CASE STUDY: Extension Demonstrations Examine On Farm Wheat Yield Responses to Grazing and Survey Thoughts on Establishment and Enterprise Diversification

On-farm case studies were established in Arkansas to examine the effects of grazing on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield and to survey producers and educators about their thoughts on wheat establishment methods and enterprise diversification. Eight demonstration sites from 2005 to 2008 established wheat for grazing. Grazing pressure ranged from 0.9 to 7.7 animal units (au; 1 au = 454.54 kg BW) per hectare. Grazing restriction cages were assembled in the fall before grazing and in the spring near first hollow stem to examine the effects of grazing on wheat. Either wheat was harvested or plant seed head counts were substituted in the case of plant sterility or heavy bird predation. Overall, grazing reduced average plant counts by 24% among 4 demonstration sites that could not be harvested. Two of the 4 sites observed (P < 0.05) reductions in plant counts. Four sites were harvested for grain. Wheat grain yield averaged 2,708 kg/ha and was not affected (P > 0.10) by grazing. Ninety-one percent of producers attending wheat grazing field days were implementing establishment methods other than clean tillage. Producers and educators indicated that enterprise diversification will be important to long-term sustainability of agriculture in the United States; however, educators responded with a unanimous certainty, whereas the producers responded with less certainty (greater variation). In addition, producers indicated (P < 0.05) they were more likely to adopt alternative tillage systems and diversified production systems because of economic enhancement, whereas educators were more likely to recommend these systems for environmental enhancement.