Natural Resources Conservation Service s25

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.

NRCS, Caribbean Area May 2012  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 Stage of Maturity Average Stubble Average Length (English and Technical Name at harvest (days) Height (inches) of Cut for Silage Spanish) (inches) GRASSES Angelton or Dichanthium 45-60 2 1-3 Pajon Mejorado annulatum Corn (Maiz) Zea maiz 35-60 2 1-3 Elephant grass or Pennisetum 45-90 2 1-3 Yerba elefante purpureum Guinea grass or Megathyrsus 45-60 4 1-3 Yerba Guinea maximum Hurricane grass Bothriochloa 45-60 2 1-3 or Yerba Huracan pertusa Pangola grass or Digitaria 45-60 2 1-3 Yerba pangola eriantha Signal grass or Urochloa spp. 45-60 2 1-3 Brachiarias Sorghum or Millo Sorghum vulgare 35-60 2 1-3 Star grass or Cynodon 35-60 2 1-3 Yerba Estrella nlemfuensis LEGUMES Siratro Macroptilium 30-60 2 1-3 atropurpureum Tan-tan o Zarcilla Leucaena 45-60 2-6 1-3 leucocephala Desmanthus or Desmanthus 45-60 2-6 1-3 desmanto virgatus /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