By Andi Anderson
Fall marks a crucial time for overseeing hay fields and pastures, presenting an excellent opportunity for essential management practices. Ohio State University advocates several guidelines to bolster the health and productivity of these agricultural resources during this period.
Prioritize Soil Testing: Soil test fields scheduled for future forage seeding to determine nutrient requirements. Adjust pH levels by applying lime as necessary, aiding nutrient availability and fortifying forage stands against various stress factors like diseases or weed infestations.
Weed Management: Identify and manage problematic weeds like cressleaf groundsel, poison hemlock, and dandelion in hay fields through fall herbicide applications. Targeting these species during their vulnerable life cycle stages enhances control effectiveness.
Forage Toxicity Awareness: Be cautious of forages like grain sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, which possess a high prussic acid poisoning potential. Harvest or graze these pastures before the initial frost to mitigate risks.
Grazing Extension and Safety: For those extending grazing into winter, be mindful of potential toxicity and bloat risks associated with forage legumes post-frost. Take forage samples from hay and silage to assess nutritive values and plan for supplementation needs.
Pasture Protection: Maintain a four-inch residual forage level during stockpiled forage grazing. Protect pastures post-heavy precipitation events to ensure long-term pasture health and productivity.
Employ these practices to foster healthy pastures and productive hay fields this fall. For comprehensive information on managing forage fields and pastures, visit Ohio State University's forage management resource.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Hay & Forage