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Interseeding Legumes in Bahia Sod |
Test results of mung beans and cowpeas |
Hay King renovation of bermuda grass |
Results of renovating in Bahia Sod |
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Hays barley trials in the Deep South |
Hays barley planted in living Bahia grass sod on November 17, 2005. Picture taken 43 days after planting. |
This planting was done with the Plant-O-Vator® creating a mini seed bed—5½ inches deep, approximately three inches wide under the surface and approximately 1¾ inches wide at the surface. Fertilizer (250-300 pounds, 13-13-13) was placed and mixed into the seed bed three to 5½ inches deep. A layer of soil was placed over the fertilizer/soil mixture separating the seed from the fertilizer; and the Hays barley and rye grass were planted approximately one-half inch deep—all in one trip. |
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Southeast Louisiana became very dry. The normal planting of rye grass (late September, early October) was delayed considerably. Hays barley plots were planted in living Bahia grass sod on November 16, 2005, and November 17, 2005. On the same days, rye grass was planted adjacent to the Hays barley in the same field for comparison. The soil was hard-packed and dry. |
In spite of low moisture, the Hays barley and rye grass grew amazingly well in the mini seed beds. It helped that the soil was not “aired” out during creation of the Plant-O-Vator’s seed bed. |
Grazing cattle preferred Hays barley over rye grass |
On Friday, January 6, 2006—50 days from planting—the morning temperature was 24°. The cattle started the first grazing of the season at 10:00 a.m., as soon as the frost melted. Both the Hays barley and rye grass tolerated the freeze and the grazing quite well. The cattle—having free choice of the Hays barley or rye grass planted in the same field—seemed to have a slight preference for the Hays barley. Grazing was completed January 9th.
HORSES: Green-cut Hays barley was brought to horses—they fought over it. |
JUNE 9, 2006 OBSERVATION: A drought condition developed and we allowed the cattle to continue grazing the Hays Barley and Prine Rye Grass. The cattle grazed the barley much heavier and shorter than the rye grass and consequently the rye grass had an opportunity to grow longer. A second planting of barley was made February 17th into a Bahia grass sod. This planting developed into a crop approximately 18 inches high in spite of drought conditions. The Bahia grass started growing between the rows of barley and controlled grazing was started in May. Under those conditions, the barley continued producing as late in the season as the Prine Rye Grass. The emerging new growth of Bahia was grazed simultaneously with the barley. There was a noticeable improvement in the condition of the cattle. |
Summer Bahia grass production will be greatly increased because of: 1.The thorough renovation of the living Bahia sod during planting of the hay barley and rye grass, 2. The fertilizer residue deep under the roots, 3. The moisture stored in the mini seed beds, 4. And the fractured sod. A real benefit is realized when a drought condition develops. |
OVERSEEDING RYE GRASS: Another trial was conducted simultaneously within the “Hays barley-rye grass” trial. Rye grass was over-seeded crossways over the Hays barley and rye grass rows into the sod strips between the rows the same day the Hays barley and rye grass were planted in the rows. It consisted of a strip approximately 40 feet wide through the middle of the field. A Tarzan Chain Link Drag Harrow was pulled crossways over the rows to cover the seed with thatched mulch and some loose soil. The purpose of the “over-seeding trial” was to compare how much faster the crop developed in the mini seed bed versus planting on the sod and how much sooner it would be available for grazing. The first grazing of the over-seeded crop was available by the third grazing of the crop planted in the mini seed beds. CLOVER OVERSEEDING: An ideal way to establish clovers is over-seeding clover into the sod between the mini rows like the rye grass was over-seeded (in the above trial)—resulting in a bonus of increased forage plus free nitrogen. Note: Often volunteer clover emerges in old sod fields after the Plant-O-Vator® operation. |
Drought conditions developed in late April, May and June. |
Hays Barley planted in Bahia sod February 17, 2006. Cattle began grazing barley and Bahia grass May 2, 2006. |
To contact us call 1-800-848-9303. |
Tarver Sales Corporation |
We're all about forage. Planting to Harvesting. Since 1950 |
Hays barley trials in the Deep South |
Hays barley, left side |
Rye grass, right side |
Planted November 17, 2005, in hard-packed, dry soil. Growth shown after 17 days. |
Hays barley, left side |
Rye Grass, right side |
Hays barley had more growth than rye grass as seen. The cattle were allowed this first grazing on January 6, 2006—50 days after planting. |
This impressive Hays barley harvest on the Garfield Ranch near Circle, Montana, July 2005, was the inspiration for these Hays barley trials in the Deep South.
The new variety, “Certified Hays” forage barley seed is available from the Garfield Ranch, Circle, Montana 1-406-485-3493 |
Seven-day re-growth of the Hays barley (after the grazing) was greater than the rye grass as seen in January 16, 2006, photo. We attribute the exceptional growth of both crops in the low-moisture condition to the deep root system seeking the fertilizer placed below the seed at planting. (We did receive some moisture and warmer temperatures during re-growth.) |
Hays barley, left side Rye grass, right side (Cattle completed grazing this field January 9, 2006) Seven days of re-growth after first grazing. More re-growth seen in Hays barley than rye grass. Note: We received some moisture and warm temperatures for re-growth. |
An experiment—planting Hays barley seed in living sod for grazing and hay |