by Jerry L. Baker

Information in this report is not conclusive, but should be of valuable assistance when used with similar information from other sources.

All available information pertaining to the subject should be used in making conclusions and decisions. This publication is intended to furnish supplemental information to aid in making a more sound decision and to stimulate thinking for new ideas.

I would like to acknowledge the following Research Assistants for their valuable assistance in the collection and analysis of data used in this report: Julie Barrick, Bret Flatt, Roger Hartwell, Sean Maher and Frank Motal.

Discussion
Early fall plantings were hampered by wet weather conditions. At Ardmore, we were unable to establish two dates of planting of small grains due to heavy rains in September. Two dates of planting were established at Burneyville on September 13 and October 3. However, stand development and initial plant growth of the early-planted test was slow because of heavy rainfall following planting.

Both plantings at Burneyville were clipped six times for forage production (Table 1). The October planting produced an average of 33% (1342 pounds/acre) more total forage than the September planting. This yield advantage developed during the winter months as the late planting had produced 30% more forage by February 4. The rye varieties produced the most early forage and oats were the slowest to make forage in both plantings. The early forage advantage of the ryes relative to the other small grains is much more evident in the September planted test.

Table 2 shows grain yields from both plantings at Burneyville. Hard freezes on April 12-14 resulted in drastic grain yield reduction of the ryes, wheats, and triticales in both plantings. In general, the early maturing varieties were damaged the most by the cold temperatures. Coker 9134 and 2180 wheats had headed prior to the freezes and were completely devastated in both plantings. With the exception of 833 oat and Trical 2700 triticale, yields were fairly consistent for the other varieties across the two planting dates. Heavy lodging and grain shatter contributed greatly to the reduced yield of 833 oat in the October planted test.

A two-year comparison of forage and grain production from early and late fall plantings at Burneyville is shown in Table 3. Note that both forage and grain production of rye, triticale, and wheat has been higher for the late fall planting in both years. In 1995-96, the late-planted oat varieties did not produce any forage or grain because of complete winterkill.

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