Fall Forage Options Due to Droughty Conditions

Emergency Forages in dry years

Because of the drought conditions and the resulting less than anticipated forage growth, I'm sure you have been asked what alternatives farmers have for forage production once the drought breaks. Here are some suggestions and sources for more detailed information.

Farmers who graze

These farmers may not have been able to produce sufficient hay/silage to get through the winter. For them, an option is to plant some forage crops in August (hopefully it will be raining again by then) that can provide grazing this fall and allow hay/silage to be made from their traditional pasture land. Following are some options:

• Forage Brassica (e.g. Rape or turnip)
• Small Grains (e.g. wheat, barley, rye, or triticale)

For additional information on growth characteristics, establishment, fertility, and grazing management of these crops refer to  "Use of brassica crops to extend the grazing season" and  "Strategies for extending the grazing season".

Farmers who don't graze

Most of the crops that could be planted at this late time and produce some forage are better suited for harvesting as silage rather than hay. These crops are listed below along with sources for more detailed information.

• Summer-Annual Grasses (e.g. Sorghum, Sudangrass, Sorghum-sudan hybrids, and Millet). After July 15 these crops are really only an option for Pennsylvania's more southern and warmer counties. For most of the State, these crops will not mature before cool fall weather and frost stop their growth. In a situation where the drought damaged corn has been harvested in July then these crops may be the only option because of herbicides used on the corn and the greater potential for carryover due to the dry conditions. For more information refer to  "Summer-annual grasses for supplemental or emergency forage"
• Small Grains (Oats and Rye, use taller varieties). Small grains should be planted as soon as possible and harvested for silage in the milk to soft dough stage. Generally, the milk stage is less desirable than the early dough stage because it is less palatable, and studies indicate that animal performance may be reduced. Moisture levels between 60 – 70% are best for ensiling small grain silage. Small grain silage below 60% moisture is difficult to pack and excessive heating and nutrient loss may occur. In addition, making sure that the theoretical length of cut is less than 3/8 inch is important with small grains because some stems are hollow and filled with air. Minimizing the length of the chopped material will help minimize silage heating and maintain forage quality.  In a Penn State study conducted at the Landisville (Lancaster County) Research Center small grains yielded more than sorghum-sudan grass when both were seeded on August 5. Penn State Forage Research results

Dr.  Marvin Hall (retired) Penn State Forage Specialist had completed some fall sown crop comparisons as below. It appears Oats and Rye are two best options and oats having better TDN.

August sown forage options (Photo Credit: Del Voight, Penn State)

Yield and TDN of four crops seeded on August 5

• Corn (harvest on 10/5) – 1.5 ton/acre and 61.2% TDN
• Sorghum-sudan hybrid (harvest on 10/5) – 1.6 ton/acre and 61.2% TDN
• Oat (harvest at soft dough) – 2.1 ton/acre and 75.8% TDN
• Rye (harvest at soft dough) – 2.1 ton/acre and 68.4% TDN

After discussing some options for the management of forages for this coming fall I put the following chart together based on Dr. Undersander's work at Wisconsin to better understand the different options available to growers to perhaps extend the grazing season and or to provide some additional forage for the silo. There are some major differences in the feed quality as indicated by the RFV section of the table. 

In talking to some old timers that weathered numerous seasons just like we have this year it appears that Oats comes to the top of the list for many.  A local dairy man related using feed oats planted in August and almost coming to the point he could combine them in late fall.  Realistic expectations might be that they get an additional couple of tons of dry matter.  The table is written in terms of dry matter so as is basis can more than double the yield estimates. There are a lot of options and they all cost money to plant and care for.  Be mindful of seeding rates per acre and the relative cost of the seed. Also some of the selections come with extra management to be safe I am thinking of the sorghum sudan and corn with nitrates and concern for Prussic acid. There are some ways to really achieve some high-quality forage one just needs to make informed decisions and be timely in seeding and harvest. Most of the information is from Penn State Research on experiment farms but I did get some information from Dr. Dan Undersander Wisconsin Extension and from local farmers experiences.