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Managing Wheat for Forage or Grain
Increase crop yields with management practices tailored to end use
by Ron O'Hanlon, President
Member, National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, CPCC-I Certified
Winter wheat is unique across the southern High Plains in that it can be used as a forage crop, forage and grain crop or grain crop alone. Wheat pasture can be a valuable source of high-quality forage in the late fall, winter and early spring, when other forages are low in quality and quantity. There are a number of cultural practices utilized differently when growing the wheat for forage vs. grain alone.
Early planted wheat has the potential to produce excellent fall growth, which means producers generally plant wheat two to three weeks earlier than normal. This increases the potential for such diseases as wheat streak and barley yellow dwarf mosaics, which may, in turn, reduce forage production. It is important to eliminate any volunteer wheat at least two weeks prior to planting, to lessen the chances of wheat streak mosaic. This will also lessen the chances of propagating the disease for the later planted wheat crop. In addition, it is good to avoid planting early in areas known for Hessian fly infestations. Early planting also tends to increase levels of Hessian fly infestations.
The seeding rate is normally 50% to 100% higher when wheat is used for grazing, depending on planting date, soil moisture and geographic location. Because of the earlier planting, the seed should not be planted deeper than one inch into the warmer, late August and early September soils. Soil temperatures above 85°F tends to shorten the coleoptile length. A firm, moist seedbed is essential for a quick-germinating, uniformly emerged stand.
The crude protein content of wheat pasture can range from 20% to 30%, therefore, wheat forage containing 25% crude protein will have 80 lbs. of nitrogen in each ton of dry matter. A general recommendation is to increase the nitrogen fertility requirement by 30 to 50 lbs. per acre when wheat is used as a forage. Another method that can be used for calculating nitrogen requirement is by assuming that each 400- to 500-lb. steer removes 15 lbs. of nitrogen per month. Therefore, the number of steers per acre, multiplied by the number of months grazed, multiplied by 15, equals the pounds of nitrogen removed. Research studies from Oklahoma have shown that a band of starter fertilizer near the seed, containing no more than 20 lbs. per acre nitrogen and from 30 to 60 lbs. per acre phosphorus, significantly increased forage production.
Studies in Kansas show that grazing seems to have little effect on grain yields when fertility is adequate, grazing is not too heavy and livestock are removed before the first hollow stem. It is extremely important that the first hollow stem stage of growth is determined in ungrazed wheat outside the fenced area, since grazing tends to delay stem elongation. Studies show that allowing cattle to graze one week after stem elongation begins in similar ungrazed wheat may reduce grain yields as much as two bushels per acre per day during the first week.
Winter wheat is a versatile crop that can be used for grain or forage, but it takes different management procedures to get the most from either option.
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