Forage Selection

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Planning
  • Intended use
  • Hay
  • Grazing
  • Salinity control
  • Periodically flooded areas
  • Wildlife Plantings
  • Grassed waterways
  • Erosion control/reclamation
  • Site conditions
• Mixtures
• Species descriptions
• Grasses
  • Introduced
  • Native
• Legumes

The authors thank the Saskatchewan Forage Council, the Saskatchewan Advisory Council on Forage Crops and the following for their helpful suggestions while drafting this publication: H. Bjorge, G. Chu, D. Clark, P. Curry, B. Goplen, P. Grilz, P. Jefferson, R. Jones, R. Knowles, R. Lyseng, C. Nykoluk, J. Romo,H. Roth, K. Stoner, S. Wright and J. Moen for his efforts in coordinating this project.

This publication is sponsored by Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, SeCan Association, Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, and PFRA through the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Soil Conservation

PHOTO CREDITS:
Agriculture Canada, PFRA and Research Branch, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Saskatchewan Rural Development, Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, SeCan Association, H. Bjorge and D. McCartney

Foreword

About half of the organic matter Prairie soils has been lost due to intensive tillage practices. In addition, much of our fertile topsoil has been lost through soil erosion. If agriculture is to remain viable, we must reverse these trends Forage crops will play an important role.

Perennial forages are key agents in soil conservation and soil improvement. They add more organic maker to the soil than most annual crops. Because they reduce cultivation and provide a permanent ground cover they also reduce erosion. For these reasons, perennial forages are particularly well suited to marginal lands, sloped lands, waterways and erosion prone soils. They can also be used in areas subject to flooding and to control salinity.

But soil conservation and soil improvement are only part of the story. Forages can also help farmers diversify their production. And they provide a habitat for wildlife.

Introduction

Proper species selection is an important step in any successful forage stand. This booklet is intended as a guide to help in your decision making. There is no simple forage recommendation that will apply to all situations. You the manager, must make informed choices to suit your needs and goals.

The forages discussed in this publication are the perennial species commonly used in Saskatchewan. There are many other perennial and annual species available for special purposes that are not mentioned.

Producers are strongly advised to plant only certified forage seed because of the guaranteed germination and purity (forage seed suppliers are listed in the Saskatchewan Seed Guide).

PLANNING

Costly mistakes and unsatisfactory results can be avoided by careful planning. This section will help you tailor the forage steed to your specific requirements. Consider the following questions and information before making any decision to purchase seed.

INTENDED USE

What will the forage be used for?

HAY

What is the desired lifetime of the stand? Do you want a short- lived but higher producing species for use in a rotation or do you want a long-lived stand? How many cuts do you expect and what yield and quality is desired?

Consider your intended market dairy beef, horse All have different requirements for type and quality of hay, size and shape of bale.

Be sure you have the proper equipment available to harvest quality hay. The quality of some species can be improved with the use of mower-conditioners.

Be aware of early maturing species. Will the land be able to support equipment or will it be wet at optimum harvest time? Is the land suitable for haying?

When seeding mixtures, choose species that are compatible with each other in date of maturity regrowth ability, competitiveness relative palatability and site adaptation.

GRAZING

A planned grazing system will produce best results for both livestock and forage. If a grazing plan has not been developed for your operation stop, consult available materials and resource people and develop one.

When seeding a new forage strand, choose species or mixtures that are compatible with your long term grazing plan. When do you intend to graze the nonage stand spring summer or fall? Compare monthly demands to current monthly supplies and give careful thought as to when your pasture shortage occurs. Choose forage species that produce peak forage supplies during the season you need them(see figure1).

Consider cross-fencing and rotational grazing to optimize forage stand and livestock production. Consider developing a complementary grazing system to integrate the use of introduced species and native grasslands. Fence introduced species separately from native grasslands to control gazing and maintain forage production and life.

Rejuvenation and fertilization may be necessary to maintain production of some forage species. Is the land suited to these management options?

SALINITY CONTROL

Establish forages while the land still supports barley crop production. If barley won't grow, the safe is likely strongly to very strong saline. If the land is currently undisturbed and native plants will not grow, it is unlikely that introduced grasses and legumes will become established. A soil test to determine salinity levels is recommended.

Seed mixtures of saline tolerant species. Perennial grasses are often more saline tolerant than legumes. Less tolerant species should be included in a mixture to allow for establishment on the edge of the affected area and in pockets of better soil. Including deep rooted and high water use species, such as alfalfa, may help reduce the upward movement of water and surface salt accumulation. Consider spring flooding tolerance if applicable. Be aware that even with adapted species, production is less than on good land.

Late fall seeding, just prior to freeze-up, appears to be a good strategy -- the soil is drier and a proper seedbed can be prepared. Spring snowmelt can temporarily reduce salt concentrations and the seeding work load is spread over the year.

** minor position differences within columns are not necessarily significant.

PERIODICALLY FLOODED AREAS

Grasses are more tolerant of flooding then legumes. Forage species are generally more tolerant of flooding when soil, water and air temperatures are cool. Under cool temperatures plants remain dormant longer in the spring and their need for oxygen is less than during active growth. Most grasses and legumes ane easily killed by flooding in mid-summer during active growth when soil water and air temperatures are high. Flooding tolerance may vary from year to year due to temperature, water depth and age of stand.

*High saline tolerant.

WILDLIFE PLANTINGS

Wildlife needs food, cover and water. Wildlife plantings are areas specifically designed her use by wildlife. Incorporating wildlife considerations into the farming or ranching operation usually benefits rather than jeopardizes the operation.

Consider the requirements of the wildlife species you want to benefit. Do they have specific needs as to the type, height, density and diversity of the forage stand? Will lodging of the forage be a problem, creating unsuitable cover?

Generally, native species provide better food and cover for a wider range of wildlife than introduced species. Native mixtures have longer, maintenance free lifetimes than introduced mixtures However, introduced species can form a tall, dense cover and provide soil building properties when a legume is included.

Ideally sites should be seeded with more than one or two species and plants of varying type (grass, herb, shrub) to increase diversity, improve structure and stability of the seeding. For maximum wildlife value, a single species should not make up more than 35 percent (seeds per pound, number of transplants) of a mixture. Mixing native and introduced grasses in the same planting creates management problems. It is not recommended.

Follow the same steps in establishing a forage stand for wildlife, as for other uses.

GRASSED WATERWAYS

Seeding waterways to perennial forages prevents severe soil loss or gully formation They can also serve as productive forage areas. Haying or wildlife habitat are recommended uses of established grassed waterways. Grazing is not encouraged since hoof damage under wet soil conditions may create erosion problems. A grassed waterway must be cut in the fall to insure its effectiveness.

Quick establishing sod-forming species are necessary to provide maximum soil protection. Use simple mixtures, consisting of two or three grasses. Bunchgrasses should account for no more than 20% of the tonal mixture. Legumes ane susceptible to herbicide use in adjacent fields. Seeding rates should be higher than those for hay or pasture in your soil zone to ensure a rapid, dense growth of cover (15 to 25 lbs/acre depending on soil zone). A cover crop may be necessary to ensure an adequate ground cover during the first spring runoff, however it may compete with forage seedlings in drought years or in drier regions of the province.

The forage species used must be compatible with site conditions. How long is the waterway flooded for? Is there any standing water? Are there any saline problems to address?

Introduced sod formers
Smooth bromegrass
Meadow bromegrass - slightly creeping
Kentucky bluegrass - moist conditions only
Intermediate wheatgrass
Creeping red fescue

Native sod formers
Western wheatgrass
Reed canarygrass - moist conditions only
Northern wheatgrass
Streambank wheatgrass

EROSION CONTROL/RECLAMATION

Several forage species can be used for erosion control and reclamation. Consult the individual species descriptions. The choice of species depends on the desired result and the site characteristics. Increasingly native species are utilized where disturbance occurs on native sites and where reclamation for wildlife habitat is a priority.

Mixtures of fast and slow establishing species are beneficial. The soil is stabilized quickly end long term soil protection is provided.

Fencing the seeded area to control livestock and for wildlife access to the site during establishment may be required to ensure successful revegetation.

SITE CONDITIONS

Is it in the brown, dark brown, black, or grey wooded soil zone?

Is it a loamy, sandy, sixty, or clayey state?

Is it flooded for any part of the year? For how long?

Is the soil saline, alkaline or acid?

What is the amount and timing of average annual precipitation?

Forage species have different environmental tolerance levels. The characteristics of the site will dictate which species can be successfully established and grown. Consult the SPECIES DESCRIPTION section to determine which forages are adapted to your site conditions and intended use.

Mixtures

Hay yields are generally higher with pure alfalfa stands. Grasses produce the major portion of their growth ear y in the season, usually permitting only one cutting for hay production. Mixtures may be necessary on soils with wide variations in textures and slope to allow her establishment under the varied conditions.

In pastures, mixtures are short lived unless grazing is managed. Uncontrolled grazing eliminates the most palatable species.

Special purpose seedings (wildlife plantings, saline areas, reclamation) may need to contain three or four grasses and legumes.

Grass-legume mixtures are useful in pastures because of:

• reduced bloat hazard with 60% grass and 40% legume
• increased length of grazing season
• more efficient use of water, sunlight and nutrients
• legumes fix nitrogen when properly inoculated

Species Descriptions

GRASSES: INTRODUCED

Introduced (or exotic) species are so called because they are not native to North America. Most have been brought here from Europe and Asia. These forages have undergone yeans of breeding to enhance their productivity and rigorous testing to ensure their suitability for Canada.

Introduced species are used for pasture and hay, wildlife plantings, salinity control, grassed waterways and reclamation areas.

Several varieties are often available for each species of forage. Each variety has a different genetic potential, growth characteristics and tolerances. Choose species and varieties that are adapted to your conditions and intended use.

Use certified seed to guarantee seed purify and quality meet minimum standards.

Introduced species open require management in the form of weed control, fertilization, spiking, reseeding or prescribed burning to maintain long-term production at desired levels.

Meadow Bromegrass

• Used for pasture, and in mixtures her grassed waterways. Can be used for hay but due to basal leaves, difficult to harvest.
• Bunchgrass with limited spreading by rhizomes and mostly basal leaves.
• Similar adaptations as smooch bromegrass but remains more vegetative, is more palatable and has better regrowth characteristics.
• May not become so-bound as rapidly as smooth bromegrass.
• Good seedling vigour - easy to establish.
• Good choice for pasture under a rotational grazing system.

Smooth Bromegrass

• Used for pasture, and grassed waterways.
• Long-lived, winter hardy, sod former.
• Adapted to a wide range of soils.
• Tolerates some alkalinity, salinity and acidity.
• Fairly drought tolerant but less so than intermediate or slender wheatgrass.
• Limited tolerance to flooding and waterlogged soils except for beef spring periods.
• Close grazing in spring delays regrowth from crown buds.

Timothy

• Used for pasture and hay in cooler, moister areas of north and north east of province. Main use is seed production.
• Bunchgrass with shallow roots.
• Intolerant of drought, salinity and alkalinity.
• Susceptible to heat and low moisture conditions.
• Tolerant of spring flooding. Very acid tolerant, does well on water-logged and peat soils.
• Rapid stand establishment but low competitive ability. Doesn't crowd legumes out of mixtures.
• Hay yields high. Palatable and high yielding, does not grow very early, fair to good regrowth depending on variety.
• Weakened by heavy grazing or frequent or early (preheading)cutting.
• Limited winter hardiness over major portions of Saskatchewan.

Crested Wheatgrass

• Used for dryland pasture and hay primarily. Can be used for reclamation and in mixtures for salinity control and grassed waterways.
• Long-lived, winter hardy, bunchgrass wrh deep fibrous roots.
• Extremely drought tolerant. Intolerant of high water tables and withstands only short periods of spring flooding.
• Good seedling vigour, easy to establish especially in sandy soils.
• Useful her early spring grazing with rest periods. Large, coarse, over mature plants will develop rf grazing is not managed. Fence separately to control grazing.
• Up to 70% of annual growth can be utilized without damaging plants.
• Forage quality deteriorates rapidly after heading.
• Slow regrowth, depending on rainfall pattern.
• Two types: diploid or Fairway type has smaller seeds, finer leaves and stems than the tetraploid or Standard type.
• Diploid types live longer in the black soil zone than the tetraploids, but the tetraploid types remain greener than diploid under severe drought. Standard types (tetraploid) are recommended for hay in the Brown soil zone.

Intermediate Wheatgrass

• Used for hay, pasture, grassed waterways and wildlife plantings.
• High producing but short-lived (3 to 5 years) when hayed or grazed.
• Easy establishing, sod hammer (bunchgrass under dryland conditions).
• Slight to moderate saline tolerance.
• Does well where smooth bromegrass grows.
• More drought tolerant than smooth bromegrass but less so then crested wheatgrass.
• Later maturing then smooth bromegrass.
• Often included in mixtures due to rapid establishment.

Tall Wheatgrass

• Used for salinity control hay, pasture snow management and enosion control. Can be utilized as silage.
• Most saline tolerant grass with readily available seed.
• A coarse, late maturing, fall growing bunchgrass.
• Slow to establish poor germination, poor vigour and poor competitive ability.
• If grazed, maintain a minimum stubble height of 6 inches.
• Palatability of hay is fair.

Altai Wild Ryegrass

• Used for demand pasture, salinity control and hay.
• Best suited to pasture. Cures well on the stem and can extend grazing season into late fall and early winter.
• Long-lived, deeply rooted and winter handy, with coarse erect leaves.
• Primarily a bunchgrass but somewhat creeping rooted. Adapted to medium and heavy soils and very saline tolerant.
• Drought tolerant.
• Seedlings are poor competitors and may require two seasons to establish depending on time of seeding and precipitation.
• Fence separately to control selective grazing coarse but palatable.

Russian Wild Ryegrass

• Used primarily for pasture and salinity control.
• Best used to extend grazing season into fall or early winter. Can be used Or spring pasture.
• A long lived winter handy bunchgrass with deep roots.
• Very drought tolerant. Intolerant of flooding.
• High tolerance of salinity, fairly tolerant of alkalinity.
• Best on medium textured and heavy soils. Persists on sandy soils once established.
• Difficult to establish, poor seedling vigour allow to set seed once before grazing.
• Not suitable for hay mostly basal leaves.
• Fairly palatable but fence separately to control grazing.

GRASSES: NATIVE

Native grasses can be used Or seeding rangeland, wildlife habitat saline and reclamation areas. In general they have several good characteristics: longevity, drought tolerance, winter hardiness low maintenance and require little or no fertilizer.

Native species add stability and diversity to the landscape and are good soil builders. Our prairie soils developed under native sod. They provide nutritious forage for livestock and habitat for wildlife.

Use certified seed of improved native varieties known to be adapted to the area or seed from a native harvest. If native harvest seed is used, request a seed analysis report from the supplier, indicating the purity and germination of the feedlot. Seed from a native harvest can be moved about 300 miles north or 200 miles south of its origin without serious adaptation difficulties. Movement east and west is influenced primarily by precipitation and elevation. An increase of 1,000 feet in elevation is equivalent to a move of about 175 miles north of its origin.

Seed for native species is open scarce and more expensive than introduced species.

Reed Canarygrass

• Used for hay, silage and pasture in moist areas. Seeded around sloughs for wildlife cover.
• Tall, coarse stemmed, sod former.
• Adapted to very wet, periodically flooded areas tolerates up to 2 months of ponding.
• Not recommended Or irrigation since it persists in canals and lateral ditches where it restricts waterflow.
• Low drought tolerance. Low tolerance of saline soil conditions.
• Seedlings are slow growing very sensitive to frost and intolerant of low light conditions. If companion crop is used, remove early Or hay or stage to improve seedling establishment.
• Seedlings should develop a minimum of two leaves and preferably three or more before a killing fall frost, if early fall seeding.
• Late fall seeding will place seed ready for spring germination. If area spring floods, seed will not germinate until flood waters recede.
• Use low alkaloid varieties to reduce grazer toxicity.
• Fence separately for pasture since low palatability requires grazing control.

Green Needlegrass

• Used for wildlife plantings and reclamation
• Winter hardy, bunchgrass with mostly basal leaves.
• Palatable and nutritious. Decreases under uncontrolled grazing especially in spring.
• Performs best on medium to heavy textured soils.
• Moderately drought tolerant prefers moist sites with good drainage.
• Seed harvested from native stands has a high level of dominancy.

Northern Wheatgrass

• Used for wildlife plantings, salinity control, grassed waterways and reclamation.
• Essential native species to prairie grasslands, widely distributed.
• Hardy, long-lived, sod former.
• Good drought tolerance moderate salinity and alkalinity tolerance.
• Easy to establish on a wide range of soils including areas subject to wind and water erosion medium to heavy textured preferred.
• Seedlings drought resistant and compete well with weeds and other grasses.
• Three way root system rhizomes, shallow fibrous, and deep penetrating.
• Palatable to all grazing animals.

Slender Wheatgrass

• Used in mixtures for salinity control and reclamation.
• Widely distributed native.
• Good seedling vigour, easy to establish, spreads rapidly if not grazed or harvested.
• Short-lived, very productive for 3 to 4 years then plants lose vigour and decline in abundance.
• Moderate to good drought and flooding tolerance.
• saline tolerant.
• Cures well on stem but susceptible to close or heavy grazing.
• Good choice for sandy or loamy soils on well-drained uplands where rapid establishment is important.
• Provides quick ground cover and allows long lived species an opportunity to establish when seeded in mixtures.

Streambank Wheatgrass

• Used for reclamation, soil stabilizer on roadsides, airports, and playground, grassed waterways.
• Not as short-lived as slender wheatgrass but best planted in mixtures with longer lived species.
• Vigorous sod former.
• Moderate tolerance to saline and alkaline soils fair tolerance to prolonged flooding.
• Relatively easy to establish.
• Not very palatable.

Western Wheatgrass

• Used for wildlife plantings, reclamation, and salinity control.
• One of most valuable native species in the grasslands of Western Canada.
• Long-lived, tough, handy sod forming species efficient soil stabilizer.
• Develops slowly from seed young seedlings small and inconspicuous.
• Three way root system rhizomes, shallow fibrous and deep penetrating.
• Drought, saline and alkaline tolerant. Can withstand periodic flooding.
• Adapted to wide range of soils prefers somewhat alkaline, clayey soils which receive spring nun-off or flooding.
• Palatable to all gazing animals. Will disappear under continuous heavy grazing. Cures well on stem and provides good winter gnawing.
• Good for reclaiming slightly saline, erosive soils where rapid establishment is not a requirement, but long-lived, hardy vegetation is necessary.

Legumes

Legumes as a family are very nutritious and make high quality forage. Generally, they are used in mixtures with grasses to Reduce bloating hazard. Legumes also serve es " soil builders" improving soil tilth and aiding in protecting surface soil from erosion An important characteristic of all legumes is their ability to fix nitrogen if inoculated with correct rhizobia before seeding.As with all forage species, be sure to use certified seed.

Alfalfa

• Used for hay, pasture, salinity control, reclamation and wildlife plantings.
• Long-lived perennial with deep roots.
• Good drought tolerance. Tolerates some salinity.
• Intolerant of acid soil (below pH 6.0), poor drainage, waterlogging or flooding.
• Adapted to a wide range of soils but does best on deep loam soils with a high lime content.
• Bloat hazard.
• Poor persistence when grazed or clipped frequently.

• Flemish: early maturing, purple blossoms, high yielding, less hardy.
• Falcata: small leaves, yellow blossoms lower yield most hardy.
• Variegated : good cold and drought tolerance, flower colour ranges from purple through blue and yellow to white. Developed for better persistence in dryland environments.

Alsike Clover

• Used for pasture and hay.
• A short-lived perennial with fairly deep roots.
• Will tolerate waterlogged soils and considerable spring flooding.
• Tolerant of acidity and alkalinity but not drought or salinity.
• Hay - one cutting only. High moisture content makes drying more difficult.
• Regrowth after hay harvesting is excellent for fall grazing.
• Bloat hazard similar red clover and alfalfa.
• Pasture and hay not suitable for horses (may cause photosensitization).
• Genenally not winterhard in most of Saskatchewan.

Red Clover

• Used for hay and pasture.
• Hardy, short-lived with fairly deep roots.
• Very acid tolerant.
• Intolerant of salinity and drought.
• Moderately tolerant of spring flooding and waterlogged soils.
• As hay high yielding but high moisture content makes it difficult to dry.
• As pasture it lacks persistence.
• Bloat hazard similar to alsike clover and alfalfa.
• Not winterhardy in most of Saskatchewan.

Cicer Milkvetch

• Used for pasture.
• Medium-lived, and hardy with deep roots and a creeping growth habit.
• Bloat-safe.
• Poor tolerance to waterlogged soils.
• Tolerates high water table but not flooding.
• Tolerates drought, alkalinity. Some tolerance to acidity, salinity.
• Two years often needed for establishment.
• High percentage of hand seeds and slow growing seedlings.
• Tolerates grazing and grows well throughout season
• Does not accumulate selenium like some native milkvetches.

Sainfoin

• Used for pasture and hay.
• Shorter lived and less winter handy than alfalfa.
• Bloat-safe.
• Deep rooted and fairly drought tolerant.
• Poor tolerance to salinity.
• Needs good drainage - intolerant of flooding high water tables.
• Does best on soils where alfalfa grows well.
• Does well on high lime and neutral soils.
• Competes poorly with creeping-rooted grasses.
• Seeded in the pod. Seedlings slow to establish due to low vigour.
• Produces very early, highly palatable growth but does not regrow well either as pasture or hay, especially if grazed or cut closely.
• Yields 10 to 15% lower than alfalfa.

Sweetclover

• Used for hay pasture salinity and erosion control.
• A hardy, drouqht tolerant biennial with deep roots.
• Adapted to a wide range of soils but prefers day and day loams.
• Intolerant of alkalinity or waterlogged soils except for veyr short spring periods.
• Tolerant of alkalinity and some salinity but not acidity.
• Seedlings are frequency damaged by sweetclover weevils.
• Cut before bud stage for good quality hay.
• Ready for grazing early - will regrow well if one foot stubble height is maintained.
• Yellow types more drought tolerant, more vigorous as seedlings, finer stemmed, shorter and earlier maturing than white types.
• Use low coumarin varieties.
• Bloat a potential problem.

Birdsfoot Trefoil

• Used for pasture and hay.
• Potentially long-lived. Not competitive - stand establishment and persistence problems.
• Bloat-safe.
• Tolerates waterlogged soils, flooding and acidity, similar to alsike clover.
• Tolerant of alkalinity and some salinity.
• Hay yields lower than alfalfa by 25% to 30%.
• Much less winterhardy than alfalfa.
• As pasture, fairly tolerant of continuous grazing, fair regrowth.
• Grow in pure stands or with bunchgrasses.
• Weed control during establishment year important. Not competitive in weedy stands.
• Not drought tolerant.

1. General rating for ease by which species is established from seed.
2. Categorizes growth form.
3. Defines average plant height.
4. General rating for plant longevity.
5. General assessment of suitability to survive spring flooding.
6. General assessment of tolerance to poorly drained soils ( continuous soil saturation).
7. General indiccation of ability to tolerate salt affected soils.
8. General assessment of pH tolerance range, natural being pH 7.
9. Rating of bloat hazard.
10. Assessment of maximum papatability
11. Overall assessment of growing season nutrition for livestock.

Related publications

• Forage establishment: getting it to grow
• Forage management: production and maintenance