Alfalfa Seeding Rates T Sum N Timing for Grass Pasture and Hay Sustainability of Alfalfa Nutrient Removal

Transcription

1 Far West Agribusiness 2012 Idaho Winter Conference Alfalfa Seeding Rates T Sum N Timing for Grass Pasture and Hay Sustainability of Alfalfa Nutrient Removal Mylen Bohle Area Extension Agronomist Oregon State University Extension Service Prineville, Oregon Mylen.bohle@oregonstate.edu

2 Seeding Rate Effects on Alfalfa Production Mylen Bohle Area Extension Agronomist Central Oregon Oregon State University Extension Service Prineville, Crook County (541)

3 What is the Right Seeding Rate? Drill or Broadcast Seeds per Pound Seed Coating % Germination Inert Matter Row Spacing Seedbed Prep Weed Control Market Seeding Rate Cost of Seed? Soil Texture

4 Potential Alfalfa Plants per Square Foot Based on Different Seeding Rates and Number of Seeds per Pound Assuming 100% Germination Seeding Rate (lb/ac) 190,000 seeds per pound 200,000 seeds per pound 210,000 seeds per pound 220,000 seeds per pound Potential Plants per Square Foot 230,000 seeds per pound Mylen Bohle, Oregon State University Extension Service

5 Effect of Stand Density on Yield of Irrigated, Hand Planted Vernal Alfalfa at Redmond, Oregon Plants / Ft Yield (t/ac) 1974 Yield (t/ac) 1975 Yield (t/ac) Total Yield (t/ac) f 4.69 d 3.46 c c 5.24 cd 3.91 bc bc 5.85 abc 4.50 ab ab 6.14 ab 5.18 a a 6.45 a 5.06 a Murphy, Johnson, and Frakes

6 Plant Density is a Poor Estimator of Yield Potential (Undersander, et.al., Wisc.) Use Stem Count to Estimate Current Yield Potential of field Assess Root and Crown Health to Determine Future Yield Potential Fall is a Better Time to Assess Than Spring.

7 Stem Density Recommendations (Undersander, et. al. Wisconsin) Stem Density (stems per ft2) 55 Action Stem density not limiting yield Some yield reduction expected < 39 Consider replacing the stand Predicted Yield Potential Same as current year If crown health good, same as current year; If > 30% category 4, significantly less If crown health good, same as current year; if > 30% category 4, significantly less

8 The Effect of Hard Seed on Days to Alfalfa Emergence Hard Seed Scarified 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 120 Days % Emergence High (44%) No High (44%) Yes Med. (25%) No Med. (25%) Yes Low (11%) No Low (11%) Yes Undersander et al., Wisconsin

9 The Effect of Hard Seed on Alfalfa Yields with a Seeding Rate of 12 Pounds per Acre Hard Seed Level 1992 Planting 1992 Planting 1993 Planting 1992 Harvest 1993 Harvest 1993 Harvest Tons per acre High (44%) Medium (25%) Low (11%) Undersander et al., Wisconsin

10 Seeding Rate (lb/ac) of Different Alfalfa Variety Seed Lots with a Drill Calibrated for One Variety at Each Site Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site # Varieties Seed Rate # Varieties Seed Rate # Varieties 7 Seed Rate # Varieties 6 6 Seed Rate Undersander et al., Wisconsin

11 5 Year Average Stems per Square Foot for Ultra Alfalfa in a 4 cut System at COARC, Madras, Oregon (Bohle et al.) Seed Rate PLS (lb/ac) 1999 Avg. Stems/ft Avg. Stems/ft Avg. Stems/ft Avg. Stems/ft Avg. Stems/ft Mean PLSD (0.05) NS NS CV% Prob. >

12 5 Year Annual and Total Yield for Ultra Alfalfa in a 4 cut System at COARC, Madras, Oregon (Bohle et al.) Seed Rate PLS (lb/ac) 1999 Yield (t/ac) 2000 Yield (t/ac) 2001 Yield (t/ac) 2002 Yield (t/ac) 2003 Yield (t/ac) Total Yield (t/ac) Mean PLSD (0.05) 0.67 NS NS 0.42 NS 2.09 CV% Prob. >

13 1990 (First Year) Stem Density Yield Results of the 4 Cut Harvest of Ultra Alfalfa at COARC, Madras, Oregon (Bohle et al.) Seed Rate PLS (lb/ac) 1 st Cut Stems Ft2 2 nd Cut Stems Ft2 3 rd Cut Stems Ft2 4 th Cut Stems Ft2 Average Stems Ft Mean PLSD (0.05) CV% Prob. >

14 1990 (First Year) Yield Results of the 4 Cut Harvest of Ultra Alfalfa at COARC, Madras, Oregon (Bohle et al.) Seed Rate PLS (lb/ac) 1 st Cut Yield (t/ac) 2 nd Cut Yield (t/ac) 3 rd Cut Yield (t/ac) 4 th Cut Yield (t/ac) Total Yield (t/ac) Mean PLSD (0.05) 0.38 NS NS NS 0.67 CV% Prob. >

15 So What About Roundup Ready Alfalfa Seed Rates? (Hall et al. 2010) Seed Rates of 6, 10, 14, and 18 lb/ac PLS with Glyphosate, other Herbicide, and Check for weed control, at 7 locations in 6 states, over two years, found: No Difference in Yield except for first cutting due to seeding rate. (6 lb rate: 223 lb/ac Less yield) No Difference in Quality due to seeding rate. Lost 51% of 6 lb/ac seed rate plants and lost nearly 70% of 18 lb/ac seed rate plants by 1 st Fall. Plant density the same by 2 nd Fall

16 Seed Rate Effect on Quality Hall et al None Kephart et al., 1992 None Lloveras et al., 2008 None Bolger et al., 1983 None McGuire, 1981 None Min et al., 1999 Slight, but Statistical Difference with CP only on 1 st Cut Volenac et al., 1987 Yes, When Stem Density >158 Stems per Square Foot

17 So What is the Right Seeding Rate? It All Depends

18 Factors to Consider for the Right Seeding Rate? Drill or Broadcast Seeds per Pound Seed Coating Germination Percentage Inert Matter Seed Bed Prep Weed Control Market Soil Texture Seed Rate Cost of Seed? YES / NO /Maybe?

19 Cost of Variety Seed? Not Much of a Factor!

20 Seed Rate Cost a Factor? Yes, Very Much So. It is a Factor!

21 T Sum N Rate and Timing Effect on Grass Pasture and Grass Hay Central Oregon Results Initial Research was Conducted in the Netherlands

22 T Sum N Rate and Timing Effect on Grass Pasture and Hay 0 and 60 lbs/n/acre for Grass Pasture 0, 50, 100, 150 lbs/n/acre for 1 st Cut Grass Hay 360, 540, 720, and 900 gdd s from January 1st was our target Timings each year. Fertilizer Source: Ammonium Nitrate 4 Different Producer Fields over 2 years Calendar vs. T Sum Timing Difference: 5 weeks*

23 T Sum N Timing Add GDD s from January 1 st until reach 360 gdd s F for Pasture or around 720 for Hay Add high and low temp / 2 = average 32 degrees F base temp (Simple Average gdd s) Examples = 18 (add) = 2 (discard) = 4 (add) 22

24 T Sum N Rate and Timing Effect on Grass Pasture and Hay It is a way to shift forage production earlier in the spring for pasture, but not necessarily increase total forage production, and help reduce winter feed costs? For 1 st Cut Grass Hay for lower N rates: not much difference with timing application, but for higher N rates, timing affected yield.

25 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Powell Butte Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

26 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Powell Butte Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

27 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Madras Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (ggd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

28 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Madras Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

29 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Pasture Protein Yield - Powell Butte Protein Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

30 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Protein Yield - Powell Butte Protein Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

31 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Protein Yield - Madras Protein Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

32 T-Sum N Timing Effect on Grass Pasture Protein Yield - Madras Protein Yield (lb/ac) Check T-Sum Timing (gdd's) 1st Graze 2nd Graze

33 T-Sum Timing & N Rate Effect on 1st Cut Grass Hay yield Powell Butte Growing Degres ( 32 F base) f rom January 1 0 lb/ ac N 50 lb/ ac N 100 l b/ ac N 150 l b/ ac N

34 T-Sum Timing & N Rate Effect on 1st Cut Grass Hay Yield - Powell Butte Growing Degrees (32 F Base) from Jan 1 0 lb/ ac N 50 lb/ ac N 100 l b/ ac N 150 l b/ ac N

35 T-Sum Timing N Rate Effect on 1st Cut Grass Hay Yield - Madras Growing Degrees (32 F Base) from Jan 1 0 lb/ ac N 50 lb/ ac N 100 l b/ ac N 150 l b/ ac N

36 T-Sum Timing & N Rate Effect on 1st Cut Grass Hay Yield - Madras Growing Degrees (32 F Base) from Jan 1 0 lb/ ac N 50 lb/ ac N 100 l b/ ac N 150 l b/ ac N

37 T Sum Timing GDD s for Twin Falls, ID from Gdd s Range (days) 360 Mar 26 Mar 27 Apr 2 Apr 14 Mar Apr 12 Apr 15 Apr 17 May 1 Mar Apr 28 Apr 24 Apr 26 May 11 Apr May 10 May 8 May 7 May 18 Apr degrees F base Temperature

38 Alfalfa Soil Fertility Cost of Replacement? Sustainable? Mylen Bohle, OSU Extension Service Central Oregon Area Extension Agronomist Comparison of 3 Cut & 4 Cut Vernal and 54Q25 Alfalfa Varieties over 4 Years in Central Oregon

39 Introduction Yield Soil Tests Plant Nutrient Analysis Focus on Potassium and Phosphorus Today (More Soil Tests and Nutrients) Total Nutrient Uptake Quality and Value of Hay Economics

40 Year C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trial Yield Cut Yield 4 Cut Yield Vernal 54Q25 Vernal 54Q Total Avg t/ac t/ac

41 ph ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Year/ 3 Cut (P.B.) 4 Cut (Madras) ? (6.4)

42 Phosphorus Uptake ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Vernal 4 Cut 398 lb P2O5 Per ton DM 12.6 lb 54Q25 4 Cut 458 lb P2O5 Per ton DM 12.5 lb Avg. Replacement Cost $595 $17.43 / ton Vernal 3 Cut 353 lb/p2o5 Per ton DM 11.9 lb 54Q25 3 Cut 365 lb/p2o5 Per ton DM 11.7 lb Avg. Replacement Cost $499 $15.86/ton Replacement Cost $1.39/ lb P2O5

43 Phosphorus: Soil & Fertilizer ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Year 3 Cut (P.B.) 4 Cut (Madras) ppm lb/a ppm lb/ac 2003? (45) 28 (10) 2004 (44) (40) (0) 12 (135) (54) 22 (112.5) 2008V Q 25 19

44 Potassium Uptake ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Source K20 Vernal 4 Cut 2484 lb Per ton (79 lb) $49.77/ton 54Q25 4 Cut 2813 lb Per ton (77 lb) $48.51/ton Avg. Replacement Cost: $49.14/ton Vernal 3 Cut 1785 lb Per ton (60/ lb) $37.90/ton 54Q25 3 Cut 1849 lb Per ton (59 lb) $37.17/ton Avg. Replacement Cost: $37.54/ton Replacement Cost: $0.63 / lb K20

45 Potassium: Soil & Fertilizer ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Year 3 Cut (P.B.) 4 Cut (Madras) ppm lb/a ppm lb/ac ? (300) (118) (331) ( 0) ( 72) V Q

46 Total Potash Uptake by 54Q25 in the Cut Alfalfa Variety Trial at COARC, Madras, Oregon Potash (K2O) (lb/acre) Cut

47 Potash Removal per Ton DM by 54Q25 in the Cut Alfalfa Variety Trial at COARC, Madras, Oregon Potash (K2O) (lb/ton DM) Cut

48 Percent Potassium in 54Q25 Hay in the 4-Cut Alfalfa VAriety Trial at COARC, Madras, Oregon Potassium (%) Cut 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year CNL

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51 Alfalfa Hay Nutrient Uptake 3 Cut Alfalfa (lb / ton) ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) 4 Cut Alfalfa (lb/ton) P2O P2O K2O 59.5 K2O 78.0 Ca 21.9 Ca 26.1 Mg 4.8 Mg 5.7 S 3.9 S 4.0 Mn 0.03 Mn 0.07 Cu 0.11 Cu 0.02 Bo 0.08 Bo 0.09 Zn 0.03 Zn 0.03 Fe 0.11 Fe 0.14 Mo Mo Cl 0.25 Cl 0.25

52 Alfalfa Hay Nutrient Replacement Cost ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) 3 Cut Alfalfa ($ / ton) 4 Cut Alfalfa ($/ton) P2O5 $15.86 P2O5 $17.43 K2O $37.50 K2O $49.14 Ca $ 1.11 Ca $ 1.41 Mg $15.44 Mg $18.53 S $ 1.48 S $ 1.52 Mn $ 0.10 Mn $ 0.23 Cu $ 0.11 Cu $ 0.14 Bo $ 0.26 Bo $ 0.31 Zn $ Zn $ 0.07 Fe $ Fe $ 0.20 Mo $ Mo $ Cl $ 0.24 Cl $ 0.24 Total $73.55/ ton Total $89.46 / ton (November 2008)

53 2008 Avg. Alfalfa Hay Price (1/1/ /7/2008) Supreme Premium Good Fair Utility $ / ton $ / ton $ / ton $ / ton $ / ton Source: Jack Getz, USDA Market News Service

54 Value of Hay ( Alfalfa Variety Trials) Vernal 4 Cut $5,140 $162.59/ton 54Q25 4 Cut $6,316 $172.47/ton 54Q25 adds$1,176 $ 9.88/ton Vernal 3 Cut $4,923 $166.24/ton 54Q25 3 Cut $5,460 $174.55/ton 54Q25 adds$ 537 $ 8.31/ton Based on RFQ Quality

55 Alfalfa Hay Nutrient Removal Partial Budget 3 Cut P.B. 4 Cut Madras Avg. Hay Value/ton $ $ Avg. Fertilizer Cost $ $ Net to fertilizer $ $ prices Madras and Powell Butte are two different locations.

56 Nitrogen Uptake (Fixation) ( C.O. Alfalfa Variety Trials) Vernal 4 Cut 1968 lb 62.2 lb/t 54Q25 4 Cut 2412 lb 65.8 lb/t Free Replacement $2, $73.60/ton Vernal 3 Cut 1802 lb 60.8 lb/t 54Q25 3 Cut 1974 lb 63.1 lb/t Free Replacement $ $71.24/ton Cost: $1.15 / lb

57 Alfalfa Soil Fertility Soil Testing Test Hay for Nutrients Tissue Testing Monitor Your Soil Fertility Acknowledgement of Crook County, Oregon Grant ($10,000) and Central Oregon Hay Growers Association $ for Plant Analysis

58 The End Questions?