Range Shield Management Guide

Range Shield® Products

Stockaide™

• Designed for areas of 7 – 12 inches of precipitation.

• This product is made up of the following varieties: Hamann creeping wheatgrass and other premium varieties of crested wheatgrass, and Siberian wheatgrass.

Barricaide™

• Designed for areas of 12 – 18 inches of precipitation and limited irrigation.

• Consists of newly developed improved varieties of: Arsenal meadow brome, Artillery smooth brome, Armory, a new, endophytefree drought tolerant tall fescue variety, and Hamann, our new creeping wheatgrass.

Renegaide™

• Designed for areas of 18 – 30 inches of precipitation or irrigation.

• Mixture consists of newly developed, improved varieties of: Ammo, our new drought tolerant orchardgrass, Arsenal meadow brome, Armory, our new drought tolerant tall fescue, Artillery smooth brome, and Hamann, our new creeping wheatgrass.

The Range Shield Difference

What sets Range Shield products apart from other dryland forage mixes is:

• Best Science & Newest Varieties – In contrast to other mixes on the market that contain 80-year-old varieties, Range Shield products use the newest varieties of improved forges, that were specifically bred to withstand harsh environments with improved establishment, forage quality, higher yields, and better animal performance.

• Rigorously Tested - Tested and proven in university trials and on farms and ranches around the U.S. and Canada under harsh real-world conditions.

• Yellow Jacket Coated – to help with establishment in arid conditions.

• Pre-inoculated with Mycorrhizal Fungi – Improve soil biology to aid soil health and long-term success.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Adaptation & Application

Adaptation of Range Shield in Different Climates

Where Should Range Shield Products Be Used?

When to Use Range Shield Products Instead of Other Barenbrug Products

Water Requirements

Adaptation

Application Components

Section 2: Gaining Value from Range Shield Products

Irrigation

Using Range Shield to Lower Feed Costs

Using Range Shield for Spring and Fall Grazing to Improve the Health of Native Pastures

Section 3: How to Plant

New Seeding

Renovating or Rejuvenating Existing Pastures

How & When

Seeding Key Success Factors

Incorporating Legumes

Section 4: Grazing Range Shield Products

Grazing Rules for New Seedings

Key Success Factors for Grazing Range Shield

Class of Livestock Suitable for Grazing Range Shield Products

Animal Nutrition & Mineral Supplementation While Grazing Range

Shield Products

Section 5: Hay

Haying Range Shield Grass

Section 5: Agronomy

Adaptation & Application

Adaptation of Range Shield in Different Climates

• Range Shield products have been specifically designed to preform where rainfall is limited. Specifically, areas where average precipitation is between 7-30 inches.

Where Should Range Shield Products be Used?

Where to Use

Stockaide

• 7 – 12-inch precipitation zones

• Pasture located in very dry & harsh environments

• Pivot corners

• High saline soils

• New seedings or to thicken up an existing pasture

• 12 – 18-inch precipitation zones or areas with supplemental irrigation

• Early spring & fall grazing

• Renovating or rejuvenating pasture

Barricaide

• Can be hayed

• Works well in spring runoff irrigation situations

• New seedings or to thicken up an existing pasture

• 18 – 30-inch precipitation or supplemental irrigation

• Superior grazing

Renegaide

• Excellent quality hay

• High yield & quality

• New seedings or to thicken up an existing pasture

When to Use Range Shield Products Instead of Other Barenbrug Products

• When a forage, that is higher-quality than commonly available forages, that can withstand harsh conditions (irrigation is limited, rainfall is under 30” annually, high salinity*, or high alkalinity †) is needed

• Under certain conditions we recommend using Range Shield products instead of, or in conjunction with other Barenbrug products.

• Talk to your Barenbrug representative to learn how Range Shield could benefit your operation.

Range Shield Product

Adaptation & Application

*Precipitation must occur incrementally over the course of the growing season.

Adaptation & Application

Gaining Value from Range Shield Products

Limited Irrigation Conditions

• Many ranchers especially in western U.S. have limited access to irrigation only during the spring runoff period. Utilizing Barricaide will provide a higher yield as these grasses will response well to irrigation in the Spring and are hardy enough to continue performing under normal precipitation after the irrigation has stopped.

Lower Your Feed Costs Through Early and Late Season Grazing

• Many ranchers already know, the longer they can graze the better they are off financially. Range Shield products are designed to extend the grazing season. For example, Barricaide greens up, on average, 10 day to two weeks earlier than most grass and will stay nutritious later into the grazing season putting dollars back into your pocket.

Pivot Corners, Field Borders, and Buffer Strips

• Stockaide and Barricaide are excellent choices for pivot corners and field buffer strips. Not only will your operation experience additional yields, but your soil will also be protected from erosion and nutrient runoff.

Lower Quality or Challenging Soil Conditions

• Range Shield products are designed to perform under harsh soil conditions.

• For higher salinity conditions, Stockaide is an excellent choice.

• For conditions of higher pH Barricade works well.

• Low soil quality but higher moisture conditions Renegaide yields high returns.

Gaining Value from Range Shield Products

Using Range Shield For Spring and Fall Grazing to Improve the Health of Native Pastures

• By grazing Range Shield pastures in late-spring and early fall instead of native pastures, you give native pastures additional time needed to prepare for and recover from winter-stress and summer grazing.

• Range Shield products provide high quality spring and fall grazing options allowing producers to save their native pastures for summer grazing.

• By providing grazing alternatives to native pasture during the critical spring and fall months when native pastures are highly vulnerable to damage from grazing, Range Shield products improve the health of your native pastures while lowering your feed costs!

How To Plant

New Seeding

• Firm seed bed is required.

• No-till is the preferred method whenever possible.

• If planting into a prepared seedbed it is important to firm the seedbed prior to planting and roll the field after planting.

Renovating or Rejuvenating Existing Pasture

• The Range Shield family of products are excellent choices for situations in which cool season pastures need to be rejuvenated or completely renovated.

• In situations where a pasture is going to be completely renovated the old forage can be replaced with one of the Range Shield products suitable for your precipitation zone.

• No-tilling into existing pasture is a simple, easy, and cost-effective way to improve pasture quality.

• Success is highly dependent upon available precipitation, soil health & type, and subsequent grazing management.

How To Plant

Planting - When & How

• Range Shield products are best planted using a no-till drill directly into existing stand.

• Planting into a prepared seed bed necessitates firming the seedbed both prior to planting and after planting.

• Range Shield products can be planted in early fall, dormant seeded during late fall/early winter, or planted early spring ahead of seasonal rains.

• Range Shield products will perform best when planted at 1/8 to ¼ inch deep into a firm seedbed, ahead of moisture.

• We recommend planting at least 6 weeks ahead of winter or summer.

• Although Barenbrug takes great care to provide the highest quality seed, establishment success is highly dependent upon available precipitation, soil health & type, and subsequent grazing management.

Seeding Key Success Factors

• Correct seed depth (1/8 – ¼ inch)

• Good soil seed contact, i.e., firm seed bed is important

• Using a properly working and calibrated rangeland seed drill is critical. Drills that bounce or otherwise don’t follow the counter of the terrain cause skips or seed to be placed to shallow or worse too deep.

• Adequate moisture is critical.

• Proper subsequent grazing management will have a tremendous effect on persistence & longevity of a new planting:

• Do not start grazing new pastures until Range Shield products are at least 10-12 inches tall.

• Do not graze below 5-6 inches.

Incorporating Legumes

• We recommend using legumes in conjunction with Range Shield products whenever possible.

• Any drought tolerant legume such as alfalfa, sainfoin or sweet clover etc. can be used in conjunction with Range Shield products.

• Barenbrug’s Alfabar™, a blend of grazing tolerant alfalfas, has proven to be highly effective with Range Shield products.

• We recommend planting legumes simultaneously with Range Shield products at a rate of 3/4 to 1-1/2 lbs. (alfalfa equivalent seeding rate) per acre along with the full seeding rate of the Range Shield product.

• Planting the legumes using the small box on the seeder usually works very well.

Grazing Range Shield Products

• Range shield products are designed to provide high quality forage for grazing within a rangeland/dryland or limited irrigation setting. Following key grazing guidelines will greatly enhance the success of Range Shield.

Grazing Rules for New Seedings:

• Giving a new planting adequate time to establish prior to grazing is critical.

• Depending on precipitation that could mean deferring grazing for up to a year or more depending on climate conditions.

• Keep in mind perennial grasses, such as those found in Range Shield, are initially primarily focused on developing below ground root mass which is critical for supporting long-term survivability.

• During this initial phase of root development perennial grass are highly susceptible to damage from grazing.

• The first grazing should be a quick, short duration, low impact, low (2530%) utilization type of graze, and the pasture should not be re-grazed until grass has regrown to 10-12 inches.

Key Success Factors Grazing Range Shield:

• Adequate rest/recovery between grazing is critical.

• Rotational grazing that allows enough rest between grazing to allow grass to full recovery prior to re-grazing will greatly improve longevity and quality of a pasture.

• Full recovery takes place when plant has developed a full 4th or 5th leaf. Plant height of 10 – 12 inches is usually a sign the grass has recovered.

• Leaving sufficient residual (4+ inches) after grazing greatly prolongs stand life.

• Utilize the “take half-leave half” rule of thumb.

• Vary grazing dates. By avoiding grazing the same pasture the same time year after year will improve the health and longevity of your pasture. This can be achieved by keeping a record of when a pasture was grazed and varying grazing dates from year to year.

• Utilizing warm-season grasses such as native pasture, Barenbrug Mojo™, CoverGraze™, bermudagrass etc. during summer months within a comprehensive forage program will stretch forage availability and help overcome the summer slump that can be associated with cool season grasses. Barenbrug’s PinPoint™ program provides several options to overcome seasonal forage gaps.

Class of Livestock Suitable for Grazing Range Shield Products

• All classes of livestock can safely graze Range Shield products.

Grazing Range Shield Products

Animal Nutrition & Mineral Supplementation While Grazing Range Shield Products

• Depending on your area, mineral supplementation could be important. Consult your local veterinarian or animal nutritionist for recommendations specific to your area.

Haying Range Shield Products

• Range Shield products make very high-quality hay, but they require adequate moisture to produce sufficient yield.

• In cases where conditions allow, taking a hay crop off in early summer then stockpiling the pasture for fall or winter grazing can work well.

• When haying, never cut below 4” inches (higher is better) to ensure adequate residual leaf for photosynthesis (energy production), and to protect the plant’s energy reserves located in the basal stem.

• Depending upon you fertilization program Range Shield hay has tested as high as 14-18% CP, usually range between 8 – 12% CP on a dry matter basis.

Agronomy

Fertilization Weed Control Irrigation

• In the west fertilization at planting is not usually recommended since it tends to stimulate weed growth and can encourage invasive species. An exception is when planting occurs in an irrigated pasture. If irrigation will be utilized, we suggest you fertilize according to soil test under advisement of an agronomist. Under irrigation, fertilizing with around 50 – 100 units of N in something like a 10-10-10 formulation might be beneficial.

• Normally not necessary as grass will usually out compete weeds by the second year after planting. However, an approved herbicide can be applied at the 4 or 5 leaf stage if deemed necessary, for example in areas of exceptionally high weed seed bank. We recommend you consult an agronomist.

NOTE

If planting after corn take caution since certain herbicides used in corn are particularly detrimental to grass. Consult your licensed agronomist to ensure residual herbicides won’t affect your Range Shield planting.

• Irrigation is not required when planted in appropriate precipitation zone under normal climate conditions. However, irrigation can be used on all Range Shield products to maximize yield or as a drought mitigation strategy. If irrigation will be utilized plan your irrigation scheduling to apply ½ to 1+ inch of water per week depending on rainfall, soil water holding capacity, time of year, and evapotranspiration (ET).

Agronomy

Agronomic Table

How to Plant No-till drill

Seeding Rate 25lbs. per Acre

Seeding Rate with Legumes Range Shield full rate: Legumes (Alfalfa, Sainfoin, etc.) seeded at rate of up to 3/4 - 1 1/2 lbs. per acre

Seeding Depth 1/8-1/4 inch in a firm seedbed

When to Plant Ahead of moisture. Depending on regional conditions can be planted: 1. Late summer/early fall (typically Aug. 15 – Sep. 15th), 2. Winter dormant seeded, or 3. early spring (as early as possible)

Fertilization

Water Needs/ Irrigation

Cutting Height for Haying or Grazing

Seeds per Pound

Germination Soil

Not usually recommended (see above)

Precipitation needed according to specific Range Shield product requirements; Irrigation where available can be used. (See above)

Minimum 4 inches, higher (up to 6 inches) is better

Approximately 200,000

Temperature 45 – 55 degrees F

Days to Germination Usually 12 – 14 day (range 10 – 30 days depending on soil temperature & moisture)

Days to Emergence 16 – 18 days (14 – 32 days)

Soil Type Wide range. Handles light, high alkaline soil as well as sandy soils. Excels in sandy & clay loam soils.

Soil pH 5.5 – 8.0 (ideal: 6 – 7)

Salinity Tolerance

Drought Tolerance

Where Can Range Shield Products Be Purchased?

Range Shield products are available through authorized Barenbrug distributors and dealers.

Above Average to High

High to Very High

Talk to your local Barenbrug Distributor/dealer or Barenbrug representative to see how Range Shield products can add value to your operation.

More information about Range Shield products can be found at www. barusa.com or by contacting your local Barenbrug distributor/dealer.

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