Soil Science Commons^™

Changes In Quality And Composition Of Alfalfa During Autumn, S C. Fleming, M Collins, N A. Jorgensen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Autumn harvest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) offers a potential for obtaining additional forage production during a particular season. Little is known about the quality or changes in the chemical composition of this forage. The objective of this research was to examine changes in chemical composition, dry-matter intake (DMI), and apparent digestibility of alfalfa during autumn in Wisconsin. An established stand of Vernal alfalfa, early bud to midbud, was harvested using a flail harvester on 5 and 20 October and 5 and 18 November 1979. The forage was dried at 55°C for 72 to 96 hours in burlap bags. A …

Sprinkling Irrigation Of Forage Plants Under Different Site Conditions In The Gdr, W Breunig, R Richteh, W Henkel, G Schaltz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Stability and continuity of forage production are primarily dependent upon the actual water supply and the level and distribution of nitrogen applications. Under the soil and climatic conditions in the GDR, in almost every year ther-e are certain periods when the natural water supply does not satisfy the water needs of forage plants, leading to severe yield loss unless sprinkle irrigation is practiced. As sprinkle irrigation is very costly and water resources are limited, we must make full use of all potential for achieving high yields while keeping the water input at a minimum -i.e., maximizing overall efficiency of the …

Proposed Hay-Grading Standards Based On Laboratory Analyses For Evaluation Quality, D A. Rohweder, N Jorgensen, R F. Barnes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

-The progress report of the Forage Analysis Subcommittee of the Hay Marketing Task Force organized by the American Forage and Grassland Council (Rohweder et al. 1978) proposed new hay standards that would express feed value more ade­quately and communicate this value more fully. The subcommittee studied the potential for expanding the standards to include legume-grass mixtures; however, individual legume and grass equations gave more consistent predictions of quality. Digesti­bility and dry-matter intake by cattle and sheep fed the same forages were compared. Digestibility was nearly identical in the two livestock species; however, cattle were somewhat more efficient than sheep in …

Forage Analysis With Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy: Status And Outline Of National Research Project, W C. Templeton Jr, J S. Shenk, K H. Norris, K H. Norris, G W. Fissel, G C. Marten, J H. Elgin Jr, M O. Westerhaus

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Objectives of this paper are to review the status of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in forage-quality evaluation and to indicate the approach being used in a national research effort to further test, validate, and develop the technology for use in forage breeding, production, and utilization programs. Use of NIRS assay of forage quality was first reported 5 years ago. Research has now been initiated at many locations.

A national research project, involving personnel at six widely dispersed locations in the U.S., was established in 1978. Com­puterized, high-precision near-infrared reflectance spectrophotometers are employed. A set of 30 forage samples provided ex­perimental …

Using A Dynamic Model Of Fiber Digestion And Passage To Evaluate Forage Quality, D R. Mertens, L O. Ely

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Assessing forage quality depends not only upon the characteristics of the plant and animal, but also upon the dynamic interac­tion of the forage, rumen microorganisms, and animal. Although static variables, such as composition or 48-hour in-vitro fermentation, are important for characterizing feeds and predicting in-vivo responses under standard conditions, they provide little information that can be used to assess forage quality in dynamic situations. Dynamic properties, such as rates of digestion and passage, can be used to predict digestion under varied circumstances but require an appropriate mathematical model. Our objectives were to describe a dynamic model of fiber digestion and …

Yield And Forage Quality Of Panicum Virgatum, J L. Griffin, G A. Jung

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the temperate areas of the U.S.A., high temperatures and low soil moisture in summer limit the production of cool-season grasses and, consequently, the size of most beef cow-calf herds. Warm-season grasses, most productive in midsummer, may serve as a supplement to cool-season grasses for grazing and hay. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L. ), a warm-season species native to the Great Plains of the U.S.A., was grown on soils low in available phosphorus at two locations in Pennsylvania to determine changes in forage dry-matter yields, leaf (leaf blade): stem (sheath+ stem) ratios, and quality of leaf and stem fractions associated …

Neutral Detergent Fiber And Protein Levels In Diploid And Tetraploid Ryegrass Forage, L R. Nelson, F M. Rouquette Jr

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nutritive value of 18 ryegrass (Lolium multifloriumLam.) cultivars was studied at Overton, Te1

0.42-mm screen. Plots were harvested four times during each of the first 2 years and five times in the third year. In 1977-1978 and 1978-1979, NDF and protein analyses were run on samples from 2 replications. All forage samples were analyzed for pro­tein via the micro-Kjeldahl technique. Percentages of NDF were obtained via Van Soest extraction procedures. A seasonal increase in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content and a decrease in protein percentage was observed. Differences in NDF were observed among cultivars and were most apparent during …

Forage Quality Of Barley Straw As Influenced By Genotype, D W. Meyer, D O. Erickson, A E. Foster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cereal straw is an untapped carbohydrate source for ruminant animal feeds, but little information is available on genotypic differences in the feeding value of barleys (Hordeum vulgare L.) commonly grown in the northern Great Plains of the U.S.A. Our objective was to determine if barley genotypes differ in straw forage quality and if straw-quality parameters are associated with agronomic characters. Straw from 37 and 31 barley genotypes was sampled in 1977 and 1978, respectively. Straw from 10 barley genotypes grown at four locations was sampled in 1979. Standard laboratory procedures were used to determine the quality parameters measured. Correlations …

Genetic Variability For Morphological And Agronomic Characters In Desmodium Uncinatum (Jacq.) D.C. And D. Intortum (Mill.) Urb., E.M P. Oliveira, P S. Martins, A B. Cruz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Objectives of this research were to study the performance of eight populations of D. unicinatum and ten populations of D. intortum, with relation to morphological and agronomic characters to estimate the genetic variation between populations and between plants within populations, and to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for these characters.

Predicting In Vitro Digestibility With A Simple Potent Cellulase Procedure, S S. Bughrara, D A. Sleper, O H. Calvert, G C. Marten

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Reliable, inexpensive and rapid methods of determing in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) are necessary to evalute animal production potential of a given herbage. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between DMD measured by a procedure using a potent cellulase solution (from Trichoderma reese1) and by a procedure using rumen liquor. Herbage from 22 species was assayed. Correlations between in vitro DMD determined by the cellulase procedure and rumen liquor procedure ranged from 0.24 to 0.99. Most correlations were highly significant and greater than 0.95. Regression coefficients ranged from 0.26 to 1.43. The cellulase procedure was …

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Screening Of Astragalus Species For Nitro-Toxins, M D. Rumbaugh, D H. Clark, R C. Lamb

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The potential of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for the prediction of nitro-toxin concentrations in 55 Astragalus species was evaluated. A calibration equation based on 90 plant samples selected to represent the range of concentrations of the 55 test species was verified on all remaining samples. The correlation coefficient, r= 0.77, indicated that the technique would be of value for the first cycle of a selection program to reduce nitro-toxin concentrations. The more exact measurements provided by conventional chemical analyses would probably be necessary in advanced cycles of selection if differences among plants or populations were smaller than those detectable by …

Lamb Performance On Extended Season Grazing Of Brassica Pekinensis X B. Rapa, D W. Koch, F C. Ernst Jr, N R. Leonard, R R. Hedberg, J R. Mitchell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brassica pekinensis X B. rapa var. tyfon was evaluated for its potential for extending the grazing season and utilization for finishing lambs. Tyfon was seeded without tillage in mid-July and grazing was initiated in each of two years about 70 days after seeding with lambs which had previously grazed clover-grass. A similar group was placed on a balanced ration of hay and grain. Tyfon maintained high quality throughout the grazing period, which was 45 days in 1983 and 68 days in 1984. Lambs gained an average 214 and 249 g day-1 in 1983 and 1984, respectively, on tyfon, while lambs …

Harvesting Alyceclover For Maximum Dry Matter Yield And Nutrient Value, D D. Baltensperger, W G. Blue, W H. Anderson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Limited information is available on the quality of alyceclover (Alysicarpus vaginalis) in relation to plant stress. This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between plant maturity and forage yield, quality and mineral composition in order to optimize each at harvest. Alyceclover was grown for two summers and new plots were harvested weekly through the pod-fill stage of development beginning eight weeks after planting. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, In vitro dry matter digestibility, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc. Dry matter yields increased through the flowering stage of development except …

Mediterranean-Germplasm Trefoils In The Southeastern Usa Piedmont, C S. Hoveland, S L. Fales

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experimental birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) cultivars, selected from Mediterranean germplasm, were compared with northern trefoils in monoculture and in association with grasses to determine productivity and persistence in north Georgia where northern trefoils have not been successful. Productivity and forage quality of one trefoil was studied under four frequencies of defoliation. Mediterranean trefoils had higher total and earlier spring production, better stand persistence, and seedling vigor than a northern cultivar. The yield advantage of Mediterranean trefoils occurred in monoculture and when grown in association with tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) or orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata). Maximum yields …

Animal Perforamnce On Dwarf Elephantgrass And Rhizoma Peanut Pastures, L E. Sollenberger, C S. Jones Jr, G M. Prine

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture systems in the southeastern U.S. are based on peren­nial warm-season grasses, but forage quality of these species is often low during mid-summer through early fall. Two peren­nial forages that were recently released in Florida, 'Mott' dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. ; Sollenberger et al., 1988b) and the legume 'Florigraze' rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth. ; Prine et al., 1981), have potential to provide herbage of high quality during May through October. Grazing trials were conducted to determine steer ( Bos spp.) average daily gain (ADG), carrying capacity (CC), and gain ha-1 on Mott and Flozigraze, and to compare these …

Set Up On Nirs Calibration Populations For Predicting Protein And Net Energy Content In Forage Grasses And Legumes, C Paul

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The performance of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) depends critically on the sample set used in the cali­bration process (e.g. Hruschka and Norris, 1987; Paul, 1988). In forage quality testing a particular problem exists in that nar­row based sample sets comprising only single botanical species may give equations of limited value under practical conditions. Broad based sample sets may, however, lead to equations with reduced analytical precision as compared to the former. The present work aims at a spectroscopic interpretation and a statistical validation of NIRS equations for protein and energy concentration developed from broad based and narrow based sets …

Changes In Elephantgrass Plant Components With Maturity Ii. Crude Protein And Digestibility, P Mislevy, F G. Martin, M B. Adjei

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Elephantgrass or napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is a long-lived, tall perennial warm-season bunch grass. Under subtropical conditions where cool season temperatures to not drop below - 4 °C, elephantgrass will nor­mally out yield Saccharum spp. with less winter kill and greater persistence under annual harvesting. Alexander (1985) in Puerto Rico indicated elephantgrass out yielded energycane when cut at 6-mo intervals, but was inferior to sugarcane when cut once annually. Calhoun and Prine (1985) and Capiel and Ashcraft (1972) indicated shoot yields increased as the length of harvest interval increased. Cutting elephantgrass at 6 wk intervals yielded only 20 t/ha …

Influence Du Mode Des Semis Et Des Associations Annuelles Graminees-Legumineuses Sur Le Rendement Et La Qualite Du Fourrage, S Ostojic

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chaque anncc en Y ougoslavie, 1,5 million d'hectares sont ensemences avec des cereales de printemps. Apres la moisson, ccs terres restent generalement non semees jusqu'au printemps de l'annee suivante ou !'on scme des cultures sarclees. Eberhardt (1975) estime qu'en Yougoslavie, I% seulement de ces surfaces sont labourccs, ce qui est tres faible si !'on prend en consideration le fait que la periode de vegetation apres la moisson du ble se prolonge pendant environ 90 jours et que la somme de temperature bioclimatique est d'environ 1800 °C. De pareilles conditions rendent possible, a vcc !'irrigation, la reus­site d'une production de fourragc …

Seasonal Changes In Palatability Of Hybrids Between Phalaris Aquatica And Hexaploid P. Arundinacea, R N. Oram, H E. Schroeder

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

F 1 hybrids between P. aquatica L. and the hexaploid (6x) race of P. arundinacea L. produce more herbage than their parents in summer and autumn in south-eastern Australia if rainfall exceeds 50 mm per month (Mc William, 1962). Both the tetraploid and hexaploid races of P. arundinacea are more tol­erant of excess aluminium in acid soils than P. aquatica ; acid­ity is an increasing problem in the region (Culvenor et al., 1986). However neither race of P. arundinacea can survive the summer droughts characteristic of the modified Mediterranean climate. Also, the F 1 of P. aquatica with 6x P. …

Compatibility Of Birdsfoot Trefoil With Tall Fescue Selected For High And Low Leaf Area Expansion Rate, C J. Nelson, K M. Hasson, D A. Sleper, J R. Forwood

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) populations were selected for slow and rapid leaf area expansion rate (Nelson and Sleper, 1983). Daily leaf elongation rate (LER) in the field was increased by 0.30 mm and decreased by 0.53 mm per gener­ation (Nelson et al., 1985), but single-leaf photosynthesis was not affected. Populations selected for high LER had longer and wider leaf blades (Nelson and Sleper, 1983), and lower tiller density, higher weight per tiller, and higher forage yield in veg­etative swards (Nelson et al., 1985) than those selected for slow LER. Zarrough et al. (1983) suggested that tall fescue could …

Effect Of Supplementation On Pasture Selection By Grazing Steers. I. Quality Of Ingested Forage, O R. Rosso, P O. Gomez, F Overjero

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three oesophageal fistulated Hereford steers (average live weight 304 kg) were supplemented throughout a trial at 0, 0.7 or 1.4% of live weight, with a mixture of 90% ground maize and 10% sunflower expeller. Adaptation and sampling periods were 7 and 4 days respectively. Steers were allocated randomly to 4 Agropyron•dominated pastures of 1800, 2000, 8200 and 8900 kg OM/ha and leaf percentage of 5.8, 28.9, 23.2 and 14.0, respectively. Fistula samples were taken once daily, air dried at 60°C and analysed. Supplementation significantly (P<0.05) affected DM digestibility, which was 51.3, 54.7 and 57.2 for 0, 0.7 and 1.4% levels, respectively. Nitrogen and cell wall content differences were not detected. It appears that supplemented steers preferred pasture components with the highest digestibility.

Developing Eastern Gamagrass On A Conserved Forage, John A. Dickerson, Paul R. Salon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.) is highly regarded as a native forage resource in the prairie region of North America. Recent discovery of a gynomonoecious plant in Kansas has raised expectations that efficient seed production will be possible with the species. A possible use for eastern gamagrass is as a perennial haylage crop for dairy farms, replacing erosion-prone silage corn. Compared with corn silage, eastern gamagrass forage has higher crude protein, slightly lower energy, and higher neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre. Breeding work is underway to develop hardy, high volume forage-producing strains with good seed production capability. …

Implications Of A Doubling In Ambient Carbon Dioxide Levels Of Herbage Quality In Perennial Ryegrass And White Clover, H Clark, C C. Bell, P.C D. Newton, B D. Campbell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Digestibility (DMD) and crude protein (CP) percentage in leaf and stem of 4 cultivars each of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) grown at 3 day/night temperatures (12f7, 18/ 13, 28/23°C) and 2 CO2 concentrations (35 0 or 700 ppm) was estimated using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (N[RS). Differences between cultivars in DMD and CP were small and non-significant. Higher temperatures reduced DMD andCP in both species. DMD was unaffected by CO2 concentration in either species. The higher concentration of CO2 reduced leaf and stem CP by 14.6 and 10% respectively in white clover …

Volatile Constituents Of Tall Fescue Varieties In Relation To Palatability, Aldo Tava, Nicola Berardo, Miriam Odoardi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The chemical composition of the essential oil of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb,), a poorly palatable species, was analysed by GC and GC-MS. The major components identified were alcohols, aldehydes and esters. The qualitative and quantitative differences detected among 6 cultivars of different geographical origin suggest the most abundant compounds may play a role in the grazing preference exhibited by animals.

Seasonal Changes In Forage Regrowth Yield And Quality Of Three Old World Bluestems, Larry M. White

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Little information is available on differences in regrowth yield and quality among Old World bluestems (Bothriochloa spp.). Harvesting was staged such that 4-week regrowth of Caucasian (B. caucasica), cv. WW-Iron Master (D, ischaemum var. i.,ischaemum) and cv, Super Cauc (D. caucasica) was harvested each week from early May through mid-September to determine forage yield, ill vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein content of leaves and stems. Forage yield peaked in late June with WW-Iron Master, Caucasian, and Super Cauc producing 1280, 11S0 and 930 kg/ho/4 weeks of leaves and S00 200 and …

Impact Of Intermittent Clipping On Productivity, Forage Quality And Legume Persistence Of Reclaimed Mine Soils, M Collins, H B. Rice, R Turley, W O. Thom

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The materials used as plant growth media during surface mine· reclamation are frequently low in available N, P and K and are drought­prone. Legumes are included in reclamation seeding mixtures . because of their symbiotic N2-fixation ability but competition may prevent establishment or reduce persistence. A field study was conducted to test the hypothesis that intermittent clipping of these sites would reduce grass competition and thereby maintain legume stands. In 1990 and· 1991, 4 clipping treatments were imposed, providing intervals of 2, 4; and 6 weeks between harvests. Clipping at the 2- or 4-week intervals gave equal yields that were …

Sward Height In Grazing Management: Vertical Profiles In Forage Quality, J E. Johnston, A Singh, E A. Clark

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Vertical and temporal trends in herbage yield and quality were assessed in a study sown in 1989 near Elora, Ontario. In a replicated field trial with 0.1 ha paddocks, Hereford heifers rotationally grazed 2 swards to each of 2 residual grazing heights, namely, SO and 100 mm, with a requisite 200-2S0 mm entry height. Profiles in yield and in in vitro organic mailer digestibility (IVOMD) were developed from 6, 1500 cm2 quadrats per paddock, which were subjected to vertically stratified clipping, using sheep shears with a vacuum attachment. In 1990, obliging entry. at 200-2S0 mm stabilised herbage organic matter on …

Interaction Among Harvest Frequency, Fertilizer And Herbicide Use With Intensively Managed Alfalfa In The North-Central Usa, O B. Hesterman, J J. Kells, P L. Tiffin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This research evaluated effects of 2 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L,) cultivars (winter hardy and moderately winter hardy), 3 levels of fertiliser (none, medium, high), 3 levels of herbicide (none, medium, high), and 2 harvest systems ( 4 harvests and 5 harvests per year) on forage yield and quality, Five years (1987-1991) of an experiment in Michigan, USA, have been completed. During the first production year (1988). forage dry matter (DM) production was similar for the 5-harvest (15.2 Mg/ha) and the 4-harvest system (14.8 Mg/ha), During subsequent years, DM production was greater in the 4-harvest than in the 5-harvest system …

Forage Quality And Steer Performance On Tifton 78 And Coastal Bermudagrass Pastures, G M. Hill, G W. Burton, P R. Utley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

orage quality and weight gains were measured during a 3-year experimenl in which yearling sleers grazed replicated 0.81-ha paslures of Tiflon 78 (T), a Tiflon 44 x Callie Fl hybrid, or Coastal (C) bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.) Pers.). During 168-day grazing seasons, stocking rales were Increased as forage availability increased in spring and early summer resulting in mean slocking rales of 5.0 and 7.3 steers/ha, respectively, for C and T. Pastures were sampled al 28-day inlervals and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) of available forage declined (P<0.01) for each bermudagrass with time, but seasonal mean IVDMD was higher (P<0.05) for T than C (T=57.4, C=56.5%). Steer average daily gains (ADO) were 15% higher (P<0.05) on T than on C pastures (C=0.59, T-0.68 kg), and gain/ha was 38.1%higher (P<0.01) for T than C (C=7l3, T=985 kg/ha). Superiority of Tifton 78 compared with Coastal has been verified in additional grazing experiments.

Use Of Irrigated Lucerne At Different Growth Stages. I. Evaluation Under Cutting, Patrucio O. Soto, E B. Jahn

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Huinca with medium winter dormancy was used to evaluate different cutting sequences. Treatments were: prebud (PB), bud (B), 10% flower (lOPP), SO% 0ower (SOPP) and combinations of these, giving 12 treatments in total. Lucerne was 3 years old at the beginning of the trial. A complete block design with 4 replicates and 2 x 6 m plots was used. Cuts were made at a height of SO mm. During the S seasons the cutting sequence B-I0PP had the highest yields (lS-19 t DM/ha) and was significantly higher (P<0.0S) than always cutting at B stage. B-IOPP was similar (P<0.0S) to I0PF, Plant density decreased from 65 to 25 plants/m1 for treatments cut at B. Percentage crude protein varied from IS.3 to 20.4% and acid detergent fibre ranged from 34.8 to 40.5%.