IMPACT OF SOIL RECONSTRUCTION METHOD ON YIELD, NUTRITIVE VALUE AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF A MIXED GRASS-LEGUME STAND

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 1267-1282
Author(s):  
C.D. Teutsch ◽  
W.L. Daniels ◽  
Z.W. Orndorff ◽  
M.M. Alley ◽  
K.R. Meredith ◽  
...  
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.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Valencia ◽  
L.E. Sollenberger ◽  
W.E. Kunkle ◽  
M. J. Williams ◽  
C. C. Chase ◽  
...  

1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.A. Pearson ◽  
H.E. Grelen ◽  
E.A. Epps ◽  
M.K. Johnson ◽  
B.W. Blakewood

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
G.P. Cosgrove ◽  
T.R.O. Field

Botanical composition of pastures is indicative of their dry matter production and nutritive value and so capacity for animal production. Two previous national pasture surveys were conducted in 1935/1940 and in 1987/1988, and one regional survey in 1967/1968, to assess the state of this resource across all land classes. Among many purposes, results from these surveys were used to assess the outcomes of technological advances such as aerial topdressing and oversowing in hill country from the 1950s onwards, and to record changes in the abundance of particular species such as C4 grasses that could indicate effects of climate change, and identify research needs and opportunities. In the 28 years since the most recent survey, there have been many changes in the farm operating environment. This is particularly so in hill country, where other sectors such as forestry and dairy have encroached on traditional sheep and beef land, and poor profitability has forced variable and often sub-maintenance applications of phosphate (P) and sulphur (S) fertilisers. However, the low use of P and S has been partly offset by increased use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser. The declining number of beef cows, substituted by growing dairy and dairy-beef cattle, and the remarkable increase in the per head productivity of sheep are probably the biggest changes shifting the feed demand profile and the ratio of mature: young livestock. These changes affect pasture utilisation. This paper will consider the possible effects of those changes over the 28 years since the most recent national survey of pasture botanical composition, and the future capacity and resilience of this important resource to cope with continuing farm system change, emerging pressures for productivity growth, and regulatory and compliance requirements. Keywords: hill country pasture, botanical composition, resource status, survey


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


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
Taylor J Hendricks ◽  
Jennifer J Tucker ◽  
Dennis W Hancock ◽  
Lawton Stewart ◽  
Jacob R Segers

Abstract Interseeding a legume, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa), into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) for baleage production can improve forage quality, reduce supplementation needs, and minimize production losses. The objective of this research was to compare the nutritive value and yield of bermudagrass with and without interseeded alfalfa when produced as baleage. This study was conducted at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, GA, on an established field of ‘Tifton 85’ (T85) bermudagrass. Ten 0.2-ha plots were randomly assigned to either T85+N or T85 interseeded with ‘Bulldog 805’ alfalfa (T85+Alf). T85+N received N fertilization (84 kg N/ ha) four times each growing season. Plots were harvested at early bloom stage every 28 to 35 days from 2016 to 2018, baled at 40–60% moisture, and individually wrapped. At each harvest, plots were evaluated for botanical composition and forage yield, and bales were sampled prior to wrapping for nutritive value analysis. Plots were also evaluated for botanical composition using the point-transect method 10 days post-harvest. Data were analyzed using mixed models and least significant differences at α = 0.05. Although seasonal yields were greater in the T85+N during year 1, alfalfa-bermudagrass plots produced at least one additional harvest each season of the study, and on average 8 cuttings per season each year following establishment. Ultimately this contributed to greater (P < 0.0001) cumulative yield in the alfalfa-bermudagrass treatment (34,783 vs. 25,608 kg/ha, respectively). Analyses of nutritive value through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) show that CP and in-vitro true digestibility (IVTD) were greater (P = 0.005 and P = 0.034, respectively) in the alfalfa-bermudagrass treatment than the bermudagrass-only treatment (14.0 vs 11.4% CP and 66.7 vs. 60.2% IVTD, respectively). Improvements in seasonal yield and nutritive value makes bermudagrass interseeded with alfalfa a viable option for baleage producers in the Southeast.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 344-345
Author(s):  
Charlotte L Talbott ◽  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Alan J Franluebbers ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
...  

Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) (TF) pastures to novel endophyte tall fescue (NE) is a solution to mitigate the negative associated effects of toxic fescue in beef cattle. However, beef cattle producers are uncertain of the payback period for costs associated with renovation techniques in terms of farm profitability and agronomic performance. In 2018, three 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). Each treatment plot (0.81 ha) was evaluated for botanical composition and hay was harvested in May and August of 2020. Round bales from each treatment were weighed to determine yield and core sampled to determine nutritive value. Data were analyzed using proc GLIMMIX of SAS v9.4. Combined forage yield was greater (P = 0.0226) for 3-CM (8,816 kg/ha) compared to 3-SM (7,191 kg/ha) and C (6,920 kg/ha), but did not differ from 1-SM (7,775 kg/ha). Crude protein concentration was greater (P = 0.035) for C (10.2%) in comparison to 3-SM (9.35%) in harvest 1, but was not different (P = 0.93) in harvest 2. Percentage of fescue in the sward was greatest (P = 0.0002) for 3-SM and least for C (84.9 and 62%, respectively). Similarly, presence of undesirable plants was greater (P &lt; 0.0001) for C (37.5%) than 1-SM, 3-CM and 3-SM (23.7, 15.2 and 12.7%, respectively). Percentage of bare ground did not differ among treatments (P = 0.31). Data suggest agronomic performance for 3-CM and 3-SM was improved compared to C in years following pasture renovation.


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