February 12, 2007

Drought, declining water tables, and legal issues are limiting the amount of irrigation water available for growing grain or root crops. Like row crops, forages need water for high production, but unlike many row or root crops, forages will produce some useful yield even when total water available is very low.

If you expect water limits to continue for several years consider planting a perennial forage which would eliminate the cost and time of establishing a new crop each year. Switchgrass is a good choice because it is less expensive to plant, its primary water needs occur in early summer when water is available, and it can be managed successfully for hay or pasture. Other good warm-season grass options include big or sand bluestem and indiangrass, especially for grazing.

Some wheatgrasses and bromegrasses as well as alfalfa can work with limited irrigation, but these cool-season plants respond best to water applied during spring. For some irrigators, water won't become available until after this time. Of course, annual forages like pearl and foxtail millet, cane, and sorghum-sudangrass are relatively water efficient and will yield proportionately to the amount of water they actually receive. Small grains like rye, triticale, and oats for fall and spring forage also may be good options if you expect to have moisture at those times. A limited water supply may not be what you hoped for, but growing forages under limited irrigation may help you make the best out of a bad situation.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist