173 Grazing Cover Crops: Effects of Cattle Removal Date on Forage Production and Cattle Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 94-94
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Total Gain ◽  
Cattle Performance

Abstract Use of cool-season annual cover crops through grazing has been shown to be a potential tool in extending the grazing season, while still mitigating environmental risks associated with warm-season row crop production. Although data describing the effects of grazing on soil health are not novel, effects of grazing length on animal performance and cover crop production are limited. The objective was to determine cattle performance and forage production when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve, 1.2-ha pastures were established in a four species forage mix and randomly allocated to be grazed through either mid-February (FEB), mid-March (MAR), or mid-April (APR) with a non-grazed control (CON). Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock and a 1:1 forage allowance was maintained in each paddock using put-and-take steers. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination of average daily gain (ADG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for forage production, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Fiber fractions were measured using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences in forage mass were detected between CON and FEB (3,694.75 vs. 2,539.68 kg/ha; P < 0.003), CON and MAR (3,694.75 vs. 1,823.45 kg/ha; P < 0.001), and CON and APR (3,694.75 vs. 1,976.23 kg/ha; P < 0.001). Differences in total gain/acre were detected between APR and MAR (212.24 vs. 101.74 kg/ha; P < 0.0001), APR and FEB (212.24 vs 52.65 kg/ha; P < 0.0001), and FEB and MAR (101.74 vs. 52.65 kg/ha; P < 0.003). No differences were detected for tester ADG (1.23 kg/day, P = 0.56), NDF (44.9%, P = 0.99), or ADF (27.2%, P = 0.92) among treatments. These results indicate that cattle removal date effected forage yield and total gain/hectare.

scholarly journals Lamb performance in hardwood silvopastures, I: animal gains and forage measures in summer

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 385-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel J Pent ◽  
Scott P Greiner ◽  
John F Munsell ◽  
Benjamin F Tracy ◽  
John H Fike
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Black Walnut ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract The integration of trees into pasture systems can have variable effects on forage and animal growth. Some reports of these systems have indicated that animal gains are similar or better even when tree presence lowers forage yield. Forage production and animal performance were compared in black walnut (Juglans nigra L.)-based and honeylocust (Gleditisia triacanthose L.)-based silvopasture systems and open pastures in a randomized complete block design with three blocks over three summers. Cool season-based, mixed grass pastures were rotationally stocked with four to seven lambs depending on available forage. A rising plate meter was used to estimate pre- and post-graze forage mass. Forage samples of the mixed sward were collected and analyzed for nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations. Species percent cover was estimated using a modified Daubenmire approach at the same 12 points within each experimental unit every 4 wk during the study. Pre-graze herbage mass was similar (P = 0.0717) in honeylocust silvopastures (5020 ± 30 kg·ha−1) and open pastures (4930 ± 30 kg·ha−1) and lowest (P < 0.0001) in the black walnut silvopastures (3560 ± 30 kg·ha−1). Forages in the black walnut and honeylocust silvopastures had similar (P = 0.4867) N concentrations (23.3 ± 0.4 and 23.9 ± 0.4 g·kg−1, respectively), which was greater (P ≤ 0.0003) than that of the forages in the open pastures (21.0 ± 0.4 g·kg−1). Forages in the honeylocust silvopasture had lower (P ≤ 0.0042) NDF concentrations (507 ± 3 g·kg−1) than forages in the black walnut silvopasture and open pastures (mean = 525 ± 3 g·kg−1). Forage species present in the black walnut silvopastures differed from those present in the open and honeylocust systems, which had similar composition. Despite differences in stocking rates, total lamb weight gains per system did not differ (P ≥ 0.7592) among black walnut, honeylocust, and open pasture systems (10 ± 2, 12 ± 2, and 10 ± 2 kg·d−1, respectively). Silvopasture practices can improve land productivity when incorporated into cool season forage pastures.

scholarly journals 64 Effects of grazing cool-season cover crops on forage and animal performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-21
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
Trifolium Incarnatum ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Total Gain

Abstract Utilization of cool-season cover crops has been shown to increase soil health and cash crop performance in minimum tillage cash crop systems. Though evidence that grazing of cover crops can be viable is limited. Our objective was to determine animal and forage performance when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve 1.2 ha pastures were established in a forage mix consisting of black oats (Avena strigose), cereal rye (Secale cereal), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and T-raptor (Brassica napus × B. rapa) and randomly allocated to be grazed either 0, 30, 60, or 90 days. Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock with the exception of control paddocks and allowed ad libitum grazing. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination ADG and total gain (TG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for NDF and ADF using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences were found in ADG between 90 and 60 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs. 2.8 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01) and 90 and 30 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs 2.7 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01). Differences in TG were detected between 90 and 60 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs. 386.67 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), between 90 and 30 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), and between 60 and 30 days grazed (386.67 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg, P < 0.01). No differences in NDF (44.86%, P = 0.99) or ADF (27.20%, P = 0.92) were detected between treatments. These results indicate that different grazing periods could influence cattle growth and performance without negatively impacting forage quality and production.

scholarly journals 65 Effects of grazing cool-season cover crops on forage and animal performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Cash Crop ◽  
Trifolium Incarnatum ◽  
Cereal Rye ◽  
Crimson Clover ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Total Gain

Abstract Utilization of cool-season cover crops has been shown to increase soil health and cash crop performance in minimum tillage cash crop systems. Though evidence that grazing of cover crops can be viable is limited. Our objective was to determine animal and forage performance when grazing a cool-season annual cover-crop. Twelve 1.2 ha pastures were established in a forage mix consisting of black oats (Avena strigose), cereal rye (Secale cereal), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and T-raptor (Brassica napus × B. rapa) and randomly allocated to be grazed either 0, 30, 60, or 90 days. Three tester steers were randomly placed in each paddock with the exception of control paddocks and allowed ad libitum grazing. Animals were weighed every 30 d for determination ADG and total gain (TG). Forage was harvested bi-weekly and analyzed for NDF and ADF using an ANKOM fiber analyzer (ANKOM Tech, Macedon, NY). All data was analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., Cary, NC). Differences were found in ADG between 90 and 60 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs. 2.8 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01) and 90 and 30 days grazed (4.2 ± 0.12 vs 2.7 ± 0.12 kg/d; P < 0.01). Differences in TG were detected between 90 and 60 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs. 386.67 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), between 90 and 30 days grazed (819 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg; P < 0.01), and between 60 and 30 days grazed (386.67 ± 13.35 vs 261.33 ± 13.35 kg, P < 0.01). No differences in NDF (44.86%, P = 0.99) or ADF (27.20%, P = 0.92) were detected between treatments. These results indicate that different grazing periods could influence cattle growth and performance without negatively impacting forage quality and production.

PSI-4 Animal and agronomic performance while grazing winter stockpiled novel endophyte tall fescue established with three pasture renovation strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 276-276
Author(s):  
Charlotte L Talbott ◽  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Alan J Franluebbers ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Grazing Period

Abstract Comparing animal and agronomic performance following renovation of toxic-infected tall fescue (TF) to novel endophyte tall fescue (NE) is fundamental to evaluating economic returns and increasing adoption of NE. In 2018, three NE renovation strategies were implemented in a randomized complete block design in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Sixty-four Angus heifers (initial BW 290 kg ± 88) were randomly assigned to treatments and strip-grazed stockpiled fescue for 56-d, two years after NE establishment. Forage yield and nutritive value was measured every 14-d. Data were analyzed using proc GLIMMIX of SAS v9.4. Average daily gain was greatest (P = 0.0024) for cattle grazing 1-SM (0.67 kg/d), and least for 3-CM (0.54 kg/d) and C (0.44 kg/d), which did not differ. 3-SM (0.57 kg/d) did not differ from other treatments. Within the grazing period, forage yield was greatest (P = 0.0001) in 3-CM, 3-SM, and C compared to 1-SM (3053, 2941, 2856 and 2465 kg/ha, respectively). Prior to the initiation of grazing, crude protein concentration was greater (P = 0.0089) for 3-CM (17.5%) compared to C, 1-SM, and 3-SM (15.8%, 15.8% and 15.3%, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber was greater (P = 0.0135) for 3-SM (57%) than C (55.1%) and 3-CM (54.5%), but did not differ from 1-SM (54.6%). Concentration of total digestible nutrients was greater (P = 0.0187) for 3-CM (73.2%) compared to 1-SM (72.1%) and 3-SM (71.9%), but did not differ from C (72.5%). Data suggest animal and agronomic performance for NE was improved compared to TF during winter stockpile grazing in years following renovation.

Cover crop effects on soil temperature in a clay loam soil in southwestern Ontario

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
X.M. Yang ◽  
W.D. Reynolds ◽  
C.F. Drury ◽  
M.D. Reeb
Keyword(s):  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Surface Soil Temperature

Although it is well established that soil temperature has substantial effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production, little is known of soil temperatures under living cover crops. Consequently, soil temperatures under a crimson clover and white clover mix, hairy vetch, and red clover were measured for a cool, humid Brookston clay loam under a corn–soybean–winter wheat/cover crop rotation. Measurements were collected from August (after cover crop seeding) to the following May (before cover crop termination) at 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm depths during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020. Average soil temperatures (August–May) were not affected by cover crop species at any depth, or by air temperature at 60 cm depth. During winter, soil temperatures at 15, 30, and 45 cm depths were greater under cover crops than under a no cover crop control (CK), with maximum increase occurring at 15 cm on 31 January 2019 (2.5–5.7 °C) and on 23 January 2020 (0.8–1.9 °C). In spring, soil temperatures under standing cover crops were cooler than the CK by 0.1–3.0 °C at 15 cm depth, by 0–2.4 °C at the 30 and 45 cm depths, and by 0–1.8 °C at 60 cm depth. In addition, springtime soil temperature at 15 cm depth decreased by about 0.24 °C for every 1 Mg·ha−1 increase in live cover crop biomass. Relative to bare soil, cover crops increased near-surface soil temperature during winter but decreased near-surface soil temperature during spring. These temperature changes may have both positive and negative effects on the agri-environmental performance of crop production.

scholarly journals No-tillage sorghum and garbanzo yields match or exceed standard tillage yields

2022 ◽  
pp. 112-120
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Mitchell ◽  
Anil Shrestha ◽  
Lynn Epstein ◽  
Jeffery A. Dahlberg ◽  
Teamrat Ghezzehei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
San Joaquin Valley ◽  
Agricultural Water Use ◽  
No Till ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Crop System

To meet the requirements of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, there is a critical need for crop production strategies with less reliance on irrigation from surface and groundwater sources. One strategy for improving agricultural water use efficiency is reducing tillage and maintaining residues on the soil surface. We evaluated high residue no-till versus standard tillage in the San Joaquin Valley with and without cover crops on the yields of two crops, garbanzo and sorghum, for 4 years. The no-till treatment had no primary or secondary tillage. Sorghum yields were similar in no-till and standard tillage systems while no-till garbanzo yields matched or exceeded those of standard tillage, depending on the year. Cover crops had no effect on crop yields. Soil cover was highest under the no-till with cover crop system, averaging 97% versus 5% for the standard tillage without cover crop system. Our results suggest that garbanzos and sorghum can be grown under no-till practices in the San Joaquin Valley without loss of yield.

A survey of cover crop practices and perceptions of sustainable farmers in North Carolina and the surrounding region

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 550-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. O'Connell ◽  
J.M. Grossman ◽  
G.D. Hoyt ◽  
W. Shi ◽  
S. Bowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Survey Population ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Production Areas

AbstractThe environmental benefits of cover cropping are widely recognized but there is a general consensus that adoption levels are still quite low among US farmers. A survey was developed and distributed to more than 200 farmers engaged in two sustainable farming organizations in NC and the surrounding region to determine their level of utilization, current practices and perceptions related to cover cropping. The majority of farms surveyed had diverse crop production, production areas <8 ha, and total gross farm incomes <US$50,000. Approximately one-third of the survey population had an organic production component. Eighty-nine percent of participants had a crop rotation plan and 79% of the total survey population utilized cover cropping. More than 25 different cool- and warm-season cover crops were reported. The statements that generated the strongest agreement about cover crop benefits were that cover crops: increase soil organic matter, decrease soil erosion, increase soil moisture, contribute nitrogen to subsequent cash crops, suppress weeds, provide beneficial insect habitat and break hard pans with their roots. Economic costs associated with cover cropping were not viewed as an obstacle to implementation. A factor analysis was conducted to identify underlying themes from a series of positive and negative statements about cover crops. Pre- and post-management challenges were able to explain the most variability (30%) among participant responses. Overall, participants indicated that the incorporation of residues was their greatest challenge and that a lack of equipment, especially for no-till systems, influenced their decisions about cover cropping. Farmers did not always appear to implement practices that would maximize potential benefits from cover crops.

scholarly journals Effects of Organic Fertilization and Cover Crops on an Organic Pepper System

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Delate ◽  
C. Cambardella ◽  
A. McKern
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Farm

With the continuing 20% growth rate in the organic industry, organic vegetable crop production has increased to 98,525 acres in the United States. The requirement for certified organic vegetable producers to implement a soil-building plan has led to the development of soil fertility systems based on combinations of organic fertilizers and cover crops. To determine optimal soil fertility combinations, conventional and organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production was evaluated from 2001 to 2003 in Iowa, comparing combinations of two synthetic fertilizers and three compost-based organic fertilizers, and a cover crop treatment of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and rye (Secale cereale) in a strip-tilled or fully incorporated cover crop system. Organic pepper growth and yields equaled or surpassed conventional production when nitrogen (N) was provided at 56 or 112 kg·ha−1 from compost-based organic fertilizer. Soil analysis revealed higher N in plots where cover crops were tilled compared with strip-tilled plots, leading to recommendations for sidedressing N in strip-tilled organic pepper production. Increased incidence of disease was also detected in strip-tilled plots. Postharvest weight loss after 6 weeks in storage was similar in organic and conventional peppers. The addition of calcium and sulfur products in conventional or organic fertilizer regimes did not increase pepper production or postharvest storage potential. Despite application challenges, cover crops will remain as critical components of the organic farm plan for their soil-building benefits, but supplementation with approved N sources may be required for optimal pepper production. Organic growers should conduct their own tests of organic-compliant soil amendments to determine cost effectiveness and value for their site before large-scale application.

scholarly journals Cover crops use in Midwestern US agriculture: perceived benefits and net returns

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Plastina ◽  
Fangge Liu ◽  
Fernando Miguez ◽  
Sarah Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Cost Share ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Soil Sustainability ◽  
Pros And Cons

AbstractDespite being generally accepted as a promising conservation practice to reduce nitrate pollution and promote soil sustainability, cover crop adoption in Midwestern US agriculture is low. Based on focus groups, surveys and partial budgets, we calculated the annual net returns to cover crop use for farmers in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota; and elicited farmers’ perceptions about the pros and cons of incorporating cover crops to their row cropping systems. The novelty of our methodology resides in comparing each farmer's practices in the portion of their cropping system with cover crops (typically small), against their practices in the other portion of their cropping system without cover crops. The resulting comparisons, accounting for farmer heterogeneity, are more robust than the typical effects calculated by comparing indicators across cover crop users and unrelated non-adopters. Our results highlight the complicated nature of integrating cover crops into the crop production system and show that cover crops affect whole farm profitability through several channels besides establishment and termination costs. Despite farmers’ positive perceptions about cover crops and the availability of cost-share programs, calculated annual net returns to cover crops use were negative for most participants.

scholarly journals The Effect of Cover Crops on the Yield of Spring Barley in Estonia

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Merili Toom ◽  
Sirje Tamm ◽  
Liina Talgre ◽  
Ilmar Tamm ◽  
Ülle Tamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Winter Rye ◽  
Hairy Vetch ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Crop Species

Using cover crops in fallow periods of crop production is an important management tool for reducing nitrate leaching and therefore improving nitrogen availability for subsequent crops. We estimated the short-term effect of five cover crop species on the yield of successive spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for two years in Estonia. The cover crop species used in the study were winter rye (Secale cereale L.), winter turnip rape (Brassica rapa spp. oleifera L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The results indicated that out of the five tested cover crops, forage radish and hairy vetch increased the yield of subsequent spring barley, whereas the other cover crops had no effect on barley yield. All cover crop species had low C:N ratios (11–17), suggesting that nitrogen (N) was available for barley early in the spring.

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