Methods of Utilizing Forage Crops

ANSC 405 - Exam 5

what is the major feed in the US for beef, dairy, and horse?

pasture

pasture is the most __________ feed available for certain feeding programs

economical

what are the essential qualities of pastures?

• make as enduring as possible

• start growth early and stay late

• plants form continuous, compact turf that will withstand trampling

• variety of plants that will grow under both moist and dry soil conditions

in seeding permanent pasture, a mixture of several kinds of grasses and legumes has many advantages. what are they?

• legumes help with N supply in soil

• uniform stand and greater yields

• provide uniform production in various seasons

• mixture is more balanced feed

stage of maturity of plants effects ______ _________

nutritive composition (hay)

what does increased maturity of plants result in?

• reduced protein content

• reduced energy content

• increased fiber content

• mineral content reduced

• lower carotene content

soil fertility can have an effect on _______ _______

nutritive makeup

(true/false) fertilizing for max yield usually gives max nutritive value and more palatable pasture

true

deficiency of ___, __ or trace minerals in soil can result in low values in pasture

Ca, P

(true/false) proper grazing decreases yield and nutritive value

false, proper grazing INCREASES yield and nutritive value

list some ways of proper grazing

• proper carrying capacity

• remove animals from certain forage to seed

• use fences, well-distributed water places and salt troughs to control stock

• increase or decrease number of animals grazing to harvest grass at its max production

• use rotational grazing

list advantages of rotational grazing

• provides more nutritious and digestible forage because plant is maintained at ideal vegetative stage

• improves stand persistence

• reduces selective grazing by animal, prevents under or over grazing

• increases carrying capacity

list the disadvantages of rotational grazing

• higher input of management and capital

• always continuous decline in forage quality after animal turned into grazing area

what are some problems of grazing livestock on pasture?

• poisonous plants

• bloat

• allelochemical compounds

• nitrate poisoning

• elemental deficiencies and imbalances

list some allelochemical compounds

• tannins

• prussic acid poisoning

• estrogenic flavonoid

• alkaloid

• coumarin

soilage (green chop)

refers to fresh forage cut and chopped in field then fed directly to livestock in confinement

what are the plants used for soilage?

forage grasses, legumes, some sorghums, corn

list the advantages of soilage

• produces max yield/acre; larger yield of nutrients in “hay stage” than if grazed

• less loss of nutrients

• less fencing than pasture

• reduces bloat

where is soilage commonly used?

in large dairy operations

list the disadvantages of soilage

• lack of uniform quality

• weather can be a problem (muddy fields)

• expensive (labor and machinery)

• cannot have this crop year-round

hay

feed produced by dehydrating green forage to a moisture content of 15% or less

list the steps in haymaking

1. harvest at optimum stage of maturity

2. cure

what are some common losses in haymaking?

• shattering leaves

• heat damage

• fermentation of plant cell respiration

• bleaching

silages

product of acid fermentation of green forage crops that have been compressed and stored under anaerobic conditions in a silo

list the types of silos

1. upright/tower

2. horizontal

trench

simple, narrow beneath ground excavation with floors and walls varying from plain dirt to wood or concrete; narrower at bottom than top to facilitate packing

bunker

above ground silo with retaining walls; floor is usually concrete, walls either wood or concrete and ends left open

what crops are used for silage?

corn, sorghum, small grains, legumes or grasses

haylage

forage between hay and silage with 40-60% moisture

list the advantages of silage

• feed more livestock per acre

• harvesting, storing, and feeding can be mechanized

• high quality, succulent feed and eaten practically without waste

• earlier harvest

list the disadvantages of silage

• once ensiled, no off farm market

• consumption of dry matter in form of silage is always lower than same crop that’s fed as hay or dry grain

• increase equipment cost

• handle more water

list the reasons why we should process feedstuffs

• increase efficiency of handling

• increase efficiency of utilization

• alter density of feed

• many processing techniques yield improvements in feed efficiency of 5 to 15%

list the specific processes of feedstuff preparation

1. grinding

2. dry rolling or cracking

3. pelleting

grinding

reduce particle size by impact, shearing, or attrition

list the two types of grinders

• hammer mill

• burr mill

dry rolling or cracking

rolling - change shape, size, or both of grain particle by compressing between rollers; grain is a flake

crimping - rollers with corrugated surfaces; also a flake

pelleting

agglomerating ground feed material by compacting and forcing it through die opening; some combination of heat, moisture, and pressure are usually needed

list the heat treatment methods of grain processing

• steam rolling

• steam flaking

• pressure flaking

• roasting

• popping

list the factors that affect dry matter feed intake

• availability of free choice water

• palatability

• dietary energy levels