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ENLARGE
Shelby Filley
The largest agricultural commodity in Oregon is grass. We grow grass for lawns, turf, pastures, hay, straw, and seed for home use and export. Forages (grasses and legumes) are an important source of livestock feed, and because our area has a high production capacity, we have a competitive advantage over other parts of the world that depend heavily on imported hay and grains to raise livestock. Our forage is a renewable resource — but only if we manage it correctly.
I hope you can see what I mean when I write “grass is king.” But where does the “protect the crown” part come into play, you might ask? The root crown is a term used to describe an area of above-ground plant matter that has several important functions. For most of our cool-season, perennial grasses, the root crown area is about 3 inches above the soil level. We must protect that crown from overuse and damage by leaving a good stubble height on our forages so that overall yield is optimized.
Steve Fransen of Washington State University visited our area a few years ago and said, “The root crown does not belong to us. It does not belong to the livestock. It belongs to the plant.”
There are many excellent pasture managers that protect the root crowns by leaving appropriate stubble height, and they have seen increased forage production compared to overgrazing. But many producers have not fully adopted this practice.
The primary function of the root crown is storage of energy reserves for the plant. Most people mistakenly think that the underground root has this function, but research has shown this is the job of the root crown. These energy reserves sustain the plant throughout the winter months so that it remains healthy and ready to grow when warm spring rains and longer days return.
The fall season is the most important time to protect the root crown, as this is when its energy is used to support new underground root growth essential for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil for spring re-growth. Dig some plants up and check out the new, white root growth. The more above-ground growth you find, the more below-ground roots you will see. It is like a mirror.
The root crown also contains plant leaf area for capture and storage of the sun’s energy (photosynthesis), and growing points for new leaves. If these are removed, new ones have to form, which takes time and energy, can weaken the plant, and delay spring re-growth. This means feeding more hay to livestock.
Pasture managers are tempted to use the grass to the point of overgrazing because they do not want to feed so much hay. But actually, forage yield is greater if the grass is not grazed too hard. Protect the crowns of your forage and you will be pleasantly surprised. Keep track of your forage production and hay feeding and see for yourself. Have a good fall! And ask me for more winter reading material: I have plenty.
Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. Shelby can be reached by e-mail shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or phone at 541-672-4461.
I hope you can see what I mean when I write “grass is king.” But where does the “protect the crown” part come into play, you might ask? The root crown is a term used to describe an area of above-ground plant matter that has several important functions. For most of our cool-season, perennial grasses, the root crown area is about 3 inches above the soil level. We must protect that crown from overuse and damage by leaving a good stubble height on our forages so that overall yield is optimized.
Steve Fransen of Washington State University visited our area a few years ago and said, “The root crown does not belong to us. It does not belong to the livestock. It belongs to the plant.”
There are many excellent pasture managers that protect the root crowns by leaving appropriate stubble height, and they have seen increased forage production compared to overgrazing. But many producers have not fully adopted this practice.
The primary function of the root crown is storage of energy reserves for the plant. Most people mistakenly think that the underground root has this function, but research has shown this is the job of the root crown. These energy reserves sustain the plant throughout the winter months so that it remains healthy and ready to grow when warm spring rains and longer days return.
The fall season is the most important time to protect the root crown, as this is when its energy is used to support new underground root growth essential for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil for spring re-growth. Dig some plants up and check out the new, white root growth. The more above-ground growth you find, the more below-ground roots you will see. It is like a mirror.
The root crown also contains plant leaf area for capture and storage of the sun’s energy (photosynthesis), and growing points for new leaves. If these are removed, new ones have to form, which takes time and energy, can weaken the plant, and delay spring re-growth. This means feeding more hay to livestock.
Pasture managers are tempted to use the grass to the point of overgrazing because they do not want to feed so much hay. But actually, forage yield is greater if the grass is not grazed too hard. Protect the crowns of your forage and you will be pleasantly surprised. Keep track of your forage production and hay feeding and see for yourself. Have a good fall! And ask me for more winter reading material: I have plenty.
Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. Shelby can be reached by e-mail shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or phone at 541-672-4461.
