Planting date is a key factor for determining the forage yields in different seasons to meet grazing requirements for various winter annual crops. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of planting date on seasonal forage yield distribution for different grazing systems in dual-purpose winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.). The research was conducted in two consecutive growing seasons (2003-2004 and 2004-2005) at the Texas A&M University Agriculture Research and Extension Center, McGregor, TX. Treatments were six planting dates (September through November with 2-week interval between consecutive planting dates) for all three crops designed in randomized complete block with three replications. Three harvests of forage (fall, winter, and spring) were conducted each year for all three winter annuals. The results indicated that early planting (early September) favored the higher forage yields in fall season for both years in all three crops. For all three crops, under below-average precipitation (2003)(2004), planting date had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on both winter and spring forage yields. In the year 2004-2005, with above-normal precipitation, late-mid planting (late October) was optimum for both winter and spring seasons in wheat and oats. For ryegrass, late-early (late September) planting produced significantly greater yields in fall and spring seasons. Planting date had no significant effect on winter forage yields for ryegrass. These research findings may be utilized in making planting decisions for the farmers with different grazing requirements in south and central Texas.
As water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer continue to decline in the Texas High Plains, alternative forage crops that utilize less water must be identified to meet the forage demand of the livestock industry in this region. A two-year (2016 and 2017) study was conducted at West Texas A&M University Nance Ranch near Canyon, TX to evaluate the forage production and quality of brown midrib (BMR) sorghum-sudangrass (SS) (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. Drummondii) and BMR pearl millet (PM) (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Leeke)) harvested under three regimes (three 30-d, two 45-d, and one 90-d harvests). Sorghum-sudangrass consistently out yielded PM in total DM production in both tested years (yield range 3.96 to 6.28 Mg DM ha−1 vs. 5.38 to 11.19 Mg DM ha−1 in 2016 and 6.00 to 9.87 Mg DM ha−1 vs. 6.53 to 15.51 Mg DM ha−1 in 2017). Water use efficiency was higher in PM compared to SS. The 90-d harvesting regime maximized the water use efficiency and DM production compared to other regimes in both crops; however, some forage quality may be sacrificed. In general, the higher forage quality was achieved in shorter interval harvesting regimes (frequent cuttings). The selection of suitable forage crop and harvesting regime based on this research can be extremely beneficial to the producers of Texas High Plains to meet their individual forage needs and demand.
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