Optimal Grazing Termination Date for Dual-Purpose Winter Wheat Production

Abstract

Dual-purpose winter wheat (fall-winter forage plus grain) production is an important economic enterprise in the southern Great Plains. Grazing termination to enable grain production is a critical decision. The objective is to determine the optimal grazing termination date for dual-purpose wheat. The value of knowing the occurrence of first hollow stem (FHS), a wheat growth threshold for grazing termination, is also determined. Results indicate that for most price situations grazing should be terminated at or before FHS. Marginal wheat returns from extended grazing were negative and the value of FHS information ranges from $1.50 to $10 per acre.

First hollow stem: a critical wheat growth stage for dual‐purpose producers

“…Similarly, by assumption, the very unfavorable conditions of 1992 could be expected to occur only once in six years. As could be expected, the Taylor et al (2010) results fall roughly half way between those of Fieser et al and Redmon et al (1996). Taylor et al (2010) found an expected 3% reduction in grain yield for grazing one day past FHS, an 8% reduction at three days past FHS, and an 18% reduction at seven days past FHS.…”

“…Addressing the contradictory findings from these two studies, Taylor et al (2010) revisited the grazing termination date issue. They combined data from the two studies, used a more precise statistical modeling approach, and assumed that conditions reflected in each of the six years were equally likely to occur.…”

“…They combined data from the two studies, used a more precise statistical modeling approach, and assumed that conditions reflected in each of the six years were equally likely to occur. Whereas Fieser et al (2006) assumed that 2003 conditions would occur half the time, and Redmon et al assumed that 1992 conditions would occur a quarter of the time, Taylor et al (2010) assumed that each of the six years for which data were available was equally likely. They assumed that the very favorable conditions of 2003 could be expected to occur only once in six years.…”

Hierarchical Bayesian Estimation of a Stochastic Plateau Response Function: Determining Optimal Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization

“…The Tembo et al () random plateau model allows year‐to‐year variation of the yield responsiveness to nitrogen fertilizer. This model has been extensively used in the literature and some examples are Biermacher et al (), Taylor et al (), Brorsen and Richter (), Boyer et al (), Falconer et al (), and Harmon et al (). The plateau random effect allows an upward or downward shift of the average yield potential depending on the environmental condition.…”

Impact of soil aeration on runoff characteristics in dual-purpose no-till wheat systems

“…If unfavorable conditions exist for grain development or beef production is priority, grazing will extend into late spring, which is typically termed as graze out systems. Taylor et al (2010) estimated that 50%, or 2.43 million ha (6 million ac), of planted wheat in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are managed to produce dual-purpose wheat.…”