Department of Field Crops Forage and Grasslands

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB Department of Field Crops Forage and Grasslands Svetošimunska 25, Zagreb

FSSP- Farmer support services project

FINAL REPORT

Project 18-918: Interpolated Fodder Crops at Family Farms

Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. sc. Zvonimir Štafa FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB Department of Field Crops Forage and Grasslands Svetošimunska 25, Zagreb

Project 18-918: Interpolated Fodder Crops at Family Farms

Principal Investigator: Prof. dr. sc. Zvonimir Štafa

Research objectives

The research has been conducted on family farms at Zagreb, Zagrebačka županija, Križevačko-koprivnička županija, Varaždinska županija, Bjelovarsko-bilogorska županija and Virovitičko-podravska županija.

Winter legumes in mixture with cereals for green fodder production

Winter pea cv. Maksimirski visoki (MO) was sown in mixtures with winter cereals (triticale cv. Clercal and wheat cvs. Sana, Žitarka and Srpanjka). The mixtures were utilised during spring and their yield and quality examination had been conducted at the beginning of flowering stage of winter pea for green fodder and at the end of flowering stage for silage. We used mixture of winter pea MO cv. with oat cv. Timo for seeding in early spring. Cultivar (cv.) Poneka was sown with oat as a stubble crop. For grains the two spring pea cvs. (Bacarra and Erby) were sown as an individual crop.

Hybrid sorghum:

Two hybrids were sown: S. Sioux i Grazer N2 for green fodder. Combination of forage crops: “Two harvests on the same field”: - mixture of winter pea MO cv. with winter cereals (wheat and triticale) for green fodder and silage -ryegrass (annual and perennial) for good quality mixtures The aim of this project was to enable an intensive and on-going fodder production on family farms including green fodder, hay, haylage as well as part of fodder plant concentrates and clover-grass mixture production in different time of sowing (late summer/fall, early spring, interpolated crops). The research on mixtures with winter pea cv. MO and winter cereals has been started in 1998 and ended in fall 2001 at he family farms located in north-western part of Croatia as follows: Mirović and Bazić (Bjelovarsko-bilogorska županija), Uher (Virovitičko-podravska županija), Maletić (Križevačko-koprivnička županija), Mlinar (Varaždinska županija), Mužinić (Zagrebačka županija), Maksimir (Zagreb). At the Uher farm and at Maksimir the field experiments has been established, to compare the differences between inoculated (with Rhizobium leguminosarum b.v. viciae) winter pea MO in mixtures with wheat cv. Žitarka and triticale cv. Clercal, to the same crop fertilised by CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate). The influence of produced forage with mixture of pea MO and wheat on quality and quantity of milk (12 cows-Simmental breed) compared to previous forage production was measured at the Mužinić farm (Križevčec, D. Zelina). Due to the bad weather conditions at the sowing time (too much rain), the mixture of winter pea cv. MO and oat was sown at the Uher family farm (Grabovac), while the mixture of pea cv. Timo with oat was sown in early spring (March) at the Mirović family farm. After the wheat had been harvested, the mixture of pea cv. Poneka with oat was sown at the family farms: Mirović (Višnjevac), Šokčević (Zrinska), Novosel (G. Desinec) and Mužinić (Križevčec). To satisfy increasing demands on grains (concentrate) the pea cvs. Baccara and Erby were sown at the family farms Bajs and Uher. Hybrid sorghum was sown as a stubble crop after the mixtures of winter pea and cereals had been cut, or after harvesting the wheat. There were two hybrids: S. Sioux and Grazer N2, sown at the family farms Mužinić, Mlinar, Uher and Gal. Corn for silage was sown at the Mužinić farm after harvesting the mixture of winter pea with wheat and barley. Efficient and continuous green fodder production was enabled by sowing annual ryegrass (cvs. Mir and Tetraflorum) at some family farms (Mužinić, Hartman, Mirović, Imbrišak, Gračković, Kopecki, Hubak, Posarić, Novosel, Žatecki). Some poor grass stands were overseeded with grass and clover mixtures following demands on each farm. The leys were renewed at the Svečnjak family farms by using herbicides and cultivation.

Methods

Tillage practices, fertilizing and other technical operations are the same as for the cereals. Sowing is two-phased: first comes pea on 4-8 cm depth, than cereals on normal depth and sown on the way crossed to the direction of pea sowing. Seeding rate depends on sowing time, climate, utilisation, absolute seed mass, and vary between 60 to 150 seeds per m2 for pea and 150 to 300 seeds per m2 for cereals. Immediately before sowing the inoculation of pea seeds was done by the variety of Rhizobium leguminozarum bv. Viciae at the farms Uher and Maksimir. Hybrid sorghum was sown after harvesting the preceding winter crops, spring ploughing and cultivation which coincidences with soil temperature of 12C. The sowing technique include differences between seeds in a row and depend on harvesting machines (3 to 4 cm). All herbicides applicable in corn could be used except those against Johnson grass.

Economic analysis

As this research was conducted at family farms in different agro ecological regions and equipped potentials, it was difficult to find out real costs. Basic tillage practices for winter crops were similar to warm season crops, but land preparation for interpolated crops was reduced. Combination of different crop varieties (winter crop + additional crop + interpolated crop) can ensure one harvest more in same vegetation season. In this way better soil and sun energy, required for dry matter formation – recoverable energy source yields are obtained as follows: -mixture of winter pea with triticale (4,05 to 18,80 t/ha dry matter-DM) -interpolated mixture of pea with wheat (4,39 do 15,59 t/ha DM) -additional crop (sorghum or corn) with production of (6,0 do 12,8 t/ha DM). Additional crops (pea + oat) gave 3,20 to 3,96 t/ha DM of very high quality. Utilisation of interpolated forage crops (winter pea with wheat) and additional crop as hybrid sorghum, can increase average daily milk production from 1,17 to 2,0 l during feeding with this fodder (Table 7 and 8).

Research achievements

As fodder crops are interpolated between two other crops by seeding or reseeding into already existing crops, the research onto this project has a long term character: The soil is always covered with some crop and prepared for utilisation at different time of a year or for a new interpolation. Interpolation of new crops, cultivars and mixtures or sowing and using the existing ones, and defining the most suitable production methods for the given agro ecological conditions, farm needs and equipment (at the farms Mirović, Hartman, Bazić, Mužinić, Mlinar, Gračković). Use of the available resources through sowing pure crops or mixtures would increase the photosynthesis and dry matter formation (renewable energy source) per unit area. Continuous production of good quality fodder by interpolation (sowing or reseeding) also for the period with little fodder, when the daily increment is insufficient in the growing season. Earlier use of fodder crops when they give best fodder for intensive production in animal husbandry, thereby enabling two harvests (crops) a year (at the farms Mirović, Bazić, Mužinić, Mlinar, Premec). Adjust the use of fodder crops to the herd requirements in terms of fodder quantity and quality, with special respect to the dry summer period and winter. New crops, cultivars and mixtures, as well as technologies were introduced with the aim of taking better advantage of the agro ecological conditions for a higher, safer and more cost-effective production of quality fodder so as to satisfy even the most demanding requirements with respect to fodder quantity and quality. Educating farmers to exploit the production potentials through interpolation and use of fodder crops in different agro ecological conditions, periods and at different agro technical levels for a safe, efficient and continuous production, in collaboration with the Croatian Agricultural Extension Institute (Mr. Jantol, Mr. Komljenović, Miss. Alasić, Mr. Jelinić, Mr. Rubeša, Mr. Babić). Farmers education through out the media: TV, radio, newspapers, as well as organising “classes at open”, at family farms Hartman, Gračaković, Mirović, Uher, Mužinić, Mlinar etc.has been presented during this project. Farmer’s evaluation

Project work on fodder production at family farms, involving introduction of new crops (hybrid sorghum, winter and spring pea), cultivars and mixtures, as well as certain technological procedures, is reflected in the increased quantity and quality of produced fodder, which enables keeping a larger number of animals per unit area, their better feeding during the growing season, and storing larger amounts of quality fodder for unfavourable periods (summer draught, winter). All dairy farmers agreed that higher and better fodder production enabled increased animal husbandry production, notably of milk (1 to 2 l per cow), both per day and total. Noteworthy is also the interest shown by some farmers in the mentioned practices of fodder production and utilization, and their readiness to compete among themselves, and get trained for these new agricultural technics on their own farms.

. Table 1. The mixtures of winter pea cv. Maksimirski ozimi (MO) with triticale cv. Clercal (cut at the early and at the late flowering stage of pea)

Green mass t/ha Dry matter t/ha Family farm, Year Early Full Early Full Location bloom bloom bloom bloom 1999. 20,0 35,0 3,00 7,00 Maletić- 2000. 30,0 50,0 4,50 9,50 Ferdinandovac 2001. 30,0 55,0 4,65 10,45 1999-2001 26,7 46,7 4,05 8,98 1999. - - - - Uher- 2000. 17,0 36,0 4,00 9,72 Grabovac 2001. 31,0 72,0 5,60 18,70 1999-2001 24,0 54,0 4,80 14,06 1999. - - - - Mlinar-Kapela 2000. 50,0 65,0 8,8 12,35 Podravska 2001. 55,0 70,0 8,8 12,60 1999-2001 52,5 67,5 8,8 12,48 Maksimir- 1999. - - - - Zagreb 2000. 37,0 37,0 9,64 11,23 2001. 62,0 82,0 14,93 25,13 1999-2001 49,5 59,5 12,20 18,80 Table 2. The mixtures of winter pea cv. Maksimirski ozimi (MO) with wheat cv. Sana or Žitarka (cut at the early and at the late flowering stage of pea).

Green mass t/ha Dry matter t/ha Family farm, Year Early Full Early Full Location bloom bloom bloom bloom 1999. 25,0 45,0 4,75 9,0 Mirović- 2000. 25,0 50,0 4,50 10,0 Višnjevac 2001. 35,0 65,0 5,60 13,0 1999.-2001. 28,3 53,3 4,95 10,7 1999. - - - - Bazić-M. 2000. 25,0 50,0 4,25 10,0 Trojstvo 2001. 30,0 60,0 5,10 12,0 1999.-2001. 27,5 55,0 4,68 11,0 1999. - - - - Mlinar-Kapela 2000. 50,0 60,0 9,00 12,0 Podravska 2001. 50,0 65,0 9,25 13,0 1999.2001. 50,0 62,5 9,13 12,5 Mužinić- 1999. 32,0 55,0 5,44 11,0 Križevćec D. 2000. 30,0 55,0 5,10 10,2 Zelina 2001. 30,0 50,0 5,00 12,0 1999.-2001. 30,7 53,3 5,18 11,07 Uher- 1999. - - - - Grabovac 2000. 19,1 42,0 4,78 12,60 2001. 27,0 65,0 4,00 16,90 1999.-2001. 23,5 55,0 4,39 14,75 Maksimir- 1999. - - - - Zagreb 2000. 32,5 42,0 7,24 12,22 2001. 58,0 74,0 11,73 18,96 1999.-2001. 45,3 58,0 9,49 15,59 Table 3. Spring and additional mixtures of pea with oat for green fodder.

Green mass t/ha Dry matter t/ha Family farm, Year Early Full Early Full Location bloom bloom bloom bloom Spring mixture of pea cv. Maksimirski ozimi with oat Uher- 1999. 38,0 - 7,6 - Grabovac Spring mixture of pea cv. Timo with oat Mirović- 1999. 22,0 - 3,96 - Višnjevac Additional mixtures of pea cv. Poneka with oat Mirović- 1999. 22,0 - 3,96 - Višnjevac Šokčević- 1999. 20,0 - 3,60 - Zrinjska Novosel-Gor. 1999. 22,0 - 3,52 - Desinec

Table 4. Spring pea for grain production

Family farm, Year Cultivar (Variety) t/ha Location 1999. 3,75 Bajs-Imbriovec 2000. Baccara 2,85 1999.-2000. 3,32 1999. 3,50 Bajs-Imbriovec 2000. Erby 2,28 1999.-2000. 2,85 Uher-Grabovac 1999. Erby 3,75 Table 5. Hybrid sorghum

Family farm, Year Hybrid Green mass Dry matter No. of cuts Location t/ha t/ha 1999. 80,0 14,4 2 additional Mužinić 2000. S. Sioux 40,0 6,0 1 interpolat. Križevčec 1999.-2000. 60,0 10,2 1999. S. Sioux 70,0 11,9 2 interpolat. Mlinar- 2000. S. Sioux 100,0 16,0 3 additional Kapela 2001. Grazer N 2 110,0 17,6 3 additional Podravska 1999.-2001. 93,3 15,2 1999. S. Sioux 93,0 14,9 3 additional Uher- 2000. S. Sioux 83,0 13,3 2 additional Grabovac 2001. Grazer N 2 80,0 13,6 4 additional 1999.-2001. 85,3 13,93 Gal-Kapela 2001 Grazer N 2 100,0 16,0 4 main crop Podravska 2001 Grazer N 2 80,0 12,8 3 additional Average 90,0 14,4

Table 6. Combination of forage crops (two harvests a year) for period 1999-2001.

Winter crops Additional crops Sum

Family farm, Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Location mass matter mass matter mass matter t/ha t/ha t/ha t/ha t/ha t/ha Winter pea+ triticale Hybrid sorghum Mlinar- 52,5 8,80 93,3 15,2 145,8 24,0 Kapela Winter pea + wheat Hybrid sorghum Podravska 50,0 9,13 93,3 15,2 143,3 24,0 Varaždinska županija Uher- Winter pea+ triticale Hybrid sorghum Grabovac 24,0 4,80 85,3 13,93 109,3 18,73 Virovitičko- Winter pea + wheat Hybrid sorghum Podravska 23,5 4,39 85,3 13,93 108,8 18,32 županija Mužinić- Winter pea + wheat Corn Križevćec 50,0 12,0 37,0 11,48 87,0 23,48 Zagrebačka Winter barley for Corn županija grains 3,5 3,0 42,0 12,8 - - Table 7. The effect of feeding 12 cows (Simmental breed) with green fodder produced of mixture of winter pea cv. MO with wheat cv. Sana, on milk production and quality.

Experimental Daily milk In milk % time production Fat Proteins Lactose No fat dry matter 01.06.-13.06. 229 3,39 2,70 4,96 8,45 14.06.-03.07. 243 3,47 3,40 4,79 8,92 04.07.-15.07. 230 3,38 2,78 4,96 8,47

During feeding with winter mixture the daily milk yield increased by 1,17 l per cow, or 14 l in total. Percentage of all other components also increased except lactose.

Table 8. The effect of feeding dairy cows with first cutting of hybrid sorghum on quality and quantity of milk during 9 experimental days at the Mužinić family farm.

Experimental Daily milk Milk fat Fat No fat dry time production % units matter % 3,73 1947 8,81 01.08-09-08. 547 3,89 2089 8,95 10.08-18.08 521 3,73 1944 8,90

During feeding with hybrid sorghum the daily milk yield increased by 21 l in total. Quality of milk has also increased compared to milk given from cows fed on grass. Hence, after feeding with hybrid sorghum had stopped the quantity of milk decreased by 26 l. The similar results were obtained at other farms considering milk quantity, which increased by 1 to 2 l, but we did not get milk quality analyses.

Results (from September 1998 till the end of 2001)

Winter and spring mixtures based on winter pea and pea for grain production

Obtained results varied due to different agronomic techniques, agro ecological regions, climate, equipped potentials etc. A mixture of winter pea and triticale gave 24 to 52,5 t/ha of green mass (GM) at the beginning of utilization (early cuts) and from 46,7 to 67.5 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. The dry matter (DM) yield varied from 4,05 to 12.2 t/ha of DM at the beginning of utilization and from 8,98 to 18,8 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. A mixture of winter pea and wheat gave 23,5 to 50,0 t/ha of green mass (GM) at the beginning of utilization (early cuts) and from 53,3 to 62,5 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. The dry matter yield varied from 4,39 do 9,49 t/ha of DM at the beginning of utilization and from 10,7 do 15,59 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. A mixture of pea cv. Timo with oat gave 35,0 t/ha of green mass, or 7,6 t/ha of dry matter, while additional mixture of pea cv. Poneka with oat gave only 20 to 22 t/ha of GM and 3,52 to 3,96 t/ha of DM, due to summer draught. The grain yields of pea cvs. Baccara and Erby also varied in different years. An average grain yield was from 3,32 (cv. Baccara) to 2,85 t/ha (cv. Erby).

Hybrid sorghum

Hybrid sorghum is a new crop to our farmers, but with many advantages and potentials for increasing its production. As well as corn, it could be interpolated, cut 2 to 4 times as a green fodder in a single vegetation season (at the family farms Mlinar, Gal, Uher, Premec) till the first frost and the very good silage can be made out of hybrid sorghum. It can be used for green fodder shortly after sowing (80 to 100 days) and has also many advantages as a stubble and interpolated additional crop, especially at small farms with limited arable land. High yields and very good quality motivated many farmers especially at Ludbreg area (in cooperation with mr. Jantol from Croatian Extension Service), to introduce hybrid sorghum on their farms and grow it now as a standard forage crop for feeding dairy cows. Grass mixtures and grass and clover mixtures

Some agro-technical and fertilisation experiments on grasslands were conducted at some family farms (Mužinić, Hartman, Mirović, Imbrišak, Gračaković, Kopecki, Hubak, Posarić, Žatečki, Novosel) with aim to increase green fodder production during the growing season. Early season cuttings of green mass and hay are improved at areas that are overseeded by grass mixtures or clover and grass mixtures. Thus, the high quality forage production of overseeded mixtures comes at the time when it can greatly affect cattle performances. Overseeding techniques vary greatly from farm to farm, and tillage is influenced by many factors, including amount of residue on soil surface, soil type, date of overseeding and species to be overseeded. Anyway, the increase in fodder production was recorded on all family farms for approximately 50 %, and especially with annual ryegrass (cvs. Mir and Tetraflorum) that gave 60-100 t/ha of quality green mass in 4-6 cuttings.

Combination of forage crops

Combination of forage crops with the motto “Two harvests a year at the same area” is not a common practise on our farms, although it was proved that this on-going fodder production could greatly increase quantity and quality on forage. For this purpose we can recommend the winter mixtures consisted of winter pea with cereals (wheat, triticale), and after that interpolation with crops as hybrid sorghum, corn for silage and green fodder etc. (at the family farms Mlinar, Uher, Mužinić). Using combinations of forage crops mentioned above it was obtained the yield of 87,0 to 145,8 t/ha of green mass, or 18,73 to 24, 00 t/ha of dry matter. Conclusions:

From the results obtained on family farms in the last three years we can conclude that:

-a mixture of winter pea and triticale cv. Clercal gave 24 to 52,5 t/ha of green mass (GM) at the beginning of utilization (early cuttings) and from 46,7 to 67.5 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. The dry matter (DM) yield varied from 4,05 to 12.2 t/ha of DM at the beginning of utilization and from 8,98 to 18,8 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. -a mixture of winter pea and wheat gave 23,5 to 50,0 t/ha of green mass (GM) at the beginning of utilization (early cuttings) and from 53,3 to 62,5 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. The dry matter yield varied from 4,39 to 9,49 t/ha of DM at the beginning of utilization and from 10,7 do 15,59 t/ha at the end of vegetation season. -spring pea for grain production ensured 3,50 to 3,75 t/ha -two hybrids were sown: S. Sioux i Grazer N2, and an average GM yield varied from 70 to 100 t/ha, while the DM yield was from 10,2 to 15,2 t/ha -using combination of forage crops the obtained yield varied from 87,0 to 145,8 t/ha of green mass, or 18,73 to 24, 00 t/ha of dry matter. -feeding dairy cows with mixture of winter pea with wheat increased the quality and the quantity of milk (1,17 l per cow) -feeding dairy cows with hybrid sorghum increased daily milk production by 1 to 2 l per cow -during feeding with hybrid sorghum the daily milk yield increased by 21 l in total. Quality of milk has also increased compared to milk given from cows fed on grass. Hence, after feeding with hybrid sorghum had stopped the quantity of milk decreased by 26 l.