Shilofarm Hay is a sweet fine-stemed highly palatable hay – except when it isn’t. Mostly what makes it ‘isn’t’ is an infestation of reed canary grass (RCG). This is caused by infiltration of the floating seed from our upstream neighbor, which the beavers on Blooms Ditch ‘spread’ by flooding the fields in the winter. Once established, RCG uses a lot of aggressive Rhysomes to choke out other vegetation, ruining the hay quality and making very wet cold fields in the spring, which upset our resident frogs.
The net effect is that instead of selling oh say 2000 70 pound bales a year in 2024 the farm produced about 700. While that is appreciated, and buyers were pleased, it isn’t how it should be. Here is ‘the plan’ to fix this problem:
Goal and Strategy for Reed Canary Grass (RCG) Mitigation
Goal:
To effectively reduce and eventually eliminate the dominance of Reed Canary Grass (RCG) in Tilsch soils while restoring the area for productive agricultural use, particularly for hay production. The approach aims to suppress RCG through repeated cycles of targeted planting and management while minimizing re-infestation risks from upstream seed influx.
Strategy:
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Suppress Existing RCG:
- Employ a three-year rotation cycle using oats and Austrian field peas in spring, followed by winter rye in fall.
- Use an integrated sequence of flail mowing, shallow plowing, disking with trailing harrow, and reseeding to disrupt RCG growth and deplete the seed bank.
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Manage Reinfestation Risks:
- Install straw bale filtration along the influx stream to intercept RCG seeds carried by water.
- Monitor pooling areas for early signs of RCG germination and intervene promptly with mowing or replanting.
- Leverage the Tilsch soil’s rapid drainage to minimize pooling duration, reducing favorable conditions for seed establishment.
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Enhance Long-Term Control:
- Explore the implementation of a hard barrier system through a habitat restoration program in collaboration with local agencies. This would create water management structures that both prevent re-infestation and support conservation goals (e.g., habitat for the Oregon Spotted Frog).
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Optimize Agricultural Output:
- Adapt planting schedules flexibly to mitigate risks from weather and drainage variability.
- Market oat and field pea hay to niche buyers, such as smallholders with ruminants or herbivores, to maximize profitability.
- Evaluate the potential for alternative forage crops to improve soil health and broaden market appeal.
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Continuous Monitoring and Adjustments:
- Regularly inspect filtration barriers and pooling areas to ensure effectiveness.
- Maintain a responsive plan for equipment and operational needs to ensure timely management.
Outcome:
By combining repeated planting cycles, water management solutions, and market-focused production strategies, RCG infestation will be significantly reduced, allowing for productive and sustainable use of the Tilsch soil.
