scholarly journals Hill country pastures, botanical composition and productive capacity

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 281-288
Author(s):  
G.P. Cosgrove ◽  
T.R.O. Field
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Productive Capacity ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Regional Survey ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Compliance Requirements ◽  
Resource Status ◽  
Demand Profile

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

scholarly journals 115 Nitrogen fertilizer effects on above ground sward characteristics and beef heifer performance from native warm-season grass blends

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Landon Marks ◽  
Katie Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Light Interception ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate ◽  
Canopy Light Interception

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.

Improving the intake and nutritive value of wheat straw for beef cows

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.B. Faulkner ◽  
G.L. Llamas ◽  
J.K. Ward ◽  
T.J. Klopfenstein
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Beef Cows

scholarly journals Estimation of pasture herbage intake by beef cattle based on n-alkanes as markers

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Nowakowski ◽  
Katarzyna Czyz ◽  
Marta Iwaszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
National Park ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Creeping Bentgrass ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Agrostis Stolonifera ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Invasive Method

The aim of the study was to evaluate herbage dry matter intake in 16 beef cows which grazed continuously on permanent pastures within the “The Warta Estuary” National Park (Poland), using the minimally invasive method based on <em>n</em>-alkanes as markers (C<sub>29</sub>, C<sub>31</sub>, C<sub>33</sub>). Significant differences were observed in the nutritive value of herbage collected for analyses by cutting or nipping. The calculated content of energy and protein in the nipped herbage was higher: UFL by 58.1% and PDI by 50%, with a higher digestibility of nutrients. The values obtained for DM intake in pasture herbage by cows were closest to the standards when calculations were based on the C<sub>29</sub>/C<sub>32</sub> pair of <em>n</em>-alkanes. However, the best prediction of DM intake estimation from creeping bentgrass (<em>Agrostis stolonifera</em>) pasture, in agreement with the accepted energy and protein standards, was based on the proportions between alkanes C<sub>31</sub>/C<sub>32</sub>.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Mixed Grass

Review: The composition and availability of straw and chaff from small grain cereals for beef cattle in western Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
H. C. Block ◽  
P. L. Dubeski ◽  
A. J. Ohama
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Cereal Grain

Small cereal grain residues are heterogeneous feeds consisting of several botanical fractions: chaff, grain, leaf blade, leaf sheath, internode and node. These parts vary in composition, digestibility, resistance to comminution, intake potential and energy availability. Large differences in the nutritional quality of straw and chaff may occur from year to year and between locations due to effects of environmental conditions on botanical composition and cell anatomy. Stage of maturity, harvest method and weathering will influence composition and quality of the most nutritious parts of cereal residues, the leaf and chaff. In addition, cultivars and species differ in the proportion, anatomy and digestibility of botanical fractions. As a result, the quality of crop residues is highly variable with an economic value that is difficult to accurately assess. Cereal straw and chaff are of low economic value as they are low in nutritive value, where nutritive value is the product of nutrient intake, digestibility, and efficiency of use. However, due to availability, cereal crop residues have the potential to be a substantial feed resource for beef cows. Previous reviews have not focused on straw and chaff nutrition research relevant to use by beef cattle in western Canada. This review includes discussions on yield and nutritive value with a focus on identifying information deficiencies, including the lack of detailed production statistics for determining residue yields on a regional bases and the need for more detailed nutrient composition to update regional feed data bases for western Canada. Key words: Straw, chaff, nutrient quality, beef cattle

Nutritive value of live and dead components of two bunchgrasses

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Houseal ◽  
B. E. Olson
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Protein Requirements ◽  
Southwestern Montana ◽  
Winter Range ◽  
Bluebunch Wheatgrass ◽  
Standing Dead ◽  
Addition Rate ◽  
Dead Material ◽  
Fall Growth

On northern latitude winter rangelands, the effects of low forage nutritive value on animal performance are usually mitigated by supplementing livestock, although the amount of supplement is often not adjusted for available forage quantity and nutritive value. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of live (fall, spring) and dead component of two cool-sea-son bunchgrasses to meet nutritional requirements of cattle from fall through spring on a foothills range site in southwestern Montana. Several nutritive characteristics of live and dead components of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer) were assessed during the winters of 1991–1992 and 1992–1993. In addition, rate and extent of dry matter disappearance, and extent of crude protein disappearance were determined in-situ using ruminally cannulated beef cows. Nutritive value of forage components of bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue were similar fall through spring. Fall growth was similar in CP and digestibility to April growth, and maintained these levels through winter. With normal forage intake rates on winter range, CP levels of standing dead material would not meet animal protein requirements fall through spring. When fall growth is not abundant, more protein supplement would be needed than when it is abundant. Matching animal requirements to forage availability and nutritive value, supplementing only when necessary and in appropriate amounts, could help reduce costs of winter feeding. Key words: Winter grazing, bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, forage quality, cattle

scholarly journals Botanical composition and nutritive value of cattle diets on southern pine range

1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.A. Pearson ◽  
H.E. Grelen ◽  
E.A. Epps ◽  
M.K. Johnson ◽  
B.W. Blakewood
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Southern Pine

scholarly journals DE-POPULATION AND HILL COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT

1982 ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
A.B. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Hill Country ◽  
Technological Advances

The Ascent of Man T.V. Series traced the evolution of civilisation and clearly established that a necessary ingredient in the process was a degree of specialisation to improve productivity and to permit a degree of urbanisation. This process has continued to the present day, aided by major technological advances in transportation, communications and the expansion of trade.

scholarly journals Response of simple grass-white clover and multi-species pastures to gibberellic acid or nitrogen fertiliser in autumn

2013 ◽  
pp. 145-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.H. Van Rossum ◽  
R.H. Bryant ◽  
G.R. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Plantago Lanceolata ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Nitrogen Fertiliser

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

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