590 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



EMERGENCY FORAGE CROPS. 



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



Reports from, many portions of the Central "West indicate that the 

 droughts of spring and early summer have greatly reduced the hay crop 

 throughout this entire section, and that in many localities the pastures 

 are already completely dried up. Oats, too, in some sections, are only 

 half a crop. This situation calls for prompt recognition by farmers and 

 the immediate planting of emergency crops to round out the shortage of 

 both hay and pasture. There is still time between now and mid-July to 

 plant half a dozen kinds of quick-growing crops that may be used as 

 substitutes for the regular hay and pasture crops if the seed is secured 

 and the land at once put into condition. 



For hay there may be planted millet, cowpeas, sorghum, soy beans, and 

 Canada field peas and barley. These same crops are suitable for pasture 

 purposes, and, in addition, rape, rye, and winter varieties of wheat. The 

 whole corn plant may also be used. For grain, buckwheat, millet, and 

 cowpeas are available, and, in the southern part of the region, early 

 varieties of soy beans. 



The aim of this pamphlet is to state briefly enough essential facts 

 relative to each of these crops to enable intelligent selection, giving 

 reference to more complete bulletins on the subject, which may be 

 secured later. The vital point now is the recognition of the situation and 

 the prompt planting with least possible delay of some crop that will 

 supplement the pastures as quickly as possible and fill empty barns with 

 hay for winter. 



CROPS THAT MAY BE PLANTED FOR HAY OR PASTURE. 



Common millet is one of the best varieties of millet to sow as an emer- 

 gency hay or pasture crop, since it yields well under trying conditions of 

 soil and climate. It matures for hay in 50 to 80 days from the date of 

 sowing, and for seed 10 to 15 days later. As a pasture, stock can be 

 turned on it within a month after seeding. Use one-half to three-fourths 

 of a bushel of seed per acre. If seeded for an early grain crop or on 

 corn land burned up by drought, disk the land thoroughly and harrow the 

 seed in or sow on shallow plowed land well harrowed down. Other good 

 varieties of millet are Hungarian and German. Millet hay is of most 

 value for cattle. It is less desirable for horses and sheep. Broomcorn 

 or hog millet is one of the best producers of seed. Millet seed is relished 

 by poultry, hogs, and young cattle. 



SORGHUM. 



For fodder sorghum should be sown as early in July as possible. Early 

 Amber, one of the best varieties, requires 70 to 100 days to mature for 

 fodder, and the Orange varieties about 10 days longer. The crop should 

 be cut for fodder when the seed on about half the head is mature. The 



