How Grass Grows

the Landthe Land

How Grass GrowsHow Grass Grows

Developed by:Developed by:Wendy Williams, NRCS, Bozeman, MTWendy Williams, NRCS, Bozeman, MT

UNCE, Reno, NV

Topics to be covered:How plants make foodLegumes and grassesHow pasture plants growGrowth and reproductionManaging growing pointsPlant identificationDetermining forage yield

the Landthe Land

Parts of a legume

taproot

leaflet

flower

stolon

A. Miller

NRCS, Bozeman, MT

Parts of a grass plant

NRCS, Bozeman, MT

Growing PointsGrowing Points Location where cells

divide and produce new growth

Occur close to the ground early in the growing season

Become elevated above ground as the growing season progresses

the Landthe Land

Forage Growth and Management

USDA NRCS

the Landthe Land

Living Living Living

the Landthe Landthe Land

Stages of grass growthVegetative

Growth of leaves

Elongation Lengthening of stem internodes, also

called jointing Boot stage is the end of elongation

Reproductive Development of seedhead and seed

the Landthe Land

Carbohydrate reserves (food)

Stored in roots, rhizomes and stolons

Used for first spring growth of dormant plants

Allow rapid regrowth from stubble

Kentucky bluegrass rhizome

Penn State University

the Landthe LandLong-shoot plant (elongated internodes)

Short-shoot plant

Growing points removed; must

regrow from basal buds

Regrowth

RegrowthGrowing

point level

Intact growing points

Adapted from NRCS, Bozeman, MT

Adapted fromNRCS

Adapted fromNRCS, Bozeman, MT

Take half and leave half

the Landthe Land

Identifying grasses

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

Identifying grasses

the Landthe Land

Perennial ryegrass

www.agry.purdue.edu

the Landthe Land

Orchardgrass

www.agry.purdue.edu

www.aginfonet.com

the Landthe Land

Switchgrass

www.noble.org

the Landthe Land

Sainfoin

clay.agr.okstate.edu

the Landthe Land

How much grass do I have?

the Landthe Land

Determine forage yield

Construct a clipping ring

using an eight foot long piece

of cable that has been

bolted together.

the Landthe Land

Wait a minute! I don’t have grazing animals!

What are you trying to manage?What are your management goals?

Attract and maintain wildlife Discourage wildlife Defensible space Aesthetics Noxious weed management

the Landthe Land

Methods for removing forageMowing

Need equipment Need grass species that grow upright Be sure to maintain the growing points Fertilize or add legumes

Leasing to livestock managers for grazing Need to know your forage yield Don’t assume management will be good

Managing Grazing for Managing Grazing for Sustainable PasturesSustainable Pastures

Developed by:Developed by:

Wendy Williams, Natural Resources Wendy Williams, Natural Resources Conservation Service, MontanaConservation Service, Montana

Holly George, University of California Holly George, University of California Extension ServiceExtension ServiceNRCS, Bozeman, MT

the Landthe Land

We’ll be coveringWe’ll be covering Benefits of implementing grazing

management Steps to effective grazing management Estimating carrying capacity Monitoring your land by making

footprints Grazing systems and pasture

configurations Grazing tips

the Landthe Land

Why manage grazing?Why manage grazing? Keep plants healthy and

productive Increase forage

production and saves money

Increase grazing capacity Improve use of forage

supply throughout the year

Help control weedsUSDA NRCS

the Landthe Land

Steps to effective grazing Steps to effective grazing management:management:

Graze to the desired stubble height Don’t forget to preserve growing points Allow adequate rest periods for grass

regrowth Don’t regraze a pasture until your key

species has reached the desired height In an irrigated pasture, don’t let seed heads

How many animals can I How many animals can I graze?graze?

the Landthe Land

No matter how many animals… No matter how many animals… some things are the samesome things are the same

You need to know:

CARRYING CAPACITY, or the number of animals a pasture can accommodate without overgrazing

STOCKING RATE, or the amount of forage stock are going to eat

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Methods for estimating Methods for estimating carrying capacitycarrying capacity

Pasture sticks & other physical methods

Animal Unit MonthsAnimal Days Per Acre

the Landthe Land

Estimating carrying capacity in ADA

10 yards10 yards

Pace off an area of pasture that one animal would need for grazing for one day as the sole source of forage

the Landthe Land

Calculate stock days per acre

Multiply the length by the widthCalculate square yards per acre

needed per animal per dayDivide 4,840 square yards per acre by

square yards needed per animal per day

This gives Stock Days per Acre (SDA)

the Landthe Land

Stock days per pasture

Multiply SDA by the number of acres in the pasture

The total represents the total number of stocking days in the pasture www.farmphoto.com

the Landthe Land

Let’s try an exampleYou have five acres of pasture and

four horsesYour experimental time period is one

dayArea width and length are both 25

25 yards

the Landthe Land

Step 1: Calculate stock days per acre

Calculate the area by multiplying length x width:

25 yards x 25 yards = 625 square yards

Divide 4,840 square yards per acre by 625 square yards per animal day4,840 square yards/625 square yards =

7.7 stock days per acre (SDA)

the Landthe Land

Step 2: Calculate total stock days per pasture

Multiply the stock days per acre times the total number of acres in the pasture

7.7 SDA x 5 acres = 38 stock days

the Landthe Land

Step 3: Calculate the number of grazing days for the pasture

Divide the number of stock days by the number of horses

38 SD / 4 horses = 9.6 days

You can graze the five-acre pasture with four horses for 9.6 days

the Landthe Land

How do you know How do you know if your estimated grazing length if your estimated grazing length

is correct?is correct?Walk your land and look!Walk your land and look!

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Overgrazing occurs two ways:Overgrazing occurs two ways:

Leaving stock in a pasture too long

ORBringing them

back too soonNRCS, Bozeman, MT

the Landthe Land

Stocking rate vs. stock densityStocking rate vs. stock density

The stocking rate of both paddocks is identical: 100 animal days per acre

However, the stock density is much greater in the pasture on the right, so the effect will be much different!

the Landthe Land

MonitoringMonitoring Use observations and

common sense If there isn't enough

feed in your pasture, you are either overstocked or not allowing enough rest, regardless of what the calculations said

www.agry.purdue.edu

the Landthe Land

MMake footprints to manage wellake footprints to manage well

Get out on the ground & look at what is happening

Your footprints and observations of how pastures and stock look are critical to making the necessary adjustments

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Three important questionsThree important questions

Look BEHIND: What rest period do my pastures need?

Look AHEAD: Has the paddock had enough rest?

Look WHERE the STOCK ARE: Is the stocking rate correct?

J. Mohler, MT

Good cover

NRCS, Bozeman, MT

the Landthe Land

Grazing systemsGrazing systems

Season-long grazingPartial-season grazingRotational grazingRapid rotationCell grazing

Season-long grazing is not a Season-long grazing is not a good strategygood strategy

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Tips for improving your grazing Tips for improving your grazing managementmanagement

Do not allow 24/7 access to forage areas; two to three hours during morning and evening will suffice

Divide or subdivide grazing areas into smaller blocks, where feasible

Improve waste management so that forage is not lost or damaged by wastes

the Landthe Land

Additional tips for improving Additional tips for improving your grazing managementyour grazing management

Control weeds and undesirable plants in pastures and adjacent areas

Prevent or reduce differential or selective grazing

Mow pastures, especially those dominated by bunchgrasses, if selective grazing has occurred

the Landthe Land

What to Do About Weeds

Developed by: Developed by: Susan DonaldsonSusan DonaldsonUniversity of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Nevada Cooperative Extension

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Topics to be covered What is a weed? Why worry about weeds in pastures and

landscapes? How weeds are regulated Weed biology Factors that lead to plant invasion Preventing invasion and spread of weeds Identifying weeds Control - mechanical, cultural, biological, and

chemical Common weeds in your area

the Landthe Land

What’s a weed?

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Weed impacts

Decreased grazing potential

Economic losses from refusals of hay shipments

Decreased crop yields

Cost of controlUNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Weed impacts Decreased property

values Loss of wildlife and

fish habitat Impairment of

wetland functions Increased erosion Toxicity

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

How are weeds regulated, and what

are your legal responsibilities?

the Landthe Land

How weeds grow

the Landthe Land

Dicot (Broadleaf)

•Two true leaves•Broad leaves have net-like veins

•Coarse tap root

Monocot(Grass)

•One seed leaf•Parallel veins •Fibrous roots

Plant parts for broadleaf identification

NRCS, Bozeman, MT

Have you correctly identified the weed?

Tumble Mustard

Spotted Knapweed

Perennial Sowthistle

Are you really sure???Are you really sure???

Yellow StarthistleDandelion

the Landthe Land

How do weeds spread?

Natural means wind water animals

UNCE, Reno, NV

How are we spreading weeds?

irrigation roadside

shoulder work construction/

fill dirt vehicles tillage contaminated

seed or feed livestock

management

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

What can we do?

Practice Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests that combines

biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that

minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.

the Landthe Land

IPM tools for weed management (IWM)

PreventionEradicationMechanical controlsCultural controlsBiological controlsChemical controls

the Landthe Land

ALWAYS read the

label and follow its directions

Aster family

Perennial

Dioecious

Flowers white to purpleReproduction

primarily vegetative through creeping roots, some seed

www.wa.gov

www.ces.ncsu.edu

www.wa.gov

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Borage family Biennial or short-

lived perennial Grows 1 to 4 feet tall Reddish-purple

flowers have 5 petals

Leaves are hairy and tongue-shaped

Produces a single flowering stem

Reproduces by prickly seed

www.invasive.org

agri.state.mt.us

NRCS, Bozeman, MT

Controls

Mechanical: pull or dig; mow second year plants during flowering but before seed maturation

Biological: currently being studied

Chemical: Picloram (Tordon), 2,4-D, metsulfuron (Escort). chlorsulfuron (Telar), imazapic (Plateau)

Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

CSUCE tncweeds.ucdavis.edu

tncweeds.ucdavis.edu

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) Perennial Reproduces by seed and

extensive lateral root system Flowers yellowish-green, small,

and surrounded by paired, heart-shaped yellowish-green bracts

Controls

Mechanical: cutting, mowing, tilling, pulling ineffective

Biological: thirteen insect species available; sheep and goat grazing provides temporary control

Fire: ineffective due to regeneration from root

Chemical: Picloram (Tordon), 2,4-D, glyphosate (Roundup), amitrole, dicamba, imazapic (Plateau)

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)

the Landthe Land

Now what?

Go home and inventory the weeds on your property

Identify the weeds

Why do you have a weed problem? What can you change about the way you manage your property that will decrease the weed population?

the Landthe LandUSDA USDA

Developed by: Developed by: Rhonda Miller Rhonda Miller Utah State UniversityUtah State University

Starting Over:Pasture Establishment

and Renovation

the Landthe Land

What we’ll be covering:

Introduction Forage establishment Factors to consider prior

to renovation Plant characteristics Characteristics of

individual grasses and legumes

www.freefoto.com

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Does your pasture need help?

FertilizationWeed controlProper

managementRenovation USU, Logan, UT

the Landthe Land

Terms to knowEstablishment: planting

a pasture where there is no existing pasture

Renovation: a series of actions that lead to a long-term change in the plant composition of a pasture

USDA ARS

the Landthe Land

When to renovate?Renovate when:

Pasture is in poor condition and even proper management techniques will not improve the pasture to the desired level

You want to grow a different forage specie or variety

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Forage establishment

UNCE, Reno, NV

the Landthe Land

Factors involved in forage establishment

Seedbed preparationSeeding methodsSeeding guidelinesSeeding ratesCosts

USU, Logan, UT

the Landthe Land

Why forage seedings failGermination through emergence

Hard seed Cold temperatures Improper planting depth Seed dries out Crusted soil surface Toxicity - allelopathic effects,

herbicide carryover clay.agr.okstate.edu

the Landthe Land

Why forage seedings fail

After emergence Inappropriate pH Low fertility Poor drainage Drought Inadequate legume inoculation Competition from weeds/companion crops Insects Diseases, winterkilling

the Landthe Land

Seeding methodsBroadcast Cultipacker Drilled No-tillFrost seedingCompanion crop

the Landthe Land

Seeding rates

Desired standPercent pure live

seedOther factors to

consider www.ca.wvu.edu

the Landthe Land

Seeding RatesPercent pure live seed (PLS)% PLS = % Purity x % Germination% Purity = % of seed that is the

desired forage seed% Germination = % of seed that

germinates when planted

the Landthe Land

Plant characteristics

USDA NRCS

the Landthe Land

Plant characteristics

Grasses LegumesSeasonal growth patternsDisease resistanceForage qualityPure stands or mixtures

the Landthe Land

Characteristics of individual grasses & legumes

Cool-season grass cultivars

Most productive in the spring and fallPoor summer productionBunchgrasses versus sod-forming

grasses

NRCSNRCS

Orchardgrass

Advantages: Good quality Good regrowth Shade-tolerant

Disadvantages: Suffers when grazed

continually

USDA NRCS

Russian wildryeAdvantages: Cold-hardy, drought-

tolerant and long-lived Very tolerant of grazing

and regrows quickly Disadvantages: Difficult to establish Can be damaged by

overgrazing, especially in the early spring.

Recommended to be planted in pure stands and fenced off for better grazing management

prairiewild.com

Warm-season grasses Productive during summer months Must be suitable for your area Bunchgrasses versus sod-forming grasses

USDA NRCS

SwitchgrassAdvantages: Productive during hot

summer months Tolerates a wide range of

soil conditions Excellent forage for

livestock Excellent forage and cover

for wildlife

Disadvantages: Not suited for cool

climates May be difficult to

establish

USDA ARS

USDA NRCS

Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids

Advantages: Productive during hot

summer months Adapted to moderately well-

drained soils Tolerates poorly drained soils

and a range of pH and soil textures

Disadvantages: Requires warm (60 degree)

temperatures to grow Winter kill at first hard frost Young plants and drought or

frost stressed plants can be poisonous

National forage and grasslands curriculum

www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages

Legumes Fix nitrogen from atmosphere May cause bloat

clay.agr.state.edu

Birdsfoot trefoilAdvantages: Excellent quality Grows in variety of

soils and conditions Non-bloat legume

Disadvantages: Can graze

frequently, but not closely

Slow to establishflicr.com

Sainfoin

Advantages: Good quality Well adapted to soils of

the Rocky Mountain Region

Good drought tolerance Non-bloat legume

Disadvantages: Intolerant of frequent

defoliation

the Landthe Land

GOOD LUCK

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR

SUCCESSES

How Grass Grows

Documents

Transcript of How Grass Grows

Photo from NRCS Range and Pasture Management. Benefits of grazing management How grass grows Steps to effective grazing management Estimating.

Grass Grows by Itself

How Grass Grows

And the green grass grows all aroundarchive.lib.msu.edu/tic/wetrt/page/1974sep11-20.pdf · And the green grass grows all around ... over-all busines senses . You can ... gistic combination

How White Grass Got Its Name

Arthraxon hispidus – Hairy Jointgrass Potentially invasive ... · Arthraxon hispidus – Hairy Jointgrass Potentially invasive grass Low-growing creeping annual grass grows up to

How a Cotton Plant Grows

How does grass prevent soil erosion?

Molasses grass - Department of Agriculture and … from Africa, molasses grass adopts a densely smothering habit. Once established, molasses grass grows thickly from rooted runners

At the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows

How an economy grows - Irwin Schiff

Pampas (Cortaderia selloana) grass - Invasive Species · (Cortaderia selloana) GIANT GRASS: • Fountain-like growth up to 2m high • Grows up to 4m, including flowering stalks Cape

Dr Phil Sterling - NatureScot...Dr Phil Sterling An ecological approach to amenity grass management • If we can control the amount grass grows in the first place, we will have less

How a good brand grows your business

As Long as Grass Grows or Water Runs

Huun-Huur-Tu, “Do You Want Me to Saddle You?,” Where the Young Grass Grows (1999)

How a disciple grows

How an Economy Grows and Why It Doesn't

Cancer & Cancer clips how cancer grows and spreads how cancer grows and spreads.

How my-youtube-channel-grows