HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Volesky, J. D. Articles by Stockton, M. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Volesky, J. D. Articles by Stockton, M. C. Agricola Articles by Volesky, J. D. Articles by Stockton, M. C. Related Collections Forage Management Grazing Management Other Grain Crops

FORAGES

Species and Stockpile Initiation Date Effects on Yield and Nutritive Value of Irrigated Cool-season Grasses

^a Dep. of Agronomy and Horticulture, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 West State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE 69101
^b Dep. of Agronomy and Horticulture, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, P.O. Box 830915, Lincoln, NE 68583
^c Dep. of Agricultural Economics, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 West State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE 69101. A contribution of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, supported in part by funds provided through the Hatch Act. Additional support was provided by University of Nebraska Foundation Sampson Range and Pasture Endowment

^* Corresponding author (jvolesky1{at}unl.edu).

Stockpiling forage for fall and winter grazing can extend the grazing season and reduce costs associated with harvesting, storing, and feeding forages. The objectives of this study were to determine species, stockpile initiation date, and winter harvest date effects on yield and nutritive value of eight cool-season grasses grown under irrigated conditions near North Platte, NE. Treatments included stockpile initiation dates of 15 July or 15 August and winter harvest dates of mid-November, December, January, and February arranged in a split-plot design. Stockpiled dry matter (DM) yield for the eight grass species ranged from 3.79 to 5.19 Mg ha^–1 in 2005 and from 3.68 to 4.54 Mg ha^–1 in 2006. Delaying initiation of stockpiling from 15 July to 15 August resulted in 30% less DM yield in November (P < 0.05). In 2005, stockpiled DM yield declined 18% from November to February while the decline was 24% for the same period in 2006. Species did not respond consistently to treatment effects for nutritive value of the stockpiled herbage. Herbage crude protein (CP) in November and December was greater when stockpiling was initiated in August (132 g kg^–1) compared with July (112 g kg^–1; P < 0.01). Initiating stockpiling in August resulted in greater in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) throughout the winter period (P < 0.05). Late summer and fall growth of irrigated cool-season grasses and retention of adequate levels of nutrients supports their possible use as stockpiled forages in this area. However, cost-effectiveness of stockpiling grazing declines as hay value increases. Stockpiled forage grazing during the early part of the winter period (November and December) would be most advantageous because of weathering losses.

Abbreviations: CP, crude protein • DM, dry matter • IVDMD, in vitro dry matter digestibility • NDF, neutral detergent fiber • NIRS, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Received for publication September 19, 2007.