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

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering

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.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2334
Author(s):  
Heather L. Tyler

Conservation management practices can improve soil health while minimizing deleterious effects of agriculture on the environment. However, adoption of these practices, particularly cover crops, is not widespread, as they often reduce crop yields compared to traditional management practices. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a two-species cover crop treatment of rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) could increase soil health parameters and maximize soybean (Glycine max L.) yield greater than rye only in tilled and no-till Mississippi field soils. Enhanced microbial biomass and organic matter input from cover crops increased the activities of β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, N-acetylglucosaminidase, and phosphatase in surface soils. Rye plus clover tended to elicit higher activities than rye only in no-till plots. Both cover crop treatments inhibited soybean yield in tilled plots by 11–25%. These results indicate that tillage exacerbates yield inhibition by cover crops in soybean and that double-species cover crop treatments were more consistent in increasing activities linked to nutrient cycling. Further study examining different combinations of cover crops in no-till systems is necessary to gain a better understanding of how they can be implemented to enhance soil health while maximizing crop yield.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 94-94
Author(s):  
Russell C Carrell ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Audrey Gamble ◽  
Russ B Muntifering

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matheus G. Palhano ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Tom Barber

AbstractCover crop acreage has substantially increased over the last few years due to the intent of growers to capitalize on federal conservation payments and incorporate sustainable practices into agricultural systems. Despite all the known benefits, widespread adoption of cover crops still remains limited due to potential cost and management requirements. Cover crop termination is crucial, because a poorly controlled cover crop can become a weed and lessen the yield potential of the current cash crop. A field study was conducted in fall 2015 and 2016 at the Arkansas Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville to evaluate preplant herbicide options for terminating cover crops. Glyphosate-containing treatments controlled 97% to 100% of cereal rye and wheat, but glyphosate alone controlled less than 57% of legume cover crops. The most effective way to control hairy vetch, Austrian winterpea, and crimson clover with glyphosate resulted from mixtures of glyphosate with glufosinate, 2,4-D, and dicamba. Higher rates of auxin herbicides improved control in these mixtures. Glufosinate alone or in mixture controlled legume cover crops 81% or more. Paraquat plus metribuzin was effective in terminating both cereal and legume cover crops, with control of cereal cover crops ranging from 87% to 97% and control of legumes ranging from 90% to 96%. None of these herbicides or mixtures adequately controlled rapeseed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody D. Cornelius ◽  
Kevin W. Bradley

The recent interest in cover crops as component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to the need for additional research, including the effects of residual corn and soybean herbicide treatments on fall cover crop establishment. Field studies were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in Columbia, Missouri to investigate the effects of common residual herbicides applied in corn and soybean on establishment of winter wheat, tillage radish, cereal rye, crimson clover, winter oat, Austrian winter pea, Italian ryegrass, and hairy vetch. Cover crops were evaluated for stand and biomass reduction 28 d after emergence (DAE). Rainfall from herbicide application to cover crop seeding date was much greater in 2014 and 2015, which resulted in less carryover in these years compared to 2013. When averaged across all herbicides evaluated in these experiments, the general order of sensitivity of cover crops to herbicide carryover, from greatest to least was Austrian winter pea=crimson clover>oilseed radish>Italian ryegrass>hairy vetch>wheat >winter oat>cereal rye. Cereal rye had the fewest instances of biomass or stand reduction with only four out of the 27 herbicides adversely effecting establishment. Pyroxasulfone consistently reduced Italian ryegrass and winter oat biomass at least 67% in both the corn and soybean experiments. In the soybean experiment, imazethapyr- and fomesafen-containing products resulted in severe stand and biomass reduction in both years while flumetsulam-containing products resulted in the greatest carryover symptoms in the corn experiment. Results from these experiments suggest that several commonly used corn and soybean herbicides have the potential to hinder cover crop establishment, but the severity of damage will depend on weather, cover crop species, and the specific herbicide combination.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody D. Cornelius ◽  
Kevin W. Bradley

The recent interest in cover crops as a component of Midwest corn and soybean production systems has led to a greater need to understand the most effective herbicide treatments for cover crop termination prior to planting corn or soybean. Previous research has shown that certain cover crop species can significantly reduce subsequent cash crop yields if not completely terminated. Two field experiments were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to determine the most effective herbicide program for the termination of winter wheat, cereal rye, crimson clover, Austrian winter pea, annual ryegrass, and hairy vetch; and cover crops were terminated in early April or early May. Visual control and above ground biomass reduction was determined 28 d after application (DAA). Control of grass cover crop species was often best with glyphosate alone or combined with 2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. The most consistent control of broadleaf cover crops occurred following treatment with glyphosate +2,4-D, dicamba, or saflufenacil. In general, control of cover crops was higher with early April applications compared to early May. In a separate study, control of 15-, 25-, and 75-cm tall annual ryegrass was highest with glyphosate at 2.8 kg ha−1or glyphosate at 1.4 kg ha−1plus clethodim at 0.136 kgha−1. Paraquat- or glufosinate-containing treatments did not provide adequate annual ryegrass control. For practitioners who desire higher levels of cover crop biomass, these results indicate that adequate levels of cover crop control can still be achieved in the late spring with certain herbicide treatments. But it is important to consider cover crop termination well in advance to ensure the most effective herbicide or herbicide combinations are used and the products are applied at the appropriate stage.


1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Bugg ◽  
Felix L. Wäckers ◽  
Kathryn E Brunson ◽  
Sharad C. Phatak ◽  
James D. Dutcher

Replicated field trials indicated that tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae) attained relatively-high densities on hybrid vetches, Vicia sativa L. X V. cordata Wulf cv ‘Cahaba White’ and ‘Vantage’, lower densities on crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L. cv ‘Dixie,’ and particularly-low densities on subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L. cv ‘Mt. Barker’. Densities of TPB were also relatively low on an additional 10 types of subterranean clover, including 7 cultivars representing T. subterraneum, 1 cultivar of T. brachycalycinum Katznelson and Morley, and 3 of T. yanninicum Katznelson and Morley. Field longevity trials indicated that late-instar and adult TPB lived longer when caged on crimson clover than on hybrid vetch, which in turn supported better survival than did subterranean clover. When adult TPB were caged on hybrid vetch or subterranean clover with or without floral and fruiting structures, there was no evidence that the presence of these structures prolonged TPB survival on either crop. In laboratory choice tests with flowering and fruiting shoots of three cover crops, TPB preferred crimson clover over hybrid vetch, which in turn was more attractive than subterranean clover. When shoots were presented after reproductive structures had been excised, there was no statistically-significant preference by TPB.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) weeds, especially GR Palmer amaranth, are very problematic in cotton-producing areas of the midsouthern region of the United States. Growers rely heavily on PRE residual herbicides to control Palmer amaranth since few effective POST options exist. Interest in integrating high-residue cover crops with existing herbicide programs to combat GR weeds has increased. Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Tennessee to evaluate GR Palmer amaranth control when integrating cover crops and PRE residual herbicides. Cereal rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter wheat, and combinations of one grass plus one legume were compared with winter weeds without a cover crop followed by fluometuron or acetochlor applied PRE. Biomass of cover crops was determined prior to termination 3 wk before planting. Combinations of grass and legume cover crops accumulated the most biomass (> 3,500 kg ha−1) but by 28 d after application (DAA) the cereal rye and wheat provided the best Palmer amaranth control. Crimson clover and hairy vetch treatments had the greatest number of Palmer amaranth. These cereal and legume blends reduced Palmer amaranth emergence by half compared to non–cover-treated areas. Fluometuron and acetochlor controlled Palmer amaranth 95 and 89%, respectively, at 14 DAA and 54 and 62%, respectively, at 28 DAA. Cover crops in combination with a PRE herbicide did not adequately control Palmer amaranth.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Wiggins ◽  
Robert M. Hayes ◽  
Robert L. Nichols ◽  
Lawrence E. Steckel

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the integration of cover crops and POST herbicides to control glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in cotton. The winter-annual grasses accumulated the greatest amount of biomass and provided the most Palmer amaranth control. The estimates for the logistic regression would indicate that 1540 kg ha−1would delay Palmer amaranth emerging and growing to 10 cm by an estimated 16.5 days. The Palmer amaranth that emerged in the cereal rye and wheat cover crop treatments took a longer time to reach 10 cm compared to the hairy vetch and crimson clover treatments. POST herbicides were needed for adequate control of Palmer amaranth. The glufosinate-based weed control system provided greater control (75% vs 31%) of Palmer amaranth than did the glyphosate system. These results indicate that a POST only herbicide weed management system did not provide sufficient control of Palmer amaranth, even when used in conjunction with cover crops that produced a moderate level of biomass. Therefore, future recommendations for GR Palmer amaranth control will include integrating cover crops with PRE herbicides, overlaying residual herbicides in-season, timely POST herbicide applications, and hand weeding in order to achieve season-long control of this pest.


Agriculture ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Ted S. Kornecki ◽  
Corey M. Kichler

In a no-till system, there are many different methods available for terminating cover crops. Mechanical termination, utilizing rolling and crimping technology, is one method that injures the plant without cutting the stems. Another popular and commercially available method is mowing, but this can cause problems with cover crop re-growth and loose residue interfering with the planter during cash crop planting. A field experiment was conducted over three growing seasons in northern Alabama to determine the effects of different cover crops and termination methods on cantaloupe yield in a no-till system. Crimson clover, cereal rye, and hairy vetch cover crops were terminated using two different roller-crimpers, including a two-stage roller-crimper for four-wheel tractors and a powered roller-crimper for a two-wheel walk-behind tractor. Cover crop termination rates were evaluated one, two, and three weeks after termination. Three weeks after rolling, a higher termination rate was found for flail mowing (92%) compared to lower termination rates for a two-stage roller (86%) and powered roller-crimper (85%), while the control termination rate was only 49%. There were no significant differences in cantaloupe yield among the rolling treatments, which averaged 38,666 kg ha−1. However, yields were higher for cereal rye and hairy vetch cover crops (41,785 kg ha−1 and 42,000 kg ha−1) compared to crimson clover (32,213 kg ha−1).


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