Solution to the lack of straw : Switchgrass

A product rather easy to harvest.

What are the benefits and limitations of switchgrass grown on-site to replace the straw purchased outside ? Answers in Corrèze.

The switchgrass is more and more interest frombreeders in the lack of straw. This perennial crop is the subject of a follow-up in the Corrèze by the chamber of agriculture and the fdcuma.

The switchgrass less expensive to establish than the miscanthus

Is often associated with miscanthus in switchgrass in this niche crop-producing biomass. Point in common : both are harvested in late winter, when the annual growth shrivel up and dry out naturally.

In comparison, the miscanthus produces more per hectare, and offers better shock absorption features in the litter. On the other hand, it is more expensive to implement and more sensitive to lack of water. It also calls the harvest equipment more expensive, a harvester, not to mention the bulk storage.

For bedding, you can also consider the wood chips. Here, too, it must be able to mobilize harvesting machinery specialist.

Plots specific to the departure

Maxime Lepeytre (fdcuma Corrèze) and Anne-Claire Jamet (chamber of agriculture) have recently made an inventory of the production of switchgrass. in fact, It is the switchgrass, a grass endemic to North America, where its English name.

First point : this perennial crop demand is often more surface area relative to the rotation now. In fact, the breeder producing just what he needs grain for their animals, while missing straw has no interest in replace the surfaces of grains by the switchgrass. It would then grain. Apart from these constraints, this culture is more suitable for value parcels remote, and of average quality, which are the most expensive to operate in the framework of a classic rotation. It must have a pH between 5.5 and 8, a floor that let in the machines at the end of winter for the harvest, and a history of salissement not too busy. In fact, the switchgrass is afraid of weed competition during the first few months.

Sow as in a meadow

Second aspect : the implantation. There are several varieties on the market, the most recent being the more productive and better adapted to different niches are looking for (bedding, shelter for the game, anaerobic digestion, etc). The plant needs heat, 12 to 14°C. It is sown later than corn, such as a sorghum. The seed is very small, should be covered but at 1 cm depth at the maximum. A curl in turn promotes germination.

After which, the switchgrass up slowly, and it takes more than a season, to express its big potential to cover the ground. Hence the value of a field at the outset and not too infested. Subsequently, a few solutions herbicides remain possible. In any case, for the farmer, a good dose of patience is required.

To note : some of the implant live in an old meadow, after a passage of herbicide total.

Seeds very small, pay attention to the setting of the planter !

A floor set at the end of winter

The first real harvest comes after two years of growth. At the end of winter, one can hope that the ground will be sufficiently set, knowing that the sod much. At this time, the straw is dry. On the other hand, the recovery of the vegetation of the culture will not be long, thus avoiding the weeds take advantage of them. Although the switchgrass can reach up to 2.50 m high, it is mowing easily because it is dry and somewhat brittle.

The conditioner to break a few long strands, which makes the baling round bales, but a grim reaper simple is also the case.

No need of expensive hardware

The current materials for the operation or the cuma is enough. Either this is a mower-conditioner, and the recovery is done live. Either it is a grim reaper flat, and it is necessary to rake behind. For bale, round or square, no problem. Except that this product quite slippery leaves do not tighten very strong in round bales. On the other hand, the stems can be quite long, the equipment of the press with a cutting device is a plus. Moreover, it is also possible to ensiler live, provided you have then a storage solution, in bulk.

In the spring, the plant tiller and remakes of the new shoots.

A yield of 6 to 17 tMS/ha

The yield of a crop of switchgrass in the cruise goes from 6 to 17 tMS/ha, depending on the variety and the quality of the soil. Theinvestment in the seed rises to about 800 €/ha. Fertilization did not go very far as exports are very low. On the other hand, an excess of nitrogen leads to a fast rate. According to the calculations of Maxime Lepeytre, a switchgrass providing 11 tMS/ha is competitive over 15 years with a triticale 40 q/ha.

The company Seedénergies part of the seed companies that specialize in this species. Its director, Franck Fournier, prodigal happy its advice to choose the variety best suited to the context and to optimize the conduct of the culture. It indicates that some varieties of switchgrass may also provide green forage during summer.

Source article : https://www.entraid.com/articles/production-fourragere-et-aleas-climatiques