Winter Forage Crops Research Articles

Nitrogen leaching losses from pasture and winter forage crops in the West Matukituki Valley

In 2013 the Otago Regional Council (ORC) entered mediation with local farmers on changes to their Water Plan, Plan Change 6A, which sought to apply nitrogen load limits within the catchments of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea for all farm systems. There was little information available on nitrogen leaching losses in the high rainfall environments (c 2500 mm pa) of the South Island's high country. Agreement after mediation with the ORC and local farmers required a research project to examine differences between measured losses and outputs from OVERSEER® at a paddock and farm scale. To address this knowledge gap, a series of monitoring sites were set up in November 2014 in the West Matukituki Valley, west of Lake Wanaka. Porous soil solution samplers were installed to a depth of 50 cm in (i) a sheep- and cattle-grazed pasture, (ii) a cattle-grazed winter forage crop, and (iii) a native bush site. Results for 2015 showed that rainfall totalled 2240 mm, with calculated drainage estimated at 1330 mm. The total fluxes of dissolved N from the crop and pasture sites during the 12 months from June 2015 were 157 and 43 kg N/ha, respectively. Dissolved organic N (DON) made an unexpectedly large contribution to these fluxes, accounting for 20 and 67% of the total fluxes of dissolved N in drainage from the crop and pasture sites, respectively. Gaining a better understanding of the bioavailability of dissolved forms of organic N in leachate would help determine the risks that these forms of nutrients pose to water quality, and if they should be incorporated into models such as Overseer which do not account for DON. The project’s initial findings enabled an informed discussion on the use of modelled results from Overseer for the mitigation of N loss at a farm scale in the lakes’ catchments. It also focussed farmers’ attention on management of the nitrogen leaky parts of their farm systems, especially winter crops.

Influences affecting adoption of management to mitigate impacts of intensive winter grazing of forage crops

ABSTRACT Intensive winter grazing on forage crops helps overcome winter feed shortages but is associated with soil pugging and high rates of sediment and nutrient losses. A recently recommended approach to intensive winter grazing management–grazing from the top of the slope downwards (‘top-down’)–can substantially reduce sediment and nutrient losses as part of a suite of practices called ‘strategic grazing’. We hypothesised that this new management has had significant uptake and that a farmer’s risk preferences, values, and demographics influence adoption of these practices. Using a national-scale survey of farmers from 2023, we found that 52.5% of respondents who grazed winter forage crops on slopes, grazed top-down. Location had a modest impact on this decision, with Otago respondents being 17–24% more likely to graze top-down than those from other regions. Māori farmers were 30% more likely to graze top-down than non-Māori farmers. Profitability was positively correlated with this decision. We conclude that the adoption of top-down grazing practices on slopes for winter forage crops is widespread, with just over half of the farmers surveyed grazing winter forage crops top-down.

Winter forage crops influence soil properties through establishing different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi communities in paddy field

Winter planting is promising for improving the utilization rate of fallow paddy fields in southern China by establishing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities. However, the effects of different winter forage crops on AMF community construction remain unknown. The AMF community establishment of different winter planting forage crops were conducted in oat, rye, Chinese milk vetch, and ryegrass, with winter fallow as a control. The AMF colonization rate, soil AMF spore density, community structure and diversity, and soil physicochemical properties were determined. The results showed that the total nitrogen and available nitrogen in winter Chinese milk vetch were 11.11% and 16.92% higher than those in winter fallow (P < 0.05). After planting winter forage crops, the AMF spore density in winter oat, rye, Chinese milk vetch, and ryegrass soil were 127.90%, 64.37%, 59.91%, and 73.62% higher than that before planting, respectively (P < 0.05). Claroideoglomus was the dominant AMF genus in the soil of winter planting oat, rye, and ryegrass. The average membership function value of winter Chinese milk vetch was the highest, indicating that it had the best comprehensive effect on soil physicochemical properties, AMF community structure and diversity, and fresh forage yield. Winter forage crops could increase the spore pool of soil AMF and improve the soil AMF community structure and diversity. Winter Chinese milk vetch in paddy field had the best comprehensive effect on soil physicochemical properties and soil AMF community according to the comprehensive evaluation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for sustainable development and utilization of the southern rice paddy ecosystem.

Grazing strategies for reducing contaminant losses in surface runoff from winter forage crop fields located in hill country and grazed by sheep

ABSTRACT A paired catchment study approach was used to quantify fluxes of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), sediment and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in surface runoff from fields where sheep were wintered on swede (Brassica napus) and kale (Brassica oleracea) crops. The effectiveness of a strategic grazing approach that protected critical source areas (CSAs) was examined to determine if these fluxes could be reduced. Averaged over two years, estimated fluxes of N, P and sediment in surface runoff recorded in winter and early spring (June-September) were up to 0.64, 0.22 and 51 kg ha−1, respectively, and up to 2 × 1011 MPN ha−1 for E. coli. With the exception of E. coli, these fluxes were low compared to those reported in other studies and largely attributed to the low amounts of surface runoff recorded. This, in turn, can be explained by relatively benign weather conditions recorded during the study period and the relatively light grazing pressures imposed by sheep. Compared to standard grazing practice, protection of CSAs reduced N, P, sediment, and E. coli fluxes by 38%, 48%, 55% and 63%, respectively. These reductions can largely be attributed to lower concentrations of contaminants in surface runoff when the CSA was protected.

Assessment of Soil Aggregate Stability Methodologies in Calcareous Silt Loams

Highlights Three methods were used to measure soil aggregate stability in the calcareous silty loam soils of Idaho’s Magic Valley. No treatment differences were found using traditional wet sieving or SLAKES methods. Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer was more sensitive to the treatments compared to the other two methods. Abstract. Idaho’s Magic Valley is a highly productive agricultural region in the United States due to irrigation. The soils in this region are prone to crusting, have low organic matter, and are high in calcium carbonates, making them susceptible to erosion and water runoff. Soils need to be better managed to enhance aggregate stability to enable increased infiltration of irrigation water and decreased soil erosion in nearby waterways. However, to make management recommendations, the identification of appropriate measurements of aggregate stability needs to be identified, and few relevant studies exist. Thus, the overall goal of this project was to identify appropriate methods for the assessment of soil aggregate stability in the study region. The study sites were located in Southern Idaho and set up using common cropping rotations and agricultural management practices for the region using a variety of nutrient sources, tillage types, and cover cropping. Three methods were used to measure soil aggregate stability: wet sieving, simulated rainfall using a Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer (sprinkler height: 30, 90, and 150 cm), and the SLAKES mobile application. No differences in soil aggregate stability were found when the wet sieving or SLAKES methods were used at the three study sites, either due to the method or a general lack of differences between treatments. When using the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer, no treatment differences were found at LT-Manure or GRACEnet; however, differences were observed between treatments at the Cover Crop study site at sprinkler heights of 30 and 90 cm. At a sprinkler height of 30 cm, the average mean weight diameter was the highest when winter forage crops (WFC) and solid dairy manure (SDM) were applied (3.73 mm) and the lowest in the control (3.12 mm). At a sprinkler height of 90 cm, the average mean weight diameter was the highest when WFC and SDM were applied (3.54 mm) and the lowest in the WFC Only treatment (2.46 mm). These results not only have implications for which methods are best for assessing progress but also for what management practices can be utilized to decrease soil erosion from irrigated cropland. This study highlighted that under these soils and management practices, simply increasing soil carbon does not increase aggregate stability, especially when root crops are included in the crop rotation with intensive tillage. In arid and semi-arid regions, the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer may be a more sensitive method of measuring soil aggregate stability compared to traditional wet sieving. Keywords: Agricultural management practices, Calcareous soils, Mean weight diameter, Slake test, Soil aggregate stability.

FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF WINTER LEGUME / GRASS MIXTURES HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES

Winter forage crop mixtures are very important sources of quality forage as well as the benefits they bring to the soil and the main crop. In areas where year-round production is carried out, leaving the soil fallow during the winter months and producing maize-maize or cotton-cotton causes fatigue in the soil and facilitates the increase of pests. For this purpose, forage yield and quality characteristics of 12 different winter forage crop applications (4 pure and 8 mixtures) were investigated between 2014-2016 in Büyük Menderes basin. The experiment was designed according to the split-plot experimental design in randomized blocks and mowing operations were carried out in 2 different phenological periods with 4 replications. Hay yield (kg da-1), ADF (%), NDF (%), ADL (%), crude protein ratio (%), crude protein yield (kg da-1) and relative feed value averages were measured. According to the results obtained from the experiment, there are differences between crude protein ratio and relative feed values. When analyzed in line with the production purpose, 75% forage pea + 25% oat mixtures stand out in terms of crude protein yield, while 55% forage pea + 45% annual ryegrass stands out in terms of relative feed value. Due to the changes in mowing times depending on the characteristics, it is thought that it would be ideal to perform mowing operations between 50%-100% flowering.

Effects of water-quality management mitigations on greenhouse-gas emissions from deer farms

Context Red deer farming in New Zealand has increased in intensity, increasing the emissions to water and air. Outdoor wintering systems pose a significant threat to water quality through sediment loss and nitrate leaching. Changing wintering systems to bring animals indoors shifts emphasis to greenhouse-gas emissions. Aims To investigate the relative potential emissions to water and air when red deer are wintered outdoors on forage crops or indoors on supplements. Methods The impacts of wintering red deer on forage or indoors were calculated for five farms, involving 32 herds containing 2167 deer over 2 years, in southern New Zealand. Animal classes included weaners, hinds and stags. Potential losses to water included sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous, while losses to air included methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia. Losses to air were calculated using current New Zealand greenhouse-gas inventory calculations and revised calculations recognising published forage, soil and bedding emissions factors not yet included in the inventory. Key results Calculated outdoor winter feed intake was 9.5% greater than indoor measured feed intake. The average herd size of 115 deer wintered indoors for an average of 87 days would have needed 1.8 ha of winter forage crop. Potential losses of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus were calculated to be 5362, 106 and 5.2 kg per herd respectively, if wintered on crop. Total greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions calculated using current inventory emission factors were higher if deer grazed a forage crop than when wintered indoors (2.58 vs 2.41 kg CO2-e/head/day respectively). When revised emission factors were used, indoor wintering produced greater GHG emissions than did wintering outdoors (2.61 vs 2.28 kg CO2-e/head/day respectively). Implications Variability may occur both in contaminant loss to water and emissions to air. Trade-offs between the two need to be recognised in decision-making. As the science of GHG develops, the relative ranking of different systems may change.

Sowing date effects on yield of three winter forage crops in the northern oasis of Mendoza

The increasing livestock farming in the province of Mendoza requests the acquisition of further knowledge on winter forage crops, annual grasses that produce a large volume of good quality biomass in a short time. The most widely used winter forage crops in Argentina are oats, rye and barley. To assess forage productivity in the northern oasis of Mendoza, an experimental factorial design combined 2 sowing dates (March 21, 2019, and April 29, 2019) and three winter forage crops: oats (Blanca Cristal INTA), rye (Lisandro INTA) and barley (Alicia INTA). Results showed no interaction between sowing dates and forage species. March sowing date was 27% more productive and offered a longer grazing period than April sowing (more than five months in March sowing and more than one month in April sowing). Oat showed the highest yield, differing significantly from rye and barley. Highlights March sowings produced more forage than April sowings. Days from sowing to first grazzing are less in March sowings.

The use of winter forage crops and dairy manure to improve soil water storage in continuous corn in Southern Idaho

Quantifying soil water storage by changes in management practices, such as double cropping, manure application, and reduced tillage, in semi-arid and irrigated crop production areas is important for agricultural production. We investigated the effects of winter forage crops (triticale), dairy manure, and tillage on soil physical characteristics (soil water storage, infiltration, runoff, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and bulk density) and silage corn yield in calcareous silty loam soils in Southern Idaho for six years, from 2016 to 2021. Soil water storage was measured every 15 cm using a neutron probe down to 150 cm, and infiltration and runoff were measured using a Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer. Soil water storage tended to be lower for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure, likely due to increased crop water use. Infiltration rate, runoff, and saturated hydraulic conductivity did not improve with winter forage crops or solid dairy manure. Rainfall before runoff was highest for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure, suggesting that those plots were drier compared to the control. During the six years of the study, only three of those years saw treatment differences in silage corn yields, with yields being the highest for solid dairy manure only. Combined triticale and silage corn yield was higher in three years for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure. Reduced tillage practices did not improve soil water storage, soil physical properties, or dry biomass yield (silage corn or silage corn plus winter forage crop). Based on these findings, using winter forage crops may be beneficial to increase total dry biomass yields in dairy systems that would like to increase their forage production, however it is not advised if a producer is only looking to increase silage corn production or in limited precipitation or irrigation areas.

The longevity of fencing out livestock as a method of decreasing contaminant concentrations in a headwater stream.

Water quality can be improved by fencing off streams from livestock. However, the remedial effect of fencing can fail as livestock trample near stream areas. Water samples were taken every 3-4 wk, and flow was monitored over time in a headwater stream from 2003 to 2019. In November 2005, the stream edge and an area near the stream used for wallowing by farmed red deer was fenced off and planted in native trees, shrubs, and grasses. Contaminant (nitrogen and phosphorus species, sediment, and the fecal indicator bacteria Escherichia coli) concentrations decreased after fencing until at least 2013 (55-84%). However, nitrate concentrations more than doubled owing to the use of a portion of the catchment for a grazed winter forage crop in 2013. Most concentrations remained low after fencing, but sediment concentrations slowing increased (3% yr-1 ), which was attributed to animal tracking near the fence line. The presence of stock in the catchment enriched stormflow losses but prevented losses during baseflow. These data indicate that, when implemented well, fencing and planting could potentially sustain good water quality for decades in farmed red deer systems.

Effects of Harvest Time on the Yield and Forage Value of Winter Forage Crops in Reclaimed Lands of Korea

This research was conducted to select the most suitable winter forage crop varieties for silage in reclaimed land located in the Midwest of Korea by investigating the soil environment, crop growth characteristics, dry weight, and forage value according to growth stage. The slightly alkalescent soil was characterized by a pH of 7.41–7.84, by an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1–2.5 dS/m, and by 440–934 mg/kg of available phosphate. Barley showed the highest chlorophyll content in the heading stage and milk stages, while oats and triticale reached the highest content in the milk and dough stage. In both years, triticale achieved the highest leaf area index (LAI), reaching 4.3–4.8. In addition, triticale showed the highest percentage of dry matter and the highest dry weight in the milk stage. Forage value was the best in the heading stage for all cereal crops; however, its quality decreased as the growth stage proceeded. This study suggests cultivating triticale, which showed high adaptability to reclaimed soil and climatic conditions, as well as good growth and dry weight when harvested between the milk and dough stages. These results indicate that triticale can be cultivated all year round in salty soil and these data can be useful to increase forage production in reclaimed soil.

Farming with reduced winter cropping in southern New Zealand: the risks and practicalities

Winter cropping practices to provide feed for livestock are being challenged by new freshwater and animal welfare regulations. Investigations to reduce reliance on winter forage crops in southern New Zealand tested farming resilience and practical on-farm all-grass wintering using 60% of the 13,900 breeding ewes at Mararoa Station in the Te Anau basin. Testing the system robustness over time, using modelling of climatic variation, demonstrated that reducing the area of winter forage crop by 25% increased EBITDA by approximately 6% and had similar variations in net earnings over a 10-year period of pasture and crop yield fluctuations. On-farm testing highlighted the need for long-term planning and active management of both the feed resource and animals. Active engagement and contributions of staff were the key to implementing a Less-crop system. Measuring pastures and animal responses provided data to inform key decision making. The success of this test demonstrated the need for staff engagement and accurate implementation from the management team on the ground. The team needed to be open minded, well planned and have a willingness to implement new practices and learn on the job, providing a platform for future success. Forward planning using Farmax modelling provided a framework for the implementation of the practical test and provided confidence to test future reductions in winter forage crops. Changes to whole-farm practices need to incorporate activities throughout the year to implement significant reductions in winter forage crop use.

The Use of Winter Forage Crops and Dairy Manure to Improve Soil Water Storage in Continuous Corn in Southern Idaho

The Use of Winter Forage Crops and Dairy Manure to Improve Soil Water Storage in Continuous Corn in Southern Idaho

Study on Changes of NDVI by Growth Stages of Winter Forage Crop Using a Ground-based Camera System

Study on Changes of NDVI by Growth Stages of Winter Forage Crop Using a Ground-based Camera System

Winter Forage Crops Reduced Fine Dust in Saemangeum Reclaimed Tideland during High Concentration of Fine Dust Season

Winter Forage Crops Reduced Fine Dust in Saemangeum Reclaimed Tideland during High Concentration of Fine Dust Season

Winter Forage Crop Harvest Time Impacts Regeneration of the Annual Weeds Barley Grass, Annual Ryegrass and Wild Radish

Barley grass (Hordeum spp.) is a short-lived annual weed which competes with preferred crop and pasture species and frequently contaminates wool and carcasses, and irritates the ears, eyes and noses of sheep. Barley grass, annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.) and wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.) are annual winter crop weeds which reduce grain yield through competition. In three consecutive years (2015 to 2017) cereal, legume and cereal/legume forage crops were grown and harvested in early October, late October or early November consistent with an early silage harvest (ES), late silage harvest (LS) or hay cut (H). A spring wheat cultivar was sown over each site in the following year (2016 to 2018). Weed density was recorded during the forage crop and wheat phases. Forage crop weed populations varied between years. Late paddock preparation for sowing in 2015 effectively eradicated barley grass from all forage crops; however, the competitiveness of legume and cereal/legume crops against annual ryegrass was reduced. In contrast, legume and cereal/legume mixtures tended to have higher barley grass densities than cereal crops in 2016 and 2017, when paddock preparation was earlier. Cutting in October 2015 reduced annual ryegrass and wild radish populations in 2016 wheat by 92.0% and 86.7%, respectively. In 2017 and 2018, regrowth and subsequent seed set following cutting appeared to negate cutting time effects for all crop and crop/legume combinations. Late paddock preparation, an early October forage harvest and effective regrowth control provided the best opportunity for barley grass, annual ryegrass and wild radish control in a single year.

Double Cropping Productivity of Winter and Summer Forage Crops in Yeongseo of Gangwon Province

Double Cropping Productivity of Winter and Summer Forage Crops in Yeongseo of Gangwon Province

Effects of no-tillage sowing on soil properties and forage wheat and Italian ryegrass yields in winter fallow paddy fields.

In South China, it is common practice for the late rice (Oryza sativa) that is planted during the summer in the paddy fields after harvest to be used for fallowing or to plant winter forage crops. The land is ploughed before early rice planting. Both forage wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) have relatively high nutritional value, and planting them in winter fallow paddy fields could potentially address food shortages and provide quality forage for livestock. In this study, we examined the effects of no-tillage sowing 5 days before rice harvest (NB5), no-tillage sowing 1 day after rice harvest (NA1), and conventional tillage sowing (CK) 1 day after rice harvest on forage wheat and Italian ryegrass soil properties, dry matter (DM), and crude protein (CP) yields. Soil and plant samples were collected after three months of crop growth. The results showed that the NB5 and NA1 soil bulk density (0-20 cm soil layer) tended to increase when compared to that of the CK field. The NA1 treatment increased the total soil nitrogen and organic matter content. The enzyme activities and total soil porosity in the no-tillage forage wheat and Italian ryegrass fields tended to decrease, while the no-tillage water content and soil capillary porosity tended to increase when compared to that of the CK field. Overall, planting year significantly influenced soil chemical properties (except for total nitrogen) and enzyme activity, but crop type had no significant effect on soil physical-chemical properties (except for capillary moisture capacity) and enzyme activity. Sowing methods had no significant effects on the crop DM and CP yields. The DM yield was affected by the interaction between planting year and sowing methods, or between sowing methods and crop type. No-tillage also increased the number of species and aboveground weed biomass. We concluded that the best sowing method for forage wheat and Italian ryegrass in winter fallow paddy fields was no-tillage sowing following rice harvest.

Winter-forage crop grazing in the Gore-Mataura area of Southland: using time-series mapping to estimate location and frequency of cropping

Winter grazing of forage crops is a key land-use in southern New Zealand, providing important feed for livestock but has been identified as risky if not managed well, potentially resulting in soil degradation and nutrient losses. We hypothesised that analysing an existing time series of winter-forage maps, derived from satellite imagery could be used to identify how often paddocks are re-used for winter forage. A pilot study was undertaken to explore the practicality and utility of this new method by examining maps derived from satellite images of the Gore-Mataura area, Southland taken in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018. Within the study site (67,618 ha), 8925 ha was classed as winter forage in one or more of the source maps. Eighty-five percent of this area was used in only one of the four years, and just 1% in three or four years. High-certainty class pairs for 2013/14 and 2017/18 show two consecutive years of winter forage in the same paddock, 31% or 21% of the time, respectively. These winter-forage crops were generally grown on Brown soils (63%), followed by Pallic and Gley soils. Although, this study was limited by differences in the mapping methodologies of the source maps, it nonetheless demonstrated that potentially valuable data can be derived. It showed a low level of repeat use of paddocks for winter forage grazing over all the years studied, and that Brown soils are more commonly used for winter forage than previous studies suggested.

КОРМОВА ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ОЗИМИХ КОРМОВИХ АГРОФІТОЦЕНОЗІВ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ЕЛЕМЕНТІВ ТЕХНОЛОГІЇ ВИРОЩУВАННЯ

Серед значної кількості кормових культур в умовах західного Лісостепу заслуговують на увагу однорічні сумішки, зокрема озимі, які високо цінуються за адаптивність до умов вирощування, особливо в умовах кліматичних змін. Незважаючи на значну частину проведених досліджень з питань розробки технології вирощування озимих кормових культур, актуальним залишається питання оптимізації їх компонентного складу та підвищення стійкості найбільш господарсько цінних видів в умовах змін клімату. Польові дослідження проводилися відповідно до загальноприйнятих методик з кормовиробництва на колекційно-дослідному полі Відокремленого підрозділу Національного університету біоресурсів і природокористування України «Заліщицький аграрний коледж ім. Є. Храпливого» протягом 2016-2018 рр. На основі експериментальних даних, виділено оптимальні елементи технології вирощування агрофітоценозів вики паннонської з житом озимим та тритикале озимим для умов Лісостепу західного. Встановлено, що найбільшим виходом з 1 га кормових одиниць та обмінної енергії серед вико-житніх травосумішок (4,50 т та 62,8 ГДж) відзначився агрофітоценоз до складу якого входила вика панноська в кількості 2,5 млн/га схожих насінин з житом озимим – 75% від повної норми висіву у одновидовому посіві, а серед вико-тритикальних (5,09 т та 64,6 ГДж) – варіант із висіванням аналогічної норми висіву бобового компонента та тритикале озимого – 25% від повної норми висіву у одно видовому посіві. Насіння вики паннонської в обох варіантах оброблялося перед сівбою стимулятором росту. Отримані результати досліджень сприятимуть зміцненню кормової бази для тваринництва і підвищенню продуктивності сількьсогосподарських тварин.