If stand is 10 inches or less tall, leave and let new growth come through (even if short growth is flowering). Mowing will not increase regrowth
3. Watch carefully for potato leaf hopper during next two weeks and spray if above threshold.
4. Make sure that soil fertility is at optimum levels.
5. New seedings may be harvested in late August if adequate growth is present to harvest.
Most grassy fields are stunted but are leafy and have few stems.
Recommendations:
1. Harvest if tonnage justifies and/or height is over 8 to 10 inches.
2. Apply 40 lb/a nitrogen to stimulate fall growth. This can not be manure since it will become available too slowly to provide optimum fall growth.
Most pastures are short but are greening up.
Recommendations:
1. Mow tall weedy or brushy growth.
2. Apply 40 lb/a nitrogen to stimulate growth as soon after Aug 1 as possible.
Many fields are stunted, some have significant firing.
Recommendations
1. Wait to harvest for silage – most plants will put out more growth, all are too wet to ensile now.
2. If grazing, consider nitrate toxicity. This is likely to be a problem if growth was reduced to less than 50% of normal and/or high levels of nitrogen were applied. The test costs $7.00. If above toxic levels feed hay or some other forage in the morning and graze corn a couple hours in the afternoon.
Corn Silage
Pasture
Grassy hay fields
Alfalfa