A series of eight forage meetings was held throughout the northwest region in January and February . Over 150 interested producers came out to the informative half day meetings. The meetings were initiated by the Sask. Soil Conservation Association in conjunction with PFRA, Sask. Ag and Food and the New Grazing and Pasture Technology Program (NGPT). The agenda included talks given on pasture management and tame forage varieties by NPGT. A presentation on annual forages for hay production based on research in the Northwest was given by SDAF and an update on Permanent Cover Program policy was given by PFRA.
The SSCA presentation dealt with the importance of proper fertilization to maintain and increase the life of existing forage stands. Lack of fertility of hayfields is the most common reason that they are broken up and reseeded.
Highlights of the presentation detailing the management of using Roundup to take forge fields out of production are as follows. The purpose of using Roundup is to replace the numerous tillage operations to kill the existing forage. Reducing the tillage operations will conserve more moisture and not expose these fields to wind and water erosion.
Roundup works best when applied in mid-August at 1 to 1.5 L/acre on actively growing forages. Roundup is registered to allow for the crop to be cut and harvested. The forage should be cut 3 to 5 days after application. Past this time, hay protein and quality levels deteriorate substantially. One follow-up tillage in September may be required to control regrowth of alfalfa. If the hay crop will not be harvested adding at least 0.3 L/acre of Banvel to the Roundup will give much better control of the alfalfa.
Tillage of these herbicide treated fields may be required to prepare a seedbed if there is no access to a direct seeding drill or hoe drill.
Because a herbicide treated field has not had a year to breakdown and release nutrients through tillage, its fertility requirements are comparable to a stubble crop. However, it will also require approximately 10 - 15 lb. of additional N per acre to assist in the breakdown of root mass the following growing season.
A competitive crop should be grown the following year because some of the grasses, like smooth bromegrass are not completely controlled by these herbicide rates. A crop such as wheat or barley sown slightly heavy and seeded early will out-compete and suppress any regrowth of the grasses and alfalfa. A cereal is a better choice over a broadleaf crop especially if the field had a high level of alfalfa since an in-crop Banvel/2,4-D application gives a good control on any regrowth of alfalfa. A preharvest application of Roundup will give further control of grasses and alfalfa.
Using herbicides to renovate existing forage stands can save money, time and prevent erosion on marginal lands. The key to success requires proper management of the herbicides and the following crop.