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.

Core Ideas Planting date is more important than the seeding rate for maximizing forage and grain yields in a dual‐use system. Optimum planting date for maximizing forage yield is September to early October, whereas optimum planting date for maximizing grain yield is early November in central Texas. Optimum planting date for maximum returns is early to late September. Producers of central Texas can drop the seeding rate to 30 lb ac−1 without sacrificing forage and grain yield potential of dual purpose wheat. Planting date and seeding rate are important considerations for maximizing the forage and grain yields of dual‐purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A 3‐year study was conducted to evaluate the effect of six planting dates (September through November in 2‐week intervals) and four seeding rates (30, 60, 90, and 120 lb acre−1) on forage and grain yields of dual‐purpose winter wheat. Earlier planting dates maximized forage yield and declined when planting date was delayed in all tested years (R2 = 0.9646). However, optimum planting date for maximum grain yield was early November. Based on economic analysis, optimum planting date for maximum returns was early to late September. Forage and grain yields of dual‐purpose wheat were unaffected by different seeding rates (P > 0.05). Based on the results, producers in central Texas can sow at 30 lb acre−1 without sacrificing forage and grain yield potential of dual‐purpose wheat. Growers of dual‐purpose wheat operating under different grazing requirements to central Texas may be able to maximize returns by planting at an appropriate time and reducing seeding rates.

Seeding dates and rates of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are key management decisions that affect input costs and potentially grain yield and quality. Previous research has not addressed the impact of seeding date and rate on winter wheat production in sub‐humid, warm, temperate climates in the southern regions of the southern Great Plains. Grain yield and tillering responses to interactions between six seeding dates and four seeding rates were evaluated in a three‐year study under rainfed conditions. In each of the three years, grain yield and tiller density were reduced for seeding dates after mid‐November, but neither were affected by seeding rates ranging from 34 to 134 kg/ha. Reduced yield potential for seeding dates after mid‐November will necessitate reductions in variable inputs and costs and expected returns for winter wheat under rainfed conditions in the southern Great Plains.