Love Your Grass!
Rationale
Participants need a basic understanding of the grass plant’s growth cycle in order to manage their pastures’ production potential, while protecting the soil and water resources and meeting their grazing animals’ nutritional needs. They also need to understand that weed growth is often a result of poor pasture management. Teaching participants how to identify local noxious and nuisance weeds will help them learn how to control them. When all management practices have been employed without adequate results, then pasture renovation may be necessary.
Objectives
Participants will:
1. Learn the basics of plant growth and plant response to grazing/mowing, which will set the stage for grazing principles and grazing management.
2. Learn to identify 10 to 14 common forage plants found in their area and will learn about their growth habits.
3. Learn how to manage grazing by several methods.
4. Understand the importance of monitoring their pastures.
5. Be able to identify common noxious or nuisance weeds in their area, as well as understand their life cycles and appropriate methods of control.
6. Have a general idea of how to renovate their pastures, if all other management practices have not resulted in sufficient pasture improvement.
7. Learn when to reseed pastures as well as how to prepare the soil for seeding, what species to seed, and how to take care of a new seeding.
Introduction
This module has four lessons. The first lesson provides an overview of very basic plant physiology and structure. The second lesson focuses on managing grazing. One of the goals of this lesson is to persuade the participants to allow their grasses to grow to a desired height before the animals graze them and then to allow grasses to regrow by providing rest periods. The third lesson is on noxious and nuisance weeds that are common to your area. One of the goals of this lesson is to show the participants that healthy forage is their best defense against weed invasion. Another goal is to teach them how to control their weeds once they have identified them. The fourth lesson contains information on how to reseed or renovate a pasture that has not responded adequately to management practices. This lesson covers seedbed preparation, species selection, and dos and don’ts during the first two years of establishment.
Rationale
For the most part, small-acreage landowners often do not understand the basics of growing grass and legumes. They understand that they need to fertilize and water their lawns, as well as mow them when the grass gets too tall. However, in many cases, they do not give their pastures this same care. The first step is to understand how pasture plants grow. The next step is to identify the specific pasture plant species growing on their properties.
Many small-acreage owners also feel that their animals need to be out in the pasture 24 hours a day so that they can “get some exercise,” when in reality most animals do not exercise alone, nor do they need access to food 24 hours a day. Participants must understand that pasture plants need time to grow before grazing and they need rest before regrazing. If properly managed, the amount of bare ground and weeds in the pasture will decrease.
Objectives
Participants will:
1. Gain an understanding of the life cycle of forage plants from dormancy through spring and summer growing periods.
2. Be able to identify the vegetative and/or flowering parts of 10 to 14 common forage plants in their areas.
3. Learn how to estimate and calculate forage yield for their pastures.
4. Learn how to manage vegetation without grazing.
Materials/supplies to be requested from participants before class starts
1. Samples of unidentified forage plants from their pastures
2. Maps they have made of their properties
3. Production figures, if any, from forage in field i.e.: tons of hay/acre or soil survey crop production figures
4. Calculator, paper, writing utensils, rulers
Materials/supplies needed for class
1. Flip chart and markers (or dry-erase board, chalkboard or overhead projector)
2. Overhead or PowerPoint computer projection system and Pointer
3. Refreshments
4. Calculator
Local resources needed for class
1. Ten to 14 samples of most common forage plants in your area, removed from field and planted in containers for participants to observe. One plant per 3-pound coffee can works well.
2. Soil survey map and map units
3. The soil reports for the above units
4. Land capability and yields per acre of crops (introduced species)
5. Rangeland productivity and characteristic plant community (native species)
Background information for instructors
Dietz, H.E., 1989, GRASS, The Stockman's Crop, How to Harvest More of It, copies available from Sunshine Unlimited, Inc, 785-227-3880, 785-823-4541 or 785-823-4556, P.O. Box 471, Lindsborg, Kansas, 67456, http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/ag_risk_management/Presentations/Grass%20The%20Stockman's%20Crop.pdf
Holzworth, L, Mosely, J, Cash, D., Koch, D., and Crane, K., 2000, Dryland Pastures in Montana and Wyoming, MSU Extension Publications, EB19, revised Sept 2000, http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0019.pdf
Iowa State University Extension, 1998, How Pasture Plants Grow, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1791.pdf
Iowa State University Extension, 1999, Guide for Year-Round Forage Supply, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1771.pdf
Oregon State University, 2000, Grass Growth and Regrowth for Improved Management, http://forages.oregonstate.edu/projects/regrowth/default.cfm
Handouts needed for participants
1. Grass Identification Sheets
2. Grass Plant Parts Information Sheet
3. Forage Plant Characteristics Information Sheet
4. Identification of Plants Activity Sheet
5. Determining Forage Yield Activity Sheet
6. Forage Availability Estimates Information Sheet
7. Potential Pasture Production is High Information Sheet
8. Potential Pasture Production is Moderate Information Sheet
9. Potential Pasture Production is Low Information Sheet
10. Stubble Height and Regrowth Recommendations Information Sheet
Handouts needed for participants (in addition to lesson handouts)
1. Barnhill, J. and McKendrick, S., project coordinators, 2008, Small Pasture Management Guide, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, AG 508, http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/AG_508.pdf
2. Dietz, H.E., 1989, GRASS, The Stockman's Crop, How to Harvest More of It, 16 p., copies available from Sunshine Unlimited, Inc, 785-227-3880, 785-823-4541 or 785-823-4556, P.O. Box 471, Lindsborg, Kansas, 67456, http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/ag_risk_management/Presentations/Grass%20The%20Stockman's%20Crop.pdf
3. Cobourn, J. and Donaldson, S., 1995, Small Ranch Manual - A Guide to Management for Green Pastures and Clean Water, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, EB-95-02, 775-784-4848, http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ag/other/eb9502.pdf
4. Holzworth, L, Mosley, J, Cash, D., Koch, D., and Crane, K., 2000, Dryland Pastures in Montana and Wyoming, MSU Extension Publications, EB19, revised Sept 2000, http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0019.pdf
5. CSU Ext. Forage Guide. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forage-guide.pdf
6. NRCS Tech note 59 (folder)
Homework assignment
Have participants determine:
1. What plants are growing in their pastures.
2. One or two key species to use when monitoring their pastures.
3. Forage yield of their pastures.
Remember to bring in weed samples (if you are skipping lesson 2).
Grass Plant Parts Information Sheet
Grass plants consist of underground growth in the form of roots, which includes rhizomes, stolons, corms, bulbs, or fibrous masses; and above-ground growth consisting of stems, leaves and flowers/seeds. The collective name for the above ground portion of the grass plant is the culm or elongated internodes. The base of the above-ground portion of the grass plant is the crown, which is the junction between the roots and shoots. Growth begins here in the spring.
The stem of the grass is divided into several joints. The joints or nodes are punctuated by a knobby swelling. The portion of the stem between two joints or nodes is called the internode.
Each individual leaf of the grass has two distinct parts, the leaf sheath and the leaf blade. The leaf sheath is the portion of the grass blade that begins at the node below the collar and wraps around the stem. The leaf blade is above the collar and separates from the stem at an angle, usually less than 90 degrees. The point where the leaf separates from the stem is called the collar. The collar consists of two parts called the auricle and ligule. The auricle is the turned, reinforced portion of the leaf blade as it leaves the collar region. The ligule is the outgrowth of the upper and inner side of the grass leaf at the point where it joins the collar region. It provides additional support for the leaf as it grows away from the stem. Not all grasses have auricles and/or ligules. The shape of the auricles and ligules can be very distinctive for individual grass species and can be an important plant identification factor.
The flowering portion of the grass is called the inflorescence. The inflorescence is generally made up of many small branch-like clusters of flowers. These are termed spikelets. Spikelets consist of several florets or small flowers. At the base of the spikelet are glumes, which are dry chaff-like bracts or leaves. Often, these leaves or bracts provide protection for the florets above them. The glumes often have a sharp point or bristle termed an awn. The florets are the individual flowers, which will later form individual seeds. Each floret has two leaves or petals surrounding the actual reproductive plant parts. The outer leaf or petal is termed the lemma, the inner, smaller one is termed the palea.
Plant Species / Growth Habit / Growing Point Location / Seedling Vigor / Yield Potential / Longevity / Winter Hardiness / Drought Tolerance / Flood Tolerance / Saline Tolerance / Alkaline Tolerance / Acid Tolerance / Compatability With Other Species / Palatability / Grazing Recovery Rate / Pasture / Hay / Other / Stop Grazing Height / CommentsCool Season Grasses
Annual ryegrass / bunch / ground / excellent / moderate / annual / moderate / moderate / excellent / poor / poor / moderate / moderate / good / medium / X / X / cover crop / moderate shade tolerance
Basin wildrye / bunch / elevated / poor to moderate / high / long / excellent / excellent / moderate / good / good / moderate / moderate / good / slow / X / graze in winter, when dormant
Crested wheatgrass / bunch / ground / good / moderate / long / excellent / excellent / good / moderate / good / moderate / moderate / good / medium / X / X / wildlife / 3 inches / competes with cheat grass
Garrison creeping foxtail / sod / ground / moderate / high / long / excellent / moderate / excellent / moderate / moderate / moderate / good / excellent / rapid / X / X / wildlife, filter / no dormancy period; can be invasive
Intermediate wheatgrass / bunch / elevated / good / high / medium / excellent / excellent / moderate / moderate / poor / moderate / good / good / medium / X / X / erosion control / 6 inches
Kentucky bluegrass / sod / ground / good / moderate / long / excellent / poor / good / poor / poor / moderate / poor / good / rapid / X / X / wildlife, recreation / 2 inches / can be invasive
Meadow brome / sod / elevated / moderate / moderate / long / excellent / good / poor / poor / poor / moderate / good / good / rapid / X / X / wildlife / 3-4 inches
Orchardgrass / bunch / ground / good / high / medium / good / excellent / poor / poor / poor / moderate / good / excellent / rapid / X / X / wildlife / shade tolerant
Perennial ryegrass / bunch / ground / good / moderate / medium / poor to moderate / poor / moderate / moderate / moderate / good / good / excellent / rapid / X / X / lawn, silage / >2 inches / plant endophyte-free varieties; easily damaged when frozen
Pubescent wheatgrass / bunch / elevated / good / high / medium / excellent / excellent / moderate / moderate / poor / moderate / good / good / medium / X / X / erosion control / 6 inches
Reed canarygrass / sod / elevated / good / high / long / excellent / moderate / excellent / moderate / moderate / moderate / poor / good / rapid / X / X / filter, erosion / 6-8 inches / can be invasive
Russian wildrye / bunch / ground / moderate / moderate / long / excellent / excellent / poor / good / good / poor / poor / good / rapid / X / X / wildlife
Siberian wheatgrass / bunch / ground / good / moderate / long / excellent / excellent / moderate / moderate / moderate / poor / poor / good / rapid / X / ? / wildlife, reclamation / 3 inches
Slender wheatgrass / bunch / elevated / excellent / moderate / short / good / moderate / poor / good / good / poor / good / good / medium / X / X / wildlife, reclamation / shade tolerant; allow to set seed every other year
Smooth brome / sod / ground / poor to moderate / moderate / medium / good / good / moderate / moderate / moderate / good / moderate / good / medium / X / X / silage / can be invasive
Soft chess/ blando brome / sod / ground / excellent / moderate / annual / N/A / moderate / poor / moderate / moderate / moderate / moderate / good / medium / X / wildlife / 4 inches / can be invasive; let it set seed for the next year
Streambank wheatgrass / sod / ground / moderate / moderate / long / good / good / moderate / good / good / moderate / good / good / medium / X / wildlife
Tall fescue / bunch / ground / excellent / moderate / long / excellent / poor / moderate / good / good / good / moderate to good / good / medium / X / X / 2 inches / can be invasive, plant endophyte-free varieties
Thickspike wheatgrass / sod / ground / moderate / moderate / long / good / good / moderate / good / good / moderate / good / good / medium / X / X / 2 inches
Timothy / bunch / elevated / good / moderate / short / excellent / poor / moderate / moderate / moderate / good / good / good / slow / X / X / 3 inches
Western wheatgrass / sod / ground / moderate / moderate / long / excellent / moderate / moderate / moderate / moderate / poor / good / good / slow to medium / X / 3-4 inches
Forage Species Characteristics Information Sheet