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March 2009 Articles

Just Rambling September 2013
Vaccination Guidelines – Developing a Vaccination Plan 
Researchers make strides in controlling aflatoxin
Crazy ant population explodes in Baton Rouge
Bermudagrass Stem Maggot Farm
USDA Promotes Conservation Programs-Louisiana Farmers Participate in Conservatio
Cattle prices expected to hold, might improve
Less Obvious Market Impacts of the Zilmax® Situation
Nutrition Key for Conception and Weaning Percentages
USDA and Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Request the Help of Arkansas
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation—Presidents Column Congressional Reces
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation—Presidents Column 2013 Crop on Par fo
LGLCI Hosting Healing the Land and Building Soil Health Workshop
Tips and Advice for Choosing a Bit When Breaking a Horse
Spiritual Corner
Just Rambling:
Field day features cattle procedures, winter forage
How Fast Can the Beef Cow Herd Be Rebuilt?
Effect of Corn- and Soybean Hull-Based Creep Feed and Backgrounding Diets on L
Slaughter Cow Considerations for Fall 2013
Specialist recommends new, affordable technology for cattle production
LSU and LSU AgCenter dairy programs to consolidate
AFBF Objects to Inflammatory Attacks in Privacy Suit
Louisiana part of multistate study to test arsenic in ri
Strain Responds to EPA Withdrawal of Data Collection Proposal
Strain Named Secretary-Treasurer of NASDA
AFBF Endorses House Waterways Bill
Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding
More Corn, Smaller Soybean Stocks Predicted
Poultry farmers learn better practices at
It’s time to think about landscape planning
Changing eating habits can aid weight loss
My Granny’s Cinnamon Biscuits
Emergency Numbers
WHERE DO I STAND
Controlling External Parasites Source: University of Arkansas
AgCenter scientists give updates to farmers at field day
AFBF: Death Tax Repeal Act ‘Gets the Job Done’
Weather Challenges Reflected in June WASDE Report
Poultry owners should take steps to keep flocks secure
Arrests Made in Morehouse Parish Cattle Thefts June 20, 2013 
Strain: Hire Licensed Horticulture Professionals
ade trees reduce summer cooling bills
Easy Strawberry Cake
Things God Won’t Ask
• Cool-Season Pasture and Forage Varieties Variety Selection
AgCenter computer center dedicated Writer:
Irrigate yards, landscapes, trees correctly during hot summer month
Louisiana Agriculture Facts:
Technology brings precision to the farm
Farm Bill Update
AFBF Files Suit to Protect Farmers’ Privacy
AFBF, 400 Others Call for House Immigration Reform
Farmers Wisdom:
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
La. sweet potato acreage continues to decline
The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture
For ranchers, soil’s organic matter, matters
The Good that Still Exist
Chicken Enchilada Dip

(60 articles found)

Archives by Months

Cool-Season Pasture and Forage Varieties Variety Selection

Cool-Season Pasture and Forage Varieties
Variety Selection One of the most important decisions a forage producer must make is which variety or varieties to plant. Many varieties of forage crops are marketed in Louisiana. To help farmers make logical choices among crops and varieties, the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center conducts variety trials and makes suggestions each year. These suggestions are available in your county agent’s office (Table 1).
Promising Varieties: Promising varieties are those that have been tested on a limited basis for two years and found to perform well enough to suggest trial plantings. These varieties are not yet fully suggested, and producers should avoid large plantings until further testing can be completed.
Grass Varieties Fescue: Fescue is better adapted to heavier soils of northern Louisiana than to other soils or locations in the state. In recent years several new varieties of tall fescue have been released which are available as certified low endophyte or endophyte-free seed. These varieties yield well but appear to be less persistent than the older varieties. For maximum survival, these varieties should be well established before grazing begins and should not be grazed below a 2-inch height. No nitrogen should be applied from May 1 to September. Harvesting fescue for hay is not advised during the period from June 1 to September. Oats: Oats can be successfully planted slightly earlier and produce earlier growth than ryegrass or wheat. They are often included in grazing mixtures for these reasons. Varieties of oats are tested and suggested primarily on the basis of dry forage yields. The yield ranking among
suggested varieties has varied from location to location and year to year. In recent years RAM LA 99016 has been among the leaders
Rye: Rye is a good producer of fall, winter and early spring growth. It matures earlier than ryegrass or other small grains. Rye is sometimes planted to give early grazing. Varieties of rye are tested and suggested primarily on the basis of dry forage yields. Rye varieties have not been evaluated in recent years. Ryegrass: Ryegrass is important as a cool-season annual grass for grazing and harvested forage in Louisiana. Its high yielding ability, ease of establishment, high forage quality and tendency to form a denser sod than small grains make it attractive. Its peak growth period is in the spring, but it has good fall growth if planted early and weather is suitable. Varieties of ryegrass are tested annually at several locations. In addition to yield determination and seasonal yield distribution at each location, rust ratings have been made at the Iberia Research Station at Jeanerette when conditions permitted. In those evaluations, Jackson has generally been least infected by rust. Marshall and Gulf have been most severely infected. Yield rankings of ryegrass varieties have varied with year and location (Table 3). Gulf has exhibited poor cold tolerance, and its yield performance has been inconsistent. Marshall is susceptible to rust and may be damaged by it in some years. Wheat: Wheat is a good producer of late fall and spring growth. The LSU AgCenter only does a limited amount of testing of wheat varieties for forage. No specific variety
suggestions are presented because of a lack of data. Legume Varieties Alfalfa: Alfalfa is an important hay and haylage crop in any states, but the amount produced in Louisiana is very limited. It requires excellent drainage, highly fertile soils, a near neutral soil pH and a high level of management. Many varieties are marketed, but only a few are adapted in Louisiana. Arrowleaf Clover: Arrowleaf clover is an annual with fair reseeding ability. It starts growth in the fall but produces most of its growth from March to late May or
even to July, depending on moisture supply and variety. Varieties suggested in Louisiana include Amclo (early maturity), Yuchi
intermediate maturity) and Meechi (latematurity). The difference in maturity between Amclo and Meechi is about five weeks. Berseem Clover: Berseem clover is an annual, upright-growing clover. The only variety suggested in Louisiana is Bigbee, which was first suggested in 1986. It is noted for excellent fall and winter growth and a long period of good growth in the spring. Its reseeding ability in Louisiana has been disappointing, but it has produced reseeding stands in Mississippi. Crimson Clover: Crimson clover is an upright growing, annual clover. It produces some fall and winter growth but produces most of its growth in early spring. All suggested varieties are reseeding varieties. Dixie and Tibbee are early maturing, and Chief is late maturing. Red Clover: Red clover is an upright-growing clover that is a short-lived perennial. In Louisiana, it is managed as an annual or biennial. It has poor reseeding ability and depends on most of its growth in late spring or early summer. There are several new varieties available that appear to be promising. Subterranean Clover: Subterranean clover is a low-growing annual clover that has prostrate creeping stems with erect leaves. Seeds are produced in a bur that develops at or below the soil surface. It has excellent reseeding ability under close grazing, but some reseeding failures have been reported after the initial stand had thrived for several years. It produces most of its growth in
the spring slightly later than crimson clover. All of the suggested varieties originated in Australia. In Australia, the maturity is considered to be early for Woogenellup, midseason for Mt. Barker, and late for Nangeela and Tallarook. Woogenellup has a low to moderate level of hard-seededness. The others have a low level of hard-seededness. White Clover: White clover is a low-growing, perennial clover that has prostrate stems and erect leaves. A few varieties have good reseeding ability and act more like annuals than perennials in Louisiana. White clover produces most of its growth in the spring, early summer and late fall. Louisiana S-1 is an intermediate variety which has intermediate size and good reseeding ability. It has some perennial tendencies, but summer survival is usually poor, especially on upland soils. It produces little fall growth. Most of the ladino or large varieties flower less than the intermediate varieties and generally depend on their perennial nature for summer survival and production following the seeding year. Osceola is a variety of the ladino type that was developed by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. It flowers more than other ladinos tested in Florida but not as much as LA S-1. It reportedly produces sufficient seed to ensure reseeding in Florida. Its reseeding ability has not been evaluated in Louisiana. Summer survival has been good in south Louisiana tests of Osceola, and yields have generally been higher than for LA S-1. Regal is a ladino type that usually does not produce seed under Louisiana conditions and acts as an
annual. Several varieties such as Durana, Regalgraze and Pinnacle have shown the ability to persist for several years. Ball Clover: Ball clover is a low-growing winter annual clover. It resembles intermediate white clover. It has excellent reseeding ability. Grazer’s Select is currently the only variety of ball clover available.
Seeding Rates The seeding rates suggested are based on favorable planting conditions. If soil or climatic conditions are not favorable, the seeding rates should be adjusted upward slightly. Remember that simply planting more seed is not a good substitute for correcting unfavorable conditions that can be corrected. Many producers plant more than recommended amounts of seed to try to produce more forage or to get earlier grazing. Planting more than the recommended amounts of seed may give slightly earlier grazing in some cases, but the total production for the season is not likely to improve. In planting mixtures of crops, recommended seeding rates must be followed to minimize competition between crops.
Planting Depth Clovers and other small-seeded legumes should generally be planted at depths of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Do not cover them deeper than 3/4 inch, or poor stands will result. Ryegrass and fescue should be planted about 1/2 inch deep but can tolerate coverage of up to 1 inch under favorable moisture and temperature conditions. They should not be covered deeper than 1 inch. Small grains
need soil coverage of about 1 inch for good germination and emergence. If seedbeds are soft and fluffy, rolling them before planting can help achieve the proper planting depth.
Seeding Dates Planting pasture and forage crops at the proper date is important to allow good germination and emergence. Planting date can also affect the probability of seedling exposure to insect and disease problems. Planting should be early enough to allow good crop establishment before winter weather becomes severe. The amount of growth produced by plants and the amount
of grazing available before winter freezes occur are affected by the planting date. Seed planted into prepared seedbeds can be planted earlier than if planted into undisturbed sod since summer grass sod remains competitive in the early fall planting season. Planting too early into growing sod may result in poor stands or stand failures.
Inoculate Legumes Forage legumes, when they have the proper rhizobia in root nodules, can provide their own nitrogen and often furnish some additional nitrogen for use by associated grasses. The rhizobia needed are not the same for all legumes and are not even the same for all clovers. Application of the proper rhizobia to the seed before planting (inoculation) is necessary to ensure that they
are present. Only packages of rhizobia with labels which specify the legume that is being planted, and for which the expiration date has not passed, should be used. Using an adhesive in applying the inoculant increases the effectiveness of inoculation. Either commercial adhesives or mixtures of water with syrup or sugar can be used. Continued on page 6

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