Lexington, Kentucky
January 30, 2008
Due to last year’s drought and the
rising cost of nitrogen fertilizer, many types of forages are
expected to be in high demand this year across the United
States. In order for Kentucky producers to secure their
preferred varieties, they should consider purchasing seed early,
said Ray Smith, University of
Kentucky extension forage specialist.
“Producers need to buy or line-up seed with a dealer early on
most forages, with the most acute being orchardgrass,” Smith
said.
Orchardgrass supplies are limited because of a fungal disease
called choke, which keeps the seed from developing. In the past
two years, orchardgrass producers in the western United States
have lost at least 20 to 30 percent of their crops because of
the disease. An economic fungicide treatment for the disease has
not been discovered.
Another cause of the orchardgrass shortage is producers have
begun producing more turf-type tall fescue seed, which produces
a higher yield and has more market value. The high price of corn
has also put pressure on orchardgrass seed production.
The tight supplies will cause a price increase for orchardgrass
seed, and prices are not expected to decrease as the year
unfolds. Producers wanting orchardgrass should act soon, even if
it means paying higher prices, Smith said. Seed will likely sell
out at many dealerships.
With the price increase of nitrogen fertilizer, forage legumes,
which are also a good source of nitrogen, will be in high
demand. In 2007, many varieties of nitrogen supplying red clover
that were well adapted to Kentucky sold out before producers
could buy seed.
Producers should purchase other legumes, such as alfalfa and
white clover, early to receive their choice of variety. Even
though they most likely won’t be planted until May, producers
should also consider purchasing warm season annual grasses such
as sorghum-sudan, pearl millet and sudan grasses early because
most varieties sold out last year.
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission,
reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and
extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians.
By Katie Pratt |
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