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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176335
Title: RENOVATING PASTURES WITH GLYPHOSATE TOLERANT SOYBEANS

Author
item Mitchell, Robert - Rob
item Vogel, Kenneth
item ANDERSON, BRUCE - UNI OF NE

Submitted to: Forage and Grazinglands
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2005
Publication Date: 4/29/2005
Citation: Mitchell, R., Vogel, K.P., Anderson, B. 2005. Renovating pastures with glyphosate tolerant soybeans. Forage and Grazinglands doi:0.2094/FG-2005-0428-01-BR.

Interpretive Summary: Pasture renovation is expensive because of lost production, costs for killing existing vegetation by tillage or herbicides, and direct replanting costs. Reducing costs, reducing risk of failure, and producing income from pasture land during renovation can significantly increase the profitability of improving pastures. Technology developed for soybean production can be used to renovate pasture. Roundup® ready technology can be used to kill existing vegetation, produce income from soybeans during renovation, and prepare a good seedbed for replanting areas to forages. Planting a glyphosate-tolerant soybean crop enables the use of glyphosate for weed control. This process maintains pasture residue on site, reduces soil erosion and desiccation, and produces income during renovation. Glyphosate-tolerant soybeans are preferable to corn because soybeans produce an excellent seedbed for no-till planting and leave enough residue to protect the soil, but not interfere with seeding. This approach provides income during pasture renovation. In pastures and fields renovated in 2004, soybean yields were 30 to 40 bushels per acre. Additionally, it prepares an excellent weed-free seedbed for grass establishment, and no-till seeding forages into soybean stubble reduces tillage and weed control costs during establishment. Using glyphosate-tolerant technology can reduce pasture renovation costs and increase the probability of success for pasture re-establishment.

Technical Abstract: Reducing costs, reducing risk of failure, and producing income from pasture land during renovation can significantly increase the profitability of improving pastures. Technology developed for soybean production can be used to renovate pasture. Roundup® ready (glyphosate; N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) technology can be used to kill existing vegetation, produce income from soybeans during renovation, and prepare a good seedbed for replanting areas to forages. Planting a glyphosate-tolerant soybean crop enables the use of glyphosate for weed control, which maintains pasture residue on site, reduces soil erosion and desiccation, and produces income during renovation. Glyphosate-tolerant soybeans are preferable to corn because soybeans produce an excellent seedbed for no-till planting and leave enough residue to protect the soil, but not interfere with seeding. This approach provides income during pasture renovation. In pastures and fields renovated in 2004, soybean yields were 30 to 40 bushels per acre. Additionally, it prepares an excellent weed-free seedbed for grass establishment, and no-till seeding forages into soybean stubble reduces tillage and weed control costs during establishment. Growing soybeans for 2 years will control noxious weeds from the previous pasture. Good grazing, fertility, and weed management will optimize the productive potential and life-span of new pastures. Using glyphosate-tolerant technology can reduce pasture renovation costs and increase the probability of success for pasture re-establishment.