PSXI-18 Nitrogen fertilization management of winter pastures for stocker cattle production

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 349-350
Author(s):  
Guillermo Scaglia

Abstract Bermudagrass is often over-seeded with a cool-season annual grass for grazing purposes. In the Gulf Coast region, summer perennials will not become dormant until there are low soil and ambient temperatures. Nitrogen fertilizer is an expensive input and its split application for winter pastures is recommended. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the time of application of N fertilizer or its substitution with red clover as a source of N. Three treatments were evaluated in 3 consecutive years (2 replicates per year) on annual ryegrass (cv. Marshall) no-tilled planted (45 kg/ha) on Tifton-85 bermudagrass: 1) Urea in late November and mid-late January; 2) Red clover planted with annual ryegrass; 3) Urea in January only. Thirty crossbred steers (203±24 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups. Each group were continuously stocked on 1.34 ha pastures for 90 d. Forage mass, botanical composition, and nutritive value of the pastures were determined from the time of the first N application and every 15 d thereafter. There was treatment x year interaction (P = 0.03) in botanical composition. Greater proportions (P = 0.03) of bermudagrass were present on the 2-application treatment on every sampling date until d 15 of the grazing period in Year 1 and 3. This was a result of N absorbed by bermudagrass which impacted its nutritive value (P = 0.01) although not forage production (P = 0.07). In Year 2, annual ryegrass dominated the swards due to a cold artic front in early November. Steers grazing fertilized treatments had greater gains (P = 0.04), while production per ha was greater (P = 0.03) when N was applied in January than when no N was applied. Hay production (kg DM/ha) was similar (P = 0.06) among treatments. Opportunities for improved economics of production and enhanced sustainability appear to be realistic objectives with changes in fertilization strategy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 324-324
Author(s):  
Guillermo Scaglia

Abstract In the Gulf Coast region, the spring transition period is a 45–60 d period between late April and mid-June. Red and white clovers’ growth pattern is delayed compared to winter grasses making them suitable for this transition period; however, an appropriate rest period allowing stockpiling is needed. Three treatments were evaluated on pastures planted in September of three consecutive years: 1) grazed until mid-February (MF); 2) grazed until first week of March (EM); and 3) grazed until last week of March (LM). Grazing re-started on May 1. Pasture was a mixed of annual ryegrass, red, white and berseem clover. Each year, 24 crossbred steers (330 ± 11 kg) were blocked by BW, allotted to 1 of 6 groups (2 replicates/treatment), and continuously stocked at 995 kg BW/ha. Forage mass at the beginning of the grazing period was greater (P < 0.05) in MF, followed by EM and LM. This represented a forage allowance of 2.0, 1.6, and 1.1 kg DM/kg BW. On d0, the proportion of annual ryegrass was greater (P < 0.05) in MF than in EM and the smallest in LM. Proportion of clovers was greater (P = 0.04) in EM in Year 2 while MF and LM were similar but greater for MF in Year 1. Berseem clover represented 59% of the clover biomass in MF while red clover was 72% of the clover biomass in LM. Proportion of clovers decreased with time while annual ryegrass became mature affecting its palatability. Steers that grazed on MF and EM had greater ADG (1.83 and 1.71 kg) than those on LM (1.41 kg). Grazing season was longer (P = 0.03) for MF (66 days) than for LM (39 days) while EM was intermediate (50 days). A rest period from early March to late April would allow grazing of high-quality pastures during the spring transition period.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Landon Marks ◽  
Katie Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
...  

Abstract A 2-yr study was conducted at Black Belt Research and Extension Center in Marion Junction, AL, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate on forage production characteristics, nutritive value, and animal performance of beef heifers grazing a mixture of native warm-season grasses (NWSG) including big bluestem, little bluestem, and indiangrass. Six, two-hectare plots were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (0 or 67 kg N ha-1 applied in early April; n = 3 replications per treatment). Paddocks were continuously stocked with four weaned Angus × Simmental beef heifers (initial BW 288 ± 7 kg) from late May/early June through mid-to-late August during 2018 (73 grazing d) and 2019 (70 grazing d), respectively. Put-and-take cattle were used to manage forage to a target of 38 cm. Forage mass and canopy heights were collected every two weeks during the trial. Visual ground cover ratings, canopy light interception, and botanical composition were measured at the beginning and end of the trial in each year. Hand-plucked samples were collected every two weeks during the grazing trial to determine forage nutritional value. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4, and differences were declared significant when P ≤ 0.05. Nitrogen fertilized NWSG had greater crude protein (P < 0.0001), sward heights (P = 0.0003), and canopy light interception at the beginning of the season (P = 0.0049) compared to non-fertilized paddocks. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.05) among N-fertility treatments for mean forage mass, heifer ADG, or BCS across the 2-yr study. Botanical composition data indicated that indiangrass decreased from 64% to 61% (P = 0.0022) and weed pressure increased from 11% to 15% (P = 0.0064) across the summer grazing season. Canopy light interception decreased by 51% from early June to August in fertilized NWSG and 26% in unfertilized paddocks, respectively. These data illustrate that NWSG systems may provide a viable grazing system in the summer months under reduced N inputs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Sarah M Montgomery ◽  
Brandi Karisch ◽  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Jesse Morrison ◽  
Brian Baldwin

Abstract Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can be divided into two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x) and tetraploid (2n = 4x). Polyploid versions of a given plant species result in increased seedling vigor, more robust growth and, potentially, greater yield. While most data suggest no difference in yield between diploid and tetraploid cultivars, there is still potential for weight gain advantages thanks to increased non-structural carbohydrates in tetraploid cells. The objectives of this study were to compare weight gain of cattle grazing either diploid or tetraploid cultivars of annual ryegrass. Two diploid annual ryegrass cultivars (Marshall and Tam 90) and two tetraploid cultivars (Jumbo and Nelson) were planted in 0.81-ha pastures, each replicated four times. Four steers (mean initial BW = 214 kg) were randomly assigned to each pasture for an 82-d grazing period. Body weights were recorded starting at d0 then every 28 days throughout the season. Data were analyzed in the GLM procedure of SAS using a significance level of α = 0.05. There were significant differences between cytotypes with respect to seasonal yield with diploids (9547.90 kg/ha) yielding greater than tetraploids (7762.00 kg/ha). As expected, ADF and NDF fractions were significantly less for tetraploids (ADF; 31.39%, NDF; 31.39%) compared to diploids (ADF; 33.75%, NDF; 53.25%). Tetraploids also contained significantly greater crude protein (13.50%) than diploids (12.90%). Cytotype had no effect on final average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.9427). However, final ADG was significantly impacted by cultivar (P = 0.0134). Final ADG for Tam 90 (1.10 kg/d) was greater than Marshall (0.92 kg/d). Cattle grazing Nelson (1.04 kg/d) and Jumbo (0.99 kg/d) did not differ. Results show that regardless of differences in seasonal yield and nutritive value between cytotypes, there were no advantages in ADG for cattle grazing either cytotype.


1994 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 309-309
Author(s):  
Joseph P. Harris

Abstract This experiment was conducted on fairways at the Jackson County Golf Course in Jackson County on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Soil type was sandy clay loam. Experimental design was a RCB with 4 replications. Each replication was 10,000 ft2. Treatments were made on 7 Oct between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Both treatments were applied with a Snyder Polyolefin Agro-Tank tractor mounted hydraulic sprayer. Total spray volume was 50 gal water/acre using 8003 T-jet flat nozzles with 50 psi. Immediately before and after treatment, VS inch irrigation water was applied to all plots except the Orthene treated plots. All plots were irrigated with V* inch of water each afternoon after treatment for four weeks. Rainfall of 1.5, 0.5, and 1.5 inches occurred on 1,3, and 4 Nov, respectively. At the time of application soil and ambient temperatures were 73° and 75° F, respectively. Relative humidity was moderate with a cloud cover of 20%. Mole cricket damage ratings were made using a 1 m2 frame divided into nine equal, square-shaped sections. The frame was placed on the ground in 20 locations/rep. The presence of mounds and tunnels was determined visually and by touch. Damage ranged from zero (no damage in any of the nine sections) to nine (nine sections contained mounds and/or tunnels). Pre-treatment counts were made on 6 Oct and post-treatment counts were made on 21 Oct and 4 Nov.


Author(s):  
M.H. Van Rossum ◽  
R.H. Bryant ◽  
G.R. Edwards

Herbage dry matter (DM) production, botanical composition and nutritive value of pastures were measured in response to the application of 24 g/ ha gibberellic acid (GA; 60 g ProGibb®/ha) and 50 kg N/ha nitrogen fertiliser (N; 106 kg urea/ha) in autumn. Responses were compared for simple two species grass (perennial ryegrass or tall fescue)-white clover pastures and multi-species pastures where herbs (chicory and plantain), legumes (red clover and lucerne) and prairie grass were sown with the simple mixtures. Four weeks after application, the increase in DM yield averaged across pasture mixtures relative to untreated plots was 273, 104, and 493 kg DM/ha for GA alone, N fertiliser alone, and GA and N combined, respectively. Application of GA increased the white clover percentage in all pastures except simple tall fescue pastures. The percentage of herbs in multispecies pastures was increased by application of N but not GA. Crude protein concentration was decreased by GA application in all pastures except simple ryegrass pastures. The results from this study show that it is important to consider the botanical composition of pastures when determining the effect of GA on DM yield and nutritive value. Keywords: crude protein, Cichorium intybus, Festuca arundinacea, gibberellins, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata, nutritive value


Crop Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 2249-2257
Author(s):  
Phillip A. Gunter ◽  
Mary K. Mullenix ◽  
Lance C. Burdette ◽  
Russell B. Muntifering

1998 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. BARRY

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is perhaps best known for the extract of its roots used as an ingredient in ‘coffee substitute’ beverages. It is less well known as a grazed forage for ruminants. Thomas et al. (1952) reported the high content of some major and minor trace minerals in chicory grown in the UK, and commented on its use in pasture mixtures as a source of these minerals. Chicory was first mentioned in New Zealand (NZ) literature as an animal forage by Cockayne (1915), but a long period then elapsed before Lancashire (1978) reported its excellent value for forage production under rotational grazing in dry summer conditions. Plant selection then followed and the cultivar ‘Grasslands Puna’ was approved for commercial release as a grazed forage plant in 1985 (Rumball 1986). The use of Puna chicory has now spread throughout NZ and the variety is also being used commercially in Australia, North America and South America and is being evaluated in parts of Europe and Asia (W. Green, personal communication). Chicory is a herb, whereas other temperate forages used for ruminant production are either grasses or legumes. This paper reviews work on the chemical composition, nutritive value and feeding value of chicory relative to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and to red clover (Trifolium pratense), a legume that, like chicory, is used as a forage for dry summer conditions. Throughout this paper, feeding value is defined as the animal production response to grazing a forage under unrestricted conditions (Ulyatt 1973), with its components being voluntary feed intake (VFI), the digestive process and the efficiency of utilization of digested nutrients; the latter two comprise nutritive value/dry matter (DM) eaten.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 90-91
Author(s):  
Eric D Billman ◽  
S Leanne Dillard ◽  
Kathy J Soder

Abstract In the northeastern United States, winter forage management has traditionally necessitated either: a) feeding conserved forages, or b) stockpiling grazeable perennial forage. Forage brassicas offer a low-cost alternative to these strategies. This project evaluated performance of different annual forage brassicas in northeastern forage production systems. Three brassicas, ‘Barisca’ rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), ‘Inspiration’ canola (B. napus L.), and ‘Appin’ turnip (B. rapa L.) were compared against ‘KB Supreme’ annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) for dry matter yield and nutritive value over two autumn production seasons. Replicated plots were 5.5 × 9.1 m and seeded (brassicas at 5.6 kg/ha; ryegrass at 22.4 kg/ha) in August of 2015 and 2016 in a randomized complete block design. Four harvests occurred each year at two-week intervals following initial harvest. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4; harvest and species were fixed effects, while year and its interactions were considered random. Harvest date had no significant impact on DM yield (P > 0.05). All brassica yields (734 – 861 kg/ha) were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than annual ryegrass (344 kg/ha). This indicated brassica yield was superior under environmental stress conditions that hinder annual ryegrass growth. Nutritive value concentration suggested ryegrass had greater CP (28.1%) than the brassicas (24.2 – 25.4%) and minimal differences in net energy content (< 2%) among species (P < 0.001). However, per-area (kg/ha) values resulted in consistently greater (P < 0.001) CP (176 – 204 kg/ha), and NEL (1.2 – 1.5 Mcal/ha) than annual ryegrass (CP = 88 kg/ha; NEL = 0.56 Mcal/ha). Therefore, the greater yield potential of forage brassicas allows them to supply greater nutrient supplementation during periods of low forage availability, at a reduced feeding cost.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Sarah M Montgomery ◽  
Brandi Karisch ◽  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Jesse Morrison ◽  
Brian Baldwin

Abstract Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can be divided into two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x) and tetraploid (2n = 4x). Polyploid versions of a given plant species result in increased seedling vigor, more robust growth and, potentially, greater yield. While most data suggest no difference in yield between diploid and tetraploid cultivars, there is still potential for weight gain advantages thanks to increased non-structural carbohydrates in tetraploid cells. The objectives of this study were to compare weight gain of cattle grazing either diploid or tetraploid cultivars of annual ryegrass. Two diploid annual ryegrass cultivars (Marshall and Tam 90) and two tetraploid cultivars (Jumbo and Nelson) were planted in 0.81-ha pastures, each replicated four times. Four steers (mean initial BW = 214 kg) were randomly assigned to each pasture for an 82-d grazing period. Body weights were recorded starting at day 0 then every 28 days throughout the season. Data were analyzed in the GLM procedure of SAS using a significance level of α = 0.05. There were significant differences between cytotypes with respect to seasonal yield with diploids (9547.90 kg/ha) yielding greater than tetraploids (7762.00 kg/ha). As expected, ADF and NDF fractions were significantly less for tetraploids (ADF; 31.39%, NDF; 31.39%) compared to diploids (ADF; 33.75%, NDF; 53.25%). Tetraploids also contained significantly greater crude protein (13.50%) than diploids (12.90%). Cytotype had no effect on final average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.9427). However, final ADG was significantly impacted by cultivar (P = 0.0134). Final ADG for Tam 90 (1.10 kg/d) was greater than Marshall (0.92 kg/d). Cattle grazing Nelson (1.04 kg/d) and Jumbo (0.99 kg/d) did not differ. Results show that regardless of differences in seasonal yield and nutritive value between cytotypes, there were no advantages in ADG for cattle grazing either cytotype.


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