Forage Resource, Volume IIMay 2012

800-801-3596

2012 Volume II$5.00

• Forage Sorghum• Sorghum Sudan• Hybrid Sudan• Pasture Management• Fertility and Soil Health

What’s Inside

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Welcome to byron SeedSWelcome to our 2012 Resource Guide Volume II, a valuable resource series put together by our forage specialists. We hope you file this or put it into a ring binder for future reference. Our May volume is about Summer Annuals and management practices that will allow you to get the most from your summer forages. We also have articles about a wide range of topics from cropping rotations to the future of organics.

As we continue with research in conjunction with forage labs and universities, we understand more and more the value of NDFd and why fiber digestibility is so important for livestock performance and health. We are also discovering that forage sorghums have the potential to take us for a serious ride of animal performance.

We hope you find this edition useful.

Samuel Fisher, Founder/CEO

ByRon SeedS MISSIon StateMentByron Seeds LLC is a premium forage company that has a passion for proper farming practices. Byron personnel seek to understand our customers’ goals so that we may provide the best environment for our customers’ success through research, education, support, and quality products. Our goal is their success, inspiring them to a long term relationship of security and trust, ensuring our own success. Our one governing principal is to see God be given glory through all of our business relationships and practice.

Dwayne Colvin, Business Manager

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27Additional information available on page 44

Samuel Fisher, Founder 765-569-3555

Amos Glick, Warehouse Manager 765-569-3555

Dwayne Colvin, Business Manager 618-895-3237

Glen Weaver, Credit Manager 618-833-8240

Marvin and Kenneth Yoder, Northwest Distribution Center 217-894-7054

Sharon Weaver, Retail Sales and Customer Support 800-801-3596

Chad Hale, Research and Acquisition 541-401-0730

Ernest Weaver, Southwest Territory Manager 800-801-3596

Dennis Brown, East Territory Manager 765-584-1342

Brett Winsett, Southeast Territory Manager 812-202-2102

Gerry Davis, Northeast Territory Manager 517-250-1144

Larry Hawkins, North Central Territory Manager 608-516-0101

Rick Tamm, Northwest Territory Manager 320-267-502

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HiStory of SorgHumS and SudanS by Chad Hale

For thousands of years, livestock producers in moderate climates have had to deal with the lack of cool season grass growth in the summer. Warm season crops like sorghum and sudan have been filling that void known as the summer slump for thousands of years. The Egyptians are thought to have used sorghum 3,000 years ago and sorghum appears in a carving from Ninevah, Assyria from 700 BC. It spread across Europe and then to America with the colonists and from Africa with the slave trade. Its primary use in this country was for syrup for human consumption, but its summer growth was noticed and utilized for forage on a small scale.

In 1830, Governor Means of South Carolina is credited with importing Johnsongrass for forage and, if you look in your corn fields today, you can see that it has spread really well! The first forage sorghum variety called Chinese Amber came from France in 1853 and its use for forage rapidly spread at that time. Shattercane is spoken of in accounts of early settlers and it results from the crossing

of Johnsongrass and sorghum to create another aggressive weed problem. Sudangrass is a more recent introduction, being brought to the US by the USDA in 1909 from Africa. A single row of sudangrass 16 feet long planted that year in Texas was the origin of most of the seed in the US for many years after that.

Even though we think of Johnsongrass and shattercane as weeds today, they were better than no forage at all and filled a feed niche in the hot dry summer that still challenges us today. We have come a long way with sorghums, sudangrasses and the sorghum x sudan crosses that have been bred over the last 50 years. We look forward to even more advances in the future. The most significant recent advance was the Brown Midrib Trait that was introduced into sorghums in 1978. There are now three types, gene 6, gene 12, and gene 18 BMR’s with gene 6’s offering the most improvement in digestibility. It’s this high digestibility gene 6 material that forms the basis of the Alta Seed program that Byron Seeds brings to you.

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HoW to uSe tHe forage reSource SerieS

RePlant PolIcyIf there is a need to replant a field of Masters Choice corn, Alta Brand Forage Sorghums, KingFisher Alfalfa, or one of our premium, perennial grasses, as determined by a Byron Seed representative, our replant policy is as follows:

For all alfalfas, Alta brand sorghum products, and premium grasses, our replant policy is 50% of the retail price. This is for seed that is direct seeded only, as frost seedings do not qualify for replant. If you plant 100% Master’s Choice corn, there is a 100% replant policy. For all other corn situations the replant policy is 50%.

oRganIc SeedByron Seeds is a supporter of the organic farming movement. We believe that there is a need for good, healthy forage for our livestock and good, healthy food for our families. It seems that others agree with us because there is an ever increasing demand for a source of unmodified food and forage.

Look for the KingFisher Organic logo to determine which products are available as organic seed.

gRowIng ZoneSBelow the name of each variety listed in this resource guide is a zone recommendation. The variety does best in the recommended zone(s). The map on this page shows the location of each zone.

There may be a management recommendation as well. The listed variety will do well in the management zone(s) if good farming management practices are implemented.

ZoneS: These zones are the recommended location(s) for variety listed.

ManageMent: An acceptable variety in this zone with good farm management, soils, and fertility.

Maturity Zones pictured: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

GrazinG Dairy

GrazinG Beef

GrazinG Horses

GrazinG sHeep

HaylaGe/BalaGe

Dry Hay

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With the advent of BMR gene 6 hybrids, Alta has moved sorghums from the “just heifer” feed category to the top of the “dairy” quality feed category (and became even better heifer feed). With the decreased lignin and increased digestibility, Alta BMR gene 6 now competes with corn silage in many geographical locations in both yield (assuming a double crop) and energy. In warmer climates, such as the lower half of Byron’s trade area (KY, TN & MO), sorghums compete with corn silage head-to-head. In the cooler Upper Midwest (SD, MN, WI and MI), the combination of the sorghum and the winter crop (Trical® 336 or 815) provides very competitive DM yields to straight corn silage. These yields come with added benefits of using a cover crop, including having roots growing in your soil virtually all year around, improvements in organic matter and soil structure plus much more. Other advantages of a sorghum rotation include: their ability to produce a ton of silage with half the rain or irrigation as corn and their ability to thrive in hot weather. In the upper Midwest, this can also be a downfall because if the summers are cool and wet, sorghums will under-perform.

When feeding sorghums for the first time, you will notice a very high palatability due to high sugar levels. Cows will love it and prefer it to almost any other forage. Sorghum Sudans and Sudan Hybrids which are cut several times during the growing season and are never allowed to head, will have from 11% to 20% CP depending fertility and relative maturity. Forage sorghums can be 10% CP, 15% Starch and 10% sugar (and should be harvested at soft dough stage). These protein levels become significant when you consider that sorghums are equal or higher in energy than corn silage with the extra protein!

The nutritional side of sorghums requires some understanding as the plants will test high for NDF and high 5- and 6-Carbon sugar. A nutritionist who looks at a typical sorghum feed test often will be put off by the NDF levels. The main problem is that the energy value will appear to be very low. There are at least two culprits; first is the high NDF value, and second is the fact that, as of yet, forage testing labs have small numbers of sorghum samples and an even smaller number of BMR gene 6 samples. Plus rarely are the two sorghum types properly labeled. The result is that NIR values for NDFd are suspect (read “low”). This makes for a lower than accurate appraisal of the real energy value for the BMR gene 6 silage or hay.

What is the solution? Cornell University and Advanced Agricultural Systems researcher Tom Kilcer says that the real energy value of sorghum products can be arrived at by adding 0.12 to 0.15 units to the NEL (calculated on the feed test). This would mean that the calculated value, say 0.64 NEL, would now be from 0.76 to 0.79. These adjusted energy levels would now make the proper ration. So now the question becomes should the addition be 0.12 or

0.15 or somewhere in between? The solution is found by looking at the ADF. ADF is directly related to maturity at cutting. If the ADF is anywhere from 28 to 35, the proper NEL addition is 0.15. If the ADF is higher, use 0.12. Obviously, after a few trials, your nutritionist will gain confidence in these adjustments.

We are looking forward to a time when feed testing labs will have invested enough effort to gain more accurate numbers for sorghum energy and establish the difference between older BMR types and gene 6. Until that time the aforementioned adjustment methods will get you very close to the proper diet. Our wish for accurate sorghum assays will probably not happen until labs unify their methods for such things as sugar, NDFd, in haylage and corn silage plus starch availability in corn silage so that testing results will be comparable from one lab to another. Obviously, it surely won’t happen until sorghums become as popular on dairies as they deserve to be given their yield and feeding characteristics.

The last caveat for sorghums is their chance to contain either 1) Nitrate or 2) Prussic acid. In regards to Nitrate, fertilizer needs for sorghums are from 1 to 1¼ pounds of N per growing day. This means for sorghum sudans and sudan hybrids, the first harvest is in 45 days and any subsequent harvest is in 30 days. These crops should be fertilized accordingly. The first application can be manure (which will not all be available for the first cut); however, it is better to use urea or ammonium sulfate for the subsequent applications using best guess for how much N will be left from the manure. For the forage sorghums, the same rate of N will be needed (1 to 1¼ lbs per growing day), but now you must calculate for the growing season which is from 85 to 110 days depending on the relative maturity that you choose. Following these recommendations for N, will almost certainly remove any danger of NO3. The only warning is to watch when harvesting sorghum shortly after a drought has broken. The exciting thing for the Upper Midwest is that now there are forage sorghums as short as 85 days!

Prussic acid is formed in any sorghum plant after a freeze. Harvesting the sorghum and allowing it to ferment (10 days) will dissipate all of the prussic acid. If you are grazing, a more careful process should be followed. If the frost was a complete killing frost, allowing the cows back into the sorghum pasture after 7-10 days will be safe. If it was a light frost, more prussic acid will be formed at the next frost until the plant is no longer vegetative. It is obviously wise to avoid night grazing during potential frost events. However, prussic acid poisoning is very rare since the causative factors have become very well understood.

SorgHumS from a nutritioniSt’S Point of VieW by Rick Tamm

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Advanta, the company that supplies Byron Seeds LLC with our sorghum lineup, is the world leader in sorghum research and development. The Alta program is their top line of sorghum products, the best of the best.

Almost everyone has had some experience with sorghum sudan. Most of us that tried sorghum sudan ten or twelve years ago have some form of horror story to tell:

A week of rain when they should have been harvesting, leaving them with sorghum 12 feet tall, or at least it was 12 feet tall until the wind came through.

Cows lost in a field for over a week: “Well, last I seen them, they was headed into that 10 foot high patch of sorghum over there. So far, they ain’t gaining on the stuff. I suppose if we don’t get a drought real soon, we may not see them cows ‘til fall.”

Or nutrition problems: “Yup, as a matter of fact, I sent some of that sorghum off to the lab. Appears it has the same nutritional value as firewood, only not quite as digestible.”

The good news is that Advanta has developed a totally new sorghum family in the past few years. One major change is the BMR gene 6 line of sorghums. BMR is a genetic mutation, not a trait, that produces less lignin which means higher digestibility and better nutrition than the old varieties. High digestible fiber means more available energy while still slowing down the rate of passage, pushing the rumen away from that constant verge of acidosis. Balancing a TMR on the edge of acidosis has limited the average life of a dairy cow to 1.8 lactations when they should be productive for 6 or even 8 lactations.

So Advanta has given us more digestible fiber and higher nutrition, but that’s just the beginning. Another big breakthrough is yield. Advanta has developed one-cut forage sorghums that will out yield corn silage, and on about a third less fertilizer and water. The brachytic dwarf gene gives us a plant that tops out at about seven feet tall and, with a stalk as big as your wrist (ok, as big as my wrist), has tremendous standability with digestibility and high sugar content. Starch is about 15% and protein is a couple of notches higher than corn silage. The days to maturity run from high eighties to about 110, depending on the variety. Add in male sterile and dry stalk varieties and you’ve got a lot of choices for every situation.

Advanta also has a sudan grass, AS9301, that will yield with the best of the sorghum sudans with quicker regrowth. The reason why sudans were crossed with sorghums in the first place was to boost yield and regrowth in the sudan grasses. There was a tradeoff however, the sorghums brought a little less protein and digestibility to the mix. With AS9301 sudan grass you can have high protein and high NDFd with tremendous yield and fast

regrowth. We just don’t have a better package to offer than this.

Advanta Alta program has bundled something really unique with their summer annuals. Advanta has a replant policy. If you have a field that has poor emergence, or gets froze off, drowned out, eaten by bugs, or trampled by wild elephants (ok, I’m stretching it), we’ll replace 50% of the seed. With the spring weather we’ve had the past couple of years, a replant policy has some real appeal.

There’s one more thing I should mention. We have a return policy on all Alta products. There are times when getting the seed into the ground just isn’t going to happen. It’s nice to know that you have the option of buying seed and returning it if things don’t go according to plan.

you: “But Advanta products can be a bit pricey. I can buy sorghums from the local feed store cheaper than that.”

Me: “I hear what you’re saying, but are they a better investment for your money?”

Yes, it will cost a bit more per acre to plant Advanta forage sorghums, sorghum sudans and sudan grasses, but let’s list the advantages:

More yield per acre on less inputs $$High fiber digestibility $$More protein $$Higher energy $$Faster regrowth $$Better herd health $$More lactations $$Option of returning seed $$replant policy + $$

= $$$$

any way you add it up, advanta sorghum products pay higher returns, every time.

tHe alta Program by Dwayne Colvin

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forage SorgHumS by Ernest Weaver

Energy from sugar? We’re talking sugar cane for cows, known as silage sorghum. Energy from digestible fiber? We’re definitely talking about gene 6 BMR Forage Sorghum!

Alta brand Forage sorghums offer livestock producers an alternative to corn silage and multi-cut sorghum sudans. Alta brand forage sorghums are selected for high nutritional and agronomic benefits for today’s livestock producer. The BMR 6 genetics certainly vault sorghum into the realm of super star forages for maximum fiber digestibility and increased palatability. The brachytic dwarf characteristics make sorghum an agronomically sound crop. (It can stay standing up until harvest). It is more efficient than corn and much less expensive to plant than corn, as well as higher yielding than corn in the southern Midwest, which makes this sorghum a farmer’s true friend.

Alta offers brachytic dwarf and male sterile products, and offers maturity range from 83 day up to 110 days. The Alta lineup that Byron Seed carries is the best forage sorghum lineup that I have found.

agRonoMIc adVantageS

• Yields similar to corn silage• 30% less nutrient requirements than corn silage• 30% less water requirements than corn silage• Productive on marginal soils• Drought and heat tolerant, won’t shut down until 105⁰• Later planting with similar tonnages as corn silage• Minimal mycotoxin concerns• No root worm or corn borer concerns• Reduce soil phosphorus loads• Less seed cost per acre than corn

af7101 bmr 6 85 day

• Excellent double crop• 85 day sorghum that is BMR6• Good standibility• Superior NDFd• Drystalk

zones: 1,2,3,4,5,6

af7301 bmr 6 108 day

• Male sterile• Superior fiber digestibility• Low starch with great energy• Very high sugar

zones: 3,4,5,6

af7201 bmr 6 93 day

• Drystalk• Excellent yielder for 93 day• Good standibility• Tremendous NDFd

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

af7401 bmr 6 110 day

• Superior density• Brachytic Dwarf• Excellent standability• Great yield potential

zones: 4,5,6

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All varieties available as Concep® treated or untreated

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teffgraSS by Bret Winsett

deScRIPtIonTeffgrass is a warm season, annual grass, native to Ethiopia and has much more of a history as a gluten-free grain for flour than as a forage crop. However, in the past few years, forage producers in the US have tried teff and have had excellent success with it as a summer hay crop. Teff is similar in appearance to bunch grasses such as orchardgrass and tall fescue and it is capable of multiple harvests throughout the summer months. The seeds of teff are very small, containing approximately 1.3 million seeds per pound. However, it is an aggressive competitor once established. Teff grows well with minimal amounts of soil moisture and produces excellent quantities of hay with good quality and palatability. Teff has hay opportunities as a stand-alone grass hay crop, an emergency hay, a haylage crop that can be planted in mid-summer or a rotation break crop when renovating a perennial grass or alfalfa stand.

ManageMentTeff is very fine stemmed; thus, delaying harvest until after the seed heads are extended will often cause teff to lodge. To minimize lodging and optimize forage quality, teff should be harvested in the late vegetative stage, just prior to emergence of the seed head (pre-boot). Cutting height of 3 to 4 inches is necessary in a multiple cut system to promote vigorous regrowth. Cutting heights lower than this will significantly slow regrowth. Teff is very shallow rooted; thus, grazing livestock is not recommended as livestock may pull plants out of the ground. If grazing is desired or necessary, cut the first growth of teff for hay.

This will allow root systems to become more established and better anchored in the ground.

eStaBlISHMent

Teff has been successfully no-tilled drilled and broadcast seeded. It is extremely important to have a very firm seedbed prior to planting and, if broadcast seeded, to cultipack again after seed is spread to ensure good seed to soil contact and good seedling growth. Teff is a warm season grass and does not tolerate frost, nor does it establish well in cool soils. Planting should not occur until soil temperatures consistently reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the threat of spring frost has past. Seeding rates for coated seed should be 10-12 lbs per acre. Teff seed is very small and should be planted no deeper than ¼ inch. Planting depths deeper than recommended will result in poor emergence. As with any crop, good fertility practices can mean the difference in having a mediocre crop or a very good one. Nitrogen should be applied at planting at a rate of 50 units of N per acre. No additional N is needed for the second harvest, but an additional 40 units should be applied immediately after second harvest if a third harvest is desired. P and K should be applied at planting as recommended by a soil test.

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tiffany teff ct

• One of the most popular varieties to date, with a proven track record

• Excellent as both a dry hay and haylage• Very palatable for both horses and cattle• High quality

zones: 1,2,3,4,5,6

iVory oc

• Great for dry hay and haylage• Available in organic• A very solid variety• Great yield

zones: 1,2,3,4,5,6

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bmr gene 6 SorgHum Sudan by Larry Hawkins

deScRIPtIonSorghum Sudan crosses are a warm season or C4 grass. Warm season grasses process sunlight into sugars (photosynthesis) differently than do cool-season (C3 grasses). The ramifications are that C4 grasses:

• must be planted after soil temperatures reach 60°F and are rising• grow very little at less than 60°F• grow best at 77°F and higher • will produce a ton of silage at ⅓ to ½ less rain or irrigation

than will corn silage.

Hot and dry is their ideal environment after germination. C4 grasses die soon after a freeze. These forages produce quick tons of highly digestible (high energy) silage or pasture. They are an excellent source of pasture for the hottest months. Other C4 grasses include all sorghum and sudans plus millet, Teff, Bermuda and Bahia grasses.

ManageMentSorghum Sudan will be harvested for balage or haylage 45 days after planting. Grazing is usually initiated a week to 10 days earlier. The taller varieties (AS6401, AS6501) are mowed when they reach 38 to 40” tall and the dwarf (AS6402) when it reaches 32”. Residue heights are also important. The taller versions must be mowed at 6” residue (above the 2nd growth node) to allow for rapid regrowth. AS6402 can be mowed at 4” and is one reason for its popularity. These cutting heights are essential as regrowth can be almost zero if cut too short. Fertilizer needs are 1 to 1¼ units of N per growing day, i.e. 45 to 50 units for first cut and 30-35 units for each cut thereafter.

Potassium, phosphorous and sulfur are also needed on most farms. Manure can be used for the original application; however, commercial N is the best source after a cutting. If manure must be used, choose AS6401 due to its superior disease package. Nitrogen needs for grazed sorghum Sudan are reduced proportionally so that cows can be brought in to graze earlier without danger of nitrate (NO3) poisoning. (See article on sorghum nutrition for more on NO3 and Prussic acid plus management of the crop after freezing weather).

eStaBlISHMentSorghum Sudan will usually need about ten days to emerge, and then when it gets started, can grow 3” to 6” per day. A conventional or no-till drill is used for the seeding and planting depth should be ¾” to 1”. Planting after a small grain crop (e.g. rye or Triticale) requires dealing with the allelopathic effects from the grain by a method like minimum tillage or heavy liquid manure application. Weed management should be dealt with pre-planting as there no herbicides available for Sorghum Sudan grasses. The recommended seeding rate is from 25-40 lbs per acre.

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aS6402

• Brachytic Dwarf - Internodal distance (space between leaves is much shorter)

• Can be mowed to 4” residue and still maintain rapid regrowth

• Yields equal or greater than AS6501 or AS6401 with more of the tonnage being leaves rather than stalk

• Easier to graze without losing the Jerseys!

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

aS6401

• Highest disease resistance package for any Sorghum Sudan

• Most cold tolerant (both in establishment and growth)

zones: 1,2,3,4,5,6

All varieties available treated or untreated. Concep® treatment available upon request.

BRacHytIc dwaRF

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aS6501

• Photoperiod sensitive• Therefore, there is no heading initiation until

sunlight is less than 12 hours and 20 minutes per day

• This is probably less significant in a Sorghum Sudan since cutting is every 30 days or so

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

aS6201 Ut

• A proven variety• Great for following wheat

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

BMr Gene 6 sorghum sudan

relaTiVe yielD reGroWTH Disease BMr Gene nDfd

AS 6201 8 7 7 6 69.7

AS 6401 8 9 8 6 68.3

AS 6402 8 8 9 6 67.8

AS 6501 9 6 8 6 66.1

NUTRI PLUS 7 7 7 6 61.2

BLACK HAWK 7 6 6 12 65.2

Rating values only comparable for products within this chart. Chart values are from Byron Seed test plot results.

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Hybrid Sudan by Duane Weaver

deScRIPtIonSudangrass hybrids are very aggressive, drought tolerant summer annuals. They are faster growing than sorghum sudan. Finer stems can give superior quality but slightly less tonnage.

ManageMentSudangrass is easy to establish but does require 60 deg. soil temperatures. It can be grazed or cut for balage or haylage with an optimum harvest height at 40”. Sudangrass can be made for dry hay in the southern zones but it MUST be cut by 30” to achieve dry down. It responds well to applied fertility or manure. Timely cutting is important as quality will decline as it reaches maturity.

eStaBlISHMentSeeding rates are 25-35 lb/acre. Seeding depth is ¾” to 1” deep. If inter-seeding into existing hay or pasture stand make sure the grass is cut short to achieve good establishment.

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9301

• BMR Gene 6• Very leafy with fine stem• Excellent forage quality when harvested at 40”• Very good heat and drought tolerance• Very fast regrowth• Dry stalk (8-12% lower stalk moisture at harvest)

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

Hay King

• BMR Gene 12• Low lignin• Not a dry stalk variety• Good yield

zones: 2,3,4,5,6

Hybrid sudan relaTiVe yielD reGroWTH BMr Gene nDfd

9301 9 9 6 67.8

pro MaX 8 8 — 54.5

Hay KinG 8 8 — —

MonarCH V 7 8 12 57

Rating values only comparable for products within this chart. Chart values are from Byron Seed test plot results.

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Pearl millet by Bret Winsett

deScRIPtIonPearl Millet is a warm season, annual grass with a growth habit similar to sorghum-sudan but without the potential for prussic acid poisoning. As a warm season annual, pearl millet should be planted in the early summer and like most crops, it will yield best in fertile, well drained soils. However, it also will perform relatively well on sandy soils, acid soils, wet soils or when moisture and fertility are relatively low.

ManageMentPearl millet will provide grazing in 45-60 days after planting with yields that can reach over 6 ton of dry matter per year under good fertility. While rotational grazing will greatly improve grazing efficiency, pearl millet may be continuously grazed due to its lack of prussic acid potential. Grazing or cutting may be initiated after plants get to 18”-24” in height and regrowth is best if an 8”-10” stubble height remains. An additional 40-50 units of N should be applied after first harvest or grazing to maximize regrowth. To avoid nitrate toxicity potential, do not apply excessive amounts of nitrogen or graze drought stressed plants.

While frosts will kill pearl millet similar to sorghum-sudan, it can still be grazed with no fear of prussic acid poisoning.

eStaBlISHMentPearl Millet should be planted in early summer when soil temperatures reach 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be either broadcast seeded into a prepared seedbed or drilled. If broadcast seeded, soil must be firm prior to broadcasting and then cultipacked to insure a good seed to soil contact with seeding rates of 25-40 lbs per acre. If drilled, seeding rates should be 15-20 lbs per acre with a seeding depth of ½” - 1”. For best results, soils should be soil tested and P2O5 and K2O applied accordingly. In the absence of a soil test, 70-90 lbs. of both P2O5 and K2O should be applied along with 60-70 units of N at seeding.

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Wonderleaf millet

• Improved millet with high leaf count and good yields

• No prussic acid• Good for horses• Drought tolerant• Excellent for summer grazing in continuous

grazing situations

zones: 1,2,3,4,5,6

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It has been said that sorghums can grow on ground where corn won’t, however meeting fertility needs is as important with sorghums (sorghum-sudans, forage sorghums and sudan hybrids) as with any crop. Sorghums will produce twice the forage on an inch of rain or irrigation as will corn, but they do have similar nitrogen needs. Nitrogen needs for sorghums can most easily be expressed as 1 to 1¼ lbs N/acre per growing day. This separates the multi-cut sorghum-sudans (SS) and sudan hybrids (SH) from the single cut forage sorghums (FS). SS and SH should be spoon-fed due to the luxury feeding of N by these plants. Limit the N to the amount needed between cuttings. Since they are cut in 45 days after planting and every 30 days thereafter (with adequate sunlight), suggested application rates are 45-50 units and 30-35 units, respectively. These rates of N application are important to prevent nitrate toxicity. Obviously single-cut FS needs to have the N in place for the whole growing period unless fertigation (fertilizing through irrigation) is used.

Sorghum, like corn silage, removes a huge amount of biomass from the soil which requires the replacement of N, P and K. Unlike GMO corn, however, the sorghum root-mass breaks down readily and returns organic matter more quickly to the soil. See Table 1 for nutrient uptakes for various 30% DM forage removal rates.

Table 1 from Sorghum for Forage Field Guide 2009

The nutrients from manure applications must also be accounted for. Manure applications are only recommended for the pre-plant application and not the second or third application in sorghum sudan and forage sorghum plantings.

MasterGraze will be even more useful this year for a high quality forage source due to the scarcity of sorghum seeds as a result if the Texas drought. Texas is the source of virtually all sorghum seed in the US and the harvest was drastically short. The fertility needs of MasterGraze are very much like a standard corn except that will only be growing 60 days. Nitrogen can be figured the same way as sorghum, i.e., 1 to 1¼ pounds per growing day or 60 to 70 lbs N.

fertility requirementS of forage SorgHumS by Larry Hawkins, PAS

Tons biomass at

30% DM

nitrogen lbs per acre

p as p2o5 lbs per acre

K as K2olbs per acre

10 50 45 80

15 75 65 100

20 100 75 120

25 125 75 140

30 150 75 160

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maStergraze by Ernest Weaver

Running out of corn silage in July? Maybe you should to consider chopping corn silage in June! Here how to do it. Plant MasterGraze when your soil temp reaches 60 degrees. Make sure to have at least 90 units of N available. I like 120 units! Wait 60-65 days or until at least full tassel. Chop or graze.

This process will give you corn silage with more protein than normal (about 2 points more) and slightly less NEL. The energy will come not only from 6 carbon sugars but also from highly digestible fiber (5 carbon sugars). This is the fastest way I know to get corn silage!

deScRIPtIonMasterGraze is a BMR corn that is ready to harvest in as little as 7-8 weeks from planting. This makes it a great emergency forage that can be planted after the soil temperature is warm enough. MasterGraze has multiple tillers that adds tonnage. It can be grazed in the spring, summer, fall, or even stockpiled for winter grazing. If silage is needed, it can be chopped and yields about 5 tons to the acre.

ManageMentCut or graze after 45-60 days. For silage, mow corn and spread as wide as possible. Wilt to 60% to 65% and then chop with a pick-up head. Do noT raKe! MasterGraze has poor regrowth, but some farmers do replant for a second crop.

eStaBlISHMentPlant when the average soils temperatures are at least 60 degrees and climbing. It can be planted in 30 or 15 inch rows at a population up to 40,000. Use at least 90 lbs of N for best results.

SUItaBle SoIl tyPeS

light medium heavy

dry wet

SeedIng RateS

Uneven emergence is one of the leading causes of yield reduction in corn today. Uneven emergence is caused by the following:

• Variability of seeding depth• Seed-to-soil coverage• Seedbed moisture, seedbed temperature• Damage from soil-borne insects and diseases

Uneven plant spacing within the row is another yield reduction problem. This is due to problems with planting methods or equipment problems:

• Including worn, or misadjusted seed meter components, lack of seed lubricant

• Poorly lubricated chains and fittings• Mismatch of seed size with seed meters or seed plates• Excessive planting speed

Stand losses due to pests or weather often result not only in lower plant densities, but also in unevenly spaced survivors. Corn that initially emerges and develops uniformly through

early leaf stages, can take a turn for the worse around the three to four leaf stage, if the kernel or mesocotyl is damaged by insect or disease, prior to the successful development of nodal roots from the crown area of the plant.

Final plant population is the factor that determines what our season end yield will be. Most hybrids today require above 27,000 plants per acre to reach expected yield. This is because they are determinate hybrids. Flexed hybrids on the other hand, are more forgiving and will produce good yields with final plant stands below 24,000 plants per acre. It is important to know what the ideal population range is for the hybrids you plant, in order to set the planter.

In order to achieve adequate final plant populations, seed spacing is very important. Below is a table that shows what the space between each seed should be with regards to row spacing and desired planting population. Remember, that 5-15% of the seed you plant will not germinate. Always read the tags to see what germination is and adjust your planting populations accordingly to final population goals. Replant only when stands drop below a hybrids ideal range of population.

seeds per/ac 20,000 22,000 24,000 26,000 28,000 30,000 32,000 34,000

row width inches between seeds15 20.0 19.0 17.4 16.1 14.9 13.9 13.1 12.3

20 15.7 14.3 13.1 12.1 11.2 10.5 9.8 9.2

30 10.5 9.5 8.7 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.1

36 8.7 7.9 7.3 6.7 6.2 5.8 5.4 5.1

38 8.3 7.5 6.9 6.3 5.9 5.5 5.2 4.9

40 7.8 7.1 6.5 6.0 5.6 5.5 4.9 4.6

eValuating corn StandS by Dennis Brown

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39 © 2012 Byron Seeds, LLC | 800-801-3596

How do I diagnose winter injured Alfalfa?

slow Green Up - One of the most evident results of winter injury is that stands are slow to green up. If other fields in the area are starting to grow and yours are still brown, it is time to check those stands for injury or death.

asymmetrical Growth - Buds for spring growth are formed during the previous fall. If parts of an alfalfa root are killed and others are not, only the living portion of the crown will give rise to new shoots, resulting in a crown with shoots on only one side or asymmetrical growth.

Uneven Growth - During winter, some buds on a plant crown may be killed and others may not. The uninjured buds will start growth early, while the killed buds must be replaced by new buds formed in spring. This will result in shoots of different height on the same plant, with the shoots from buds formed in spring several inches shorter than the shoots arising from fall buds.

root Damage - The best way to diagnose winter injury is by digging up plants (4 to 6 inches deep) and examining roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white in color, with little evidence of root rot. Winter killed roots will have a gray, water-soaked appearance early, just after soils thaw. Once water leaves the root, the tissue will become brown, dehydrated and stringy. If the root is soft and water can be easily squeezed from it, or is brown, dry and stringy, it is most likely winter killed. Also, if 50% or more of the root is blackened from root rot, the plant will most likely die during spring green up or later in the year.

My alfalfa stand is winter injured. Now what?

Winter injured stands require different management than healthy stands, if they are to stay in production. If winter injury is evident consider the following:

Determine yield potential - Potential yield of an alfalfa stand may be estimated by determining the number of stems in a square foot area. Once stem number is determined use the following formula to calculate yield potential of that stand:

Yield (tons/acre) = (Stems/ft2 x 0.1) + 0.38

For example, an alfalfa stand with 50 stems/ft2 would have a yield potential of 5.38. Remember, this is potential yield.

Soil factors, nutrient deficiency, insects, diseases and many other things may affect the actual yield.

• If stands are have over 55 stems/ft you have goods stands, no yield loss

• If stands are between 40 to 55 stems/ft2 and under 4 years old consider adding freedom red clover, lofa festolium, greenspirit if the stand will be kept 2-3 years

• If stands are under 40 stems/ft2 rotate into a corn, spring annual or summer annual crop

addreSSing tHinning alfalfa and PaSture StandS by Dennis Brown

USIng SteM denSIty to eValUate alFalFa StandS

Density (stems/ft2)

Action

Over 55 Stem density not limiting yield

40-55 Stem density limiting yield potential

Under 40Stem density severely limiting yield. Con-sider replacing

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PaSture management by Samuel Fisher

In talking with farmers, I find one of the major problems with pasture production is managing pasture fertility.

Here is an illustration: Growth curve of cool season grasses as pastures used to be managed

Why the big flush in the spring and in the fall?

Two main reasons. 1. Nitrogen accumulation in the soil through the winter and summer when not growing. 2. Cool season grasses do not like hot or dry weather.

How many farmers have seen dark green grass around manure piles with 2-3 times the growth than the rest of the pasture?

Our experience is if we have a pasture showing dark green grass around manure piles and in the rest of pasture bottom leaves are turning yellow, that equals 1000-2000 lbs of dry matter lost per acre per grazing or cutting.

How would you like a pasture that is dark green all over and you can’t see where manure piles are? Is it possible? YES it is!! We have watched this for many years and how it affects yields.

Think of it as a dairy cow 50 days fresh and she goes off feed for 4-7 days; how hard it is to get her started up again? Or a dairy cow milking heavy and you keep the energy that she needs for the whole lactation which is more efficient. The pasture of cool season grass is no different.

So what does providing small doses of fertility constantly do for production? It can increase 80-100% with a just little more cost than what you are doing now. 11,000-16,000 lbs DM per acre verses 6000-8000 lbs DM per acre.

Managing cool season pasture has come a long way in the Midwest in the last 15 years, but is a continuing learning curve. A lot of management practices came from New Zealand and Europe where they have had a lot of years experience.

But in talking with numerous farmers and seeing a lot of pastures, we still need a lot of improvement in learning discipline on pasture management. Some real problems in management:

• Grazing too hard or low especially when forage is short or in summer • Need to fertilize knowing when yield potential is maximized • Trying mob grazing with dairy and not knowing what to expect

We have been intensive grazing for 21 years with 17 years on our existing farm and have learned how to manage perennial ryegrass and white clover, in our better soils and have yet to lose a complete stand through winter or summer.

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

200-5000 lbs of dry matter lost

apply napply n if no drought

apply n

apply n

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

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41 © 2012 Byron Seeds, LLC | 800-801-3596

Soil fertility and tHe Value of organic matter by Gerry Davis (with Dennis Brown)

Soil fertility is something we are hearing more about in recent times, whether in print, from on-the-farm reports, or in seminars and farmer/producer meetings. It’s something that has garnered interest within the agricultural community as conventional farming has resulted in the loss of soil fertility. This loss has required more costly inputs to get the same yields. With the cost of petroleum based inputs and chemicals continuing to increase, farm profitability becomes harder to attain. From an agricultural banker’s perspective, profitability is key to the sustainability of any farm operation. Since increased soil fertility means less input costs and therefore greater profit potential, we need to strive to increase the soil fertility of our farms. Soil fertility is directly related to the content of organic matter and that’s where I want to focus our attention.

So what is soil organic matter and how does it affect soil fertility? Soil is made up of clay, sand, silt, and organic matter. Organic matter is the smallest component of soil structure but is the part of the soil that sustains life. Fungi, bacteria, nematodes, worms, insects, and yeasts are only a partial list of the soil life. It’s these microorganisms that convert plant residues and even chemical fertilizers into usable plant nutrients. For every 1% of the soil that is organic, there are literally a ton, (more or less), of these “bugs” that are hard at work improving soil fertility. If the organic isn’t in the soil, neither is the microbiology. The fertilizer you put on the field cannot/will not be utilized by the crop. The following chart illustrates the point:

Assumptions: 2,000,000 pounds of soil in top 6 inches (1 acre)1% organic matter = 20,000#

nutrients:

Nitrogen 1000# * $0.50/#N = $500Phosphorous: 100# * $0.48/#P = $48Sulfur: 100# * $0.42/#K = $42Carbon: 1000# or 5ton * $2.00/ton = $10

Value of 1% OM Nutrients/Acre = $650

Jim Kinsella/Terry Taylor (2006), Jim Hoorman (2011)

The billions of the organic matter “bugs” give the plant usable nutrients that equate to dollar savings in purchased crop inputs. Most farm soil in the Midwest tests at about 1½% organic. Think how much savings are involved if the organic matter is 3% or 4%.

The “bugs” in soil organic matter also impact soil fertility in other ways such as improving soil structure. They help to make smaller soil particles into larger soil aggregates, something called tilth. This improved soil structure improves aeration, water infiltration and decreases soil erosion.

It is true that conventional farming practices have caused a loss of organic matter over the years. This has come about for a number of reasons:

• Removing plant residues• Leaving open ground between crops• Tilling the soil too often • Limited crop rotations• Mechanical soil compaction

The loss of organic has had a tremendous effect on soil quality, and ultimately, farm profitability. It’s time to reverse this trend of soil organic matter loss.

So how does one go about building organic matter?

• Maintain balanced fertility with timely soil testing and proper fertilization

• Reduce tillage as much as possible - you hear so much how no-till or minimum till systems are good for the soil

• The use of animal manures has always been a good practice for good soil fertility

• Use cover crops for “green” manure and ground cover between cropping seasons

• Use crop rotations

Here at Byron Seeds, we have a commitment to provide the highest quality seed for the agricultural industry. It stands to reason then, that we want our farmers to have the best soil to grow the highest quality crops. We encourage sound farming practices that encourage high soil fertility and improved organic matter. We also provide a whole line of cover crops to help our farmers improve their soil conditions. Talk to your local dealer (or call the tech support line) about the availability and timing of cover crops. We are here to serve all of you who are out there providing the world with good food.

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Value of croPPing rotationS by Samuel Fisher

Cropping rotations go back in history hundreds of years and for good reasons. Before having the advantage of commercial fertilizer, this was the only way to maximize production. As inputs costs go up, crop rotations make dollars. From cash grain farming, livestock farming, produce etc. crop rotations and cover crops in gaining popularity and for good reason. Good crop rotation practices this year will directly affect next year’s crop and ultimately profitability.

Included in this resource series are numerous species of forages that can be used to develop very productive crop rotations. These rotations can be put together into making an excellent forage system for your unique farm. Each crop has its own merits and may or may not fit into your system. Ideally, we like to see a perennial crop (grass/legume mix) included in the system and some annuals.

The whole system just works well for both agronomic and feeding programs. From an agronomic perspective, crop rotation breaks insect, weed and disease cycles when put together properly. In addition, legumes such as alfalfa and clovers add nitrogen to the soil reducing fertility costs. From a feeding perspective, the balance of both warm and cool season grasses along with legumes makes for an excellent foundation to build a high forage ration.

cRoP RotatIon BeneFItS FoR lIVeStocK

• Healthier livestock from better balanced soils; thus, higher sugar and more nutrients

• Less molds and mycotoxins with crop rotations

• Helps eliminate the need for GMO crops; which are questionable for the health of livestock

• Livestock benefit from a variety of feed ingredients

cRoP RotatIon BeneFItS FoR tHe gRowIng cRoPS

• A lot less weed pressure. Less expensive herbicides needed

• Reduces the need to buy GMO seed

• A lot less insect pressure. Less expensive insecticides needed

• Healthier crops

• Higher yield possible with less inputs

• Corn does very well after a sod plowdown

• Alfalfa does very well after corn

• Less disease pressure

• Better recycling of nutrients

• Combining legume protein and fiber high in NDFd from cool season grasses and warm season grasses help maximize milk and meat potential and healthier livestock

MaXiMizinG foraGe poTenTial in THe soUTH MiDWesTRotation Plan for the highest forage yield and quality potential!!

year one:spring – May plant Alta AF-7401 Forage Sorghum

advantages: • Seed cost• ⅓ less water and ⅓ – ½ inputs for the same yields as

corn silage• One cut• Higher sugar and a little higher protein• Forage Sorghum costs per acre compared to corn silage

costs per acre• this plant loves 90⁰ to 105⁰ temperatures

fall – After harvest seed improved small triticale, Triticale Plus, Italian ryegrass, brassicas, harvest or graze in late fall or winter.

year Two:spring – Harvest fall seeded crop. In April plant back to

sorghum sudan AS6402 or Sudan 9301. Graze or harvest, high quality with 3 or 4 cuts.

fall – Seed hay crop of alfalfa/grass mix

year 3-4:Harvest hay crop for 2-3 years. In the fall of the last year of hay, no-till Triticale Plus into the old hay stand.

following year:spring – Harvest spring crop of Triticale Plus with alfalfa and

then plant back to forage sorghum.

This rotation is very flexible and can be changed to fit your farm and maximize solar energy capture. Following this guideline will ensure the highest chance of yield and quality.

This will create less risk in times of flooding and drought.

Spread your risk – Maximize tonnage and quality.

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43 © 2012 Byron Seeds, LLC | 800-801-3596

byron Seed organic neWS by Samuel Fisher

“Very interesting” is how I would describe the organic industry in early 2012! So, what can we expect in the future for organic food production? There are a lot of things going on that are probably helping make organic very attractive to the consumer.

• GMO is getting a lot of negative publicity and seems to be part of the driving force and will probably get a lot more powerful in the future

• Don Huber research on glyphosate is also creating a huge stir

• More consumer awareness about the food that they eat

Organic in the US is now big business and is gaining strength. So where does this lead us on seed for the organic farmers? For truly good improved varieties, it is a real challenge, but Byron Seeds is taking on the challenge with enthusiasm for the organic future.

Corn - we are adding more numbers and looking at all options

Alfalfa - more new ones, KF401B for 2013

Clovers - improved 3rd year red and white

Cool season grasses - looking into expanding production with several new varieties coming in the near future

Warm season grasses - we are working on AS9301 and AS6402 for 2013 and hopefully a forage sorghum as well.

Let’s face it, we will probably still struggle to get enough of truly improved varieties as we need them. At the same time, with the high price of organic hay and grain, farmers need the best available. To date, a lot of organic seed sold is still a ways from being some of the best. And this is the reason you haven’t heard more from Byron Seeds on organic seed although we are positioning ourselves to change this within a few years.

When choosing between summer forages, there are many factors to consider. Below are important points about the various sorghums and MasterGraze corn. As you read this list, think of your own operation and goals to help determine which forage is best for you.

FoRage SoRgHUM (FS)Treated more like corn silage:

• Planted in rows, direct chopped

• One-cut system• Shorter relative maturities

(85 and 94 days) now available to go further North

• Can be Concep® treated which allows herbicide usage

• Nutrient profile - can reach 10% CP, 10% Sugar and 10% Starch in soft dough stage

• Yield - In Southern parts of Byron marketing area will be competitive with or beating corn silage.

In Northern parts where double cropped with Tritcale will match corn silage yield

• Seeding rate - 100,000 seeds/acre (usually 5-8 lbs). This the least expensive sorghum product to plant

• Harvested at soft dough stage as grain becomes very hard as it ripens

• Available in untreated (UT), but not Certified Organic

• Harvest for haylage and balage

SoRgHUM SUdan (SS)

• Quickest harvest after planting (45 days)

• 2 or more cut system - more further South, less further North

• Can be 11 to 22% CP depending on fertility

• Produces between 2 and 2½ DM per cutting

• Seeding rates - 40-50 lbs in Upper Midwest, decreasing to 25 lbs in KY and TN

• Available in untreated (UT), but not Certified Organic

• Harvest for haylage, balage and grazing

HyBRId SUdangRaSS (Sg)

• Only candidate of this group for dry baling

• Fastest dry-down for haylage/balage also

• Available in untreated (UT), but not Certified Organic

• Can be 11-22% CP depending on fertility

• New AS9301 is competitive on yield and quality with SS. It is the first BMR Gene 6 Sudan Hybrid

• Seeding rate - 20-25 lbs/acre• Available in untreated

(UT), but not Certified Organic

• Harvest as haylage, dry hay, balage or by grazing

MaSteRgRaZe (Mg)

• Has the earliest planting date - can be planted after soil temps hit 55°F whereas all sorghums must wait for 60°F

• Can be from 11% to 18% CP• Largest yield for a 60 day

crop - 4 to 5 tons DM• Seeding rate - 30,000 to

36,000/acre depending on row width

• One-cut system, however Sorghum Sudan or Hybrid Sudangrass can be seeded into MG after cutting and MG tillers will add to first cutting of sorghum

• Available in untreated (UT), but not Certified Organic

• Harvest for haylage, balage or by grazing

cHooSing betWeen forage SorgHum, SorgHum Sudan, Hybrid SudangraSSand maStergraze by Larry Hawkins

new dealeR InqUIRIeS alwayS InVIted. PleaSe contact yoUR teRRItoRy ManageR

Byron SeedS dealerS - SouthWeSt & SoutheaStDennis Brown - EastOffice: 765-584-1342 • Cell: 765-546-2494brownviewseeds@rcwifi.com

Ernest Weaver - SouthwestOffice: 800-801-3596

Bret Winsett - Southeast812-202-2102 • bwinsett0105@hotmail.com

Gerry Davis - Northeast517-250-1144 • gdavis051@gmail.com

Larry Hawkins - NorthcentralCell: 608-516-0101 • lhawk1111@yahoo.com

Rick Tamm - NorthwestCell: 320-267-5021 • rtamm@albanytel.com

Byron Seeds, LLC775 N 350 ERockville, IN 47872

In 2011, eVeRytHIng SeeMed StacKed agaInSt US!7 Spring was very wet and early plantings flooded7 Forage crops were blasted by summer heat and drought7 Input costs were high7 Promised yields never happened7 Money was wasted

don’t let tHIS gRowIng SeaSon Be a repeat of last year!You can’t control the weather... ...but you can affect the outcome.

taKe contRol oF yoUR FoRage!plant alta Brand:

4 Sorghum4 Sorghum Sudan4 Sudan Grass

alta Get with the Program!

adVantageS oF THE

alta PRogRaM• Late spring plantings when

soils are warmer and drier

• Replant and return policies

• ⅓ to ½ the water and nitrogen requirements of corn

• BMR gene 6 with high digestible fiber

• High protein and NELs

• Very high yields, with less inputs

• Seed costs less than corn