How Grass Grows

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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

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Parts of a legume

taproot

leaflet

flower

stem

leaf

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

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Forage Growth and Management

USDA NRCS

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Living Living Living

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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

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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

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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

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Identifying grasses

UNCE, Reno, Nev.


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Identifying grasses

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Perennial ryegrass

www.agry.purdue.edu

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Orchardgrass

www.agry.purdue.edu

www.aginfonet.com

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Switchgrass

www.noble.org

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Sainfoin

clay.agr.okstate.edu

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How much grass do I have?


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How much grass do I have?

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Determine forage yield

Construct a clipping ring

using an eight foot long piece

of cable that has been

bolted together.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

form

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

ACES

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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

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Methods for estimating Methods for estimating carrying capacitycarrying capacity

Pasture sticks & other physical methods

Animal Unit MonthsAnimal Days Per Acre

UCCE

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Estimating carrying capacity in ADA

10 yards10 yards

10 y

ard

s10

yar

ds

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

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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)

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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

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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

yards

25 yards

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Overgrazing occurs two ways:Overgrazing occurs two ways:

Leaving stock in a pasture too long

ORBringing them

back too soonNRCS, Bozeman, MT

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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!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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What to Do About Weeds

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

UNCE, Reno, NV

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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

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What’s a weed?

UNCE, Reno, NV

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Weed impacts

Decreased grazing potential

Economic losses from refusals of hay shipments

Decreased crop yields

Cost of controlUNCE, Reno, NV

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Weed impacts Decreased property

values Loss of wildlife and

fish habitat Impairment of

wetland functions Increased erosion Toxicity

UNCE, Reno, NV

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How are weeds regulated, and what

are your legal responsibilities?

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How weeds grow

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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

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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

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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.

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IPM tools for weed management (IWM)

PreventionEradicationMechanical controlsCultural controlsBiological controlsChemical controls

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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)

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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?

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

Starting Over:Pasture Establishment

and Renovation

USDA

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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

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Does your pasture need help?

FertilizationWeed controlProper

managementRenovation USU, Logan, UT

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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

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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

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Forage establishment

UNCE, Reno, NV

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Factors involved in forage establishment

Seedbed preparationSeeding methodsSeeding guidelinesSeeding ratesCosts

USU, Logan, UT

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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

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Why forage seedings fail

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


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Seeding methodsBroadcast Cultipacker Drilled No-tillFrost seedingCompanion crop

USU

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Seeding rates

Desired standPercent pure live

seedOther factors to

consider www.ca.wvu.edu

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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

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Plant characteristics

USDA NRCS

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Plant characteristics

Grasses LegumesSeasonal growth patternsDisease resistanceForage qualityPure stands or mixtures

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Characteristics of individual grasses & legumes

Cool-season grass cultivars

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

grasses

NRCSNRCS

NRCS

Orchardgrass

Advantages: Good quality Good regrowth Shade-tolerant

Disadvantages: Suffers when grazed

continually

NRCS

USDA NRCS

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


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GOOD LUCK

AND

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR

SUCCESSES

How Grass Grows

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