FORAGE ESTABLISHMENT
Forage establishment is one of the most needed best management practices for soil conservation and water quality, but while establishing ground cover we need to be careful not to negatively impact the soil. It would seem that plowing or deep tilling would not only allow for the seeds to have soil contact but also allow water to be better utilized by the plants, but research shows that this is not the case. Theses practices disrupt coninuous pore spaces in the soil, or reduce soil organic matter.
The use of No-Till drills to aid in forage establishment, while minimizing damage to soil structure, will still allow seeds to make soil contact. Drill can be set to dispense the proper amount of seed per acre and put it at the proper depth. many people believe that the deeper you put the seed the better off you are, but that is not the case. Small seeds, Bermuda grass and clovers need to be planted at a depth of 1/4 in. with fescue and orchard grass being planted at 1/2 to 1 in. wheat, oats or rye can be planted at 1-2 inches.
Another benefit of forage establishment with a No-till drill is that it saves time and money. When planting seeds on tilled or plowed gruond you usually have to go over the area 2 or 3 times, plowing sowing, then dragging or rolling. With the No-till drill the same result is obtained, but with limited disturbance to the soil, and a savings in time and fuel because only one pass is made over teh area. Saving money while you preserve the soil, a win-win combination.
The Baxter County Conservation has 2 No-till Drills for rent and may be reserved by calling 425-3527 ex. 3
The use of No-Till drills to aid in forage establishment, while minimizing damage to soil structure, will still allow seeds to make soil contact. Drill can be set to dispense the proper amount of seed per acre and put it at the proper depth. many people believe that the deeper you put the seed the better off you are, but that is not the case. Small seeds, Bermuda grass and clovers need to be planted at a depth of 1/4 in. with fescue and orchard grass being planted at 1/2 to 1 in. wheat, oats or rye can be planted at 1-2 inches.
Another benefit of forage establishment with a No-till drill is that it saves time and money. When planting seeds on tilled or plowed gruond you usually have to go over the area 2 or 3 times, plowing sowing, then dragging or rolling. With the No-till drill the same result is obtained, but with limited disturbance to the soil, and a savings in time and fuel because only one pass is made over teh area. Saving money while you preserve the soil, a win-win combination.
The Baxter County Conservation has 2 No-till Drills for rent and may be reserved by calling 425-3527 ex. 3
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IS THE GOAL OF THE LOWER NORFORK DAM WATERSHED 319 PROJECT, AND THE PROPER USE OF CROSS FENCING IS A GREAT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE TO ACHIEVE THIS. RESTRICTING ACCESS FROM STREAMS AND HIGHLY ERODIBLE AREAS BY FENCING REDUCES NUTRIENT RUN OFF INTO STREAMS ANS REDUCES EROSION, HOWEVER, CROSS FENCING TO ALLOW ROTATIONAL GRAZING IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVE GROUND COVER. IMPROVED GROUND COVER MEANS LESS RULN OFF AND EROSION. SO, WHAT DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN DOING CROSS FENCING TO ALLOW ROTATIONAL GRAZING?
HOW YOUR FARM IS "LAYED OUT" ACCORDING TO THE NATURAL BARRIERS, EXISTING FENCES, WOODS, STEEP AND ROCKY AREAS, FORAGE TYPES AND CATTLE NUMBERS ARE ALL THINGS TO CONSIDER. SPLITTING THE FARM UP IN AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT FIELDS OR "CELLS" IS NEEDED FOR A WORKABLE PROGRAM. THIS SHOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE REGROWTH OF FORAGE IN EACH FIELD BETWEEN GRAZING PERIODS AND IMPROVE THE ROOT SYSTEM OF THE PLANT IMPROVING PLANT HEALTH AND GROUND COVER.
ADEQUATE WATER IS VITAL IN A RATATIONAL GRAZING SYSTEM, with a mature cow needing up to 20 gallons of water per day in the summer. Having a central location for water and having a holding area from which to rotate fields and check livestock is handy, but unless an adequate heavy use area is put in, livestock may congregate there and cause a mud hole to form. Water in each field "cell" is better if possible.
There are several fencing options when implementing cross fences, permanent barbed, woven wire, or electric. Funding help may be available through the 319 program or the NRCS-EQIP program. If you have questions regarding cross fencing or other best management practices contact our office at 870-425-3527 Ex. 3
HOW YOUR FARM IS "LAYED OUT" ACCORDING TO THE NATURAL BARRIERS, EXISTING FENCES, WOODS, STEEP AND ROCKY AREAS, FORAGE TYPES AND CATTLE NUMBERS ARE ALL THINGS TO CONSIDER. SPLITTING THE FARM UP IN AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT FIELDS OR "CELLS" IS NEEDED FOR A WORKABLE PROGRAM. THIS SHOULD ALLOW ADEQUATE REGROWTH OF FORAGE IN EACH FIELD BETWEEN GRAZING PERIODS AND IMPROVE THE ROOT SYSTEM OF THE PLANT IMPROVING PLANT HEALTH AND GROUND COVER.
ADEQUATE WATER IS VITAL IN A RATATIONAL GRAZING SYSTEM, with a mature cow needing up to 20 gallons of water per day in the summer. Having a central location for water and having a holding area from which to rotate fields and check livestock is handy, but unless an adequate heavy use area is put in, livestock may congregate there and cause a mud hole to form. Water in each field "cell" is better if possible.
There are several fencing options when implementing cross fences, permanent barbed, woven wire, or electric. Funding help may be available through the 319 program or the NRCS-EQIP program. If you have questions regarding cross fencing or other best management practices contact our office at 870-425-3527 Ex. 3
Brush and weed control is an ongoing battle for land owners. The drought has left a lot of bare ground, giving weeds areas to grow. Spraying is the cheapest and most effective way to control weeds and brush, but we must be cautious. Identify what you want to kill. Not all herbicides are effective on all plants, check the product label to see what will kill what. If you can't identify the plant type, contact the county Agent (870-425-2335) or The Baxter County Conservation District (870-425-3527 ex. 3 ) and we will try to help.
Certain herbicides have a residual effect, which is wonderful, unless you want to reseed soon after spraying. Clovers may be affected up to a year after spraying, while grasses may be affected up to 90 days after spraying so take this into consideration when you spray.
Use proper amounts to kill targeted species; more in most cases is not better, timing of application is also critical, so check your label. Use common sense when spraying to prevent drift on plants you don't want to kill or on your neighbor's property as well.
The Baxter County Conservation District has two 300 gallon sprayers for rent to help with your brush and weed control needs. Spraying is a great tool to improve ground cover and protect the soil, if we use it wisely.
Certain herbicides have a residual effect, which is wonderful, unless you want to reseed soon after spraying. Clovers may be affected up to a year after spraying, while grasses may be affected up to 90 days after spraying so take this into consideration when you spray.
Use proper amounts to kill targeted species; more in most cases is not better, timing of application is also critical, so check your label. Use common sense when spraying to prevent drift on plants you don't want to kill or on your neighbor's property as well.
The Baxter County Conservation District has two 300 gallon sprayers for rent to help with your brush and weed control needs. Spraying is a great tool to improve ground cover and protect the soil, if we use it wisely.
I am writing this article on Feb 27,2013 and there is mud in some fields and some of my ponds are full. I know we all hope th ehot dry weather we saw last year will not return. A great deal of ground cover which is essential in stopping soil and nutrient loss into our streams, has been lost. A drought recovery plan is needed to reestablish this ground cover to insure water quality.
First you need a vision for your land, what needs to be done to get your land back in forage production. Then look at what is there, survey your land. Weeds will be a major problem. Identifying the weeds is a must to control them. Mowing is an optiion, but spraying is usually more cost effective. Once you have identified your weeds you can choose the proper herbicide to use. Using the right herbicide at the proper dosage not only is more cost effective, it is better for the environment.
Soil testing is always an important tool when establishing ground cover. Fertilizing to the soil test will save you money and keep excess nutrient out of the water supply. Too much nitrogen before you have desirable forages established will only increase your weed problem. Phosphorous and potassium improve root growth and enable the plant to more effectively utilize water, so just putting out nitrogen might not be your best option.
Reseeding will probably be needed. A lot of fescue and orchard grass has been lost. We need cool season grasses, but you might consider putting in some warm seasons, Bermuda or natives, to fill in the summer. Planting annuals or small grains could be an option.
If you graze your land, don't over graze. Rotational grazing will allow better utilization of your forages. If possible let some of your pastures rest. It has been stressed and like anything else it needs time to get strong again.
To have water quallity we need to stop runoff, to stop runoff we need ground cover. After the conditions of the last few years, we need to take care of our land.
First you need a vision for your land, what needs to be done to get your land back in forage production. Then look at what is there, survey your land. Weeds will be a major problem. Identifying the weeds is a must to control them. Mowing is an optiion, but spraying is usually more cost effective. Once you have identified your weeds you can choose the proper herbicide to use. Using the right herbicide at the proper dosage not only is more cost effective, it is better for the environment.
Soil testing is always an important tool when establishing ground cover. Fertilizing to the soil test will save you money and keep excess nutrient out of the water supply. Too much nitrogen before you have desirable forages established will only increase your weed problem. Phosphorous and potassium improve root growth and enable the plant to more effectively utilize water, so just putting out nitrogen might not be your best option.
Reseeding will probably be needed. A lot of fescue and orchard grass has been lost. We need cool season grasses, but you might consider putting in some warm seasons, Bermuda or natives, to fill in the summer. Planting annuals or small grains could be an option.
If you graze your land, don't over graze. Rotational grazing will allow better utilization of your forages. If possible let some of your pastures rest. It has been stressed and like anything else it needs time to get strong again.
To have water quallity we need to stop runoff, to stop runoff we need ground cover. After the conditions of the last few years, we need to take care of our land.
