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Alternative Forages For The Klamath Basin
Randy Dove1 1
INTRODUCTION
Several new forage species or varieties have recently been introduced to the United
States from New Zealand. Some have shown great promise in other areas but there has
been little testing of this material in the Pacific Northwest and none in the Klamath
Basin. Two New Zealand pasture grass varieties, Kara and Wana orchardgrass, have
done quite well in other areas but have not performed well in local variety trials. Kara
failed to yield as well as currently grown varieties, and Wana did not persist past the
second winter. Testing of other new forage varieties is needed to determine if they are
adapted to the unique environment found in the Klamath Basin.
PROCEDURES
Matua Test Strip
A test strip of Matua prairie grass was planted at KES in August, 1990, adjacent to
a Timothy trial. Land was prepared for planting by rototilling, harrowing, and
compacting with a Brillion cultipacker. Seed was planted 1/4 inch deep at a rate of 35
lb/A using a modified Kincaid grain drill . The area was sprinkler irrigated three times
weekly for the first month after planting and weekly thereafter. Plots were fertilized with
50 lb N/A at planting and after each cutting. After dormancy, excess growth was
removed with a green chopper. The crop was harvested four times in 1991 and three
times in 1992. Four sections, measuring 3 x 15 feet, were harvested to determine dry
matter yield and estimate variability in the test strip. Forage quality, as measured by
CP and ADF, was analyzed for each cutting.
Matua N Fertility Block
A block of Matua was established at KES in August, 1991 to examine N fertilization
management in this species. Planting method, depth, and rate were as described above.
The 70- x 170-foot block was irrigated with solid-set sprinlders. Cutting management in
the establishment year was as described above. At planting, 50 lb N/A was applied, and
the following spring 50 lb N/A was also applied to the entire plot area. The block was
harvested for hay in 1992 and the yields recorded. Nitrogen fertilization treatments were
to be initiated in the spring of 1993.
Chickmy and Sheeps Burnett Trial
A small trial was established in 1991 to examine adaptation and yield of Puna
chickory and sheeps burnett. There were two entries and four replications in a
randomized complete block design. The trial was established next to the Matua N
Fertility trial described above. Similar establishment procedures were employed. Three
cuttings were taken in 1992 and yield and quality data recorded.
1
/ Assistant Professor, Klamath Experiment Station, Klamath Falls, OR.
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RESULTS
Matua
Initial testing of Matua in the strip trial was mainly to evaluate the winter survival
of this new species under the harsh winter conditions common to Klamath County. It
survived the first winter quite well, and was one of the earliest grasses to green up in the
spring of 1991. The winter of 1990-1991 was not as cold as many winters in the Klamath
Basin. Snowfall was a little below normal, but it could be called a typical winter for the
region. Mama grew quite well in 1991, producing 16,530 lb DM/A in the first year
following establishment (Table 1). Forage quality of Matua was also quite good (Table
2). The ADF content of Matua was comparable or superior to that of orchardgrass, tall
fescue, and quackgrass. Protein content of Matua was very high for a grass, far
exceeding levels observed in other cool season grasses at KES. Crop N removal was
about 450 lb N/A, based on DM yield and protein content. Matua continued to yield
exceptionally well in 1992, producing 16,510 lb DM/A. Average yields of tall fescue,
orchardgrass, and timothy were 8,620, 7,920, and 9,770 lb dry matter/A, respectively.
In view of the outstanding yield and forage quality observed in the strip trial,
another larger Mama planting was made in August, 1991, to examine N fertilizer
response. Both the strip trial and the newly seeded block survived the winter of 19911992. However, some winterkill occurred in the new planting. As in the fall of 1990,
excess top growth of newly established plants was removed with a green chopper after
the plants went dormant. Tractor tires compacted the top growth of some plants
immediately prior to harvest. Top growth of these plants was not removed. Plants with
an accumulation of top growth were dead the next spring from what appeared to be
fungal activity.
The mild and very dry winter of 1991-1992 did not provide a good test of winter
hardiness in the Klamath Basin. The winter of 1992-1993 was not colder than usual, but
record levels of snow fell in both December and January. Above normal snowfall
continued through February, resulting in a continual snow cover from early December to
early March. Above normal spring rains and lower than normal spring temperatures
extended the period of soil saturation into April. The strip plot of Matua, which had
survived normal and mild winters, was almost totally killed. Less than 10 percent of the
plants survived. The larger block was planted in better drained soil and had 20-30
percent survival. However, both plots appeared to be depleted beyond commercial use.
The strip trial had been allowed to reach the soft dough stage before harvesting in
1992. Seed production of Matua is prolific and a large amount of viable seed shattered
and fell to the ground. Observations in the spring of 1993 indicate that a large number
of seeds germinated. While there are few surviving perennial plants, there is a very
dense stand of new volunteer seedlings. Plants were not allowed to reach the soft dough
stage in the N fertilization block, and fewer volunteer seedlings occur in that trial.
However, plants that appeared to be dead are beginning to recover. -.Both trials will be
harvested in 1993 to quantify stand recovery.
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Matua appears to have a high yield potential and it produces high quality forage.
However, the ability of this variety to persist in the Klamath Basin is in question. It may
work as a short lived, self reseeding perennial. Further testing is required to clarify the
potential of Mama in the Klamath Basin.
Chickory and Sheeps Burnett
Chickory is used to improve the forage quality of set stocked and intensively grazed
pastures in New Zealand. It is reported to be highly digestible and to have high mineral
and protein content. Chickory produced over 4 tons DM/A in the trial at KES in 1992.
An adjacent alfalfa variety averaged 7.4 tons DM/A. Chickory is not a legume and does
not fix nitrogen, as does alfalfa. It is not adapted to hay production, but it is best
utilized in a pasture situation. This trial does not provide a good estimate of the yield
potential of this species in a pasture, but does show that the species has a moderate yield
potential, and it may be productive in a pasture as well. Chickory has survived two
winters in the Klamath Basin, and it appears to be winter hardy.
Sheeps burnett survived both winters, and it produced 6,770 lb DM/A in 1992. This
species is also recommended for pasture and range situations and may be a candidate for
interseeding. Both species have been seeded in a rangeland seeding trial. Further
testing is needed to identify their potential for the Klamath Basin.
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Table 1. Forage yield (lb DM/A) of three new forage species at the Klamath
Experiment Station, OR.
Variety/
Date
Yield
Cutting
2
3
1
4
Total
lb DM/A
Matua 1991
3410
1310
6260
Matua 1992
Chickory 1992
Sheeps Burnett 1992
7750
4430
4860
7470
1980
1400
1290
1940
5550
16530
16510
8350
6770
510
Table 2. 1991 Forage Quality of Matua prairie grass. Acid detergent fiber (ADF)
and crude protein content (CP) of Matua at the Klamath Experiment
Station, OR.
1
2
Cutting
3
4
Average
%
ADF
40.3
32.5
41.3
35.8
37
CP
15.8
17.5
16.9
18.5
17