INTERSEEDING FORAGE KOCHIA IN ESTABLISHED RANGELAND GRASS STANDS
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Jeffrey Banks
Agriculture/4-H Youth Agent
Utah State University
Nephi
Abstract
In the Western US, millions of acres of rangeland are utilized by livestock and wildlife for summer or winter grazing. Due to factors including weather conditions and annual precipitation, forage production can be quite limited. In 2006, to offset these grazing limitations, producers in Juab County, Utah received a $7,621 Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant entitled “Interseeding Forage Kochia in Established CRP Land for Enhanced Livestock and Wildlife Utilization”. The objectives of the project funded by the grant were to (1) establish a large scale demonstration plot interseeding forage kochia in existing CRP land, (2) increase production and utilization by livestock and wildlife, and (3) collect data and share results. The 114 acre test plot (part of a 600 acre CRP field), was divided into 20 plots, 47 feet wide by 1 mile long. Ten plots were treated with one pass of a 47 foot-wide chisel plow to thin the existing stand to about 50%. The other 10 plots received two passes with the chisel plow to thin the stand to 25%. The snow covered plots were aerial seeded in January 2007. In the fall of 2010 and 2011, plant population and forage analysis data was collected. Results indicated by interseeding forage kochia that forage protein levels increased by 237% and forage pounds per acre increased by 252%. Interseeding forage kochia shows great potential for improving existing western rangeland.
Authors: Banks, J. E.
-
Banks, J. E. Agriculture/4-HYouth Agent, Utah State University, Utah, 84648