Caribbean area forage harvest management

Natural Resources Conservation Service

CARIBBEAN AREA

FORAGE HARVEST MANAGEMENT

(Ac.)

Code 511

Specifications Guide

This practice consists in the timely cutting and removal of forages from the field as hay, green-chop or ensilage.

With the PURPOSE off:

1. 
   Optimizing yield and quality of forage at the desired levels
   
2. 
   Promoting vigorous plant re-growth
   
3. 
   Managing for the desired species composition
   
4. 
   Use forage plant biomass as a soil nutrient uptake tool
   
5. 
   Controlling insects, diseases and weeds
   
6. 
   Maintaining and/or improve wildlife habitat
   

this PRACTICE APPLIES to:

All land uses where machine harvested forage crops are grown.

CONSIDERATIONS:

• 
  Harvest during dry climatic conditions.
  
• 
  Soil moisture should be low.
  
• 
  Harvest for hay must be in the morning but considering low humidity of the sward (water condensation).
  

For forage species, stage of maturity at harvest, average stubble height and length of cut, see Table 1.

Table 1. Forage Species, Approximate Stage of Maturity at Harvest, Average Stubble Height, and Length of Cut/1.

Common Name (English and Spanish)	Technical Name	Stage of Maturity at harvest (days)	Average Stubble Height (inches)	Average Length of Cut for Silage (inches)
GRASSES
Angelton or Pajon Mejorado	Dichanthium annulatum	45-60	2	1-3
Corn (Maiz)	Zea maiz	35-60	2	1-3
Elephant grass or Yerba elefante	Pennisetum purpureum	45-90	2	1-3
Guinea grass or Yerba Guinea	Megathyrsus maximum	45-60	4	1-3
Hurricane grass or Yerba Huracan	Bothriochloa pertusa	45-60	2	1-3
Pangola grass or Yerba pangola	Digitaria eriantha	45-60	2	1-3
Signal grass or Brachiarias	Urochloa spp.	45-60	2	1-3
Sorghum or Millo	Sorghum vulgare	35-60	2	1-3
Star grass or Yerba Estrella	Cynodon nlemfuensis	35-60	2	1-3
LEGUMES
Siratro	Macroptilium atropurpureum	30-60	2	1-3
Tan-tan o Zarcilla	Leucaena leucocephala	45-60	2-6	1-3
Desmanthus or desmanto	Desmanthus virgatus	45-60	2-6	1-3

/1 This list is not all inclusive. For other potential species consult the Plant Materials/Grasslands Specialist.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: client must visit fields to manage potential pests and plant deficiencies also verify the harvest equipment.

NRCS, Caribbean Area

May 2012