[caroncrest]

so, it looks like we have a (small?) problem developing and I'd love everyone's input...

80 acres of barley looking fabulous for silage, big healthy leaves, just heading nicely.... and looks like smut on 1-2%, definitely less than 5%

so, I'm already expecting lower starch values and resulting lowered energy levels in general, but the big question I haven't found an answer to yet is: will there be toxins that the ensiling bugs won't take care of? Will I be able to put it in a separate pile and feed it to heifers over the winter with no problems?

I have asked my nutritionist about this, and he will be getting back to me, and I figure I should hit up one or two of my old university profs as well, but I definitely would love some real life advice from anyone with experience with this as well!

and yeah, we will definitely be adding seed treatments to the mix next year? any recommendations specifically for smut?

 

[blanchfarm]

So I just realise your on both forums so I had this one open and figured ill reply here.
I am pretty sure it isn't okay we had some smut is corn last year and it turned out alright.

I am also guessing you use a microtoxin binder of some sort we use Elitox.

Cheers roger

 

[caroncrest]

I am pretty sure it isn't okay we had some smut is corn last year and it turned out alright.

are you saying it will make ok silage and not be a total disaster then? My Australian to Canadian translator seems to have skipped a beat

 

[blanchfarm]

Sorry mate fat fingers on an ipad. I would think it would be fine.

 

[caroncrest]

appreciate it. I think we are leaning towards chopping it and storing it separately unless someone has a few stories of cows having trouble with silage with smut in it...

 

[MCatSHF]

Hello Caroncrest
Last year my barley that I chopped & combined had covered smut. I fed it to my backgtounding calves, feeders to finish, bred heifers & cows & bulls, all with no issues. You might want to read this that I snipped from AARD.

 

[tkfarms]

I have always had smut in our barley.. but not that much... This year however My barley is looking to be almost 30% smutted... I have never seen it so bad. Could I have sprayed fungicide before heading out to stop it? What can be done to prevent it?

 

[caroncrest]

thanks very much mcatshf, that is reassuring

thanks for taking the time to contribute while you slog it out in the wetlands, hope the year recovers decently for you guys out east...

 

[wjkrostek]

I have a simular question on loose smut. I have been growing oats up here in Alaska (only ten to twenty acres) for about eight years and have used my seed over and over and never had any smut. Well my landlord has tried to grow wheat 5 different types about 1/4 acre each to see which one turns out best for bread. (I have the combine) When I checked out his wheat I found smut on one type. I recommended he put it under ground before he spreds it to the other wheat and the surrounding areas and soil. But he didn't. I'm sure he has heared it's no big deal. I also told him I don't what to combine it because I don't want it on my fields and on my oats. Once in the combine it's contaminated. I have no experience with this problem so i have some questions.

1.Am I over reacting? I know you all have smut and no one gets excited about it but once you have it thats it you have it.

2 Can the same smut on wheat also grow on oats? I read that it can get into the native grasses of some types.

3.Can I combine the other 4 that arn't showing signs of smut and just leave the smutted behind. They are all growing next to each other. I wish he would of put it under but it's too late now as the wheat has flowered so if it is the type that gets inside the seed that done already. Any ideas for me out there? I will try to treat my seed next year but there is always some seed that is left in the combine. I never knew how much until I did some barley and oats. When I planted the oat seed some barly showed it's head. It might be 1/10,000 but it sure shows up. Will the fungucide get into the seed?