Forage Maintenance in Northeast Georgia: July & August Highlights

Forage Maintenance in Northeast Georgia: July and August Highlights

Gilbert Barrett

Maintaining healthy pastures and hayfields during the summer months in Northeast Georgia is crucial for optimal forage production. When drought stress complicates the growing season, the challenge is almost insurmountable. 

While we have hopefully started to get a few rain showers, it’s critical to again focus on key practices during July and August including herbicide application, scouting for pests, and nitrogen supplementation. Here's a breakdown of these important maintenance activities:

 Summer Herbicide Control

All it takes is a couple of rain showers for weeds to get back into an active growing mode.  Effective weed management is essential to maintain high-quality forage. During July and August, applying herbicides such as GrazonNext HL or DuraCor can significantly reduce the competition between weeds and desirable forage species. Both herbicides are effective against a broad spectrum of summer weeds such as horse nettle and pig weed and offer residual control, ensuring that your pastures and hayfields remain weed-free for an extended period.   PastureGuard is more effective on dogfennel and woody-type plants.

 GrazonNext HL: This herbicide is known for its effectiveness in controlling broadleaf weeds while being safe for grasses. It's a popular choice for pasture management due to its extended residual activity.

DuraCor: Similar to GrazonNext HL, DuraCor offers robust control of broadleaf weeds. Its newer formulation includes Rinskor active, providing improved control over resistant weed species.

By controlling weeds, you allow forage grasses to thrive, improving the overall productivity and health of your pastures.

Scouting for Armyworms

Armyworms are a significant threat to forage crops during the summer. These pests can cause rapid and extensive damage if not managed promptly. Recent reports indicate sightings of armyworms in the area, making it critical to regularly scout your fields.

 Scouting Tips: Inspect your fields regularly, paying close attention to areas with lush, green growth. Look for signs of armyworm activity, such as chewed leaves and the presence of the worms themselves.

Management: If armyworms are detected, consider using insecticides specifically labeled for armyworm control to prevent widespread damage.

Nitrogen Supplementation

Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for forage growth, and its application can significantly boost productivity, especially after rain showers. During July and August, monitor weather conditions and be ready to apply nitrogen when rainfall is expected.

 Timing: Apply nitrogen immediately before or after a rain event to ensure efficient uptake by plants and to minimize the risk of nitrogen loss through volatilization.

Benefits: Nitrogen promotes vigorous growth and improves the nutritional quality of the forage, making it more beneficial for livestock.

 Conclusion

Proper forage maintenance in Northeast Georgia during July and August involves a combination of RAIN, herbicide application, pest monitoring, and timely nitrogen supplementation.  When the rain showers start, make sure you are on top of your game to maximize your forage production opportunities.  As always, contact us at Farmers Exchange if you have questions or if we can help in any way.