INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DATE ON LATE FALL DRY MATTER YIELD OF SPRING OAT, WINTER OAT, AND WINTER WHEAT

摘要

Livestock producers often plant winter annual forages intended for fall and winter grazing, but are reluctant to plant before October due to the fear of stand failure caused by hot, dry weather conditions. However, delaying planting until October alsodelays grazeable forage production until late February or early March. Providing adequate, high quality forage for grazing in late October through December is difficult to accomplish with traditional winter annuals such as wheat, rye, or ryegrass. Spring oat can provide an emergency, high quality forage in fall when other forages are less productive, therefore reducing the dependence on stored or purchased feed. Spring oat is often planted in northern states for a quick fall forage crop. Spring oat hasa high risk for winterkill, but the yield potential for fall forage is greater than for wheat and other winter annuals. Arkansas demonstration results show that spring (Jerry) oat planted in early September produced forage for grazing by late October. Areplicated research trial was conducted at the University of Arkansas Watershed Research and Education Center (WREC) in Fayetteville to determine influence of planting date on late fall dry matter yield of a spring oat (Jerry), a winter oat (Bob), and awinter wheat (VNS) planted in a tilled seedbed.