Growers Can Rotate Beans, Wheat and Cattle: January 1998 Soybeans Today

Soybeans Today January 1998

Growers Can Rotate Beans, Wheat and Cattle

By Rich Maples

Extension soybean agronomist Dr. Lanny Ashlock, left, and U of A research specialist Jim Hagar check their plot plan to see which variety to harvest next.

Looking for a way to maximum your land use? You might consider harvesting your soybeans, planting wheat and then grazing stocker calves on the wheat.

Dr. Lanny Ashlock, Cooperative Extension Service soybean agronomist, is doing just that with animal science researcher Dr. Bernie Daniels and other scientists at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Livestock Forestry Substation near Batesville. The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board is funding the project.

"The study started last year when stocker calves in the 400-pound range were turned in on wheat in the middle of November and wintered out," said Ashlock. "The calves, which were grazed on 24 two-acre pastures, had an average daily gain of more than 2 pounds.

Stocker calves turned in on wheat had an average daily gain of more than 2 pounds.

"The stocker cattle were pulled off the pastures and, on May 3, we planted one Maturity Group III variety and three Group IV varieties on two of the 2-acre pastures. We wanted to plant earlier, in late April, but we were delayed by rain."

Each of the four varieties in the trial was replicated four times under both dryland and irrigated conditions.

"As soon as we harvested soybeans on September 15, experiment station personnel prepared the ground and planted wheat," said Ashlock. "Luckily, it rained in late September. We got the moisture we needed for germination and to get enough growth for fall, winter and spring grazing."

The goal of the study from the soybean standpoint is to determine which varieties mature fast enough to allow wheat planting and still produce a good yield, said Ashlock.

"A variety in our test with a relative maturity of 3.9, Northrup King S39-ll, averaged 48 bushels per acre irrigated and 19 bushels without irrigation," he noted. "Northrup King S42-60 beans, with a relative maturity of 4.2, averaged 66 bushels irrigated and 14 bushels dryland. The low dryland yield was probably due to excessive shattering, so it might not be typical.

"A 4.5 maturity variety, DEKALB CX456, averaged 57 bushels irrigated and 27 bushels dryland. And a 4.7 maturity variety, Deltapine 3478, averaged 53 bushels irrigated and 25 bushels dryland irrigated.

"About anything with a relative maturity of 4.5 or earlier should work well."

Ashlock said the soybean and wheat pasture rotation could work anywhere, "But right now, it’s geared to western Arkansas, where farmers already have cattle and grow wheat and can grow soybeans--areas such as river valleys and in creek bottoms.

"Our project is here on these old thin, Ozark highland soils. If it works well here, it should do well just about anywhere. It probably wouldn’t do well on clay soils because they stay so wet in the winter and calves would have to slop through it.

"But if you have good drainage, where you can effectively graze your wheat, you can probably produce a relatively short-season soybean crop. Being able to irrigate would certainly help."

Soybeans Today January 1998
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For additional information about any board-related activity contact:

Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board
ATTN: Brandy Carroll
P.O. Box 31
Little Rock, AR 72203-0031
Phone: 501-228-1268

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