2003 Annual Report for OS03-012
Introducing Legume Cover Crops into Large Scale Grain-Cattle Production Systems
Summary
Legumes will not perform up to expectations when soil conditions are extremely hot and dry. Three clovers- sweet, berseem,, and crimson, plus sun hemp and cowpeas were planted immediately following wheat harvest on 60 acres under a sprinkler irrigation system used in the High Plains area. The field was divided up into 10 acre plots, which allowed for 1 large plot of 10 acres for each variety and 2 smaller plots( 1 acre each). The resulting plant stand was extremely poor. Some plots had zero plants germinate some had areas that had zero live plants, and other areas had light to moderate stand. Do to the subsiding water table irrigation water was not available until August for the plots. After irrigation was applied volunteer wheat germinated along with the legumes. An extremely thick stand ( 30-35 plants per square foot )of volunteer wheat grew vigorously. The farmer producer was able to turnout 96 head of stocker steers onto the 60 acre field in early November and gathered on February 4, 2004. with daily gains of 1.80 lbs. per day. Visual observation of animal grazing did not result in data that suggested preference of one legume variety over another..
Objectives/Performance Targets
To provide the highest quality forage for grazing during September, October, and November.
To get the legumes planted as soon after wheat harvest as can be coordinated with the farmer producer.
Cattle preference of the various types of legumes.
Legumes plants that did germinate did compete well with volunteer wheat.
Legumes and volunteer wheat provided excellent erosion control.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Legumes plants that did germinate did compete well with volunteer wheat.
Legumes and volunteer wheat provided excellent erosion control.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Legumes had very poor germination rates due to extremely hot dry soils.
Legumes produced very poor amounts of biomass.