maximizing forage value and availability dennis chessman state grazing land specialist usda-nrcs,...
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Maximizing Forage Value and Maximizing Forage Value and AvailabilityAvailability
Dennis ChessmanDennis Chessman
State Grazing Land SpecialistState Grazing Land Specialist
USDA-NRCS, Athens, GAUSDA-NRCS, Athens, GA
A Problem of DistributionA Problem of Distribution
We can usually grow more forage than we We can usually grow more forage than we need, but only during certain times of the year.need, but only during certain times of the year.
Hybrid BermudagrassHybrid Bermudagrass
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Bermudagrass and Tall FescueBermudagrass and Tall Fescue
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Bermudagrass Overseeded with Bermudagrass Overseeded with RyegrassRyegrass
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Bermudagrass Overseeded with Rye Bermudagrass Overseeded with Rye and Ryegrassand Ryegrass
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Ryegrass Forage Yield – 3 Year AverageRyegrass Forage Yield – 3 Year AverageVarietyVariety GriffinGriffin CalhounCalhoun StatewideStatewide
---------------- lb/acre ----------------- ---------------- lb/acre -----------------
CommonCommon 90559055 1214412144 1019210192
JacksonJackson 95289528 1202512025 1035810358
JumboJumbo 93809380 1239412394 ------
MarshallMarshall 1002210022 1276212762 1083310833
Passerel PlusPasserel Plus 1000410004 1236812368 1067210672
PrinePrine 94009400 1243012430 1071210712
TAM 90TAM 90 93429342 1210412104 1017310173
LSD at .1LSD at .1 NSNS 838838 327327
*Statewide is average of data from Plains, Tifton, Calhoun and Griffin
Rye Forage Yield – 3 Year AverageRye Forage Yield – 3 Year AverageVarietyVariety GriffinGriffin StatewideStatewide
-------------- lb/acre ----------------------------- lb/acre ---------------
BatesBates 42944294 69476947
Early GrazeEarly Graze 42154215 64696469
Noble NF65Noble NF65 36333633 65716571
OklonOklon 43514351 68786878
Wintergrazer 70Wintergrazer 70 40044004 69136913
Wrens 96Wrens 96 42324232 64526452
Wrens AbruzziWrens Abruzzi 40404040 61856185
LSD at .1LSD at .1 NSNS 226226
*Statewide is average of data from Plains, Tifton and Griffin
Wheat Forage Yield – 3 Year AverageWheat Forage Yield – 3 Year Average
VarietyVariety GriffinGriffin Statewide*Statewide*
-------------- lb/acre ----------------------------- lb/acre ---------------
AGS 2000AGS 2000 63926392 68316831
Pioneer 26R61Pioneer 26R61 56595659 63636363
RobertsRoberts 61166116 72137213
USG 3209USG 3209 63516351 68716871
USG 3592USG 3592 66246624 76727672
LSD at .1LSD at .1 645645 290290
*Statewide is average of data from Plains, Tifton and Griffin
Forage LegumesForage Legumes
Are highly nutritious (digestibility and CP)Are highly nutritious (digestibility and CP) Can be productive without nitrogen fertilizerCan be productive without nitrogen fertilizer Extend the length of the grazing seasonExtend the length of the grazing season Can provide some nitrogen for grasses Can provide some nitrogen for grasses
growing in the standgrowing in the stand New grazing-tolerant varieties highly adapted New grazing-tolerant varieties highly adapted
to the Piedmont to the Piedmont
What do we do when we grow more What do we do when we grow more than we need?than we need?
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Forage QualityForage Quality
Protein is critical for muscle development, Protein is critical for muscle development, growth, regulation of systems, controlling growth, regulation of systems, controlling chemical reactions, hormones, reproduction, chemical reactions, hormones, reproduction, body structure, etc., etc.body structure, etc., etc.
Forage (and feed) protein is reported as crude Forage (and feed) protein is reported as crude protein (CP).protein (CP).
Forage Quality (cont.)Forage Quality (cont.)
Digestibility or digestible energy (DE) is the Digestibility or digestible energy (DE) is the single most important factor limiting beef single most important factor limiting beef cattle performance in the southern U.S.cattle performance in the southern U.S.
Digestibility is typically represented by total Digestibility is typically represented by total digestible nutrients (digestible nutrients (TDN) TDN)
Ultimately, the performance of the animal as it Ultimately, the performance of the animal as it relates to nutrition is the best test of forage relates to nutrition is the best test of forage quality. quality.
Nutritive Value of ForagesNutritive Value of Forages
All things being equal, forage types differ in All things being equal, forage types differ in digestibility as follows:digestibility as follows: Legumes > cool-season annual grasses > cool Legumes > cool-season annual grasses > cool
season perennial > grasses warm-season annual season perennial > grasses warm-season annual grasses > grasses > warm-season perennial grasseswarm-season perennial grasses
Nutritive Value of ForagesNutritive Value of Forages
ForageForage TDNTDN CPCP
BermudagrassBermudagrass
4 week old4 week old 5858 1212
8 week old8 week old 4848 88
RyegrassRyegrass
VegetativeVegetative 6868 2222
HeadHead 6060 1313
Animal Intake, TDN and CP NeedsAnimal Intake, TDN and CP Needs
Animal ClassAnimal Class DMI (lb/d)DMI (lb/d) %TDN%TDN %CP%CP
Beef SteerBeef Steer
450 lb (1.5 lb ADG)450 lb (1.5 lb ADG) 1212 6565 11-1311-13
650 lb (1.7 lb ADG)650 lb (1.7 lb ADG) 1414 6868 10-1110-11
Beef Cow (1100 lb)Beef Cow (1100 lb)
LactatingLactating 2222 6060 10-1210-12
Dry, pregnantDry, pregnant 1919 5050 7-87-8
Beef Cattle Nutrient RequirementsBeef Cattle Nutrient Requirements
Requirements are greatest for lactating cows Requirements are greatest for lactating cows and calves.and calves.
Requirements are lowest for dry cows during Requirements are lowest for dry cows during the middle third of pregnancythe middle third of pregnancy
Nutritionally deprived cows will lose body Nutritionally deprived cows will lose body condition, produce less milk, and be less likely condition, produce less milk, and be less likely to breed backto breed back
Goals of the Pasture ManagerGoals of the Pasture Manager Grow adapted forages that meet farm objectives Maintain soil fertility and pH Maximize ground cover Optimize production Graze forage at highest nutritional value Achieve uniformity of utilization Leave enough un-grazed to speed regrowth Be proactive by regularly monitoring pasture
condition and making adjustments
Grow adapted forages that meet farm objectives Maintain soil fertility and pH Maximize ground cover Optimize production Graze forage at highest nutritional value Achieve uniformity of utilization Leave enough un-grazed to speed regrowth Be proactive by regularly monitoring pasture
condition and making adjustments
Continuous Stocking
Variable Rate Stocking
Rotational Stocking
Problems from being OverstockedProblems from being Overstocked
Progressive stand declineProgressive stand decline
Not enough forage Not enough forage
Poor animal performancePoor animal performance
Dependence on hay and Dependence on hay and
concentratesconcentrates
Progressive stand declineProgressive stand decline
Not enough forage Not enough forage
Poor animal performancePoor animal performance
Dependence on hay and Dependence on hay and
concentratesconcentrates
Problems from being OverstockedProblems from being Overstocked
Bare ground exposedBare ground exposed
Decreased water infiltrationDecreased water infiltration
Increased soil erosionIncreased soil erosion
Increased nutrient and pesticide Increased nutrient and pesticide
runoffrunoff
Increased weed invasionIncreased weed invasion
Bare ground exposedBare ground exposed
Decreased water infiltrationDecreased water infiltration
Increased soil erosionIncreased soil erosion
Increased nutrient and pesticide Increased nutrient and pesticide
runoffrunoff
Increased weed invasionIncreased weed invasion
Considerations for Multi-Paddock Considerations for Multi-Paddock PasturesPastures
Clean, sufficient water in each paddock Enough paddocks to allow forage recovery Appropriate stock density for grazing and rest
periods Paddock shape Paddock layout that permits easy movement of
stock and adjustment as necessary Permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary
cross-fence?
Clean, sufficient water in each paddock Enough paddocks to allow forage recovery Appropriate stock density for grazing and rest
periods Paddock shape Paddock layout that permits easy movement of
stock and adjustment as necessary Permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary
cross-fence?
Considerations for Multi-Paddock Considerations for Multi-Paddock PasturesPastures
Rest period will depend on species and growing conditions
Be flexible to adjust graze periods and rest periods based on paddock condition
Adjust stock density to maximize forage utilization
Leave adequate stubble after grazing to speed forage regrowth
Rest period will depend on species and growing conditions
Be flexible to adjust graze periods and rest periods based on paddock condition
Adjust stock density to maximize forage utilization
Leave adequate stubble after grazing to speed forage regrowth
Forage Digestibility and Animal NeedsForage Digestibility and Animal Needs
Grass Hay and Cow NeedsGrass Hay and Cow Needs
Matching Animal Needs with Forage Matching Animal Needs with Forage QualityQuality
Control breeding to calve when forage Control breeding to calve when forage nutritive value is highestnutritive value is highest
Feed lowest quality forage to animals with the Feed lowest quality forage to animals with the lowest requirement (dry, pregnant cows)lowest requirement (dry, pregnant cows)
Getting a Good SampleGetting a Good Sample
Don’t lose the leavesDon’t lose the leaves Sample before feedingSample before feeding A probe can contribute to a representative A probe can contribute to a representative
samplesample Sample at least ten balesSample at least ten bales
Hay ProbeHay Probe
Why all the Fuss about Sampling?Why all the Fuss about Sampling?
One handful from the outside of one bale does One handful from the outside of one bale does not represent your field, but only about 1 not represent your field, but only about 1 square foot in your field.square foot in your field.
Soils can be Soils can be highlyhighly variable across a field, so variable across a field, so plants grown on them will be likewise.plants grown on them will be likewise.
By far, the single greatest source of error in By far, the single greatest source of error in forage test results is in the sampling technique.forage test results is in the sampling technique.
ConclusionsConclusions
Grazing animals are the least expensive way to Grazing animals are the least expensive way to harvest forage.harvest forage.
We have a long growing season, so we should We have a long growing season, so we should use it.use it.
Clovers (or yes, even alfalfa) should be grown Clovers (or yes, even alfalfa) should be grown some time during the year.some time during the year.
Animal needs change and therefore, so should Animal needs change and therefore, so should the things we feed them.the things we feed them.
Conclusions (cont.)Conclusions (cont.)
Improper hay storage is like throwing money Improper hay storage is like throwing money away.away.
Forage testing is the only reliable way to know Forage testing is the only reliable way to know what you are feeding.what you are feeding.
Animal access to hay should be controlled.Animal access to hay should be controlled.
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