OSU Sheep Team

Establishing a New Forage Seeding

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County, Buckeye Hills EERA

Early spring provides us with a window of opportunity to get a new forage stand established. The actual success in getting that new seeding established depends upon several factors including: soil fertility, species selection, weed control, timing of planting, planting depth, post planting management. Let’s look at each factor in a little more detail.

There are certain minimum, sometimes termed critical, soil fertility levels that should be met to give a new forage seeding the best chance of success. Begin with soil pH. I sometimes have people ask me, “What is the minimum soil pH that (fill in the blank with some grass or legume) can tolerate? I think this is the wrong question to ask. Many of our grass and clover species can tolerate, can survive at pH levels in the 5.5 to 5.8 range. My question is; do you want your forages to merely survive or do you want them to thrive? The better question is; what soil pH will allow this forage species to have a chance to produce up to its genetic potential?

Soil pH should be above 6.0 for pure grass species plantings. When a legume, such as one of the clover species, is added to the mix, then the minimum soil pH goal should be 6.5. If the forage seeding is to be alfalfa, then the pH goal should be 6.8. Soil pH can’t be changed very rapidly. Limestone is used to raise soil pH and is relatively insoluble, so it takes time to work its way down into the soil profile and go into soil solution where it can begin to change the soil pH. If limestone can be tilled into the rooting zone, this helps, but it can still take up to 9 months from the time of application and tillage into the root zone before the target pH is reached.

Soil phosphorous is very important to help a young forage plant get a root system established. The critical level for a pure grass stand is 15 ppm. If a legume is added to the mix, then the critical level is 25 ppm. Research has shown that depending upon the soil test level, it can require anywhere from 8 to 30 pounds/acre of actual P2O5 to increase the soil test level by one ppm. Notice that phrase actual P2O5. This is not the same as the amount of fertilizer material to apply. For example, if DAP is the fertilizer material that will be used to increase soil phosphorus, this has an analysis of 18-46-0. It contains 46% actual P2O5. So, it will require 2.17 lbs of this fertilizer for every 1 pound of actual P2O5 recommended.

Soil potassium is needed by plants to aid in disease resistance and winter hardiness. The critical or minimum level of soil potassium is based upon the cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) of the soil and determined by the following equation: 75 + (2.5 x C.E.C.). For example, many  Athens County soils are in the 10-13 range for C.E.C., so our critical soil potassium level is in the 100 to 110 ppm range. Research has shown that depending upon the soil test level of potassium, it will require anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds/acre of actual K2O to increase the soil test level by one ppm. Once again notice the phrase actual K2O, and make the appropriate calculations with the fertilizer material you will be using to apply the correct amount of fertilizer material to meet the recommendations.

Species selection should be given some careful thought. Rather than a pure grass seeding, consider adding a legume component that can help to meet the nitrogen requirements of the stand. If the stand will consist of about 30% legumes, then application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer should not be necessary. Take a look at soil drainage when choosing a forage species. Alfalfa does not do well in poorly drained soils. Stand life will be reduced. A clover, grass mix might be a better choice. For example, reed canary grass is adapted to poorly drained and wet soils. Choose new and improved forage varieties. Yes, they will cost more than old varieties, but how many row crop farmers would think about planting corn and soybean genetics from 20-25 years ago? These new forage varieties have improved yield potential, are more drought, disease and insect resistance and more palatable.

Weeds can be a problem. If there are perennial and biennial weeds established in the soil where the new forage seeding is planned, they should be controlled before planting. Consider using a herbicide or herbicide mix to control weeds. Getting into all the herbicide options, rates, and planting restrictions is beyond the scope of this article. Give a call to your county’s Ohio State university Extension office and they can help you out with recommendations, or see the Weed Control Guide for Ohio Field Crops, Bulletin 789.

Pay attention to timing and planting depth. Our window of opportunity in this part of Ohio for a spring seeding is from anytime March weather cooperates until about April 20. The reason for this is because it takes a forage plant about 6-8 weeks to get a root system established after germination. This should be done before we get into the stress of hot and dry weather. If you count ahead about 8 weeks from April 20, you will see why that is used as the deadline date. The actual seeding rate, in terms of pounds/acre will vary depending upon the species and the forage mixture you are planning to plant. Some factors to keep in mind are germination percentage and seed coatings. Always check the seed germination percentage, and when the germination percentage was determined. There can be old seed in the market, which can have significantly lower germination than listed on the tag. Lower germination can be compensated for, to a certain degree, by increasing the seeding rate. Some seeds may come with a seed coating, either containing a fungicide, a rhizobium bacteria, lime, or a combination. Seed coatings change the weight of the seed and the calibration of planters. Make sure the planter is calibrated to plant more seed to make up for the seed coating.

Depth of seeding can’t be stressed enough. Planting too deep is responsible for many stand failures. Most forage seeds will do well planted at about one-quarter inch or less in depth. If you are going to err, err on being shallow rather than deeper.

Finally after the forage stand is planted, manage it to give it the best chance for success. Provide a 6-8 week period after germination before a light grazing pass or clipping is made. After the first light grazing or clipping, manage normally. Remember that if forage is being removed as a hay crop, that nutrients should be replace to maintain soil fertility.

For more information about establishing a new seeding, including forage species mixtures and specific seeding rates, contact a member of the OSU Extension Sheep Team.

The Ohio Heartland Sheep Improvement Association is sponsoring a Lambing and Kidding School  on Saturday January 30, 2010.   Classroom Session I will be from 9 – 11:30 AM at the Applewood Community Room Center in the Applewood Student Housing Complex on the ATI campus, 1328 Dover Road, Wooster with Dr. Eric Shaver DVM of East Holmes Veterinary Clinic in Millersburg providing leadership.   Dr. Shaver has conducted several of our previous schools and will cover many topics ranging from ewe condition before lambing to providing care of newborn lambs and their mothers.   This session is open to anyone who would like to learn more about lambing/kidding.  We will then break for lunch which is “on your own”.   There are several eating options nearby – we hope to have a list available.   Session II  will run from 1 – 3 PM  at the OARDC Sheep Facility barn, 5651 Fredericksburg Road, Wooster with Doug Clevenger, OARDC Sheep Research Manager, providing additional leadership.   January 30^th is right in the middle of the OARDC winter lambing season so we should have many “hands-on” opportunities for docking tails, castrating, tubing, etc.   Session II is limited to only 25 participants and each must have attended Session I.    These 25 participants must come dressed to work in the barn.   Please remember to wear clean work clothes & footwear to minimize cross contamination.

Cost for Session I is $5 for Heartland members, $5 for students, $10 non-members, or $25 per family.   Cost for Session II is a flat rate of $10 per person.

Registration is required no later than Thursday January 28th – so register early!   Contact Suzie Gortner, OHSIA S/T, at 419.869.7353 or skg2ewe@verizon.net.    If you need more information, contact Suzie or Kathy Bielek, OHSIA president, at 330.264.5281 bielek@bright.net.

SMALL RUMINANT SCHOOL
Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Athens County

OSU Extension, Athens County, and the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) are sponsoring a 5-session small ruminant school in January/February of 2010. The focus and theme of the school is sheep and goat nutrition.
The small ruminant nutrition school will be held on 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings at the Athens County Extension office beginning on Tuesday, January 19 and concluding on Tuesday, February 16. Class will run from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm each evening. The specific topics that will be covered include:
• January 19: Basic Elements of Ruminant Nutrition, Forage Quality Measurements and Interpreting Forage Analysis
• January 26: The Anatomy and Physiology of the Rumen, How the Rumen Handles and Functions with various Feedstuffs
• February 2: Ewe and Lamb Nutrition (Does and kids included)
• February 9: Mineral Nutrition/ Developing a Mineral Program, Current Sheep and Goat Issues and OSIA
• February 16: Nutrition and Profitability
Special guest presenters include: Francis Fluharty, Rumen Nutrition Researcher at OARDC in Wooster, Steve Loerch, Ruminant Nutrition at OARDC in Wooster and Roger High, OSU Extension Sheep Specialist and Director of OSIA.
Participants will receive a 3-ring binder with copies of the presentations and supplemental materials.
Cost of the school is $35 per person or for a farm couple sharing one notebook. Each additional person from the same farm unit is $15. Additional notebooks are $15. Fees are used to cover speaker travel expenses, notebook and materials, copy expense and refreshments provided each evening.
Registration is required to the Athens County Extension office by Tuesday, January 12. Phone in your registration to the office at (740) 593-8555 or by e-mail to: lewandowski.11@osu.edu. Please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and number that will be attending. More information is also available on-line at:

http://athens.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/news/small-ruminant-production-school-scheduled

Targeted grazing utilizing sheep will be showcased by the award-winning television series, The Profiles Series. The show will air on the Discovery Channel on Monday, Nov. 30, at 7 a.m. EST and PST. Narrated by Lou Gosset Jr., the episode will be aired in 80 million television households.

This project took life with the funding assistance of an Invasive Species Grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service awarded to the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). With industry funds matching this grant, ASI was able to team up with The Profiles Series to produce a quality program intended to inform, educate and enlighten viewers, both nationally and internationally, about the U.S. sheep industry and how targeted grazing is an ecological-friendly tool that is gaining a foothold to help manage invasive weeds.

“The ASI team of sheep producers and university resource specialists saw this project as an opportunity to reach a broad range of people across the nation to teach them about conservation grazing and how it can play a significant role in natural resource management,” said Peter Orwick, executive director of ASI. “Whether it be for reducing sagebrush density, reducing fire-fuel loads or improving wildlife habitat and croplands, the general public is greatly unaware of this environmentally friendly tool that is often less expensive than other vegetation manipulation techniques.”

The full segment is also available to watch at http://profilesseries.com/Americansheep.htm.

FDA Announces the Approval of a New Product for the Management of Reproduction in Sheep
November 16, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today is announcing the approval of EAZI-Breed CIDR Sheep Insert (progesterone solid matrix) for induction of estrus in ewes (sheep) during seasonal anestrus. This progesterone Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release (CIDR) is a steroid hormone that allows out-of-season breeding in sheep.

The data to support this approval were gathered in collaboration with the National Research Support Project–7 (NRSP-7), a USDA program intended to support the approval of new animal drugs for minor species of agricultural importance.

“Members of the U.S. sheep industry have long cited this type of product as their top priority need,” said, Dr. Meg Oeller, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development. “And through efforts with our partners at NSRP-7 and the pharmaceutical firm, the FDA can now point to an approved drug product that is fulfilling a real need in the sheep industry.  It represents the true spirit of the MUMS Act.”

Clinical researchers funded by NRSP-7 grants conducted the studies to support the effectiveness, target animal safety, human food safety, and environmental safety of the progesterone CIDR.  These data were made available in a Public Master File in March of 2009.  The pharmaceutical company was able to use these data in conjunction with its own manufacturing, labeling, and other information to complete the new animal drug application.

EAZI-Breed CIDR Sheep Insert is manufactured by Pharmacia and Upjohn, a division of Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY.

It is soon time for the 2009 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. This year’s Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium is being held in conjunction with the Small Ruminant Health Symposium, a program has been developed for both sheep and goat farmers. It will be on Saturday December 12, 2009 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bromfield Building, 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

The symposium will have a similar spin to past years, a one-day event. For a schedule see the Symposium Flyer. The registration fees have changed to provide the opportunity to make this event a “family affair”.  Follow this link for a registration form. It will definitely be a benefit to be a member of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association. As you will note on the registration form, we will only be charging for families and individuals, we just need to know how many are attending for meal purposes. A family registration will include participation in all of the symposium programming. This program effort will include the symposium program, the lamb meal during the lunch hour for all attendee’s, adults and youth alike. Also included is your attendance at the OSIA Annual Meeting. We hope that you and your family will come and participate in the entire day’s activities.

Cost of the mini-course is $5 for OHSIA members and $10 for non-members.  Registration is required no later than Monday November 16th.  For registration and directions please contact Kathy Bielek at 330.264.5281/bielek@bright.net or Suzie Gortner at 419.869.7353/skg2ewe@verizon.net.

Roger A. High, Executive Director OSIA

Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Not Ohio’s farmers. In fact, they will be offering the chance for consumers statewide to win free groceries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – for an entire year.

Beginning July 20, Ohio residents will be able to register for three grand prizes of “Free Groceries for a Year!”* courtesy of Ohio’s farmers at www.FarmersFeedUS.org. Upon visiting the site, consumers will be able to register by meeting an Ohio farmer and learning how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of seven farmers daily through the end of the program on Oct. 18.

“As Ohio farmers, we’re thrilled to offer free groceries for a year to the consumers of our great state,” said Jim Heimerl, a hog farmer from Johnstown, who is a featured farmer on FarmersFeedUS.org. “This is an opportunity for us to share what we produce with Ohio consumers and to let them know we share their values – taking care of our families, taking care of our animals and land, and giving back to our communities.”

The site features beef, dairy, pork, lamb, soybean, egg, and turkey farmers from across the state, each sharing information about their farm and their family In addition to guiding visitors through their registration for free groceries for a year, each farmer also offers a brief online tour of their farm. “I’m proud to produce food in the Buckeye state,” Heimerl said, “and I want to show people how today’s farms operate.”

Over the course of the 90-day campaign, consumers throughout the state will also have the opportunity to interact with these and other Ohio farmers at the Ohio State Fair, and even on their blogs and Facebook pages.

Participating Ohio agriculture groups include Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Livestock Coalition, Ohio Beef Council, Ohio Pork Producers Council, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Egg Marketing Program, Ohio Turkey Council, and American Dairy Association – Mideast.

*Based on FMI, a $5,000 value.

The Center for Food Integrity is a not-for-profit corporation established to build consumer trust and confidence in the contemporary U.S. food system. Our members, who represent every segment of the food system, are committed to providing accurate information and addressing important issues among all food system stakeholders. The Center does not lobby or advocate for individual food companies or brands. For more information, visit www.foodintegrity.org.

Tim Fine, Extension Program Assistant, Miami County

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) will be holding their annual conference on December 13-16 in Reno, Nevada.  For more information about the conference, including agenda and registration information, visit http://www.glci.org.