Botanical Composition and Forage Production in an Emulated Silvopasture

2005 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 1141-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia L. Buergler ◽  
John H. Fike ◽  
James A. Burger ◽  
Charles R. Feldhake ◽  
James A. McKenna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production

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.

Grazing system and stocking rate effects on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of alfalfa-grass pastures

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Popp ◽  
W. P. McCaughey ◽  
R. D. H. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
Grazed Pastures ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Stocking Rates

A 4-yr experiment was conducted (1991 to 1994) near Brandon, MB, to determine the effects of grazing system (continuous and rotational) and stocking rate [light (1.1 steers ha−1); heavy (2.2 steers ha−1)] on the productivity, botanical composition and soil surface characteristics of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; approximately 70%), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.; 25%) and Russian wild ryegrass [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski; 5%] pasture. Grazing season length was shorter (P < 0.05) for cattle in continuously compared with rotationally stocked pastures in 1991, while in 1993 and 1994 it was shortest (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked continuously grazed pastures. Carrying capacity (steer days ha–1) was greater (P < 0.05) in heavily stocked rotationally grazed pastures compared with other treatments in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1992, it was greater (P < 0.05) in heavy than light stocking rate treatments for both rotationally and continuously grazed pastures. Cattle usually gained more (P < 0.05) per day (kg d−1) and during the season (kg hd−1) at light than at heavy stocking rates, while total liveweight production (kg ha−1) was greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Forage production and disappearance did not differ (P > 0.05) within grazing systems and stocking rates from 1991 to 1993, but in 1994, production and disappearance were greater (P < 0.05) at heavy than at light stocking rates. Mean seasonal herbage mass available and carry-over were greater (P < 0.05) in lightly stocked pastures than heavily stocked pastures from 1991 to 1994. After the first year of grazing, the proportion of alfalfa increased (P < 0.05), while grasses declined (P < 0.05) within all grazing treatments. In subsequent years, a trend was observed, where alfalfa declined and grasses increased in all pastures, except those stocked heavily and grazed continuously, which by 1994 had the greatest (P < 0.05) percentage of alfalfa. As years progressed, increases (P < 0.05) in basal cover concurrent with declines in bare ground were recorded on all grazing treatments, while litter cover often did not differ (P > 0.05) within either grazing system or stocking rate, except in 1992, when basal cover was lowest (P < 0.05), while litter cover was greatest (P < 0.05) on lightly stocked continuously grazed pastures compared with other treatments. Stocking rates were a key factor to optimizing individual animal performance and/or gain per hectare on alfalfa grass pastures, however differences in the effect of continuous and rotational stocking on pasture productivity were minimal. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing, stocker cattle, production

What do domestic livestock eat in northern Patagonian rangelands?

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Sebastián Villagra ◽  
Alicia Pelliza ◽  
Priscila Willems ◽  
Guillermo Siffredi ◽  
Griselda Bonvissuto
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Rangeland Degradation ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Herbivore Species ◽  
Winter Diets

The Patagonian rangelands are dominated by steppes interspersed with meadows (locally called mallines), which are small but permanently humid areas, characterised by high spring–summer quality and productivity of grasses and grasslikes. The region’s main economic activity is sheep ranching, either alone or mixed with goats and/or cattle, using horses as transportation animals. Overstocking has been signalled as one of the causes of rangeland degradation in this region. Knowledge of botanical composition of livestock diets provides valuable information helping in the design of management strategies to improve or maintain the forage resource. With this objective we studied the dietary botanical composition of domestic livestock on Patagonian ranches with and without mallines, at different seasons. It was found that the differences between diets of the same herbivore species on ranches with and without mallines were greater than the differences among the diets of the different herbivores species grazing in the same type of ranch. Grasses were the forage class most consumed by livestock in 76% of ranches without mallines and in 38% of the diets of ranches with them, with Stipa spp. being the main species consumed. Grass-like species were important in ranches with mallines, specially Juncus spp., and woody plants (Chuquiraga spp. as the most consumed) in ranches without mallines. Forbs hardly exceeded 10% in some spring diets of sheep, at both ranch types. Grasslikes constituted the major component of the spring and summer cattle diets, and constituted one-third of winter diets. For the rest of the herbivores studied, this forage class was important in spring–summer diets, but insignificant in the winter samples. Goats showed a greater use of the shrub in the less productive ranches and they were the most important consumers of shrubs on ranches with mallines during winter, which is the critical season of forage production. We conclude that the presence of mallines strongly condition the diet composition of the studied domestic herbivores. And, since the use of forage classes is different between these animal species, given a ranch type, the replacement of single-species grazing by mixed grazing can achieve the optimal possible use of the Patagonian rangelands.

scholarly journals Feed Forage and Nutrition Value at Altitudes during the Dry Season in the West Java

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rochana ◽  
Nyimas Popi Indriani ◽  
Budi Ayuningsih ◽  
Iman Hernaman ◽  
Tidi Dhalika ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Season ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
The West ◽  
West Java ◽  
Rural Farmers ◽  
Nutrition Value ◽  
Multistage Sampling

Field grass was a source of ruminant forage, especially for rural farmers in  the West Java in different altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of grass during  the dry season which included the botanical composition analysis and chemical analysis of nutritional value. The study was conducted from September to November 2015. The method used was a survey method, sampling was multistage sampling. The parameters measured in the study included a botanical composition of the forage, biomass production of feed materials on fresh and dry matter, dry material content, an inorganic material included ash, calcium and phosphorus, protein, crude fiber, extract materials without nitrogen, and crude fat. The results showed that the areas in  the West Java were drought in September and October, thus resulting in very limited supply of forage and the productivity of the forages was very low. A botanical composition in the highland area was more complete included grass, legumes and weeds than lowland areas and medium altitude. Forage production in highland areas was higher than in lowland areas and medium altitude. Feed plants in the lowlands had a greater fiber content which was forming energy for plants, and lower crude protein when compared to highland

scholarly journals Increasing the efficiency of cultivation of alfalfa and cereal grass mixtures on eroded slopes

1970 ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
V.A. Olifirovych ◽  
Yu.A. Veklenko
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Timothy Grass ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
Grass Stand ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Purpose. To highlight the features of formation of the botanical composition and the yield of dry matter from alfalfa-cereal and deer vetch-cereal mixtures, depending on the modes of use and fertilization when grown on slopes. To substantiate the technological elements of increasing the efficiency of forage production from slope meadow lands. Methods. System analysis, field, laboratory, comparative calculation. Results. The greatest yield of dry matter in the experiment was formed on the grass mixture of deer vetch with reed fescue and timothy grass during the mowing of the herbage. On average for the 2016-2018 on this grass mixture 8.37 t/ha of dry matter were obtained without fertilization, and 9.52 t/ha – with the application of phosphorus fertilizer at a dose of P60. Less by 0.94-1.14 t/ha the yield of dry matter was obtained from the cut grass stand when using a mixture of alfalfa with reed fescue and timothy grass. With pasture use of herbage, the yield of dry matter from the grass mixture based on deer vetch was also higher compared to the herbage based on alfalfa. So, on the variant without fertilization, in total for four grazing cycles, the dry matter yield from the grass mixture of deer vetch + perennial ryegrass + timothy grass + reed fescue amounted to 5.44 t/ha, and from the grass mixture of alfalfa + perennial ryegrass + timothy grass + reed fescue – 4.86 t/ha. When using nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers (N90(30+30+30)P60), the yield of dry matter from pasture herbage increased to 6.10 t/ha and 5.90 t ha, respectively. Conclusions. So, the improved elements make it possible to form a cut grass stand on the basis of a mixture of deer vetch with timothy grass and reed fescue with dry matter yield of 9.52 t/ha. In the botanical composition of green mass of the cut grass stand of this mixture, the share of the legume component was 48.2-63.6%. For the pasture use, the grass mixture of deer vetch + perennial ryegrass + timothy grass + reed fescue is recommended, which provides 5.44-6.10 t/ha of dry matter in four grazing cycles.

scholarly journals FORAGE POTENTIAL AND ADAPTATION OF Alysicarpus vaginalis IN BALI PROVINCE

Pastura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
I Wayan Suarna ◽  
Ni Nyoman Suryani ◽  
K.M Budiasa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Survey Sampling ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Sampling Location ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Tropical Forage ◽  
The World ◽  
Climate Maps ◽  
Land Use Maps

Climate change that has hit the world requires to make adaptation efforts so that agricultural productivity can be maintained. Alysicarpus vaginalis is one of the local variety forage that can grow in a various of environmental conditions. In this regard, a survey research has been carried out to study various types of local forages throughout Bali. The aim of the research is to obtain forages that have superior properties and can be developed in various regions in Bali. The survey sampling location refers to a map prepared specifically for that by overlaying a map of soil types, land use maps, and climate maps. Based on the results of the survey, several species of local forages that have superior characteristics have been found. One of them is Alysicarpus vaginalis plant as a forage superior, Alysicarpus vaginalis forage production as much as 46,302 kg DM ha-1 with 0.21% botanical composition. Keywords: Alysicarpus vaginalis, superior legumes, tropical forage

Effects of lime, phosphorus and stocking rate on an extensively managed permanent pasture: botanical composition and groundcover

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 700
Author(s):  
Mark R. Norton ◽  
Denys L. Garden ◽  
Beverley A. Orchard ◽  
Philip Armstrong ◽  
Trent Brassil
Keyword(s):  
Soil Layer ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Single Superphosphate ◽  
Permanent Pasture ◽  
Millennium Drought ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lime Application

Low phosphorus (P) constrains productivity of many of the permanent pastures of south-eastern Australia where wool and meat production are important. Whereas the need for fertilisation with P is indisputable for many soils, the benefits of liming to ameliorate soil acidification are not always clear in terms of forage production or quality. This experiment, by measuring botanical composition and groundcover over 10 years, aimed to address the issue of forage composition and groundcover. Merino wethers were continuously grazed on a permanent pasture under two stocking rates (low and high) following treatments with three rates of surface-applied lime and two rates of P. The lime rates were: nil, and sufficient to raise the pHCaCl2 of the 0–10 cm soil layer to 5.0 and to 5.5. Phosphorus was added as two rates of single superphosphate: 125 kg ha–1 every 2–3 years, and 250 kg ha–1 every year. Two hypotheses were proposed: (i) as lime application rate increased, it would lead to the pasture swards having a higher percentage of species favourable for grazing animal production, and a higher level of sward groundcover would be maintained; and (ii) legume presence would be favoured by a higher level of applied P over the long term. The Millennium Drought (1997–2008), which coincided with this experiment (1998–2008), tended to mask or reduce lime effects; nevertheless, the higher legume content in the sward, as well as the superior groundcover found in the high lime–high P treatments at various times throughout the experiment and at its completion compared with the nil-lime control, indicated positive forage effects of lime application. Moreover, by the termination of the experiment in 2008, groundcover generally tended to be lower under nil lime than in treatments that had received lime. The higher proportion of legume in the sward was closely linked to greater applied P, although this did not occur at the low stocking rate in the absence of lime. By contrast, similar high P–low stocking rate treatments but with applied lime had the highest clover contents. It is proposed that the poor persistence of the treatment without lime may be due to a combination of poor legume seedset, because of excessive competition from accompanying grasses, and aluminium toxicity adversely affecting legume growth.

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

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.

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