Annual forage crops are those that are grown for a single year and can provide flexibility and high yields on dairy farms. Unlike perennials, which last for multiple years, annuals must be replanted each season, allowing farmers to change crops as needed. Examples of annual forages include corn, sorghum, and small grains like rye, triticale, and barley.

Annual forages have several advantages:

1. Flexibility: Allows changing crops each year.
2. High Yields: Often produces large amounts of forage.
3. Mechanization: Some crops, like corn and sorghum, can be harvested using highly mechanized operations.

Successful annual forage production involves three key components:

1. Species and Variety Selection: Choosing the best-adapted species and varieties for the specific land and intended use.
2. Careful Crop Management: Includes proper planting techniques and appropriate fertilization.
3. Harvesting and Storage: Managing the harvest timing and storage methods for optimum quality and yield.

Let’s explore some of the most common annual forage crops in dairy farming:

Corn

Corn is the most important annual forage on many dairy farms in the U.S. It is commonly grown for silage and can yield between 5 to 10 tons per acre of high-energy forage. Corn is beneficial because it can recycle nitrogen and potassium from manure, provide consistent feed year-round, and have a moderate cost per ton compared to other feeds.

Key management considerations for corn include:

• Hybrid Selection: Choose a hybrid that will mature under the typical weather conditions at the farm to avoid frost damage and reduce yield losses.
• Yield and Quality: Select hybrids that produce high yields and quality forage. For example, brown mid-rib (BMR) hybrids are bred for silage production and have enhanced fiber digestibility.
• Planting and Fertilization: Corn should be planted in a timely manner to utilize the full growing season. It is usually planted in rows 30 inches apart, although narrower rows can increase yields. Fertilizer recommendations depend on the yield potential of the crop and nutrients supplied by manure or previous crops like alfalfa.

Sorghums

Sorghums are another important annual forage for dairy farms. They are diverse and vary from tall forage sorghum varieties used for single-cut systems to shorter sorghum sudans used in multiple-cut systems.

• Forage Sorghums: These are typically single-cut crops planted in early summer and harvested in the fall. While traditional forage sorghums are tall and high-yielding, they can fall over late in the season. Breeders have developed shorter and earlier-maturing types to reduce this risk.
• Sorghum-Sudans: These are used in shorter growing seasons and can be cut about 60 days after planting, with subsequent cuts possible in 30-45 days, depending on the growing season.

Sorghums are a good option in regions where water is limited, as they produce more dry matter per unit of water than corn. They also require less nitrogen fertilizer and generally have lower seed costs.

Small Grains

Small grains such as rye, triticale, wheat, oats, and barley are also important annual forages. These crops can be planted as winter crops following a full-season crop like corn or sorghum. In the spring, they can be harvested and replaced with another crop, maximizing forage production on the same land.

• Winter Cereals: Rye is very winter-hardy and early-maturing, triticale produces high yields and high quality, while barley offers high quality at later maturity stages, such as the soft dough stage.
• Spring Grains: Spring versions of oats and barley can be used in regions with shorter growing seasons.

To optimize yields for small grains:

• Planting Timing: Plant winter grains early in the fall and spring grains early in the spring.
• Fertilization: Some nitrogen fertilizer may be needed to optimize yields and protein levels, which can be provided through manure or N fertilizers.

Small grains can also play a role in soil conservation by preventing erosion and reducing nutrient leaching and runoff, which is crucial for nutrient management on dairy farms.

Conclusion

Annual forages, whether used alone or in combination, can play a large role on modern dairy farms. When managed well and harvested at the right time, they can provide high-quality feed to support dairy production throughout the year.