scholarly journals Mob Grazing Results in High Forage Utilization and Reduced Western Snowberry Size

Forage Groups ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Reed ◽  
Sharon Clay ◽  
Alexander Smart ◽  
David Clay ◽  
Michelle Ohrtman
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Suter ◽  
Olivier Huguenin-Elie ◽  
Andreas Lüscher

AbstractAssessing the overall performance of ecosystems requires a quantitative evaluation of multifunctionality. We investigated plant species diversity effects on individual functions and overall multifunctionality in a grassland experiment with sown monocultures and mixtures comprising four key grass and legume species. Nitrogen fertilisation rates were 50, 150, and 450 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N50, N150, N450). Ten functions were measured representing forage production, N cycling, and forage quality, all being related to either productivity or environmental footprint. Multifunctionality was analysed by a novel approach using the mean log response ratio across functions. Over three experimental years, mixture effects benefited all forage production and N cycling functions, while sustaining high forage quality. Thus, mixture effects did not provoke any trade-off among the analysed functions. High N fertilisation rates generally diminished mixture benefits. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures was considerably enhanced, and mixture overall performance was up to 1.9 (N50), 1.8 (N150), and 1.6 times (N450) higher than in averaged monocultures. Multifunctionality of four-species mixtures at N50 was at least as high as in grass monocultures at N450. Sown grass–legume mixtures combining few complementary species at low to moderate N fertilisation sustain high multifunctionality and are a ‘ready-to-use’ option for the sustainable intensification of agriculture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 325-325
Author(s):  
Allison Stevens ◽  
Cheyanne Myers ◽  
John B Hall ◽  
Gwinyai E Chibisa

Abstract This study evaluated the interaction between the stage of maturity of Eragrostis tef (teff) grass and supplemental energy source on ruminal fermentation characteristics and nitrogen (N) utilization. Six ruminally-fistulated beef heifers were used in a 3 × 3 split-plot design (21 d periods). The whole plot factor was stage of maturity of teff hay [early- (EH) or late-heading (LH)], and the subplot factor was supplemental energy source [no supplement (CON), rolled corn grain or beet pulp pellet (BP)] fed at 0.5% of body weight. Feed intake was measured daily. Indwelling pH loggers were used to measure ruminal pH (d 14 to 21) and ruminal fluid was collected from d 19 to 21 to determine fermentation characteristics, as were feces and urine to measure N excretion. Data was analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. There was no stage of maturity × supplement interaction for all measurements (P ≥ 0.17). Although dry matter intake (DMI) tended to be greater (P = 0.07) for heifers fed EH than LH hay, it did not differ (P = 0.88) across supplements. Ruminal acetate concentration tended (P = 0.098) to be greater for EH than LH heifers, whereas butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.045) for BPP than CON heifers. However, the duration and area pH < 6.2 and 5.8 did not differ (P > 0.12) across treatments. Except for microbial N flow, which was greater (P < 0.01) for EH than LH heifers, there was no stage of maturity or supplement effect (P ≥ 0.14) on measures of N utilization. In summary, feeding teff hay harvested at the EH than LH stage of maturity increased DMI and microbial N supply, whereas feeding corn and BP as energy supplements to beef heifers had no effect on ruminal pH.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 28-29
Author(s):  
Kelly Mercier ◽  
Chris Teutsch ◽  
Ray Smith ◽  
Eric Vanzant ◽  
Kenny Burdine ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if increasing forage botanical diversity improved stocker gains on warm-season annual (WSA) pastures. An opportunity exists to add extra gain on fall-born calves by grazing summer pastures after spring weaning and selling at a more favorable late summer market. However, cool-season perennial pastures in the Mid-South often have insufficient quality and yield to support desired summer gains. Therefore, the improved production and nutritive value of WSA forages shows promise in this system. A study was conducted near Princeton, KY, where calves (329, 366, and 297 kg in 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) grazed one of three WSA forage treatments without supplementation in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included 1) sorghum-sudangrass monoculture (MONO), 2) simple mixture (SIMPLE = sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet, soybean), and 3) complex mixture (COMPLEX = SIMPLE + sudangrass, corn, crabgrass, cowpea, sunflower, sunn hemp, daikon radish, forage rape, Korean lespedeza). In 2017, MONO and SIMPLE calves had higher average daily gain (ADG) than COMPLEX calves (0.79 kg/day vs. 0.66 kg/day, P < 0.03). In 2018, no differences in ADG were detected among treatments (P > 0.3); however, calves only gained 0.01 kg/day. In 2019, MONO and SIMPLE calves again had higher ADG than COMPLEX calves (0.59 kg/day vs. 0.43 kg/day, P < 0.03). The exceptionally low 2018 ADG was likely due to the higher nutritional demand of heavier calves and the lower nutritive value of mature forages compared to other years. In conclusion, complex WSA forage mixtures did not offer any improvement in animal performance, and proper management of all WSA forages (maintaining a vegetative state) is paramount to achieving adequate gains on stockers without supplementation; however, supplementation may be necessary to improve WSA forage utilization in the rumen, potentially leading to more favorable gains.


1981 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Thonney ◽  
E. K. Heide ◽  
D. J. Duhaime ◽  
R. J. Hand ◽  
D. J. Perosio

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 468-469
Author(s):  
Shane Gadberry ◽  
David Lalman ◽  
Frank White ◽  
Sara Linneen ◽  
Paul A Beck

Abstract This meta-analysis investigated the impacts of monensin on performance of stocker cattle on high-forage diets. The stocker performance analysis resulted from 38 experiments with 73 mean comparisons; bloat analysis was conducted with 12 experiments with 23 mean comparisons. The metaphor package (version 2.4-0) for R (version 4.0.3; www.r-project.org) was used to determine the overall effect size of monensin compared to a negative control. Each study’s n, means, and SEM or P-value was used to calculate the mean difference and estimate of within study variance for responses of interest. Moderators of monensin response considered in the analysis were delivery method, dose, study duration, initial calf BW, diet ME and CP, and forage category. Initial BW and basal ADG averaged 236 ± 45.9 kg and 0.72 ± 0.28 kg/day, respectively. In the ADG analysis the only significant moderator of those considered was length of the study (P < 0.01), as duration of the study increased the ADG response to monensin decreased by 0.0007 kg/day. For the average 112-day length of study, the average monensin response is estimated to be 0.0784 kg/day increase in average daily gain. Sufficient information was presented in only 18 citations representing 40 mean comparisons for determining the effect of monensin on BW at the end of the experiment, estimated by (P < 0.01) monensin response (increased ending BW, kg) = 22.3 – 0.05 (initial calf BW, kg). Thus, for the average initial BW of 235 kg the average monensin response is estimated to be 10.6 kg increase in average ending BW. The incidence (-20%) and severity (-0.7 bloat scores) of bloat was found to be reduced in bloat prone pastures. There is ample evidence that monensin increases performance of growing calves on high forage diets along with reducing the incidence and severity of bloat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1381-1389
Author(s):  
Fengwei Gu ◽  
Meng Yang ◽  
Zhichao Hu ◽  
Yanhua Zhang ◽  
Chong Zhang ◽  
...  

HighlightsAn efficient method for separating peanut seedlings and residual film harvested from film-mulched peanut was proposed, and the mechanism was optimized.The relationships between the suspension velocity and moisture content of different shredded materials were studied.Four-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experiments were carried out and analyzed, and the optimal parameter combination was determined.A validation test was carried out to verify the rationality and accuracy of the optimized regression model.Abstract. To address the problems of lower residual film removal and higher material loss in the forage utilization of peanut seedlings wrapped in residual film, this study explored the relationships between the suspension velocity and moisture content of different shredded materials derived from peanut seedlings and conducted performance tests and parameter optimization for a machine that uses peanut seedlings as forage material. Four-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experiments were designed using the rotational speeds of the shredding shaft, upper fans, and lower fans and the frequency of the vibrating sieve as test factors, and using the residual film removal rate and material loss rate as response values. The test results indicated that the suspension velocity of the shredded materials showed a quadratic relationship with moisture content. The performance tests showed that the significance sequence of the test factors for the residual film removal rate was: rotational speed of the lower fans, rotational speed of the upper fans, rotational speed of the shredding shaft, and frequency of the vibrating sieve. The significance sequence for the material loss rate was: rotational speed of the lower fans, rotational speed of the shredding shaft, frequency of the vibrating sieve, and rotational speed of the upper fans. The parameter optimization and validation test showed that the residual film removal rate was 92.71% and the material loss rate was 8.19% when the rotational speeds of the shredding shaft, upper fans, and lower fans were 1650, 770, and 665 rpm, respectively, and the frequency of the vibrating sieve was 4 Hz. The relative errors between the validation test results and the predicted values from the regression models were less than 3%, which suggests that the regression models are reliable. This study provides a reference for the forage utilization of peanut seedlings harvested from film-mulched peanut and provides a reference for determining the optimal working parameters of forage processing machines. Keywords: Agricultural machinery, Box-Behnken experiment, Optimization, Peanut film-seedling separation, Suspension velocity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e95991110508
Author(s):  
Hosnerson Renan de Oliveira Santos ◽  
Mauro Pereira de Figueiredo ◽  
Ingrid Thalia Prado de Castro ◽  
Mário Henrique Melo e Lima ◽  
Luiza Maria Gigante Nascimento ◽  
...  

The objective was to evaluate agronomically nine sorghum-sudangrass hybrids (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) and the nutritive value of their respective hays. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 3 × 9 factorial scheme, with three replications. Three cuts were made: 42 days after germination, 29 days after regrowth, and 28 days after the second regrowth. All hybrids showed a higher number of plants ha–1 (P < 0.05) in the second cut. For the green matter and dry matter production of the hays, the values ranged from 49.16 to 62.07 t ha–1 and 9.07 to 11.43 t ha–1, respectively. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in dry matter, mineral matter, or ether extract. The hybrids 1013020, BRS 810, 1013016, and 1624F016 showed higher values of crude protein (CP) of 16.49, 16.17, 16.08, and 15.88%, respectively. Differences were observed (P < 0.05) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. The hybrids 1013020, BRS 802, 1013021, 1013016, BRS 810, and 1624F006 presented lower levels of NDF (60.57, 60.74, 62.15, 62.37, 62.58, and 64.70%, respectively). The hybrids BRS 802, 1013016, BRS 810, and 1624F006, stood out above the others, presenting high forage yield and adequate nutritive value (CP content >13% and NDF content <65%).


2021 ◽  
Vol 901 (1) ◽  
pp. 012044
Author(s):  
G V Stepanova ◽  
M V Volovik

Annotation It is shown that the buffer capacity of dry matter of alfalfa of the first cut in the flowering phase is 5.66-5.94 mol / liter. With an increase in the content of crude protein and crude ash by 1%, it increases by 0.14-0.40 and 0.49-0.86 mol / liter, respectively, with an increase in the content of soluble carbohydrates by 1%, it decreases by 1.44 mol / liter … The dry matter of the second cut alfalfa has a high forage quality. The content of crude protein from the stemming-beginning of budding phase to the flowering phase is in the range of 23.44-20.20%, crude ash 9.24-8.10%, while the content of crude fiber is reduced to 22.92-29.01%, dry matter - up to 20.84-26.00%. The buffer capacity of dry matter reaches 9.69-7.23 mol / liter. The main influence on the buffer capacity is exerted by the mineral composition of the dry matter. An increase in the content of crude ash by 1% increases the buffer capacity of dry matter by 0.55 ± 0.16 - 1.36 ± 0.14 mol / l, an increase in the content of crude protein by 1% increases the buffer capacity by 0.15 ± 0.06 - 0.39 ± 0.14 mol / liter.


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