Stocker Steve
Well-known member
JRGidaho`":30hxfo1h said:Stocker Steve":30hxfo1h said:I think I get it. So I let the forage get taller, flatten it with mob density, take a shallow 3" deep sample including as much litter as possible, and then brag about my OM. ;-)
On a more serious note, one of the reasons given for the typical forage production decline a couple years after tillage - - is that the OM exposed by mechanical tillage has been consumed.
I think 9 times out of 10 it is simply a matter of grazing management that doesn't allow the newly seeded pasture crop to thrive. i.e. not managing for optimal leaf area for solar energy capture. Almost every pasture I have ever seeded has only gotten better over time.
Depends... I know my alfalfa stands do not improve after the second year, but I think you are right about grass most stands. People take them down too short and that really hurts the regrowth.
Nebraska did a study by grass type and usually the most DM/acre/year was from a 5.75" stubble height. I don't see many folks cutting or clipping that high.