Rainfall sets optimum conditions for winter pasture planting

By DAVY MOSELEY | East Texas Edition

September 13, 2001 -- It has been a long and trifling summer for many Texas farmers this year, but with the advent of fall next week, Northeast Texas livestock producers are gearing up to plant winter forages that will help carry their livestock until spring.

"With the recent rains, we're setting up to have a real good establishment of winter pasture this year," said Dr. Larry Redmon, Extension agronomist.

Winter pasture can be planted from mid-September through October in prepared seedbeds; however, if overseeding on bermudagrass, planting should be pushed back to October and into November to reduce competition with bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses.

"It is an expensive crop to put in, but I still think having winter pasture for grazing is the most economical way to winter cattle," said Brian Cummins, Van Zandt County Extension agent.

Typically bermudagrass growth should be slowing down by September; however, in light of recent rainfall in Northeast Texas, Cummins relayed that he, and several (Van Zandt County) producers, are beset on how to handle late-growth summer grasses as winter pasture planting draws near.

Many producers may get another cutting of hay before planting winter pastures. If the growth doesn't justify baling, producers should capitalize on the surprise growth and graze it down to two to three inches before overseeding winter forages.

One concern that may fall on the coattails of recent rainfall is the threat of armyworms.

"We're seeing a few armyworms in places, but we're not expecting a large outbreak," Redmon said. "However it's always possible."

Cummins, on Sept. 5, said that an area of the county that had received a great deal of rain was having problems with armyworms.

"A few farms around the Fruitvale/Grand Saline area have had armyworms, but have controlled the pests with (chemical pesticides)," Cummins said.

Obviously, if the armyworms continue to be a pest, as they were in 1998, livestock producers may have to spend some of what they have budgeted for winter fertilizer to control the armyworms. Even if producers are on an extra-tight budget, Redmon said it is hard to justify not planting some kind of winter forage.

"If you're not using ryegrass, you're losing money," Redmon said. "Ryegrass makes good forage, but you have to get it off in the spring to make room for spring and summer grasses. It needs to be managed. You can plant too much."

Planting winter forage is not just for veteran ranchers. Redmon said, "Newcomers will see some savings the first year. I'd speculate at around $50 per head (over hay costs).

"Any time we can reduce the need for costly hay, we're doing good," Redmon said.

Winter forages planted in September should be planted in prepared seedbeds to reduce weed and grass competition. Gregg County Extension agent Dennis Smith pointed out that earlier plantings beget earlier forage consumption for grazing livestock; however, with earlier plantings comes the risk of losing the stand to drought conditions.

Smith summarized winter pasture pros and cons:

"Winter pastures provide the highest quality forage that can be grown in East Texas. These include small grains, annual ryegrass and cool-season legumes, such as clovers.

"Grazing of winter pastures can extend from November through early June depending on location, varieties used, planting method and planting date. The type and amount of winter pasture should be planned carefully because of the expense associated with land preparation, seed and fertilizer. The class of animal, be it stockers, replacement heifers, pairs, or dry cows, will determine which type of winter pasture will be the most profitable," Smith said.

According to Smith, winter pastures should be planted on a well-drained site to avoid bogging problems with cattle grazing pastures on a prepared seedbed. Overseeding winter pastures on bermudagrass or Bahiagrass sod will help provide firm footing for livestock. However, overseeded winter pasture is usually two months later than that planted in a well-prepared seedbed. A combination of planting methods and plant varieties is best.

Redmon said rye is one of the most cold tolerant winter forages there is. It gives more total forage, and can be grazed earlier than wheat. Rye is often planted with legumes.

"We don't want to overlook legumes when planting winter forage," Redmon said.

There is a lot to be said for legumes, when planting winter pasture. Legumes do not require nitrogen fertilizer since they remove nitrogen from the air and deposit it in the soil. Proper pH and fertility are critical in establishing legumes.

"The rules change when managing winter legumes. Even though forage production suffers slightly, less fertilizer is needed and overall cost is significantly lower.

Redmon related there is an upcoming arrowleaf clover that should be ready for purchase later this month. The new variety is in the selection process, but is said to be very virus resistant. Details on the new legume option are not complete, and a name has not been decided on, according to Redmon.