Harvest Date Effect on Forage Yield, Botanical Composition, and Nutritive Value of Novel Legume-Grass Mixtures

The potential for novel forage mixtures to address reduced herbage for late season grazing was investigated. Forage legumes, sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) (SF) cvs. AC Mountainview, Shoshone, and Nova (MountainSF, ShoshoneSF, and NovaSF), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) cv. AC Veldt (CMV), Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis L.) cv. Great Plains (CaMV), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. AC Yellowhead (ALF) were evaluated in binary mixtures with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) cv. Admiral (MBG), hybrid bromegrass (B. riparius × B. inermis Leyss.) cv. AC Success (HBG) and Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys junceus (Fisch.) Nevski.] cv. Tom (RWR) for yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value on July and September harvest dates at Saskatoon and Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada from 2016 to 2018. Hybrid bromegrass-legume mixture produced 16–38% greater forage compared to RWR-legume (7.5 vs. 5.6 Mg ha−1 in July and 6.1 vs. 5.1 Mg ha−1 in September at Saskatoon, and 3.2 vs. 2.0 Mg ha−1 in July at Swift Current). MountainSF and ALF had the greatest legume contribution to total yield at July harvest at Swift Current (67.7 ± 3.2%) and Saskatoon (62.1 ± 2.1%), respectively, while CaMV had lowest composition at Swift Current (20.2 ± 2.5%) and Saskatoon (12.6 ± 3.5%). The CMV and ALF-grass mixtures at Saskatoon and legume-RWR mixtures at both sites in July had greatest CP content. The July harvest had greatest yield, legume content and nutritive value compared to the September harvest at both sites. Study results suggest if yield is the objective, then either ALF or CMV with HBG may be considered. If nutritive value is the goal, any legume with RWR is an option. Finally, ALF or CMV in mixture with either HBG or RWR could be summer or fall stockpile forage in the Northern Great Plains of western Canada.

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Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization in Kale and Swede for Grazing

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10050619 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 619

Author(s):

Osvaldo Teuber ◽

Dulan Samarappuli ◽

Marisol Berti

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Nitrogen Accumulation ◽

Study Results ◽

N Rates ◽

Edible Root ◽

Brassicaceae Family

Species in the Brassicaceae family, hence forth brassicas, such as forage kale [Brassica. oleracea L. convar acephala (DC)], swede (B. napus L. var. napobrassica), turnip [Brassica rapa L. var. rapa (L.) Thell], and hybrids (B. rapa L. × B. pekinensis L. or B. rapa L. × B. oleracea L.), have become an important source of forage for grazing worldwide. One of the limitations of forage brassicas is the relatively higher water content and low forage yield in rain-fed environments. The objective of this study was to determine swede and kale forage yield and nutritive value response to various nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilization rates. The study was conducted at two experimental field sites in North Dakota in 2012 and 2014. Kale cv. Maris Kestrel and swede cv. Major Plus and five N rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha−1) and two rates of S (0 and 40 kg S ha−1) were evaluated. Swede total forage yield was greater than kale across all nitrogen and sulfur rates. Compared with no N fertilization, N fertilization increased total leaf and root/stems yield and nitrogen accumulation in leaves, roots, and stems. Sulfur did not affect forage yield. Forage nutritive value was greater in swede than kale due to a higher proportion of edible root compared with kale’s higher proportion of fibrous stems. Nitrogen and sulfur interacted with some forage nutritive components. This study results suggest that growers will benefit from greater forage yield in kale and swede if they fertilize with N up to 200 kg N ha−1. Forage yield and nutritive value of swede and kale in the northern Great Plains are novel results, since these crops are not grown for forage and represent an interesting and valuable new alternative for beef cattle growers.

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Establishment and productivity of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or alfalfa- hybrid bromegrass mixtures

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2021-0006 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Allan Foster ◽

Bill Biligetu

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Aqueous Extract ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Limited Information ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

Bromus Riparius ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Astragalus Cicer

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) is a non-bloating, perennial legume that has shown persistence under grazing. Limited information is available on its seedling establishment and subsequent forage yield and nutritive value in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures. Field plots were seeded in May 2013 at Melfort, SK, Canada to evaluate ‘Oxley II’ cicer milkvetch performance in ‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa or alfalfa and ‘AC Success’ hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius × B. inermis) mixtures from 2014 to 2017. Two controlled environment tests were also conducted by treating seeds of CMV using alfalfa root aqueous extract. Seed germination and seedling height of CMV were significantly reduced in aqueous extract. In field, establishment of CMV in a mixture containing alfalfa was reduced, and CMV dry matter proportion in the mixture increased only 3.5% over three years. Increasing CMV seeding rate did not increase its DM percent in the mixtures, indicating a high allelopathic effect of alfalfa. Forage DM yield of all mixtures was linearly correlated to the proportion of alfalfa, and adding hybrid brome did not increase the DM yield. Forage DM yield was higher for the three-cut than the two-cut treatments for CMV-alfalfa mixtures, but there was no difference between the cutting frequency for CMV-alfalfa- hybrid brome mixtures. Fiber concentrations decreased linearly with increased CMV seeding rate in the mixtures. This study showed CMV establishment in alfalfa mixtures was reduced in a same row seeding, and the allelopathic effect was not reduced by lower alfalfa seeding rates or adding a grass.

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Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a98-064 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 83-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

N. W. Holt ◽

P. G. Jefferson

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Great Plains ◽

Ground Cover ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽

Bromus Riparius ◽

Russian Wildrye ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Meadow Bromegrass ◽

Forage Yields

Forage grasses need to be evaluated in pasture trials in the Great Plains region of North America. The objective of this study was to compare four grass–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for productivity and persistence when grazed during spring and summer. The grasses were Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus [Trin.] Pilger), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia [Host] Nevski), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys junceus [Fisch.] Nevski), with grass rows seeded perpendicular to the alfalfa rows. Two sites, 4 km apart, were grazed with yearling beef cattle from 1987 to 1993. Forage yield differed among grass treatments in 4 of 5 years, but differences were inconsistent over time. Five-year mean forage yields and total livestock production were not significantly different among the four grasses. Mean annual forage yields ranged from 800 to 8170 kg ha−1 and were related to the amount of growing season (April–August) precipitation. Carrying capacity ranged from 35 steer grazing days per hectare in 1992 to 176 in 1991. Grasses in the mixtures did have a significant effect on the grass–alfalfa ratio and on ground cover. Alfalfa content was highest when grown with Altai wildrye and lowest when grown with Russian wildrye. Percentage of ground cover by the grass plus alfalfa increased from an average of 3.8% in 1987 to 16.1% at one site and 31.9% at the second site by 1993. Russian wildrye contained the least alfalfa and weeds after 7 yr. Intermediate wheatgrass and Altai wildrye did not compete with invading weeds at one site, or with alfalfa at the other, and should not be recommended for spring–summer pastures in semiarid regions. Meadow bromegrass maintained a balance of grass and alfalfa and further research should confirm its persistence in semiarid climates. Key words: Leymus angustus, Elytrigia intermedia, Bromus riparius, Psathyrostachys junceus, Medicago sativa, grazing with cattle

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Agro-morphology and forage nutritive value of white prairie clover [Dalea candida(Michx.) Willd.] populations native to the Canadian prairies

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2017-0255 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 1234-1244

Author(s):

Nityananda Khanal ◽

Michael P. Schellenberg ◽

Bill Biligetu

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Canadian Prairies ◽

Forage Crop ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Acid Detergent Fibre ◽

Provincial Park

White prairie clover [Dalea candida (Michx.) Willd.] is native to the dry prairies and hillsides of the Northern Great Plains. A study was initiated in 2012 with six white prairie clover populations collected from the Canadian Prairies. Plant growth characteristics, forage biomass, seed yield, and forage nutritive values were evaluated using a randomized complete block design in a field near Swift Current, SK. Three populations from Argyle, Carlowrie, and Big Grass Marsh (NCP588) in Manitoba displayed erect-type growth while those from Douglas Provincial Park and Stewart Valley in Saskatchewan and Writing on Stone Provincial Park in Alberta exhibited prostrate growth. The populations did not differ for mean biomass yield (79–104 g plant−1, p = 0.54) and mean seed yield (6.6–9.1 g plant−1, p = 0.69); however, they differed for bloom stage nutritional parameters such as acid detergent fibre (25%–30%, p = 0.04), neutral detergent fibre (34%–41%, p < 0.01), crude proteins (15%–18%, p < 0.01), phosphorus (0.24%–0.29%, p = 0.02), and iron content (144–360 ppm, p = 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first report of comparative phenotypic, nutritional, and propagation study of native white prairie clover populations of Canada. The constraints and opportunities for successful domestication of white prairie clover as a forage crop are discussed.

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28 Three-year evaluation of yield and nutritive value of tifton-85 bermudagrass and tifton-85 bermudagrass-alfalfa mixtures produced as baleage in the southeast

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.048 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 21-22

Author(s):

Taylor J Hendricks ◽

Jennifer J Tucker ◽

Dennis W Hancock ◽

Lawton Stewart ◽

Jacob R Segers

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Value Analysis ◽

University Of Georgia ◽

The University

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.

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PSXI-19 Impact of toxic-infected tall fescue renovation strategies on second-year hay yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.633 ◽

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 ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Block Design ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Agronomic Performance ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Second Year

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 < 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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Yield and nutritive value of irrigated tall fescue compared with orchardgrass: In monocultures or mixed with alfalfa

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2012-283 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 799-807 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Donald Thompson

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Tall Fescue ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Total Yield ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Grass Species ◽

Forage Production ◽

Diversity Effect ◽

Dactylis Glomerata L ◽

Schedonorus Phoenix

Thompson, D. J. 2013. Yield and nutritive value of irrigated tall fescue compared with orchardgrass: in monocultures or mixed with alfalfa. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 799–807. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is commonly grown for irrigated forage production in interior British Columbia. Tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Schop.) Holub.] is also adapted to the area but no comparative trials have been reported. Three varieties of each grass species were grown in monocultures or in mixtures with alfalfa at three irrigated sites throughout southern interior British Columbia. Study objectives included comparing the forage yield and nutritive value of the following groups: (1) tall fescue and orchardgrass monocultures, (2) tall fescue and orchardgrass mixtures with alfalfa and (3) grass-alfalfa mixtures with monocultures. In monoculture, tall fescue yield was 9% greater than orchardgrass (significantly greater yield at 3 of 6 site-years), though forage nutritive values were similar. Mixtures of the two grasses with alfalfa had similar yields, but those containing tall fescue had superior nutritive value. Alfalfa contributed a greater percentage to total yield and had higher survival when mixed with tall fescue. Tall fescue is a viable alternative to orchardgrass for irrigated forage production in monoculture and may be more suitable for mixtures with alfalfa. Our findings demonstrate a functional diversity effect; grass-alfalfa mixtures over-yielded the mean of the alfalfa, orchardgrass, and tall fescue monocultures by 12%.

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Success hybrid bromegrass

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p05-200 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 745-747 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bruce Coulman

Keyword(s):

Bromus Inermis ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Smooth Bromegrass ◽

Soil Zone ◽

Bromus Riparius ◽

Cultivar Description ◽

Plant Characteristics ◽

Meadow Bromegrass ◽

Forage Yields ◽

Prairie Provinces

Success hybrid bromegrass was selected from populations produced by backcrossing smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) with hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass. Success has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass; overall, it more closely resembles smooth brome. In regional trials in the prairie provinces of western Canada, Success produced forage yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. In the drier brown soil zone of the prairie provinces, Success was superior to both meadow and smooth bromegrass in forage yield. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting and had lower concentrations of acid-detergent fiber than meadow bromegrass. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description

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102 Three-year evaluation of yield and nutritive value of Tifton-85 bermudagrass and Tifton-85 bermudagrass-alfalfa mixtures produced as baleage in the Southeast

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz053.081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 36-36

Author(s):

Taylor J Hendricks ◽

Jennifer J Tucker ◽

Dennis W Hancock ◽

Lawton Stewart ◽

Jacob R Segers

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Value Analysis ◽

University Of Georgia ◽

The University

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Growth and forage yield of cowpea and mungbean in the northern Great Plains

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps91-104 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

pp. 709-715 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A. Boe ◽

E. K. Twidwell ◽

K. D. Rephart

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Vigna Unguiculata ◽

Vigna Radiata ◽

Plant Density ◽

Late Summer ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Plant Weight ◽

The Usa

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] are summer-annual legumes which have potential as forages in the northern Great Plains region of the USA during late summer when cool-season grass pastures decline in productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate forage yield and growth response of these species when grown under different row spacings and planting rates. Victor cowpea and Berken mungbean were planted at 500 000 pure live seeds (PLS) ha−1 in row spacings of 25, 50, and 75 cm at two South Dakota locations in 1987. In 1988 the two species were planted at rates of either 250 000 or 500 000 PLS ha−1 in the same row spacings at three locations. Cowpea produced higher forage yields than mungbean at all locations in both years. Yields of both species decreased with increased row spacing. Species did not differ in plant weight, but plant number per unit of harvested area was greater for cowpea than mungbean. Forage yield was not significantly affected by planting rate at any location in 1988; however, plant weight, leaflets plant−1, and leaf area plant−1 were significantly greater for the low rate, showing that forage yield remained relatively constant across wide variations in plant population. Results indicate that both cowpea and mungbean have potential as summer annual forage crops. However, the consistently higher yield performance of the cowpea cultivar suggests that it was better adapted than the mungbean cultivar to the northern Great Plains region and consequently should be a better forage crop. Key words: Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, yield, plant density, cowpea, mungbean

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