Dynamics of forage production in annual ryegrass cultivars / Dinâmica da produção de forragem de cultivares de azevém anual

Multi-species pastures have been viewed as a means to increase forage production relative to monocultures through enhanced three-dimensional occupation of the canopy, which will intercept and use the incident radiation more efficiently. For this to occur, increased production of photosynthetically active tissues such as leaves is required. We tested the hypothesis that intercropping of black oats (Avena strigosa Schum.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) can increase total and leaf forage production compared with their monocultures. Monocultures and mixed pastures of black oat and annual ryegrass were established, and their tiller morphogenetic and structural traits, as well as components of herbage production, were measured throughout the usage period of the pastures. There was no difference between treatments for total growth rate (77.1 kg dry matter (DM) ha–1 day–1), but annual ryegrass pastures presented the greatest stem growth rate (38.1 kg DM ha–1 day–1). Taking into account only the vegetative phase, the intercropped pasture produced 20% more leaf than the monocultures. There were no differences between species, either in monoculture or intercropped, for phyllochron, final leaf length, leaf elongation duration and leaf elongation rate. The most important modification in morphogenetic variables due to the inter-specific competition was an increase in senescence rate of annual ryegrass leaves. The average specific green leaf weight in the intercropping pastures corresponded to 84.6% and 137.5% of those values observed for black oat and annual ryegrass pastures, respectively. On the other hand, the intercropping pastures presented 43.5% more tillers than the black oat pastures and 17.8% fewer tillers than the annual ryegrass pastures. It is suggested that intercropping black oat and annual ryegrass does not change tiller ontogenetic processes and that the association of their different size and shape in intercropped pastures could increase pasture leaf production over their monocultures.

Download Full-text

Herbage production, botanical and plant-part composition of mixed black oat (Avena strigosa Scherb.) annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures under different management strategies

Australian Journal of Crop Science ◽

10.21475/ajcs.19.13.11.p1855 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1826-1832

Author(s):

André Brugnara Soares ◽

André Luis Finkler da Silveira ◽

Tangriani Simioni Assmann ◽

Daniel Schmitt

Keyword(s):

Accumulation Rate ◽

Lolium Multiflorum ◽

Block Design ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Plant Part ◽

Canopy Height ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Forage Production

Mixing annual ryegrass and black oat can improve forage production in subtropical and temperate areas with integrated crop-livestock systems. Thus, we evaluated the forage production dynamics of mixed annual ryegrass-black oat pastures under different management strategies based on canopy height and supplement level. Pastures were continuously stocked with Boer goats at two grazing heights (12 or 21 cm); animals received or did not receive energy supplements (0 and 15 g kg-1 of body weight). These treatments were applied using a factorial scheme (2 × 2) and randomized block design with three replications. We evaluated the herbage accumulation rate (kg of DM h-1 day-1) using the exclusion cage technique, herbage mass (HM, kg of DM ha-1) using the double sampling technique, and botanical and plant-part composition (%) of destructive samplings. Supplementation had no effect on the parameters measured (P ≤ 0.05). Annual ryegrass become the predominant species during the experimental period and mainly at the lowest canopy height. Total herbage production during the 131 days of pasture utilization was 10,280 kg of DM ha-1. The herbage accumulation rate was similar between the two canopy heights; however, it varied throughout experimental period. Leaf lamina mass was lower in treatments 12 cm up to 102 after sowing; after that, they were equivalent. At the end of the study, herbage mass was 2720 kg DM ha-1 with the 21-cm treatment and 2170 kg DM ha-1 with the 12-cm treatment. It is recommended to maintain mixed annual ryegrass-black oat pastures at 12 cm in height. Reasons are discussed throughout the text.

Download Full-text

Cumulative Forage Production, Forage Quality and Livestock Performance from an Annual Ryegrass and Cereal Rye Mixture in a Pine Walnut Silvopasture

Agroforestry Systems ◽

10.1007/s10457-005-6640-6 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 43-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

R.L. Kallenbach ◽

M.S. Kerley ◽

G.J. Bishop-Hurley

Keyword(s):

Forage Quality ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Forage Production ◽

Cereal Rye

Download Full-text

262 Brassicas as an alternative forage in the northeastern United States

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.187 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 90-91

Author(s):

Eric D Billman ◽

S Leanne Dillard ◽

Kathy J Soder

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Energy Content ◽

Block Design ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Net Energy ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Forage Production ◽

Northeastern United States

Abstract In the northeastern United States, winter forage management has traditionally necessitated either: a) feeding conserved forages, or b) stockpiling grazeable perennial forage. Forage brassicas offer a low-cost alternative to these strategies. This project evaluated performance of different annual forage brassicas in northeastern forage production systems. Three brassicas, ‘Barisca’ rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), ‘Inspiration’ canola (B. napus L.), and ‘Appin’ turnip (B. rapa L.) were compared against ‘KB Supreme’ annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) for dry matter yield and nutritive value over two autumn production seasons. Replicated plots were 5.5 × 9.1 m and seeded (brassicas at 5.6 kg/ha; ryegrass at 22.4 kg/ha) in August of 2015 and 2016 in a randomized complete block design. Four harvests occurred each year at two-week intervals following initial harvest. Statistical analyses were conducted using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS 9.4; harvest and species were fixed effects, while year and its interactions were considered random. Harvest date had no significant impact on DM yield (P > 0.05). All brassica yields (734 – 861 kg/ha) were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than annual ryegrass (344 kg/ha). This indicated brassica yield was superior under environmental stress conditions that hinder annual ryegrass growth. Nutritive value concentration suggested ryegrass had greater CP (28.1%) than the brassicas (24.2 – 25.4%) and minimal differences in net energy content (< 2%) among species (P < 0.001). However, per-area (kg/ha) values resulted in consistently greater (P < 0.001) CP (176 – 204 kg/ha), and NEL (1.2 – 1.5 Mcal/ha) than annual ryegrass (CP = 88 kg/ha; NEL = 0.56 Mcal/ha). Therefore, the greater yield potential of forage brassicas allows them to supply greater nutrient supplementation during periods of low forage availability, at a reduced feeding cost.

Download Full-text

Stocking Rate and Energy Supplementation Effects on Replacement Beef Heifers Grazing Annual Ryegrass

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v11n3p1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guillermo Scaglia

Keyword(s):

Lolium Multiflorum ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Forage Production ◽

Year Effect ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Energy Supplementation ◽

Stocking Rates

The development of breeding heifers is a critical point in the beef cattle enterprise. The effect of stocking rate and supplementation strategy at high stocking rate were evaluated on Brahman influenced heifers (BW = 250±3.6 kg) continuously stocked on annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. ‘Nelson’) with the following treatments in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates: 1) LOW stocking rate (2.5 heifers/ha); 2) MED stocking rate (5.0 heifers/ha); 3) HIGH stocking rate (7.5 heifers/ha); 4) High stocking rate + 1% BW of ground corn (HIGH+C); and 5) High stocking rate + 1% BW of soybean hulls (HIGH+SBH). Dry matter intake was greater (P = 0.03) for heifers in LOW and MED, while those in HIGH, regardless receiving supplement or not, were the lowest. Heifers grazing LOW and MED did not differ (P = 0.06) in ADG. Supplemented heifers and those in MED produced the most beef per unit of land; however MED and HIGH were not significantly different. Grazing days was greater for LOW and supplemented heifers. There was a year effect for ADG, beef production, and grazing days which were smaller in year 1; however years 2 and 3 were not different (P > 0.05) between them except in production per hectare. Lower stocking rates allowed for appropriate BW gains. Level of supplementation affected DMI from ryegrass, replacing it and affecting animal performance. Weather conditions had an impact on forage production, hence affecting animal performance. Supplementation programs must consider level and type of energy supplement used.

Download Full-text

PSXI-18 Nitrogen fertilization management of winter pastures for stocker cattle production

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.641 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 349-350

Author(s):

Guillermo Scaglia

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Red Clover ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Forage Production ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Grazing Period ◽

Gulf Coast Region

Abstract Bermudagrass is often over-seeded with a cool-season annual grass for grazing purposes. In the Gulf Coast region, summer perennials will not become dormant until there are low soil and ambient temperatures. Nitrogen fertilizer is an expensive input and its split application for winter pastures is recommended. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the time of application of N fertilizer or its substitution with red clover as a source of N. Three treatments were evaluated in 3 consecutive years (2 replicates per year) on annual ryegrass (cv. Marshall) no-tilled planted (45 kg/ha) on Tifton-85 bermudagrass: 1) Urea in late November and mid-late January; 2) Red clover planted with annual ryegrass; 3) Urea in January only. Thirty crossbred steers (203±24 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups. Each group were continuously stocked on 1.34 ha pastures for 90 d. Forage mass, botanical composition, and nutritive value of the pastures were determined from the time of the first N application and every 15 d thereafter. There was treatment x year interaction (P = 0.03) in botanical composition. Greater proportions (P = 0.03) of bermudagrass were present on the 2-application treatment on every sampling date until d 15 of the grazing period in Year 1 and 3. This was a result of N absorbed by bermudagrass which impacted its nutritive value (P = 0.01) although not forage production (P = 0.07). In Year 2, annual ryegrass dominated the swards due to a cold artic front in early November. Steers grazing fertilized treatments had greater gains (P = 0.04), while production per ha was greater (P = 0.03) when N was applied in January than when no N was applied. Hay production (kg DM/ha) was similar (P = 0.06) among treatments. Opportunities for improved economics of production and enhanced sustainability appear to be realistic objectives with changes in fertilization strategy.

Download Full-text

PSVII-12 Effect of planting method on forage production of annual ryegrass and stocker performance

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.603 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 298-299

Author(s):

Guillermo Scaglia

Keyword(s):

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Forage Production ◽

Grazing Season ◽

Planting Methods ◽

No Till ◽

The Difference ◽

Planting Method

Abstract Different planting methods are alternatives for early grazing and/or extend the grazing season of winter pastures. The objective was to evaluate different planting methods on forage and animal performance. In three consecutive years, ryegrass cv. ‘Marshall’ was conventionally planted (33 kg seed/ha), and no-till and broadcast planted on a bermudagrass stand on nine 1.33 ha pastures (3 replicates/treatment). Urea was split applied at a rate of 40 units of N/ha on d 40 after planting and on d 40 after grazing started. Each pasture was continually stocked with five steers (245 ± 12 kg initial BW). Grazing started when ryegrass was at least 25 cm tall and 1,600 kg DM/ha. In the conventional planted pastures, steers were moved out (to a ryegrass pasture) when ground was too soft, returning to experimental pastures when grazing conditions were appropriate. Forage production was greater (P < 0.05) for conventional and no-till (2,800 and 2,389 kg DM/ha) than for broadcast pastures (1,770 kg DM/ha). Planting method and yr affected (P < 0.03) start of grazing. Conventional and no-till planting started 51 and 49 d earlier than broadcasted. In 2 yr, rainfall delayed by 17 d the start of grazing in the conventional planted pastures. Grazing days was greater (P < 0.01) for no-till (95 d) than conventional and broadcast planting (61 and 49 d, respectively). While on experimental pastures, ADG was similar (P = 0.08) between treatments. Due to the difference in grazing days, production per ha was greater (P < 0.01) for no-till (450 kg/ha) than for broadcast and conventional (199 and 241 kg/ha, respectively). No-tilled pastures offered better grazing environment while broadcast pastures had the disadvantages of slow germination and less forage production. Greater number of grazing days on no-tilled pastures allowed for better animal performance and dilution of input costs.

Download Full-text

Impact of Heat Damaged Corn Gluten Meal as Fertilizer on Forage Production During Winter and Summer Seasons and Soil Characteristics

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v12n3p67 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 67

Author(s):

K. J. Han ◽

W. D. Pitman

Keyword(s):

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Warm Season ◽

Soil Characteristics ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Forage Production ◽

High Concentration ◽

Corn Gluten Meal ◽

N Concentration ◽

Corn Gluten ◽

Livestock Feeding

Corn gluten meal (CGM) has been used as a supplement for livestock feeding due to its high concentration of digestible nitrogen (N) compounds. Heat damaged CGM (HDCGM), which is not suitable for livestock feeding, may still have value as an organic fertilizer. Objective of the study was to evaluate the impacts of non-feed grade HDCGM on forage production from annual cool and warm season grasses and soil characteristics. Pre-plant incorporated HDCGM at 3 Mg/ha was compared with 4.2 Mg/ha poultry litter (POTL), and 160 kg/ha commercial N fertilizer (COMF), and zero fertilizer (ZERO) for production of the cool-season ‘Prine’ annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and the warm-season ‘Greentreat’ sorghum × sudangrass (SS) hybrid (Sorghum bicolor). The treatments were repeated at the same site on December 3, 2010 (planted annual ryegrass), May 26, 2011 (planted SS hybrid), October 24, 2011 (planted annual ryegrass) and May 18, 2012 (planted SS hybrid). The HDCGM had 68% more N concentration than POTL, while its P, K, Mg, and Ca were less than half in POTL. The residual N concentration in buried HDCGM and POTL increased in a similar pattern with time in soil. The HDCGM produced less dry matter (DM) of annual ryegrass and SS hybrid than POTL; however, the differences between the two treatments were not statistically significant. All treatments produced more DM in the second than first year. After two years of field test, soil receiving HDCGM contained higher soil organic matter (OM) and N than receiving POTL. Although not as beneficial as POTL for DM production, HDCGM showed potential value as a slow release fertilizer to improve DM production and soil characteristics.

Download Full-text

Modelling the resilience of forage crop production to future climate change in the dairy regions of Southeastern Australia using APSIM

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859615001185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 154 (7) ◽

pp. 1131-1152 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

K. G. PEMBLETON ◽

B. R. CULLEN ◽

R. P. RAWNSLEY ◽

M. T. HARRISON ◽

T. RAMILAN

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Future Climate ◽

Future Climate Change ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Climate Scenarios ◽

Forage Production ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Forage Sorghum ◽

Southeastern Australia ◽

Forage Rape

SUMMARYA warmer and potentially drier future climate is likely to influence the production of forage crops on dairy farms in the southeast dairy regions of Australia. Biophysical modelling was undertaken to explore the resilience of forage production of individual forage crops to scalar increases in temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and changes in daily rainfall. The model APSIM was adapted to reflect species specific responses to growth under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. It was then used to simulate 40 years of production of forage wheat, oats, annual ryegrass, maize grown for silage, forage sorghum, forage rape and alfalfa grown at three locations in southeast Australia with increased temperature scenarios (1, 2, 3 and 4 °C of warming) and atmospheric CO2 concentration (435, 535, 640 and 750 ppm) and decreasing rainfall scenarios (10, 20 or 30% less rainfall). At all locations positive increases in DM yield compared with the baseline climate scenario were predicted for lucerne (2·6–93·2% increase), wheat (8·9–37·4% increase), oats (6·1–35·9% increase) and annual ryegrass (9·7–66·7% increase) under all future climate scenarios. The response of forage rape and forage sorghum varied between location and climate change scenario. At all locations, maize was predicted to have a minimal change in yield under all future climates (between a 2·6% increase and a 6·8% decrease). The future climate scenarios altered the seasonal pattern of forage supply for wheat, oats and lucerne with an increase in forage produced during winter. The resilience of forage crops to climate change indicates that they will continue to be an important component of dairy forage production in southeastern Australia.

Download Full-text