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Summer Annuals Under Irrigation: Grasses and Legumes |
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Annual Grasses: |
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Producing summer annuals under irrigation is expensive but may be economical for high-return enterprises such as dairy or high-fenced wildlife. There is quite a range of both grasses and legumes to choose from.
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Some work has been done on these species and can be viewed below. However, we need to undertake further work to evaluate new varieties coming out with:
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"brown midrib" a characteristic that indicates lower lignin content and therefore greater digestibility to animals.
- "daylight sensitive" plants that do not flower or bolt in our latitude until days become short in the autumn.
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Some of our research results include: |
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Annual Legumes and Other Forbs: |
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Annual legumes and forbs do very well during our Cross Timbers summers if irrigation is provided. They are generally more digestible than grasses and provide more protein to animals despite lower biomass production compared to grasses.
Seed costs are usually low and establishment is fairly easy. Producers should be careful to inoculate the legumes with the appropriate Rhizobia and to ensure that plenty of phosphorus is incorporated (not just surface applied) in the soil. Manure is also a great source of phosphorus. Commonly used summer annual legumes include:
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Some of our research results include: |
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- Muir, J.P., S. Stokes and E. Prostko. 2001. Production, quality and phosphorus uptake of summer annual dicots grown as alternative silages with diary compost. Prof. Animal Scientist 17:95-100.
- Nguluve, D., J.P. Muir, R. Wittie and R. Rossiere. Yield and Quality of Summer Legumes as Influenced by Dairy Manure Compost and Crabgrass. Agron. Not yet published.
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The Texas A&M System · Research & Extension Center - Stephenville, Texas 76401 · 254.968.4144
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Ag Programs » Forages in the Cross Timbers