By Liliane Silva*, Jacob Adkison, Brian Beer, Carlos Garcia, Leandro Vieira-Filho, Katie Seavey
* Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Contact: lseveri@clemson.edu, (352) 871-5830
Due to the lack of a dedicated forage variety trial in South Carolina, Dr. Silva and this group have established and sampled forage demonstration plots at the Edisto Research and Education Center (EREC, Blackville, SC) and the Sandhill Research and Education Center (SREC, Columbia, SC) on 2023-24 season. Forage biomass (yield) and forage quality parameters are the main measurements taken, and plots were harvested three times during the season to simulate grazing management. Due to limitations of personnel and supplies for laboratory analysis, Dr. Silva only samples the EREC and SREC each year, so the results below only presented these two locations.
However, additional demonstration sites are established each year in up to five locations across the state due to efforts and engagement of our local Extension agents from the Livestock and Forages team in collaboration with local producers. Field days are carried out on each site from March through April to bring producers on-site to discuss the species and varieties available and the results observed. This effort has only been possible due to the help of many individuals in harvesting and processing the forage samples for each location. Several industry partners and the South Carolina Forage and Grazing Lands Coalition (SCFGLC) have donated seeds and supplies for multiple demonstration sites. Acknowledgments are due to the entire CU/CUCES forage-livestock systems program (Silva’s group), CUCES Livestock and Forages team, SCFGLC and our industry partners for their efforts, dedication, support, and engagement on this initiative to help support our SC livestock and forage producers.
2023-2024 Season Results
Below is a brief description of the establishment and management of plots in each location for reference.
Edisto Research and Education Center: Seeds were sowed on 10/11, and 50 lb. NPK/acre applied. Small grains and ryegrasses were planted at 100 and 25 lbs/acre seeding rates, respectively. Varieties were planted in monoculture in each plot. Weed control was only conducted mechanically because legume plots were adjacent to these plots, and any drift could kill or compromise them. Forage mass sampling occurred on 01/22, 02/20, and 3/18. After the 1st and 2nd harvests, an additional split N rate was applied at 30 and 50 lb/acre, respectively. The stubble height used was four inches.
Sandhill Research and Education Center: Seeds were sowed on 10/3 and 50 lb. NPK/acre applied. Small grains and ryegrasses were planted at 100 and 25 lbs/acre seeding rates, respectively. Varieties were planted in monoculture in each plot. Irrigation was turned to put water in the early germination stage to allow plants to establish. Weed control was only conducted mechanically because legume plots were adjacent to these plots, and any drift could kill or compromise them. Forage mass sampling occurred on 01/24, 02/21, and 3/18. After the 1st and 2nd harvests, an additional split N rate was applied at 30 and 50 lb/acre, respectively. The stubble height used was four inches.
Figure 1. 2023-24 Small grain forage variety demonstration data from EREC (Blackville). Harvest dates were: 01/22/2024, 02/20/2024 and 03/18/2024.
Figure 2. 2023-24 Small grain forage variety demonstration data from Sandhill (Columbia, SC). Harvest dates were:01/24/2024, 02/21/2024, and 03/18/2024.
Figure 3. 2023-24 Ryegrass variety demonstration data from EREC (Blackville, SC). Harvest dates were: 01/22/2024, 02/20/2024 and 03/18/2024.
Figure 4. 2023-24 Ryegrass variety demonstration data from Sandhill (Columbia, SC). Harvest dates were:01/24/2024, 02/21/2024, and 03/18/2024.
Table 1. Average neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations of forage crops harvested three times* in 2024 at the Edisto Research and Education Center (EREC) and Sandhill Research and Education Center (SREC).
| Forage crop | Edisto Research Education Center | Sandhill Research Education Center | ||
| Fiber concentration (%, dry matter basis) | ||||
| NDF % | ADF% | NDF % | ADF% | |
| Oat Horizon 306 | 37.7 | 24.1 | 43.3 | 24.3 |
| Oat Horizon 214 | 45.5 | 26.3 | 35.9 | 18.5 |
| Oats H578 | 46.5 | 28.5 | 37.4 | 20.5 |
| Oats RAM | 47.6 | 26.7 | 41.2 | 22.3 |
| Rye Wrens Abruzzi | 45.8 | 26.1 | 41.4 | 22.3 |
| Triticale T342 | 50.3 | 29.0 | 49.5 | 26.0 |
| Wheat AGS2024 | 49.8 | 26.9 | 43.9 | 23.3 |
| Wheat AGS4043 | 44.6 | 25.7 | 36.7 | 25.1 |
| Ryegrass Centurion | 40.8 | 30.6 | 42.3 | 24.8 |
| Ryegrass Marshall | 41.1 | 25.8 | 41.9 | 23.3 |
| Ryegrass Nelson | 44.5 | 25.6 | 40.3 | 20.9 |
| Ryegrass Prine | 42.2 | 27.4 | 40.7 | 22.3 |
| Ryegrass Florlina | 41.5 | 27.5 | 49.4 | 22.8 |
| Ryegrass Gulf | 45.9 | 29.8 | 41.6 | 21.8 |
| Ryegrass Big Boss | 35.0 | 22.6 | 35.1 | 20.7 |
| Ryegrass Lonestar | 41.6 | 26.2 | 40.8 | 23.0 |
| Ryegrass Attain | 43.0 | 31.9 | 40.1 | 23.8 |
| Ryegrass Rapido | 38.9 | 28.3 | 41.1 | 23.1 |
| Ryegrass Kanahan | 40.9 | 25.5 | 42.0 | 23.7 |
| Ryegrass Koga | 39.7 | 25.0 | 41.3 | 23.9 |
*Harvest dates for:
-EREC (Blackville, SC): 01/22/2024, 02/20/2024 and 03/18/2024.
-SREC (Columbia, SC): 01/24/2024, 02/21/2024, and 03/18/2024.
