By Andi Anderson
The past few months have been tough on forage production due to drought and cold winters. These conditions have reduced hay supplies and increased livestock feeding needs. To fill this gap, planting early spring forages can be a smart solution.
When soil temperatures reach between 42°F to 45°F, spring forage planting can begin. In southern regions, the planting window opens earlier, while northern areas may need to wait. Spring annual forages help provide high-quality feed, support soil health, and allow stressed pastures to recover.
Oats are the most common spring cereal grain used for forage, but other crops like spring wheat, barley, and triticale also work well. Variety selection is important. Forage varieties yield more and offer better quality than grain types. Early maturing oats are ideal if followed by another crop, while later maturing ones are better for grazing.
Oats should be planted at 80-110 lbs/acre, and other cereals at 100-120 lbs/acre. Planting depth should be half to three-quarters of an inch deep, but up to 1.5 inches is okay if the topsoil is dry. Apply 50-70 lbs of nitrogen at planting for best growth. Adding field peas can increase crude protein by 2-6% and improve soil nitrogen levels.
These forages can be grazed or harvested as silage, Baleage, or hay. Start grazing when crops reach 8-10 inches tall, and avoid grazing below 4 inches to allow regrowth. To extend grazing into summer, add annual ryegrass.
For stored feed, harvest before head emergence at the late boot stage for maximum quality. Crude protein at this stage is usually between 12-14%. Early spring forages are a great way to meet feed needs and support pasture recovery.
Photo Credit: hay-demand-remains-good
Categories: Ohio, Livestock