UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Because drought conditions across most of Pennsylvania have resulted in lower quantities of forage and grains, many livestock producers may need additional forage for fall and spring. One possible source is winter small grains, says an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Winter grains can be grazed in the fall and early spring without greatly affecting grain yield if they go into the winter with approximately two to three inches of growth," says Elwood Hatley, professor of agronomy. "You also should remove cattle in the spring prior to growth stage 6 or stem elongation."

When used for pasture, Hatley suggests planting winter small grains in mid-August to early September for grazing from October to late December and again in early spring. "If you're harvesting the small grain for silage, grazing should be discontinued prior to growth stage 6 in the spring," he says.

"For fall and spring silage production, we suggest a mixture of spring oat and a winter grain since it's difficult to harvest a winter grain for silage prior to growth stage 6," he says. "Spring oat also can be seeded in mid-August for fall grazing or silage production.

"All winter grain species can be harvested for forage," he says. "Winter rye traditionally has been the major small grain used for forage because it has the most winter hardiness and can be planted the latest for both erosion control and forage. But because its quality drops faster than the other small grains, you should harvest it prior to head emergence (boot stage)."

Other small grains can be harvested later, Hatley explains. But most are harvested near head emergence to allow earlier planting of corn or sorghum for silage. "In most years, rye is ready in late April, barley in early May and wheat and triticale in early to mid-May," he says. "Seeding other winter grains with rye (rye-wheat, rye-triticale) has helped maintain quality when rye harvest is delayed past head emergence."

Spring oat and spring barley also can be used for forage, Hatley says. "Seed early, in mid- to late March," he says. "Mixtures of spring grains and peas are available and also should be seeded early. Harvest at head emergence (growth stage 10) in early June. Grain or forage crops can be seeded after harvest."

When planting small grains for forage, Hatley suggests increasing the seeding rate 30 percent. "If grazing in the fall, apply 40 to 50 lbs. nitrogen per acre at planting to stimulate late summer and early fall growth. Follow the recommendations in Penn State's Agronomy Guide for phosphorus and potassium applications. Don't delay applying spring nitrogen. Apply the required amount at green-up in early spring. Early applied nitrogen can stimulate additional tillering that may contribute to dry matter production but not to grain production."

The Agronomy Guide can be found on the World Wide Web at http://AgGuide.agronomy.psu.edu/. A printed copy is available for $9 from the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Distribution Center (814-865-6713).

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Elwood Hatley at 814-863-1013.

Contacts: Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax