Tall Fescue Seed Production
description
Transcript of Tall Fescue Seed Production
Tall Fescue Seed Production
In Southern Missouri
Dave DankerBuchheit Inc.
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Rowed Fescue – Rows are generally in
7.5, 15 or 22.5 inch widths.
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Chemical Used – Diuron for volunteer
seedling, 2,4-D Dicambia, Apogee for lodging
Left side of photo untreated – Right side treated with Apogee
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Nitrogen Application – Split 40-50 lbs.
in September, 40-50 lbs. in December/January
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri
Tall Fescue
Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Turf-type fescue –
second year of production
Windrowed for drying – moisture ~40%
Expected yield = 1600 lbs/ac
Heavy rains (2004) after windrowing reduced yield to 550 lbs/ac
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Field produced 1300 lbs/ac - Variety = Max Q
(forage type) Straw baled for mulch – Stubble is cut for hay Straw production: Slightly more than one ton
per acre Remaining stubble: 2.5 tons per acre Field was lightly grazed in
November/December
Tall Fescue
Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri
View from combine
Same field as last slide
This windrow – Apogee treated
Produced less straw but more seed
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Field ready for Harvest
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri First pass with windrower
Tall Fescue Grown For Seed Production in Southern Missouri Thirty years ago...
Missouri produced vast majority of fescue seed for turf and forage markets
75 million pounds per year – Missouri contributed 60 million Early 1980s – Oregon started to become a major
player Ideal climate Specialized – quality or certified production Market nearly tripled – Oregon consumed all market growth
Oregon – Certified seed Remainder “dumped” into KY31 market (Missouri)
95% of all fescue seed is turf/lawn industry Remainder – forage or pasture market
Tall Fescue Seed Production Issues Oregon
vs. MissouriOregon
Land costs ($10-80,000/acre) and rent costs (>$250/acre) forcing seed companies to look elsewhere for production
Transportation is more costly to east coast market
Continuous seed production has infested fields with rye grass – very costly to eradicate
Management practices restricted due to environmentalist’s movements
Tall Fescue Seed Production Issues Oregon
vs. MissouriMissouri
Harvest 3-4 weeks earlier than Oregon – creating a longer window to get freshly produced seed ready for fall market
Utilize full potential of fescue by grazing or feeding residue of production fields to cattle
Volatile weather conditions during harvest Farmland cannot compete with northern
states (corn, soybeans) but would be ideal for production of fescue seed
Tall Fescue Seed Production Issues Oregon
vs. Missouri
Top Ten Fescue Management Tips
1) Fertilize with Nitrogen in Late August or Early September
2) Remove cows from fescue fields no later than March 15th
3) Bale fescue stubble hay as soon as possible after seed harvest
4) Apply Phosphorus and Potassium to soil test5) Apply lime to soil test6) Spread second application of fertilizer Late
December or Early January7) Spray 2,4-D and Banvel to control broadleaf weeds
o March or very early April (daytime temp. >50)
8) Consider adding sulfur to your fertility program9) Allow tiller regrowth to occur in August and Early
September1) Do not pasture until Late September
10) Interseed with clover and-or lespedeza to improve forage quality and reduce endophyte levels
June/July 15-Harvest
July 15-Aug. 1- Remove Aftermath-Bale it! Burn it! Graze it! Allow sunlight to penetrate down into roots. (Promotes Tillering)
Aug. 20-Sept. 20-First fertilizer application (40# actual nitrogen phoshorus to soil test). Spray with Atrazine to remove excess seed.
Sept. 10-Frost- Stockpile pasture for winter grazing. Do not graze too short before frost. Grazing too short in the fall thins stands.
Dec. 10-Jan. 10 Second fertilizer application (75-80# actual nitrogen)
Dec. 1-March 15 Graze hard, remove as much of the stockpiled growth as possible.
March 15-Remove cows-Stop grazing.
June/July 15- Harvest
Fescue Seed Production Time Line
March 25-April 10-Spray with 2-4D to remove weeds.
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
FESCUE SEED PRODUCTION - ECONOMICS
COST OF PRODUCTION PER ACRE:
LIME - 0.67 TON PER ACRE PER YEAR: 10.72$ P & K - 60# OF 9-23-30 PER YEAR: 19.20$ NITROGEN - 80# SPLIT APPLICATION: 32.00$ SPRAY WITH 2,4-D AND BANVEL: 16.00$ COMBINE AND HAUL: 40.00$ MOW, RAKE & BALE: 45.00$ HAUL HAY: 7.50$ FENCING & LABOR TO STRIP GRAZE: 20.00$
-------------190.42$
Hay Wastage
Bell, S., and F.A. Martz. 1973 Univ. of Missouri Ag Exp.
Hay Wastage
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
Tall Fescue Seed Production
Cost of Production
Fescue Spraying Recommendations
Fescue Stubble HayAnhydrous Treatment
Apply at rate of 50 lbs. per ton of dry hay Four bales wide on bottom – three on second layer No more than 36.5 ft. from ground level – can be
up to 95 ft. long Must be square Seven tons of lime or fine dirt needed to cover
edges Cover gently – plastic will tear when stretched Do not cover pile above 90 degrees Cover same day it is made – no rain
Wet spots will attract anhydrous and prevent adequate treatment
Insert valve on upper end of stack – it will disperse by itself
Fescue Stubble HayAnhydrous Treatment
Use orifice with 5/64” opening with a paper clip inserted for a slow release
Apply anhydrous in the evening Calculate amount needed If you do not have an orifice – barely crack the
valve for a slow seep If you have the correct amount in the take –
you can leave it to release overnight Four days to adequately treat stubble hay After treatment – hay can be fed out of the
pile as needed WARNING: ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IS
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN USING IT!!!
Converting Established Stands to Row-Crop Production
Option 1: Plow & reseed the stand in 15” rows
Option 2: Use Roundup to selectively kill 10-11” strips between rows
Use 3 to 4 pints per acre Atrazine in September to kill volunteer seed
Jury is still out – time will tell
Methods for Selective Kill
Use 1.5 to 2 quarts Roundup per acre in 20 to 30 gallons water
Add Ammonium Sulfate at rate of 17 lbs. per 100 gallons water
Use drop or turn nozzles in direction of travel
Critical Elements of Quality Fescue Seed Production
Spray with 2,4-D (1 pint/acre) Late March or Early April
Do not begin harvest until seed is below 23% moisture
Deliver seed to Buchheit the same day/evening it is harvested
Immediately remove fescue aftermath
Critical Elements of Quality Fescue Seed Production - continued
First fertilizer application in Early August
Stockpile fescue for Fall/Winter grazing
Second fertilizer application in December or Early January (promotes tillering)
Remove Winter grazing cows by March 15th
Don’t forget to spray!