Bermudagrass management for improved production AND stand maintenance Dr. Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences Dr. Dennis Hancock Extension Forage Specialist UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences

Outline Overview of Bermudagrass Forage Production Variety Selection Establishment and Grow-in Fertilization Needs for production Nitrate (NO 3 ) accumulation in bermudagrass  Use of urea-based fertilizers  Needs for stand maintenance Harvesting methods Effects of Extended Grazing Burning

Another Fertilization Trick Account for N Loss from Urea-based Products

The Effectiveness of Some Alternative N Sources at Low, Medium, and High Fertilization Rates on Hybrid Bermudagrasses (Relative to Ammonium Nitrate). Nitrogen SourceFertilization Rates < 200 lbs* lbs> 400 lbs Ammonium Nitrate 100% Amm. Sulfate 95-97%95-105%60-70% Anhyd. Ammonia 92-94%93-95%94-95% UAN Solution 80-85%85-92%92-95% Urea 79-82%82-92%88-93% * Actual lbs of N per acre per year. Source: Burton and Jackson, 1962; Silveria et al., 2007.

Ammonia Volatilization Trap Data (avg. over two locations)

Avg. net returns from treatments ($/acre/yr) Based on avg. yields ( ) from Carnegie soil Costs: N=$0.52/lb P=$0.85/lb K=$0.27/lb Source: Dr. Bill Anderson, Lime = $32.5/ton Harvest cost=$35/ton Hay value = $100/ton USDA-ARS Tifton

K is for Persistence

Potassium Stress is Expensive Poor Stress Tolerance Leafspot Diseases The Stand is Gone! Not Competitive Grows Very Slow Poor Winterhardiness

K is the Key to a Good Stand

Poultry Litter for Hay Fields An excellent source of fertility, when used wisely. N release is skewed to the summer months. Weed pressure does increase  Not a source of weed seed  Changes the fertility and makes broadleaf weeds more competitive. Potassium fertilization may not be adequate  Poultry Litter:  Ideal bermudagrass fertilizer: 4-1-3

Effect of Harvesting Methods

Hay Equipment

Poor Regrowth Rate Low Quality Forage Stand Thins Increases Weed Pressure Poor Winterhardiness Photo Credit: Dr. Bill Anderson, USDA-ARS Tifton

The Effect of Grazing Frequency on Forage Yield Mislevy et al., Forage & Grazinglands

Effects of Extended Grazing

Even out the humps! Warm-season perennial grasses Warm-season perennial grasses Relative Forage Provided

Thanksgiving Weekend, 2004 Plains, GA

Thanksgiving Weekend, 2004 Plains, GA

Cow performance on stockpiled bermudagrass or hay Animal performance did not differ between hay and stockpiled forage. On average, 1786 lbs of hay fed per cow over the 70 d trial. 2,115 lbs/hd of forage needed for grazing.

Tifton 85: Best, but can fall off quicker Tifton 44 => Coastal > Other Hybrids Seeded Varieties (and Bahiagrass) Lag Behind Substantially Seeded Varieties (and Bahiagrass) Lag Behind Substantially

Even out the humps! Warm-season perennial grasses Warm-season perennial grasses Winter annual (small grain/ annual ryegrass) Winter annual (small grain/ annual ryegrass) Relative Forage Provided

Beef Production on Selected Winter Annual Regimens vs. No Winter Annual TreatmentN Added Added GrazingADG Gain/ acre (lbs/ac per yr)(d/yr)(lbs/hd/d)(lbs) No Annuals Ryegrass Arrowleaf- Crimson Rye-Arrowleaf- Crimson Hoveland et al., Agron. J. 70:

Choice of Species Coastal Bermudagrass + Fall interseeded Rye and Ryegrass 1100 lbs/horse

Effects of Late Winter Burning

Increases Greenup Rate Releases Nutrients Risky Decreases Weeds Reduces Leafspot Disease Pressure Air Quality Limitations Neighboring Properties

Burn Bans and Permitting Online Burning Permit: mits/index.cfm For more information on burn bans and permitting: Visit: orhttp:// Call: OK2-BURN

Outline Overview of Bermudagrass Forage Production Variety Selection Establishment and Grow-in Fertilization Needs for production Nitrate (NO 3 ) accumulation in bermudagrass Use of urea-based fertilizers Needs for stand maintenance Harvesting methods Effects of Extended Grazing Burning

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