Tips for Planting Fall Forages and Other Salvage Uses - UNL CropWatch, Aug. 9, 2013

Tips for Planting Fall Forages and Other Salvage Uses - UNL CropWatch, Aug. 9, 2013

August 9, 2013

Correction to previously published article – In an earlier version of this article, a recommendation for the use of "bin-run corn" should not have been included. Recent court rulings have determined that it is illegal for farmers to save harvested seed with patented genetically altered traits for the purpose of planting. The author and UNL Extension regret the sharing of incorrect recommendations relative to the use of harvested GMO seeds. (August 29, 2013)

While recent crop losses have been devastating, the timing allows for planting fall forages. Be alert, though, for any herbicide carryover. Turnips (and other brassicas) and oats (and other spring cereals) have potential to produce very high amounts of forage for late fall/early winter grazing or even more hay (spring cereals). It is too late to plant summer annual forage grasses like millets and sorghums.

Winter rye and other cereals (and some annual ryegrasses) can provide a small amount of fall grazing plus a sizable early spring forage (grazed or harvested).

If the decision is to harvest corn for silage, getting proper moisture content of the chopped feed (65% moisture, 35% dry matter) is the most important management factor for success. Adding a silage inoculant at the chopper often pays off when salvaging damaged crops.

With all the options available and discussed in this week's CropWatch, timing is critical. Insurance adjustments must be made and selection of anything planted must not jeopardize insurance payments. If livestock are involved, communicate with potential users soon as they may have an interest in what's planted.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist

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A field of corn.