The goal, then, is to harvest hay when yield and nutritive value are balanced for the target animal species and class. While mold-related heat up to about 120 degrees F does not damage hay nutritive value, higher temperatures can. For example, soils with very sandy surfaces often have very low potassium-holding capacity and annual soil testing will suggest the need for potassium fertilization. If fertilized and managed properly, they work well in almost any live-stock production program. Good-quality hay, silage, or haylage meet supplement criteria for grass-fed beef. When fertilized according to laboratory recommendations, forage crops such as bermudagrass produce significantly more dry matter and can usually out-compete weed species. Capturing that nutritive value requires careful attention to the maturity of the various forage species. For this test, a single drop of the acid reagent is placed on a freshly split plant stem. Nitrates are nonvolatile and if you harvest and bale high-nitrate hay, that nitrate level will remain constant in the bales. Most hay for cow-calf production systems is sold on a. and there are two major problems with this. Triticale tolerates drought and pests better than wheat. is primarily used for grain and pasture though it can also be used for hay. Most Texas counties have recent soil surveys that were completed after 1960. After cutting, the hay should remain in the field to dry or “field cure.” The dried or cured forage is then raked (Figs. Alfalfa contaminated with blister beetle may cause blister beetle poisoning, which can cause colic, urinary infections, dehydration, shock, and death, especially in horses. Red clover should be reserved for well drained soils, as this legume does poorly when planted on wet soils. It starts growing fairly quickly making it excellent for establishing and replenishing a pasture. Nitrite is then absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the rumen wall where it reacts with hemoglobin to form methhemoglobin. In 2008, Texans harvested approximately 4.4 million acres of hay worth an estimated $1 billion. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. Crude protein and TDN requirements for various kinds and classes of livestock are shown in Table 5. Alfalfa harvested pre-bloom typically has higher nutritive value and is more palatable than more mature hay. Soils with low pH levels can have higher concentrations of soluble aluminum and manganese. Forage Grasses Forage grasses include (Crop Group 17) introduced and native grasses for … Once the hay has dried enough to be safely baled, prussic acid will have volatilized to nontoxic levels. Soil testing is the most important tool in forage production. Hay mowers fall mainly into two classes — sickle-bar cutters (Fig. A perennial forage species will not need to be reestablished each year. The right choice is important so that your yard will thrive and look lush. Phosphorous is less available in deeper soil and can be depleted when it is not replaced after hay harvests. St. Augustine grows on runners and creates a dense, emerald green mat that provides an excellent surface for resting and recreation in a relaxing and shady yard. They can really take a toll on your yard and landscape. Centipedegrass is best suited as a low-maintenance lawn grass and is best adapted in East Texas. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is better suited for hay production than for grazing because it can accumulate prussic acid in its leaves and poison livestock. Ammonium nitrogen produces the best plant growth, but nitrate nitrogen is the form primarily taken up by plants. "Hay Type" or "Forage" Bermuda species are improved varieties to provide higher yields and higher nutritional value. You have to know the height at which the forage will be harvested and differences in fertilization from one area of the pasture to another. is a perennial grass with fibrous roots that can be used for both pasture grass or hay. Without fertilization, however, weed species generally have the competitive advantage. NDF is the residue left after boiling a forage sample in a neutral detergent. Tall fescue will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but like most turfgrasses grows best with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Bermuda comes in several different types that are suitable to the varied weather in the state of Texas. It tolerates a variety of soil types and grows better in wet soils than any other cool-season annual grass. This approach to weed management is usually more cost-effective than applying herbicide later. It requires little fertilizer and infrequent mowing. While haylage reduces leaf shatter loss and allows you to preserve high-moisture forage, it is typically fed on-farm because it cannot be moved easily. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield. Crude protein (CP) is the second important component of forage nutritive value. The species must be adapted for the soil type, rainfall and other environmental conditions of the location where you intend to produce the hay. If you are planting a pasture or other large area, and don’t especially seek out a manicured appearance, Mohawk Bermuda is the choice for you. Texas Tough is a mixture of Giant, Common and Turf Type bermuda grasses. Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. It is best to mix similar forage types so that the feed has a uniform particle size and palatability. Ground Covers: The Infamous Perfect Replacement for Grasses in Texas. The “best” hay for any given horse depends on its particular nutrient requirements. In these systems, fecal deposits are quickly mineralized so the phosphorus can be used immediately. Under these conditions, anaerobic (non-free oxygen requiring) bacteria reduce the forage pH and preserve the forage in a more or less “pickled” state. Best grass for hay in East Texas. Price is currently $75/bale, price is negotiable depending on quantity ordered, Delivery is available for additional fee of $20/bale. After nitrogen, phosphorus is often the second most limiting nutrient. Proper sampling and testing are required to ensure the hay is safe to feed. has high nutritive value and is well adapted to sandy soils. Sorghum-sudan hybrid (Sorghum bicolor x drummondii) is a warm-season annual that grows rapidly and produces high yields and high nutritive value hay. Early-maturity hays are more palatable and work effectively for horses with poor appetites. include several species of grasses introduced from Europe and Asia from 1920 to 1965. Bermuda. Currently, a forage analysis for crude protein at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory for many forage species costs $5.00 per sample. If this is the case, you must select forages that can tolerate the high soil pH. infection, which can be toxic to cattle if they eat infected seed heads. is generally the most winter hardy of the cool-season annual grasses. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) can be used for pasture, silage or hay, though making hay is usually somewhat more difficult because of the large stems. Producers should evaluate the status of these other nutrients with annual soil tests. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory reports nitrate in forage as actual nitrate, which differs from plant nitrate analysis for other plants. Haylage is typically wrapped in plastic to exclude air. Send the samples to the laboratory in clean paper sacks. The best solution for weed control is a thick, robust lawn. 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