CEREALS FOR GREENFEED

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 81, Issue 1, 15 July 1950, Page 33

CEREALS FOR GREENFEED

By

C. P. WHATMAN,

Instructor in Agriculture, Department of Agriculture,

Timaru.

THE growing of special crops for greenfeed is an important part of the management of many farms in New Zealand. Italian ryegrass is probably the most valuable plant for the purpose, but it suffers from the disadvantage that to be at its best it must be sown on a fallow when the nitrogen status of the soil is good. Cereals are less particular as to the conditions under which they are grownfor instance, they will produce a useful bulk of greenfeed when following a white cropand they may be produced expressly for greenfeed or grazed before being shut up for seed.

THE area of cereals used for greenfeed in the years 1942-43 to 1946-47 s and the acreages of the crops grown t in each of the land districts during 1 1946-47 are shown in the tables below, r

The ratio of the different crop acreages varies tremendously from district to district. Auckland and North Auckland areas grow a large proportion of maize and millet, most of the oats are

grown in Canterbury, and nearly all the ryecorn in Otago and Southland. Though barley is fairly evenly distributed throughout the land districts, wheat is confined mainly to Canterbury and Otago. In addition to the areas shown in Table I a large area of the oats and wheat harvested for grain or chaff has provided a certain amount of grazing. The areas used for greenfeed show a considerable decrease on corresponding figures for some years ago, a decrease which can probably be explained by the improved pasture position brought about by the use of better strains of grasses and clovers, which are productive over a greater part of the year. However, very considerable seasonal variations in pasture production still occur and the growing of supplementary greenfeed crops will, by assisting in the feeding of stock in the periods of growth shortages and making possible the carrying of more stock, contribute to the complete utilisation of the pasture growth in flush periods. Besides the general purpose of assisting in balancing the amount of feed available in different seasons of the year greenfeed has certain special purposes in animal husbandry. It is ideal for flushing ewes before rams are put out and it provides a valuable addition to the winter ration for the ewes. Some green, succulent feed just before and at lambing assists in the prevention of diseases associated with lambing—dopiness (twin lamb disease or antepartum paralysis) and milk fever. It also stimulates the milk flow of both ewes and cows at the start of their lactation periods. It is desirable at the beginning of the growing period to keep stock off permanent pasture as far as possible, and if it is necessary to graze the first growth heavily, the flush of feed will '

be delayed for some weeks, because “leaf makes leaf” and the only way in which pasture plants can grow strongly is by carrying some leaf. Where greenfeed is available in the spring it is possible to carry stock without making heavy inroads into the first of the spring grass . growth. Another advantage of the greenfeed paddock is that it can be used in wet periods when the permanent pasture would be damaged by poaching of the paddocks. The main periods during which cereal greenfeeds are required are in summer, as a supplement to grass growth in dry periods; in autumn, for fattening lambs where rape has failed or where there is insufficient of it, and for flushing ewes; in winter,' as a supplement to turnips or when the root crop is unsatisfactory; and in spring, for lambing feed. The types of cereals which can be used cover a fairly wide range, each type having its particular value under certain conditions. Oats The figures for 1946-47 show that of the 175,939 acres of oats sown in New Zealand 49,786 acres were used for greenfeed only. Much of the balance would be shut up for a crop only after a certain amount of grazing had been obtained. Of the 49,786 acres grown for greenfeed about. 8000 acres were grown in the North Island and about 40,000 acres in the South Island (28,336 acres in Canterbury). In the South Island the growing of oats for greenfeed is confined mainly to sheep farming areas which have severe winters and dry summers. The time of feeding off and the purpose for which feed is required are the factors which influence time of sowing, cultivation, and the place of greenfeed oats in the crop rotation. Oats for greenfeed are usually sown after grain crops of wheat or oats, though they are sometimes sown on ground out of lea in an endeavour to eradicate twitch or browntop, when they are regarded mainly as catch crops. Cultivation Cultivation is not usually extensive when oats are sown after stubble, though it is certain that considerable benefit would result from a short fallow between deep ploughing and subsequent surface cultivation. Cultivation must, of necessity, be more thorough when oats are sown on ground ploughed out of lea. In deciding what cultivation should be carried out it should be remembered that the main objective is the provision of a firm seed-bed with a fine and moist tilth underneath but having some rough material on the surface. It is usually best to drill the seed, and broadcasting should be done only on occasions of urgency or where drills are not available. Varieties The varieties of oats commonly used are Algerian, Duns, and varieties of the Gartons type. Algerian is the most useful for greenfeed, as it is fairly frost, resistant, tillers well, stands close and continuous grazing up to the beginning

of September, recovers well after grazing, and. is the most drought resistant. Algerian is also rust resistant. As germination in the field is likely to be poor if immature seed is sown, it is advisable to use 1-year-old seed. Duns possesses characteristics similar to Algerian, is more palatable, but is slower growing and does not produce the same bulk of feed. It is popular in districts where the climate is fairly severe, as it is extremely frost resistant. However, because of its very prostrate habit, it suffers from the disadvantage that it becomes very dirty if grazed when the ground is at all wet. Gartons Abundance and Gartons Onward are more upright growers, with broad, coarse leaves, producing a good bulk of feed, but they will not stand close and continuous grazing and are susceptible to rust. A frostresistant variety, Black Scotch is often used for high-country sowing. There are some new oats which have been introduced recently or which are in the process of being tested against established varieties. Among them is Winter Grey, which has rapidly become popular in some districts. It is a semi-erect —more so than Algerian —with fine leaves. Sowing Oats are sown at the rate of 2 to 2| bushels per acre in autumn or 3 bushels per acre in winter and spring, the seed being either drilled in 7in. rows or broadcast and lightly harrowed in. Broadcasting is common in the North Island. When oats and grass are sown together the seeding rate of oats is reduced by 4 to 1 bushel per acre. Seeding is increased on heavier types of soil. Algerian and Duns when sown in February-April are ready for grazing 2 to 3 months after sowing and may be grazed up to September, when growth tends to become woody and of low feeding value. In parts of Otago and Southland oats are mainly spring sown and so provide very little grazing. It is a sound practice to apply Ijcwt. of superphosphate per acre and in many parts of the North Island 2 to 3cwt. per acre is often used. Oats are not likely to benefit from applications of special potash or nitrogenous fertilisers except under special circumstances. Utilisation Greenfeed oats are utilised mainly as sheep feed in late autumn, winter, and spring, though cows are also grazed on oats in some of the dairying districts; on the average the carrying capacity from May to September is in the vicinity of 7 sheep per acre. Though frequent attempts are made to milk cows and fatten sheep on greenfeed oats alone, the practice is not recommended nor is it profitable, as the feed is deficient in certain essential minerals necessary for milk and fatlamb production. When used as a change, or supplemented by a good run-off on grass with roots and good clover hay, greenfeed oats are a valuable feed. It is advisable to feed the crop off in breaks, and it should be noted that once ewes have a run-off on greenfeed they are loath to return to . turnips.

Where oats or any similar cereal follows grass, attack by grass-grub may occur and it can prove serious. Barley Of the total area of 62,845 acres sown in barley 9071 acres were sown for greenfeed only in 1946-47. It is possible that a small portion of the remaining area was lightly grazed before it was closed up for grain, but the practice is not common, as barley for malting purposes is usually spring sown. Almost 50 per cent, of the barley specifically sown for greenfeed is grown in the sheep farming districts of Hawkes Bay and Wellington, the remaining 50 per cent, being grown principally in Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Barley is useful for two main purposes: First, for the provision of winter and early-spring feed similar to that supplied by oats; secondly, for the rapid production in dry areas during summer and early autumn of a greenfeed catch crop. Compared with oats barley has the advantage of rapid initial growth and good recovery after grazing, but is a lower yielder, is less frost resistant, and goes off more quickly. Barley can be used as a catch crop to fill the gap between the harvesting of a cereal crop in the autumn and the preparation of a field for roots or rape, and it is sometimes sown after the failure of rape and grass, or roots, to provide a quick bite of feed. When barley is sown in March-April for winter and spring feed cultivation is similar to that required for oats which follow stubble or a catch crop of oats used to eradicate twitch. Where barley is required for early-autumn greenfeed, where it is sown after failure of rape or roots, or where it is sown on stubble ground immediately after clearing has been done fields are

skim ploughed or disced, cultivated, harrowed, and the seed drilled (or occasionally broadcast). Varieties In contrast to the malting barleys, which have only two rows of grain along the head, feed barleys are all 6-rowed. Generally feed barleys are larger, faster-growing, more bulky plants than the malting varieties and have broader leaves. The two common varieties are Black Skinless and Cape, the latter being more popular. It overwinters successfully in most seasons and is therefore suitable for autumn sowing and periodic ' grazing until spring. In the young leafy stage plants are semi-erect, with a moderate number of tillers and floppy, broad, comparatively short leaves. In the early stages of growth Black Skinless is similar to Cape except that it is recognised as being somewhat faster growing. In seasonal production and behaviour under grazing Black Skinless is similar to Cape. , A number of overseas varieties has been introduced to try to discover a variety that will recover better after grazing than the present varieties, or one which can be grazed later into the spring. The best of the introductions appears to be Wong, a hybrid barley produced in China and now being grown as a winter barley in the northeast states of the U.S.A. Its early growth is dense and prostrate, with many tillers. The leaves are long, but narrower and lighter in colour than Cape. Wong maintains this dense leafy form throughout the winter and early spring and recovers well after repeated grazing. Yield and recovery trials are still being carried out with it, but present indications are that it will have a place as a supplement to the existing varieties. Wheat Of the total of 144,000 acres of wheat grown in 1946-47, 90 per cent, was in the South Island7o per cent, in the Canterbury district. Of the Dominion acreage 1771 acres or 1.2 per cent, was grown for greenfeed only. Some of the latter acreage may have been sown for a grain crop in the autumn, but because of feed shortage, was grazed to such an extent in winter and early

spring that the chances of obtaining a satisfactory grain crop became remote and the crop continued to be treated as greenfeed. Since the introduction of heading varieties of wheat, which are less liable to lodge, the feeding off of wheat grown for a grain crop has ceased to be standard practice and the procedure is now confined mainly to very heavy landsuch as that of the Willowbridge and Coldstream districts, where varieties such as Dreadnought and Hunters are grownor to occasions when seasonal feed shortages make it necessary to graze the wheat. It is probable that 10 per cent, or less of the wheat crops are intended to supply grazing, but the proportion eventually grazed, because feed is required or exceptionally heavy growth has been made, may be as high as 20 per cent. Hunters is perhaps the best wheat for feeding off, as it is usually autumn sown and is a strongly rooted, robust plant. Tuscan and Cross 7 are also suitable, but do not appear to stand

such heavy grazing as Hunters. No attempt should be made to utilise spring-sown varieties for greenfeed. The feeding off of wheat is quite a sound practice provided it is done by large mobs of sheep as quickly and as evenly as possible when the soil is in good, dry condition, and provided that grazing is not too severe or continued too late in the spring. Ryecorn The use of ryecorn appears to be increasing throughout the areas in which cereals are grown for greenfeed, more especially in the Southland area where, though the latest available figures do not confirm the statement, ryecorn is said to be the most important cereal grown for greenfeed. It is particularly valuable on medium soils of low organic content, where its growth is better than on the richer soils. The reasons for the increasing popularity of this crop are its quick growth, rapid recovery after grazing, ability to give winter grazing if necessary, early-spring growth, and. under Southland conditions, its tremendous spring growth. The early-spring growth is particularly important because where pasture comes away late in spring, ryecorn provides that early green bite necessary for stock and at the same time makes it possible to spell pastures. Until recently Emerald was the only variety available, but there are now new winter varieties which are vastly superior; they are broader in the leaf, stool out better, stand frost better, give a very much greater bulk of feed, and recover from grazing much more rapidly than Emerald.. The time for sowing ryecorn varies according to the period at which the feed is required, and any period other than late autumn and winter appears to be satisfactory. The crop may be sown at the rate of 2| to 3 bushels per acre for greenfeed and grain crop on a fallow, usually after turnips, tor use as a cleaning crop; annual weeds are eaten out

during the autumn and spring grazing. When a seed crop is to be taken the paddock is shut up at the beginning to the middle of October. As the crop does not shake, direct heading is the usual method of harvesting. The paddock is usually sown to grass immediately after harvest. Ryecorn may also be sown after a grain crop in March, the seeding rate being the same as that mentioned in the preceding paragraph. A crop sown in March will give less autumn feed, but spring growth is good. Another practice is to sow ryecorn (at the rate of 1 to 2 bushels per acre) with grass and clover in DecemberJanuary. A seed crop may be taken after the paddock has been grazed, but it is more frequently grazed right on. Pasture establishment under ryecorn is only successful if the seeding of the ryecorn is reduced to 1 to 2 bushels per acre. In some districts ryecorn is used as a lamb-fattening feed (one' of its attributes is that lambs feeding on it do not scour) when it is sown early in January. After lambs have been fattened the paddock is used for winter and spring grazing. Grazing Procedure Ryecorn should be grazed in breaks, because grazing can then be controlled much better. Though growth rate will vary in different districts and from season to season, ryecorn is usually ready for grazing from 4 to 6 weeks after sowing. Grazing must begin early —as soon as the crop has obtained sufficient lengthand must be fairly hard.

Maize Unlike other cereals, maize is grown very little in the South Island, and the most extensive areas are in the warm, frost-free parts of the Auckland and North Auckland Land Districts. Because greenfeed maize does not require as long a growing season free from frosts as maize harvested for grain, maize may be sown for greenfeed in some districts where it would not be possible to harvest a grain crop from it. It is infinitely better to grow maize specially for greenfeed than, as is not infrequently the case when feed becomes short, to make inroads into a maize crop planted for seed. Cultivation The ground for a greenfeed maize crop should receive a thorough preparation, beginning early so that the soil can be worked down and mellowed to a fine, firm seed-bed. Except on the lightest soils (the pumiceous soils, for example), where too early cultivation before sowing has been shown to be detrimental to the subsequent crop, cultivation should be started several months before time of sowing. Early ploughing allows winter rains and frost to assist in breaking down the turf and large soil particles. Sowing Maize for greenfeed is sown at the rate of 2 bushels per acre and is either drilled in 7in. rows or broadcast and disced in. Best results have been obtained by using a mixture of equal parts by. weight of blood and bone and superphosphate or serpentine superphosphate at the rate of 3 to 4cwt.

per acre, the heavier application being used on the lighter land and for all second and third crops. Seed can be sown at any time from mid-October to mid-November. Varieties All varieties of maize may be sown for greenfeed, but Hickory King has a good reputation and Marigold is also widely used because of its leafiness. Early Butler, a quick-maturing, sturdy plant, should be used where sowing has had to be done later than is desirable. Pfister hybrid No. 360 is not recommended for use as greenfeed, but it can be sown if other varieties are unobtainable. Utilisation Greenfeed maize can be carted out or fed off in breaks. It is used irrespective of the stage of growth, though the “glazed-grain stage” is the most economical time to feed it. Maize is not a good fodder for milk production, but it will keep stock in excellent condition so that milk production can be held. Millet Broom corn millet (commonly sold for bird seed) is toxic to stock and must not be used for greenfeed. Japanese millet can be used for grazing in summer and autumn in the same way as greenfeed maize. It may be broadcast or drilled in 7in. rows at the

rate of 151 b. of seed to the acre in November-December when the soil has become really warm. Land for millet should receive a dressing of from 2 to 4cwt. of superphosphate or serpentine superphosphate per acre. Preparatory cultivation for millet should be the same as for maize unless the millet is to be a catch crop between seasons. In the latter circumstances cultivation should be as thorough as is possible in the limited time available. Utilisation The feeding value of millet is highest when the crop is from 6in. to 9in. high and it falls rapidly later. After the first feeding off the field can be shut up for a second grazing, but this is usually light because the plant is running to seed. Millet is not a high-yielding crop and though it is useful as a catch crop, usually it should not be sown on light land unless this has been well manured, because it demands fairly high fertility and may be inclined to impoverish light soils, making regrassing difficult. Sorghum Because of its low production compared with that of greenfeed maize in New Zealand, sorghum is seldom grown. In a hot, arid climate sorghum will outyield maize, but except, perhaps. on some of the sandy coastal country in the Bay of Plenty and North Auckland. New Zealand conditions favour maize greatly. When sown for greenfeed sorghum should be drilled in 7in. rows or broad-

cast at the rate of 1 to 2 bushels per acre. Cultivation and manuring should be the same as for greenfeed maize. Sorghum should be fed off only when it is in full flower. It should not be fed off after it has been frosted, nor should stock be permitted to graze the young second growth from the stubble. This warning is given because there is a danger of poisoning from prussic acid, which develops at certain illdefined stages of growth. Different writers have stated that the two periods which it is recommended should be avoided are dangerous. It is safer to cut sorghum and cart it out. If the first cut is made when the crop is 2 to 3ft. high, several cuts may be obtained, but yield and quality will be better where the initial cutting is delayed until the crop has come into head. Short Fallow One aspect of greenfeed production which applies to all the crops discussed and which is fundamental to their successful growth is the necessity of providing a short fallow. Where practicable a bare fallow of 6 weeks or so between the initial ploughing and final surface cultivation before sowing is sound practice; seed may strike well where no fallow is allowed, but subsequently crops may turn yellow and growth become unsatisfactory. Correct Utilisation Incorrect utilisation of even the highest-yielding greenfeed crop will reduce considerably the value of yield.

All that animals require for healthy maintenance or growth is the. presence of a certain amount of. various substances in the daily ration. Cows or sheep that are in calf or lamb or are milking require an adequate supply of minerals for bone formation in the growing foetus or for the , production of milk. Cereal greenfeeds are low in calcium and phosphate and do not supply the full requirements of the essential minerals. The result is that animals either draw on the mineral supply of their own bodies or the minerals must be supplied by other means. Where animals are being grazed on greenfeed it must not be thought that supplements such as chaff, roots, grass, roughage, grass hay, and cereal straws are supplying all the essentials, as these supplements, too, are mineral deficient. Supplements such as good clover hay, lucerne, hay, or good mixed pasture, however, will help to provide the constituents, not present in greenfeed and will enhance greatly the value of greenfeed. Many nutritionists consider that a large number of troubles in pregnant ewes and cows are caused by indiscriminate use of greenfeed or other bulky, mineral-deficient feeds during the pregnancy'period, and farming experience bears out this contention. Where ewes or cows are not confined to greenfeed, but are given suitable supplements and adequate spells on a good mixed sward, the carrying capacity of the farm as a whole is increased and stock losses and lambing troubles are reduced. Notes on maize, sorghum, and millet by E. R. Marryatt, Fields Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Whakatane, have been incorporated in this article. ‘

BARLEY, WHEAT, RYECORN

HEADING PHOTOGRAPH: Sheep on qreenfeed nots.

1942-43 (acres) 1943-44 (acres) (944-45 (acres) 1945-46 (acres) 1946-47 (acres) Wheat 1,995 3,932 3,710 2,417 1,771 Oats .. 64,639 71,025 51,587 38,660 49,767 Barley .. 6,008 7,566 5,161 5,458 9,071 Maize .. 5,153 5,677 6,108 8,087 6,300 Millet 728 873 1,059 762 1,06! Ryecorn . 1,864 1,666 1,381 2,179 2,496 Totals . . 80,387 90,739 69,006 57,563 70,466

TABLE I—AREA OF CEREALS USED FOR GREENFEED

Wheat (acres) Oats (acres) Barley (acres) Maize (acres) Millet. (acres) . Ryecorn (acres) Total Percentage of New Zealand acreage N. Auckland 9 1,252 318 1,539 150 WWW 3,268 4.5 Auckland 10 2,135 816 3,034 450 4 6,449 9.0 Gisborne 12 189 223 376 16 — 816 1.0 Hawkes Bay 35 2,237 1,659 251 130 —- 4,312 6.5 Taranaki 5 621 65 - 239 II 941 1.5 Wellington 58 2,776 1,151 713 225 3 4,926 7.5 Marlborough 161 2,744 455 ' 25 2 16 3,403 5.0 Nelson 3 1,759 72 64 30 2 1,930 3.0 Westland ——- 146 146 10 10 — WWW WMMi ww 156 156 0.2 0.2 Canterbury 983 28,336 1,841 40 --r 96 96 31,296 31,296 43.0 . 43.0 Otago 472 4,406 1,232 19 «— 1,562 7,691 11.0 Southland 23 3.185 1.229 — 813 — 5.250 813 8.0 5.250 8.0

TABLE II—AREA OF CEREALS GROWN FOR GREENFEED IN EACH LAND DISTRICT. 1946-47