Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage - PowerPoint Presentation

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Slide1

Using Soybeans as an Alternate Forage

Dr. Mike Hutjens

Dairy Extension Specialist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jim Baltz

Instructional Design SpecialistSlide2

Learning ObjectivesAfter viewing this module you should be able to:Identify the stages of soybean growthDescribe the key factors in harvesting soybeans as a silageEvaluate the economics of using soybeans as a forageSlide3

Stages of Soybean GrowthGrowth staging: A growth stage for a field begins when at least 50% of the plants have reached or are beyond a certain stage and stages may overlap.Vegetative

stagesReproductive stagesSlide4

Soybean Parts

Unifoliate

LeafTrifoliate LeafCotyledonsGrowing PointSlide5

Reproductive Stages (WI and NC)R1: Beginning bloomR2: Full bloom

R3: Beginning pod developmentR4: Full pod

R5: Beginning seedR6: Full seedR7: Beginning maturityR8: Full MaturitySlide6

Stage Abbreviation

Stage Title

Average Number of DaysR1-R2 to R3Begin bloom to begin pod10R3 to R4Begin pod to full pod9R4 to R5

Full pod to begin seed

9

R5 to R6

Begin seed to full seed15R6 to R7

Full seed to begin maturity

18

R7 to R8

Begin maturity to full maturity

9

Average

number of days for each

reproductive stage

adapted from Soybean Loss Instructions , National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) #6302

Soybeans,91Slide7

Harvesting Soybean SilageHarvest soybeans at R3 stage, when one of the four top nodes with a fully-developed leaf has a 3/16-inch-long pod.Wilt forage to 35% to 45%

dry matter before ensiling depending on storage unit.Chop at 3/8-inch theoretical length of cut (TLC).Add an inoculant (similar to an effective alfalfa/legume inoculant)

Yields in drought year 1 to 2 tons/acreSoybean Silage by Dan Undersander, Kevin Jarvik, Tom Anderson, Nick Schneider, and Lee MilliganSlide8

Yield and quality of soybean forage as affected by harvest maturity

Modified from Soybeans for Hay or

Silage by Dr. Dan UndersanderSlide9

Forage quality of soybean silage not mixed with other crops

Soybean Silage by Dan Undersander, Kevin Jarvik, Tom Anderson, Nick Schneider

, and Lee MilliganSlide10

Soybean HayHarvested at R3 - when one of the top four nodes with a fully developed leaf has a 3/16-inch long pod.

Limit leaf loss by limiting number of times it’s mechanically handledDries slow (may require 2 to 3 days)Raking can lead to significant leaf lossSlide11

Cautions before using soybeans as a forageCheck what herbicides and insecticides were used to ensure no restrictionsContact a crop insurance agent before harvesting for forageSlide12

Economics of harvesting soybeansAs forage, assume 1 ½ tons of dry matter per acre valued at $200 a ton or $300 per acre.As seed, $300 per acre / $15 per bushel, less than 20 bushels may be the break pointNo harvesting charges were included with the soybean seedSlide13

In SummarySoybean forage may an alternative forage for dairy and beef cattleConsider economics of each alternativeBe aware of residue risks and treatmentsSoybean forage will be similar to other legume forages, but not as palatableSlide14

Check out our online dairy courses at http://online.ansci.illinois.edu/

and Illini DairyNET at http://www.livestocktrail.illinois.edu/dairynet/

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Mike Hutjens

Dairy Extension Specialist

Jim Baltz

Instructional Design Specialist