Small Grains as Winter Pasture in the Southern Great Plains of the United States

Abstract

Small-grain cereals are widely adapted and used as annual cool-season pastures in the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of the United States, where livestock and forage production are the largest contributors to agricultural income. The advantage of growing small grains in the region is evident due to the widespread adoption and flexibility of production for grain only, forage only, or both grain and forage (i.e., dual purpose). Farmers in the SGP often prefer the use of small grains for dual purpose mainly because of alternative income options from livestock and/or grain, ensuring stable income especially when product prices fluctuate with market demands. Small-grain forage is exceptionally important during autumn, winter, and early spring when forage availability from other sources is low. By providing nutritionally high-quality forage, small grains minimize the need for protein and energy supplements. Besides being used for winter pasture, small grains also serve as cool-season cover crops. While small grains offer different advantages in the integrated crop-livestock system in the region, farming management practices can play an important role to maximize the benefit. The objectives of this chapter are to summarize the significance of small grains as winter pasture and highlight the production status of each small-grain species in the SGP of the United States.

Cover Crop Management on the Southern High Plains: Impacts on Crop Productivity and Soil Water Depletion

“…These authors also note the importance of planting date, grazing intensity, and weather when trying to maximize the benefits of the cover crop. Winter wheat dominates much of the Great Plains for cool-season forage [ 17 ]; however, wheat did not reliably produce as much forage as rye in the current study.…”

“…Winter cover crops, particularly small grains, provide many advantages to integrated crop-livestock systems, but management can modulate the benefits [ 17 ]. These authors also note the importance of planting date, grazing intensity, and weather when trying to maximize the benefits of the cover crop.…”

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Seedling Drought Tolerance in Winter Wheat

“…Planting time is one of the most critical factors to consider when growing dual-purpose winter wheat for increased autumn–winter forage and GY. In the southern Great Plains of the United States, wheat intended for winter grazing needs to be planted in early September for increased autumn–winter forage production ( Kumssa et al, 2019 ). However, the crop often faces an establishment challenge because of inadequate amounts of soil moisture and high air temperatures during the seedling stage.…”

“…Winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important cereal crop grown for forage and grain production in the southern Great Plains of the United States ( Kumssa et al, 2019 ). In this region, when wheat is grown for winter pasture, it is often planted at least 2–3 weeks earlier than wheat grown for grain-only production.…”

Genome-Wide Association Mapping of Seedling Vigor and Regrowth Vigor in Winter Wheat

“…On the other hand, seedling regrowth vigor, exhibited in wheat pasture after being grazed, is an important trait of the sustainable production of forage biomass for multi-cycles of cattle grazing [5,6]. A good winter wheat pasture should be able to regenerate vigorously after initial and subsequent grazing for the continued production of forage biomass.…”