Stockpile to cut feed cost

Agriculture

Discussion

August 18, 2008

By GARY TILGHMAN The Glasgow Daily Times Mon Aug 18, 2008, 12:27 PM CDT

GLASGOW — With the 2007 hay shortage still a vivid memory and high prices and tight supplies continuing into 2008, many livestock producers are looking for ways to extend the grazing season and reduce the cost of winter feeding.

One way to accomplish this is to stockpile grass beginning in mid-August for late fall or early winter grazing.

Stockpiling is accomplished by leaving a recently grazed pasture idle and adding nitrogen to it to achieve optimum growth. Livestock are then allowed to graze the field in late fall or early winter to extend grazing and reduce hay requirements.

The best grasses for stockpiling are cool-season grasses because they will retain good quality and palatability into winter. Tall fescue is a good grass that is most suitable for stockpiling under our growing conditions.

This practice should begin in mid-August to stockpile for fall and winter use. The basic steps include removing cattle from the pasture, applying the necessary fertilizer and allowing grass to grow until November or December. Make sure to remove summer growth by grazing or clipping so stockpile production comes from new grass growth.

Some producers may worry about the high cost of nitrogen. Recommended application rates for the average field are between 50 and 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre, but producers can enhance growth and improve quality with 30 to 40 pounds. The amount used may depend on hay availability and costs this winter. We recommend application of nitrogen by mid-August.

You should get a soil test to determine if you need to add phosphorous, potassium or lime. Research results have shown following these guidelines can increase dry matter production by 25 pounds per acre for each pound of nitrogen applied to tall fescue.

Ammonium nitrate is the most efficient fertilizer to use when stockpiling because it is not subject to volatilization. However, ammonium nitrate is becoming difficult to find and may be cost prohibitive. Research shows that urea is about 79 to 89 percent as effective as ammonium nitrate. Urea can be just as effective if you use an urease inhibitor.

If hay supplies are good, you might not want to apply as much nitrogen to the fields, but if hay supplies are short and expensive, then you can justify using more nitrogen.

To maximize stockpiled forage, graze the grass-legume fields quickly after the first frost. Pure grass stands maintain palatability and quality longer into winter so graze these last.

Also, maintain a high stocking rate to prevent waste due to trampling. You can get the most out of grasses by controlling where livestock graze. Installing an electric wire around a specific area for the animals to graze will reduce waste.

For more information, contact the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service.

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