Pasture & Range: June 2002 Other Pasture & Range Articles

Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5

Small grains were established on two dates at the Ardmore Headquarters Farm and the Burneyville Red River Demonstration and Research Farm in the fall of 2001: Oct. 2 and Oct. 23 (Ardmore; Table 1) and Sept. 14 and Oct. 5 (Burneyville; Table 2). Fall planting conditions varied widely between the two locations. The early planting was delayed by extremely wet soil conditions at Ardmore, whereas more moderate rainfall in late August and early September allowed for a normal planting date of mid-September on the sandy loam soils at Burneyville. The late plantings were made approximately three weeks after the early plantings at each location.

At Ardmore, the early planting was clipped four times for forage production; the late planting only three times. However, the Oct. 23 planting produced an average of 12 percent (596 pounds) more total forage than the Oct. 2 planting (Table 1). The yield advantage was made during the late spring. Due to the later-than-desirable planting dates, fall growth was delayed, resulting in an average of only 327 pounds of dry forage per acre harvested by Dec. 11 for the early planting and none for the late planting. Note that the early planting had produced only 197 pounds more forage by Feb. 28. The rye varieties as a group produced the most early forage and oats the latest in both plantings. The earliness of "Bates" and "Oklon" ryes and "NF 87" triticale was more obvious in the Oct. 2 planting. However, "Maton" rye, "Harrison" and "Dallas" oats, and "Lockett" wheat produced more forage by Feb. 28 in the Oct. 23 planting. "Maton" rye was the most consistent entry in total forage production, regardless of planting date.

At Burneyville, both the early and late plantings were clipped four times for forage production (Table 2). The late planting was also more productive at this location, averaging 18 percent (850 pounds) more total forage than the early planting. The overall yield advantage of the late planting was gained in the spring, since 70 percent (3,287 pounds) of the total forage accumulated after March 12. The early planting averaged slightly more forage (8 percent) by March 12. The rye varieties produced the earliest fall forage in both plantings. The early planting of the rye, triticale and oat varieties accumulated more forage by March 12 than the late planting, whereas the late planting of all the wheat varieties was more productive than the early planting by March 12. Again, Maton rye was the most consistent and dependable for total production, regardless of planting date at this location.

A multiyear comparison of total forage yield from early and late fall plantings at the two locations is shown in Table 3. At Ardmore, forage yields were higher for late fall plantings in six out of 10 years for the oats and triticales. There has been no trend established for the ryes and wheats. All of the crops have similar production patterns but their response varies from year to year. The 2001-2002 growing season was the sixth comparison of planting dates at Burneyville. The trend favors the late plantings for total production of all the small grains at this location. Notice that the late-planted oats did not produce any forage or grain (Table 5) because of complete winterkill of all varieties in 1995-96. Oats are generally more susceptible to winter cold injury than the other crops and therefore are likely to be a more common problem from year to year.

Small-grains growing conditions varied from average to good throughout the growing season in southern Oklahoma. Adequate fall moisture was followed by relatively dry weather through the winter months. Good moisture in late March and most of April brought good growth but made the crops more susceptible to the dry, warm periods in May resulting in average grain yields and reduced test weights. Barley yellow dwarf virus and leaf rust were the most common diseases in the fall and early spring. Powdery mildew and the leaf spot diseases were present on the lower leaves of wheats and triticales in April. Leaf rust increased on the wheats and triticales in the late spring but the crops were sufficiently mature to minimize losses to the disease. Stem rust came in late on the oats, but grain loss was minimal although test weights may have been affected.

At Ardmore, (Table 4), the overall grain yield of the late planting (66.0 bushels) was 21 percent higher than that of the early planting (52.5 bushels). All of the crop varieties except Lockett wheat responded better under the late-planting regimen. Harrison and Dallas oats, "Coker 9663" wheat and NF 87 triticale were consistently high-yielding in both plantings, whereas "Jagger" wheat and Bates and Oklon ryes were lower yielding in both planting dates.

At Burneyville, there was not a consistent yield pattern, but overall grain yield was higher (14 percent) for the later planting date. All of the wheat varieties and NF 87 triticale responded much better in the late planting, whereas all of the oats and ryes performed better in the early planting. Bates rye was the poorest grain producer in both plantings. In fact, overall rye grain yields were low in all environments (i.e., both locations and planting dates) this year. Lush growth in April, combined with periodic rains and strong winds, caused premature lodging of the ryes and was undoubtedly a major contributor to grain yield reduction.

A multiyear comparison of grain production from early and late fall planting at both locations is shown in Table 5. Note that rye and triticale grain production has been consistently higher for the late fall plantings at both locations. The oat grain yields have fluctuated the most with planting date over the years at both locations. Oats are more susceptible to winter damage, which can cause partial to complete stand loss in some years. Note that in 1995-96 the late-planted oats at Burneyville were completely winterkilled resulting in no yield. Wheat yields have tended to vary more by planting date at Ardmore over the years. Generally, the wheats are more susceptible to foliar and root diseases than the other small grain crops, particularly on heavier soils. The incidence and infestation of the complex of diseases that attack wheat have varied widely from year to year.

All available information pertaining to forage and grain production should be used in making conclusions and decisions. This publication is intended to furnish supplemental information to aid with decision making and formulating ideas.

I would like to acknowledge the following research support staff for their valuable assistance in the collection and analysis of data and the preparation of this report: Julie Barrick, Bret Flatt, Roger Hartwell, Steve Howe, Shawn Norton and Frank Motal.

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