Contents:

• Reducing Feeding Losses for Large Round Bales
• “Forage” Oat Update
• 2008 Ohio Forage Performance Trials
• The Heart of America Grazing Conference

[top] Reducing Feeding Losses for Large Round Bales - Clif Little, Extension Educator, Guernsey County

Large round bales are the most popular source of hay when winter feeding beef cattle. Unfortunately, these bales are subject to a variety of losses, including feeding loss.

Research published in the Journal of Animal Science (2003, 81:109-115) has shown feeding losses can be influenced by bale feeder design. The feeders investigated in this research trial were ring, cone, trailer, and cradle type feeders. The percentage of hay loss ranged from 3.5 to 14.6%. Cone and ring type feeders respectively exhibited the least amount of loss, while the trailer and cradle feeders exhibited four times the waste per animal compared to the cone design. This trial documented changes in animal behavior influenced by feeder design.

We know feeding hay in small amounts frequently minimizes waste. However, this method increases labor cost and is not always practical for all producers. How can we minimize hay feeding loss in a grazing system?

Move the hay feeding area frequently. By minimizing the time livestock feed in a particular area we reduce mud. This can be done by providing enough hay for three days.

Feed hay in a well drained area. For example, a heavy-use pad can minimize feeding loss.

Consider the example below from the MU Forage Systems Research Center. In this system they utilized low labor, large round bale rings. Hay was placed in the winter feeding area, spaced on 20-foot centers. The number of bales per paddock was based on bale size, number of animals, and length of stay.

The bales were grouped on 20-foot centers in a corner of the pasture. Temporary electric fencing was used to protect the bales to be fed later, while allowing access to enough bales for three days feeding in the rings.

When the three day supply is eaten, the temporary fence is moved back and the next group of bales are covered with the bale rings. This is just one method to minimize waste and mud; and it may not require a tractor once the hay is in place.

In summary, for winter feeding rotate the feeding area, minimize the use of heavy equipment, and set out enough forage for a two or three day feeding period. Utilizing cone and/or ring type feeders can further reduce hay loss. For more information contact your local Extension Office.

[top]“Forage” Oat Update- Curt Stivison, Fairfield SWCD Engineering Technician and Stan Smith, PA, OSU Extension Fairfield County

Most of you know that for the past seven years, we’ve spent much time in Fairfield County investigating the virtues of oats as an annual forage when they are planted during mid to late summer, and even into early fall. While we’ve harvested from 2 to 5 tons, and consistently realized average yields of 3+ tons of dry matter from oats planted in July and August after a harvested wheat crop, its been apparent that yield and quality can vary greatly as planting date, nitrogen fertilization, and perhaps even oat variety differ from field to field planted. In an effort to more clearly define the differences in quality and productivity created by dates of planting, nitrogen application rates and seed source, plots were planted this year in cooperation with the Wolfinger family in Fairfield County.

The 12 acre field which served as the plot site was no-till planted on three different dates (July 22, August 6 and August 20) using two different seed sources (certified Armor oats and bin run “feed oats” which originated in Canada). Each planting date and each seed source received 4 different rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50 and 75 pounds of actual N/acre applied as ammonium nitrate). Volunteer wheat and weeds were killed prior to the first planting with glyphosate.

The first planting on July 22 was done when soil moisture was adequate. However, during the balance of the summer and fall each of the three plantings received below normal monthly precipitation. From July through November, Weather Station 1 in Lancaster received a total of 5.67 inches below normal precipitation.

At 60 days after planting, the highest yield experienced in any of the plots was the bin run seed planted on August 6 with 50 units of nitrogen applied per acre. Yield totaled 4.2 tons of dry matter analyzed to have 14.4% protein and 54.2% TDN.

At 60 days after planting, the lowest yields came from the plots which had no supplemental nitrogen applied. Dry matter yields in the zero nitrogen plots ranged from 0.6 to 1.9 tons of dry matter. The plots which received 50 units of nitrogen yielded 2+ more tons of forage per acre at a total cost of ~$35 per acre, equaling less than $17 per ton of additional forage.

Plots receiving both 25 and 75 units of nitrogen had similar yields suggesting that nitrogen rates exceeding 50 pounds/acre actually suppressed yield this year. This was true with all three planting dates and regardless the seed source used.

Our observations based on this year’s plot work and 7 total years of experience include:

• Optimum planting date for oats from the perspective of yield is the first week of August. Early August plantings also result in the highest total amount of TDN produced per acre. Later plantings will be slightly higher in quality, but not enough to offset the yield advantage of early August planting. Planting in July reduces both yield and quality. The earlier oat plantings also exhibit more susceptibility to rust.
• Optimum nitrogen application rate is 40 to 50 pounds per acre. This application not only produces the highest yields, but at the present values of nitrogen, it’s also the most cost effective rate. The 75 pound/acre rate of nitrogen actually appears to depress yields, and is certainly less cost effective.
• Bin run oats originating in Canada out perform, but possess similar quality at harvest as certified Armor oats.
• The optimum combination of productivity and quality of August planted oats arrives 60 to 75 days after planting. Oats planted in July mature more quickly and thus, rapidly decline in quality beginning 50 to 60 days after planting.
• Oats harvested 50-60 days after planting and while still in the boot stage of maturity will regrow and offer regrowth that may be mechanically harvested or grazed a second time.
• A weed control application of glyphosate is a necessary and cost effective practice prior to oat planting.

An additional advantage observed when using oats for an annual forage crop is the opportunity to capture the total tonnage produced with a single mechanical harvest, if grazing is not an option. It’s also important to note that the 3+ ton yield of oats planted in early August after wheat and straw harvest which has been experienced consistently in Fairfield County the past 7 years, exceeds the 2.9 tons/acre produced in Fairfield County and the 2.8 tons of dry hay produced per acre in Ohio, on average, over the same time period.

For a more comprehensive display of this year’s oat plot data, contact Curt Stivison at Fairfield SWCD (740.653.5320)

[top]2008 Ohio Forage Performance Trials- Mark Sulc and John McCormick, Dept. Horticulture & Crop Science, The Ohio State University

The 2008 Forage Performance Trials Report is now available. It has been published in a special supplement to Ohio’s Country Journal, but it is also online at http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf/ and can be requested at any Ohio State University Extension Office. The report includes the performance of varieties of alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass, tall fescue, perennial and annual ryegrass, teff, sorghum x sudangrass, and forage sorghum in tests planted in 2005 to 2008 across three Ohio sites.

[top]The Heart of America Grazing Conference

The five-state Heart of America Grazing Conference will offer producers an opportunity to gain information on the advantages of improved grazing systems. Purdue Extension and other Indiana organizations will join with Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio organizations to sponsor the event. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Columbus, IN on January 21and 22, 2009.

Registration and a tradeshow will start at 4 p.m. EST on Jan. 21st. A 6:30 p.m. banquet will be followed by the conference's keynote speaker, Joel Salatin of Polyface, Inc. Salatin will discuss his farm operation which includes the raising and marketing of “Salad Bar Beef, Pigaerator Pork, Pastured Poultry (eggs, broilers, and turkeys), Forage-Based Rabbits, and Forestry Products.

The second day of the conference starts at 8:30 a.m. Topics offered include forage growth and development, ultra-high stock density grazing, getting started in management-intensive grazing, and improving the existing management-intensive grazing system. Following lunch there will be breakout sessions discussing marketing of farm-raised products, utilizing sheep and goats in the grazing environment, economic flexibility in grazing stocker calves or replacement heifers, and alternative forages.

There also will be exhibitor booths on display throughout the two-day event showcasing fencing and livestock watering supplies, pasture irrigation, seed, minerals, and livestock medications.

Individuals may register by December 19 for a reduced price of $65 for both days or $40 for one day. Regular costs (after Dec 19) for the event are $75 for both days or $50 for one day. This fee covers all program materials and meals. Lodging is available at the Holiday Inn for $79 per night per room plus tax. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 812-372-1541 and participants should indicate that they are with the Heart of America Grazing Conference. For more information contact Brad Shelton of Purdue Extension – Washington Co., 806 Martinsburg Rd, Suite 104 Salem, IN 47167; (812) 883-4601 or sheltonb@purdue.edu. A registration brochure is available at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages.

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university. If you have special needs call us prior to the event at 812-883-4601 or call 888-EXT-INFO and ask for the Washington County office.