Warm-season annual forages in forage-finishing beef systems: I. Forage yield and quality

Abstract The demand for a year-round supply of fresh, locally grown, forage-finished beef products has created a need for forage-finishing strategies during the summer months in the southeast. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate four warm-season annual forages in a southeastern forage-finishing beef production system. Treatments were four forage species and included brown-midrib sorghum × sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor var. bicolor*bicolor var. sudanense; BMR), sorghum × sudangrass (SS), pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.; PM], or pearl millet planted with crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.; PMCG]. Treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Pastures (0.81 ha, experimental unit) were assigned to one of four forage treatments, subdivided, and rotationally stocked with a variable stocking density. British-cross beef steers (n = 32; 3-yr average: 429 ± 22 kg) grazed for 70, 63, and 56 d in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Put-and-take animals were used to maintain a forage allowance of 116 kg forage dry matter /100 kg body weight. Forage mass was measured by clipping a 4.3-m2 area in triplicate on d 0 and on 14-d intervals. Hand grab samples for forage nutritive value determination and quadrat clippings for species compositions were measured on d 0 and on 34-d intervals until termination of the trial. Forage mass was lowest (P < 0.01) for PMCG at the initiation of the grazing trial, whereas BMR was greater (P < 0.01) than SS at wk 6. Total digestible nutrients in 2014 were greater for SS compared to BMR and PM at the middle harvest (P < 0.01) and BMR, PM, and PMCG at the final harvest (P < 0.01). At the middle and final harvests in both 2015 and 2016, PM and PMCG contained greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of crude protein than SS. These results suggest that BMR, SS, PM, and PMCG may all be used in southeastern forage-finishing beef production systems, as long as the producer strategically accounts for the slight growth and nutritive value differences throughout the season.

Download Full-text

145 Stocker gains on diverse summer annual pastures

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz397.064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 28-29

Author(s):

Kelly Mercier ◽

Chris Teutsch ◽

Ray Smith ◽

Eric Vanzant ◽

Kenny Burdine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Vegetative State ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Complex Mixture ◽

Warm Season ◽

Late Summer ◽

Sunn Hemp ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass ◽

Forage Utilization

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if increasing forage botanical diversity improved stocker gains on warm-season annual (WSA) pastures. An opportunity exists to add extra gain on fall-born calves by grazing summer pastures after spring weaning and selling at a more favorable late summer market. However, cool-season perennial pastures in the Mid-South often have insufficient quality and yield to support desired summer gains. Therefore, the improved production and nutritive value of WSA forages shows promise in this system. A study was conducted near Princeton, KY, where calves (329, 366, and 297 kg in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) grazed one of three WSA forage treatments without supplementation in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included 1) sorghum-sudangrass monoculture (MONO), 2) simple mixture (SIMPLE = sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet, soybean), and 3) complex mixture (COMPLEX = SIMPLE + sudangrass, corn, crabgrass, cowpea, sunflower, sunn hemp, daikon radish, forage rape, Korean lespedeza). In 2017, MONO and SIMPLE calves had higher average daily gain (ADG) than COMPLEX calves (0.79 kg/day vs. 0.66 kg/day, P < 0.03). In 2018, no differences in ADG were detected among treatments (P > 0.3); however, calves only gained 0.01 kg/day. In 2019, MONO and SIMPLE calves again had higher ADG than COMPLEX calves (0.59 kg/day vs. 0.43 kg/day, P < 0.03). The exceptionally low 2018 ADG was likely due to the higher nutritional demand of heavier calves and the lower nutritive value of mature forages compared to other years. In conclusion, complex WSA forage mixtures did not offer any improvement in animal performance, and proper management of all WSA forages (maintaining a vegetative state) is paramount to achieving adequate gains on stockers without supplementation; however, supplementation may be necessary to improve WSA forage utilization in the rumen, potentially leading to more favorable gains.

Download Full-text

A Comparison of Pearl Millet and Sorghum–Sudangrass Pastures during the Frost-Prone Autumn for Growing Beef Cattle in Semiarid Region

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11060541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 541

Author(s):

Leonard M. Lauriault ◽

Leah H. Schmitz ◽

Shad H. Cox ◽

Eric J. Scholljegerdes

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Agricultural Science ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Hydrocyanic Acid ◽

Science Center ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass

Sorghum–sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) provide adequate nutritive value for growing beef cattle; however, unlike pearl millet, sorghum–sudangrass produces hydrocyanic acid (which is toxic to livestock) when frosted. Forage yield, nutritive value, and weight gain of growing cattle grazing sorghum–sudangrass and pearl millet were compared during the frost-prone autumns of 2013 and 2014, at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center in Tucumcari, NM USA, in randomized complete block designs each year with two replicates. No differences existed between pearl millet and sorghum–sudangrass forage yield, although there was a year–forage interaction for fiber-based nutritive value components because of maturity differences across years between the forages when freeze-killed. Pearl millet allowed for extending grazing of available forage for an additional 14 and 24 d in 2013 and 2014, respectively, compared to sorghum–sudangrass during the frost-prone autumn periods. During that period, when sorghum forages produce potentially toxic levels of hydrocyanic acid, animals grazing pearl millet accumulated an additional average of 94.9 kg live-weight gain ha−1 (p < 0.001). These factors afford producers an opportunity to increase returns on the similar investments of establishing and managing warm-season annual forage crops each year, and allow more time to stockpile cool-season perennial and annual forages for winter and early spring grazing, or to reduce hay feeding.

Download Full-text

Boot Stage Forage Yield and Quality of Pearl Millet as Influenced by Organo-mineral Fertilizer Rates in Humid Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2020/v42i930596 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 158-166

Author(s):

A. J. Ajayi ◽

G. O. Ajayi ◽

S. I. Nwagbara

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Block Design ◽

Mineral Fertilizer ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Boot Stage ◽

Yield And Quality

An experiment was conducted at the experimental site of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure to investigate the effects of different levels of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) on forage yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Five levels of OMF at 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4t/ha and 100 kg/ha N.P.K. 15:15:15 were used. Pearl millet seeds were sown at the rate of 10 kg/ha. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the plant height, fresh and dry forage yield obtained at boot stage. The following ranges were obtained in the investigated traits among the fertilizer applications; plant height 1.08-2.54 m, fresh forage yield 24.37-59.10t/ha and dry matter yield of 4.25-10.67 t/ha. Quality parameters (CP, CF, EE, NFE and Ash) showed significant increase with higher levels of OMF applied. The ranges obtained were: CP 8.56-13.32%, EE 15.82-16.1%, EE 7.14-8.69%, Ash 11.46-16.07%, NFE 33.38-44.48 and moisture content 9.49-11.58%. The study concludes that organo-mineral fertilizer application at 4t/ha is particularly effective in improving the forage yield and quality of pearl millet.

Download Full-text

165 Grazing evaluation of pearlillet with and without soybean hull supplementation in a forage-finished beef production system

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.127 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 56-57

Author(s):

Robert W McKee ◽

Deidre Harmon ◽

Dennis W Hancock ◽

Lawton Stewart ◽

Macc Rigdon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Production System ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Warm Season ◽

Beef Production ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Soybean Hull ◽

Fat Thickness

Abstract Pearl millet may be a viable forage option in forage-finished beef production systems due to favorable agronomic traits and nutritive value. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate two varieties of pearl millet with and without soybean hull supplementation in a forage-finished beef production system. In a two-year grazing trial, sixteen 0.81-ha paddocks were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2x2 factorial design: ‘Tifleaf 3’ pearl millet (PM) and ‘Exceed’ pearl millet (BMR) without and with soybean hull supplementation (0.75% of body weight (BW); PM+S and BMR+S, respectively). Each year, Angus crossbred steers (n = 32; BW = 444±59 kg) were paired to minimize variability among pairs. Pairs were randomly assigned to treatment paddocks. Grazing was initiated in June when forage was approximately 60-cm in height and terminated after approximately 90 d of rotational grazing. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated from weights taken at grazing initiation and termination following an 18-h fast. Steers were harvested in September and carcass data were collected 24-h postmortem. All data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX (SAS v.9.4). Supplemented steers exhibited greater (P < 0.01) ADG than non-supplemented steers. No difference (P > 0.05) was observed for ADG between forage varieties. Pre-harvest shrunk weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percent (DP), and ribeye area were similar (P > 0.05) within supplemented and non-supplemented steers across forage varieties. Shrunk weight, HCW, and DP were similar (P > 0.05) for BMR+S and BMR. Rib-eye area was similar (P > 0.05) for BMR+S, PM+S, and PM. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed for fat thickness, adjusted fat thickness, yield grade, marbling score, or overall maturity. Results indicate pearl millet is a viable warm-season forage option for forage-finished beef systems in the Southeast and soybean hull supplementation can improve animal performance over forage alone.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of warm season annual forages for forage yield and quality in the north-central United States

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa145 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan S Bleier ◽

Wayne K Coblentz ◽

Kenneth F Kalscheur ◽

Kevin Panke-Buisse ◽

Geoffrey E Brink

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Warm Season ◽

Forage Yield ◽

The North ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Central United States ◽

Forage Type ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass ◽

Pearl Millet Cultivars

Abstract Grazing-based dairy operations require productive, high-quality forages capable of supporting the nutritional needs of mid-lactation dairy cows. Our objectives were to evaluate primary and regrowth harvests of two cultivars of sudangrass (SU), sorghum-sudangrass (S×SU), and pearl millet (PM) forages for growth and nutritive characteristics within the specific context of suitability for grazing by dairy cows. Three harvest cycles, including primary and regrowth cycles in 2016, and a single harvest cycle of primary growth in 2017, were evaluated at two locations (Prairie du Sac and Marshfield, WI). Within each cycle, sampling was initiated when canopy height was about 41 cm and continued thereafter on weekly intervals for 5 weeks, resulting in six equally spaced sampling dates per harvest cycle. Data were analyzed as a split-plot design with cultivars (6) as whole-plots arranged in randomized complete blocks and weekly harvest dates (6) as subplots. Yields of dry matter (DM) were less consistent at the more northern location (Marshfield), which is known for its heavier, poorly drained soils. Despite locational differences, the taller-growing cultivar within each forage type frequently exhibited yield advantages over dwarf or shorter-growing cultivars; this occurred for 7 of 9 intra-forage-type comparisons (P ≤ 0.021) across three harvest cycles at Prairie du Sac, and for 6 of 9 similar comparisons (P ≤ 0.032) at Marshfield. In 2016, shorter-growing cultivars had greater percentages of leaf in 4 of 6 intra-forage-type comparisons at both locations (P ≤ 0.004), which is especially relevant for grazing. Similarly, PM cultivars exhibited shorter canopy heights (P ≤ 0.002), but greater percentages of leaf (P < 0.001), than all other cultivars during all harvest cycles at both locations. However, the greater leaf percentages exhibited by PM cultivars did not translate into reduced percentages of structural plant fiber (asNDFom) on a whole-plant basis during any harvest cycle at either location; furthermore, asNDFom concentrations for PM cultivars were greater (P ≤ 0.047) than observed for other cultivars within 3 of 6 harvest cycles across both locations. Ruminal in-situ degradation of asNDFom for whole-plant forages based on a 48-h incubation was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.006) for PM compared with other cultivars in 4 of 6 harvest cycles. Pearl millet cultivars generally exhibited more suitable characteristics for grazing livestock than SU or S×SU cultivars.

Download Full-text

Warm-season annual forages in forage-finishing beef systems: II. Animal performance and carcass characteristics

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz181 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 400-410

Author(s):

Deidre D Harmon ◽

Dennis W Hancock ◽

R Lawton Stewart ◽

Jenna L Lacey ◽

Robert W Mckee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Warm Season ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Forage Availability ◽

Quality Grade ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass

Abstract More information on expected animal performance and carcass traits of forage-finished steers grazing warm-season annual forages is needed. To achieve this objective, a grazing trial was conducted in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (70, 63, and 56 d, respectively), with variation in length of grazing based on forage availability. Sixteen pastures (0.81 ha) were assigned to 1 of 4 forage treatments in a randomized complete block design. Forage treatments were brown midrib sorghum × sudangrass (BMR; Sorghum bicolor var. bicolor*bicolor var. sudanense), sorghum × sudangrass (SS), pearl millet [PM; Pennisetum glaucum (L.)R.Br.], or pearl millet planted with crabgrass [PMCG; Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Each year, British-cross beef steers (n = 32; 3 y average: 429 ± 22 kg) were stratified by weight and randomly assigned to 1 of the 16 pastures for forage finishing. Each pasture was subdivided into two 0.405-ha paddocks for rotational stocking and a put-and-take stocking method was used to maintain a forage allowance of 116 kg forage dry matter/100 kg body weight (BW). Shrunk body weight and ultrasonically measured carcass composition were recorded at the initiation, middle, and end of each grazing season. Steers were harvested once forage availability became limited and chilled carcasses (24 h) were evaluated for yield grade and quality grade attributes. Statistical analysis was conducted using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.4 (Cary, NC) with main effects of treatment, year, and the interaction. Pasture and block were considered random effects while date was assessed as a main effect when applicable. Daily stocking densities were greater (P < 0.04) for SS than PMCG in the first 20 d of 2014 and 2015. Forage treatment did not affect (P > 0.17) total gain, total average daily gain, or body weight at any time point. Ultrasound composition traits of loin muscle area, 12th rib fat thickness, intramuscular fat, and rump fat were impacted (P < 0.01) by scanning date. No differences (P > 0.08) in forage treatments were observed for carcass characteristics associated with yield grade or quality grade. The findings suggest that forage-finished cattle during the summer months on BMR, SS, PM, and PMCG perform similarly, giving producers the option to use the most economical or practical forage type for their production system.

Download Full-text

Evaluating Soybean Cultivars for Forage Yield and Nutritive Values

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab096.037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 21-22

Author(s):

Serena Thompson ◽

Jenny Koebernick ◽

Russell C Carrell ◽

Madison Cole ◽

S Leanne L Dillard

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Warm Season ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Arachis Glabrata ◽

Soybean Cultivars ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Effect On Yield ◽

Forage Yields

Abstract Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) are frequently utilized by equine producers in the Southeast. However, challenges related to their production have producers searching for alternative legume options. In 2019 and 2020, five soybean cultivars, “Tower of Leaves,” “Stonewall,” “Laredo,” “AG79X9,” and “AG64X8,” were evaluated for yield and nutritive value. Soybeans were grown at two row spacings (36 and 71 cm), two locations (Central and South Alabama), and harvested at three heights (10, 15, and 20 cm; HH). Forages were harvested using a plot harvester, dried at 55°C, and ground to 1 mm. Forage quality was determined using a NIRS, with verification by wet chemistry analyses. The study was a randomized, complete block design (n = 4) and statistical analysis was carried out using PROC Glimmix of SAS version 9.4 (SAS Inst., - Cary, NC). Forage yields were greatest in “Stonewall” and “Tower of Leaves,” and lowest in “Laredo” (2,074, 1,978, and 1,348 kg/ha, respectively). Across years, HH and forage cultivar had a significant effect on yield (P < 0.0001). As expected, yield increased as HH decreased (P < 0.0001). In 2019, crude protein (CP) was affected by HH (P < 0.0001), with 10 cm having lower CP than 15 and 20 cm (14 vs 16%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were affected (P < 0.01) by HH and variety. “Stonewall” had the lowest NDF (30.84%) and ADF (29.27%; P < 0.01). “Stonewall” and “AG79X9” had the greatest TDN (74 and 73%, respectively; P < 0.01). The cultivar “Stonewall” shows promise as a forage, with greater yields and moderate forage nutritive value compared with the other cultivars tested. Further research is needed to evaluate “Stonewall” in mixtures with other warm-season annual forages.

Download Full-text

Forage yield, nutritive value, and ensilability of sweet pearl millet and sweet sorghum in five Canadian ecozones

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2019-0031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (5) ◽

pp. 701-714

Author(s):

Hugo Alix ◽

Gaëtan F. Tremblay ◽

Martin H. Chantigny ◽

Gilles Bélanger ◽

Philippe Seguin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearl Millet ◽

Sweet Sorghum ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Pennisetum Glaucum ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Soluble Carbohydrate ◽

Sweet Pearl Millet ◽

The Pacific

Sweet pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] and sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], previously tested for ethanol production, were evaluated as high sugar crops for animal feeds to possibly replace silage corn (Zea mays L.). We compared the forage yield, nutritive value, and ensilability of one hybrid of sweet pearl millet and two of sweet sorghum to a locally adapted silage corn hybrid in five Canadian ecozones. Forage yields of sweet pearl millet and sorghum were similar to that of silage corn in the Boreal Shield, Mixedwood Plain, and Atlantic Maritime ecozones, greater in the Prairies, and lower in the Pacific Maritime ecozone. Across sites, forage dry matter concentration was less for sweet pearl millet (289 g kg−1) and sweet sorghum (245 g kg−1) than for silage corn (331 g kg−1). Sweet pearl millet had a lower total digestible nutrient (TDN) concentration (452 g kg−1 DM) and aNDF digestibility (NDFd) than sweet sorghum and silage corn along with greater neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations than silage corn. Sweet sorghum had greater aNDF and WSC, lower starch, and similar TDN (534 g kg−1 DM) concentrations, but greater NDFd compared with silage corn. Sweet pearl millet and sorghum fermented as well as silage corn, reaching low pH values and acceptable concentrations of lactic and volatile fatty acids. Sweet sorghum is therefore a viable alternative to silage corn in Canada except in the Pacific Maritime ecozone, but early-maturing hybrids with acceptable DM concentration at harvest are required.

Download Full-text

Forage yield and nutritive value of hay from sorghum-sudangrass hybrids

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v9i11.10508 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e95991110508

Author(s):

Hosnerson Renan de Oliveira Santos ◽

Mauro Pereira de Figueiredo ◽

Ingrid Thalia Prado de Castro ◽

Mário Henrique Melo e Lima ◽

Luiza Maria Gigante Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Mineral Matter ◽

Matter Production ◽

Green Matter ◽

Sorghum Sudangrass ◽

High Forage

The objective was to evaluate agronomically nine sorghum-sudangrass hybrids (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) and the nutritive value of their respective hays. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 3 × 9 factorial scheme, with three replications. Three cuts were made: 42 days after germination, 29 days after regrowth, and 28 days after the second regrowth. All hybrids showed a higher number of plants ha–1 (P < 0.05) in the second cut. For the green matter and dry matter production of the hays, the values ranged from 49.16 to 62.07 t ha–1 and 9.07 to 11.43 t ha–1, respectively. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in dry matter, mineral matter, or ether extract. The hybrids 1013020, BRS 810, 1013016, and 1624F016 showed higher values of crude protein (CP) of 16.49, 16.17, 16.08, and 15.88%, respectively. Differences were observed (P < 0.05) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. The hybrids 1013020, BRS 802, 1013021, 1013016, BRS 810, and 1624F006 presented lower levels of NDF (60.57, 60.74, 62.15, 62.37, 62.58, and 64.70%, respectively). The hybrids BRS 802, 1013016, BRS 810, and 1624F006, stood out above the others, presenting high forage yield and adequate nutritive value (CP content >13% and NDF content <65%).

Download Full-text

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

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz154 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 385-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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.

Download Full-text