Fertility Management for Barley Forage. (3999)
Authors:
M.P. Westcott - Montana St. Univ., Corvallis, MT D.L. Johnson - Montana St. Univ., Kalispell, MT L.M. Strang* - Montana St. Univ.-Kalispell, MT K. Neill - Montana St. Univ., Moccasin, MT
Abstract:
Barley (Hordeum vulgare) hay production is an increasingly important component of cattle production systems in Montana. Fertilization for hay production needs to consider quality factors such as protein and nitrate levels that are influenced by nitrogen and sulfur availability to the crop. A nitrate level above 1.2% in plant tissue is toxic to ruminants. Levels of 0.3 to 1.2% require addition of nitrate-free feed to the ration, especially for pregnant animals, as abortion may result. In 2002
‘Haybet’ barley was planted into plots with 3 rates of nitrogen and 2 rates of sulfur fertilizer at 2 locations in western Montana that have shown responses to these elements in the past. The forage was sampled at jointing to determine nitrate levels at this stage. It was harvested at anthesis and assayed for dry matter production, and nitrate, protein, ADF, and NDF content. In 2002, sulfur fertilization reduced
nitrates by 44% across all N fertilizer rates across both sites. In 2003, however, the barley that received 22 kg S/ha showed a significant increase in nitrate levels at both sites. The summer of 2003 was unusually hot and dry, perhaps exacerbating nitrate accumulation. The trial was repeated in 2004. Data from the 3 seasons at the 2 locations will be presented.
Speaker Information: Louise Strang, Montana St. Univ.-Kalispell, MT, NWARC 4570 MT 35, Kalispell, MT 59901; Phone: 406-755-4303; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Wednesday, November 3, 2004, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM Presentation Start: 3:00 PM (Poster Board Number: 1175)
Keywords: forage barley; fertility management; sulfur; nitrates