A small grains field day scheduled for July 22 at Stephenville, TX, will include something new this year: test results for overseeding clovers and cool-season forages in improved grasses under local conditions.
The field day, set for 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, will be free and open to the public, and a catered lunch will be provided.
“We get a lot of calls about overseeding clovers and legumes in Coastal and Tifton 85 bermudagrasses,” says Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent for Somervell County. “Producers are looking for a way to offset the cost of nitrogen fertilizer. We also get several calls on overseeding winter small grains for winter grazing. However, with an annual rainfall of 32” a year and with the cost of seed and the competition during spring green-up, the question is if overseeding is economical.”
In response, Blanek and Texas AgriLife agents in Hood, Comanche, Erath and Hamilton counties tested 26 varieties of clovers, oats, wheat, triticale, barley and ryegrass for their forage performance. Standard forage analysis was done on all entries, and information on crude protein, total digestible nutrients, acid detergent fiber and net lactation energy will be given at the field day.
In addition to the forage-test summary, there will be presentations on the effects on bermudagrass yield when overseeding with legumes, insect management, legislative updates, triticale vs. wheat for grazing, and weed and disease control in small grains.
Pesticide applicators licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture will be eligible to earn three continuing education units, two in the general category and one in integrated pest management, toward the renewal of their licenses.
Those who plan to attend should RSVP to their AgriLife Extension office in their county.
The contact information for Comanche County is 325-356-2539; Erath County, 254-965-1460; Hamilton County, 254-386-3919; Hood County, 817-579-3280; and Somervell County, 254-897-2809.