Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage

• Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist


Jim BaltzInstructional Design Specialist


Learning Objectives• After viewing this module you should be able to:

– Identify the stages of soybean growth– Describe the key factors in harvesting soybeans as a

silage– Evaluate the economics of using soybeans as a

forage


Stages of Soybean Growth• Growth staging: A growth stage for a field

begins when at least 50% of the plants have reached or are beyond a certain stage and stages may overlap.– Vegetative stages– Reproductive stages


Soybean Parts

Unifoliate Leaf

Trifoliate Leaf

Cotyledons

Growing Point


Reproductive Stages (WI and NC)• R1: Beginning bloom• R2: Full bloom• R3: Beginning pod development• R4: Full pod• R5: Beginning seed• R6: Full seed• R7: Beginning maturity• R8: Full Maturity


Stage Abbreviation Stage Title

Average Number of Days

R1-R2 to R3 Begin bloom to begin pod 10R3 to R4 Begin pod to full pod 9R4 to R5 Full pod to begin seed 9R5 to R6 Begin seed to full seed 15R6 to R7 Full seed to begin maturity 18R7 to R8 Begin maturity to full maturity 9

Average number of days for each reproductive stage

adapted from Soybean Loss Instructions , National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) #6302 Soybeans,91


Harvesting Soybean Silage• Harvest soybeans at R3 stage, when one of the four top nodes

with a fully-developed leaf has a 3/16-inch-long pod.

• Wilt forage to 35% to 45% dry matter before ensiling depending on storage unit.

• Chop at 3/8-inch theoretical length of cut (TLC).

• Add an inoculant (similar to an effective alfalfa/legume inoculant)

• Yields in drought year 1 to 2 tons/acre

Soybean Silage by Dan Undersander, Kevin Jarvik, Tom Anderson, Nick Schneider, and Lee Milligan


Yield and quality of soybean forage as affected by harvest maturity

Modified from Soybeans for Hay or Silage by Dr. Dan Undersander


Forage quality of soybean silage not mixed with other crops

Soybean Silage by Dan Undersander, Kevin Jarvik, Tom Anderson, Nick Schneider, and Lee Milligan


Soybean Hay• Harvested at R3 - when one of the top four nodes

with a fully developed leaf has a 3/16-inch long pod.

• Limit leaf loss by limiting number of times it’s mechanically handled

• Dries slow (may require 2 to 3 days)

• Raking can lead to significant leaf loss


Cautions before using soybeans as a forage• Check what herbicides and insecticides were

used to ensure no restrictions

• Contact a crop insurance agent before harvesting for forage


Economics of harvesting soybeans• As forage, assume 1 ½ tons of dry matter

per acre valued at $200 a ton or $300 per acre.

• As seed, $300 per acre / $15 per bushel, less than 20 bushels may be the break point

• No harvesting charges were included with the soybean seed


In Summary• Soybean forage may an alternative forage for

dairy and beef cattle

• Consider economics of each alternative

• Be aware of residue risks and treatments

• Soybean forage will be similar to other legume forages, but not as palatable


Check out our online dairy courses at http://online.ansci.illinois.edu/and Illini DairyNET at http://www.livestocktrail.illinois.edu/dairynet/


Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist Jim Baltz

Instructional Design Specialist

Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage

Documents

Transcript of Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage