Hot and dry conditions, low water and drought: forages
General
For general information, visit Managing forages in dry years and Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production.
Before adverse weather conditions
- Soil test at least once every three years and apply nutrients.
- In perennial hay fields, establish species that tolerate dry conditions, such as:
- alfalfa
- reed canary grass
- orchard grass
- tall fescue
- Include warm-season crops in the farm's forage plan, such as:
- corn
- sorghum-sudan grass
- millet
During adverse weather conditions
- Scout alfalfa for potato leafhoppers and act if populations exceed the threshold. See page 156 of OMAFA Publication 30: Guide to Forage Production or the OMAFA fact sheet, potato leafhopper in alfalfa,for more information.
- If the alfalfa is tall enough to justify cutting and a 30- to 35-day harvest interval can be maintained, it can be cut. When rains return alfalfa will regrow from the crown.
- Do not cut red clover or birdsfoot trefoil during a drought, as this will thin the stand.
- For extra fall forage after winter wheat harvest, seed oats at 90 kg/ha (80 lbs/acre) and apply 55 kg/ha (50 lbs/acre) of nitrogen.
- Call Agricorp (
1-888-247-4999 ) to change the purpose of cereal or grain corn crops before harvesting them as forage. - Check the labels of any crop protection products applied for feeding/forage restrictions.
- Cereals before heading can be put up as baleage. Between milk and soft dough stage they can be chopped and put up in a silo (like corn silage).
- Soybeans are difficult to ensile and not recommended for boosting inventories on short notice.
- Canola and other brassicas will not store as forage.
- For extra forage in early spring, seed fall rye or winter triticale at 110 kg/ha (100 lbs/acre) after soybeans or silage corn harvest. Apply 55–80 kg/ha (50–70 lbs/acre) of nitrogen in the spring at green up.
After adverse weather conditions
- Be cautious of silo gas and nitrate poisoning. For more information, check out Hazardous Gases on Agricultural Operations.
- Test forages for nutritional value and nitrates. Work with a nutritionist to balance rations, dilute nitrates, and "stretch" supplies if inventory is a concern.
- Reduce storage losses:
- in dry hay by storing it off the ground or on a well-drained base and keeping it under cover (either tarped or in a shed)
- in baleage by checking the plastic for holes and promptly taping them closed. Mow grass near bales stored outside to reduce rodent pressure
- in haylage by packing the crop to at least 240 g dm/l (15 lbs dm/ft3), and completely sealing the silo
- Minimize feed-out losses by:
- using a feeder to reduce forage waste
- promptly removing spoiled feed from feeders and bunks
- Feed dry silage in January/February to counteract heating and minimize the risk of fire.
Updated: November 22, 2024
Published: November 21, 2024