August 12, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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Ag ricu Wednes: ltur e , August 12, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 How to conduct forage management during dry times From the Beckham customed to a drier climate. During a moisture short- plant food may not be pro- grazing must be managed to manage this risk with a few County Extension Office age, some plant processes But drought can shed light duced to grow roots which allow for increased forage simple strategies: 1.) never Here we are again in hot, on forage mismanagement shut down to preserve the ba- leads to decreased forage growth. Remember, pasture turn hungry cattle out onto dry Oklahoma July. Thank- that might not otherwise be sic health of the plant. This growth. It’s a vicious cycle rest needs to occur during fully, recent rains have less- noticeable during periods may include root growth that can take many years to the growing season when a a new pasture. 2.) all plants ened the drought in some of adequate rainfall. To un- which is necessary for mois- recover. plant can recover with mois- are a risk in drought condi- areas but forecasted tem- derstand the importance of ture extraction from the soil. Multiple years of drought ture and warm temperatures. tions but those more likely peratures may challenge drought management, it’s Shoots and leaves of grasses stress can lead to a weakened Wintertime rest does not ac- to accumulate nitrates and that relief. Reports of forage crucial to comprehend the are the forage utilized for plant system that is very complish the same recovery shortages have been coming long-term effects of less grazing, but they are also susceptible to damage from as a grazing break during the prussic acid are hay grazer, in this past month and so a than average rainfall paired the energy collectors of the overgrazing. The intensity growing season. milo, johnsongrass, and discussion of forage man- with overgrazing. Drought plant. The lack of water can of grazing or stocking rate While recent rains are an most broadleaf weeds. 3.) agement through dry times on its own does a great deal cause a plant to refrain from refers to the number of ani- enormous blessing for pas- test all forages prior to feed- seems fitting. of damage to grass stands producing shoots or leaves mals and duration of grazing tures, weeds and johnson- In general, forage systems but overgrazing exacerbates at all. When shoot and leaf ing, and 4.) understand the a pasture. Forage production grass may sprout that can of Western Oklahoma are ac- the issue. growth are limited, adequate can be extensively hindered be high in nitrates or prussic risks of toxicities in plants by heavy grazing due to the acid. Areas of West Central after a drought ending rain. Lucas praises excessive removal of leaves and shoots. Oklahoma have experienced this very thing in the past Drought should never be too far from producers’ For example, when cattle month. Small new shoots streamline emergency graze 90% of a plant, stress of johnsongrass tested ex- minds. Grazing with proper stops root growth in that tremely high in prussic acid stocking rates and being plant for approximately 2 which killed several cattle. aware of toxicities in sum- haying, grazing process % weeks. When rain does There have also been a few come and pastures attempt samples of young hay grazer mer plants are two ways to manage risk in forage sys- to recover, it is crucial to that didn’t appear stressed limit the intensity of graz- but came back from the lab tems this summer. US. Rep. Frank Lucas on drought severity as deter- from the Natural Resourc- {Oklahoma-District 03] re- mined by the U.S. Drought es Conservation Service ing. By maintaining a light with 10,000+ppm nitrate For more information, leased the following state- Monitor. (NRCS). to moderate stocking rate, which is well above the safe contact Greg Hartman ment after the U.S. De- “Producers located in a adequate leaf and shoot ma- level of 3000ppm. Nitrates and prussic acid are a real- Beckham/Washita County Emergency grazing is au- partment of Agriculture county that is designated as thorized for up to 90 days terial will be retained to al- announced changes for severe drought (D2) or great- and emergency haying is low the plant to grow. The ity of grazing in Oklahoma Extension at 580-928-2139 emergency haying and graz- er on or after the last day of timing and frequency of summers, but producers can or 580-832-3356. authorized for up to 60 days. ing use of acres enrolled in the primary nesting season Program participants must The ins and outs the Conservation Reserve are eligible for emergency stop haying and grazing 30 Program. These changes, ad- haying and grazing on all vocated for by Lucas in the eligible acres,” the release days before the first freeze date in the fall based on the 2018 Farm Bill, streamline stated. “Additionally, pro- of soil testing the authorization process ducers located in counties dates established for LFP. for Oklahoma’s farmers and that were in a severe drought Under the emergency ranchers, his office stated in (D2) status any single week grazing provisions, the re- a news release. during the last eight weeks lease stated, producers can “T’m happy to see USDA of the primary nesting sea- use the CRP acreage for their By David Hillock, Beck- growth, addition of nitrogen differently. Avoid sampling streamline the emergency son may also be eligible for own livestock or may grant ham County Extension Of- fertilizer and decay of or- “odd-ball” areas. A core or haying and grazing authori- emergency haying and graz- another livestock producer fice ganic matter will all cause slice from the surface to a zation process ,” Lucas saiding unless the FSA County use of the CRP acreage. The Healthy plants require a significant changes in avail- depth of 6 inches should be in a news release. “Today’s Committee determines that eligible CRP acreage is lim- healthy soil. One way to de- able nitrogen in just a few taken from 15 to 20 loca- changes allow Oklahoma’s forage conditions no longer ited to acres located within termine the ability of your days. It is not necessary to farmers and livestock pro- warrant emergency haying the approved county. soil to sustain plants is to soil test each year or within tions in each area and com- ducers to better manage and grazing.” take a soil test. the season to closely moni- posited into one representa- For emergency haying, their land and livestock dur- Counties that trigger for producers are limited to one When and How Often tor nitrogen needs. Instead, tive sample for testing. ing times of severe drought- Livestock Forage Disaster to Soil Test — Soil testing add small amounts of fertil- Soil samples may be sub- cutting and are permitted something that Oklahoma’s Program (LFP) payments should be viewed with the izer nitrogen throughout the mitted to the County Exten- to sell the hay. Participants producers have experienced based on the U.S. Drought same approach as one would growing season, or aerate sion office. They will send a great deal of throughout Monitor may hay only cer- must remove all hay from take toward servicing the the soil by shallow cultiva- the samples to the Soil, Wa- the years. Expediting this tain practices on less than CRP acreage within 15 days lawn mower or car engine. If tion to promote the release process allows for produc- 50% of eligible contract after baling and remove all we do not know how much of organic nitrogen to im- ter and Forage Analytical ers to lessen the potential acres, the release stated. Pro- livestock from CRP acreage gas and oil are present, we prove plant growth or green Laboratory for testing, and fire load that can be an in- ducers should contact their no later than 1 day after the check the fuel gauge and dip color. then send the results back credible hazard during times end of the emergency graz- local FSA county office for stick. If we want to know Collecting a Representa- to you with fertilizer recom- of prolonged drought. As eligible CRP practices. ing period. There will be no whether or not soil pH, tive Soil Sample —- Home- mendations. Soil samples USDA implements more Producers who don’t meet CRP annual rental payment available phosphorus and owners and lawn care pro- are analyzed routinely for proposals of the 2018 Farm the drought monitor qualifi- reduction for emergency available potassium exist fessionals must realize the pH, nitrate nitrogen, plant Bill,I look forward to work- cations but have a 40% loss haying and grazing authori- at desirable levels we need spatial variability existing of forage production may available phosphorus and ing with Oklahoma’s farm- zations. to test the soil. Since these around the yard when col- ers and ranchers to ensure also be eligible for emergen- More Information soil properties do not change lecting a soil sample. Each potassium, while secondary USDA continues to look out cy haying and grazing out- For more information much from one year to the sample collected should rep- and micronutrients are tested for the best interest of the side of the primary nesting on CRP emergency haying next, it is not necessary to resent the area to be fertil- on request. A number of oth- American farmer.” season, Lucas’ office stated. and grazing visit fsa.usda. soil test the same area each ized. The fertility level in the er tests such as soil organic Program Changes CRP Emergency Haying year. However, a soil test vegetable garden may be dif- Matter content and texture Previously emergency and Grazing Provisions gov/crp or contact your FSA county office. To lo- once every three years will ferent from that of a flower are also available through haying and grazing requests Before haying or grazing provide information needed bed. Soil test parameters in the lab. originated with Farm Ser- eligible acres, producers cate your FSA office, visit to manage a lawn and gar- the front yard may be dras- vice Agency at the county must submit a request for farmers.gov/service-locator. den properly. tically different from those For more information level and required state and CRP emergency haying or For more disaster recovery Plant-available nitrogen in the backyard. Therefore, contact Greg Hartman national level approval. grazing to FSA and obtain a assistance programs, visit in the soil changes consider- separated samples may need Beckham/Washita County Now approval will be based modified conservation plan farmers .gov/recover. ably from year to year and to be collected from those Extension at 580-928-2139 even within a season. Plant areas so they can be treated or 580-832-3356. Shelter S n0tlight EIkCity Animal Shelter 1022S. 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