Agricultural News
Edwards Recommends Checking for First Hollow Stem
Mon, 23 Feb 2015 19:14:50 CST
It's time for producers to check their wheat pasture for first hollow stem. Oklahoma State University Small Grains Extension Specialist Dr. Jeff Edwards says first hollow stem is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. The First Hollow Stem Advisor on the Oklahoma Mesonet indicates that early wheat varieties in southern Oklahoma are likely past first hollow stem and that early varieties in central Oklahoma will reach this point soon.
First hollow stem occurs just prior to jointing and is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. First hollow stem usually occurs in mid to late February in southern Oklahoma and early March in northern Oklahoma. Grazing past first hollow stem can reduce wheat grain yield by as much as 5% per day and the added cattle gains are not enough to offset the value of the reduced wheat yield.
Similar to previous years, OSU will monitor occurrence of first hollow stem in their wheat plots at Stillwater. There is also a new first hollow stem advisor available on the Oklahoma Mesonet that can assist in determining when to start scouting.
Checking for first hollow stem is fairly easy.
-- You must check first hollow stem in a nongrazed area of the same variety and planting date. Variety can affect date of first hollow stem by as much as three weeks and planting date can affect it even more.
-- Dig or pull up a few plants and split the largest tiller longitudinally (lengthways) and measure the amount of hollow stem present below the developing grain head. You must dig plants because at this stage the developing grain head may still be below the soil surface.
-- If there is 1.5 cm of hollow stem present (see picture below), it is time to remove cattle. 1.5 cm is about the same as the diameter of a dime.
-- Detailed information on first hollow stem can be found at by clicking here under 'wheat management' then 'grazing'
To read Jeff Edwards' blog on First hollow stem update 02/19/15, click here.
Click here for the First Hollow Stem Advisor.
Picture: The plant on the left is past first hollow stem and is jointing. The plant on the right is at first hollow stem
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