ans 402 L15 - forage & pastures for cattle production

forage management considerations

time of the year

goals for production

forage species

grazing management

quality/quantity compromise

phase II = optimum grazing

protein, TDN, palatability & lignin DM are equal

forage quality - brood cows

dependent on stage of production

mature, dormant forage - lower digestibility (phase 3)

protein supplement to increase intake

forage quality - growing cattle

lush, growing forage (phase 2)

moisture may limit intake

hay supplementation may increase gain (DMI)

creep grazing

allow calves to graze ahead of cows in higher quality pasture

leader-follower grazing

animals w/ highest nutrient needs graze pasture first

high quality = 1st grazers (nutrients are in leaves, not stem)

med quality = last grazers

cool szn forages - annual

wheat, annual ryegrass, rye, turnip

provide flexibility, greater nutritive value & intense management

cool szn forages - perennial

tall fescue, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, timothy

warm szn forages - annual

sudex, pearl millet, crabgrass

warm szn forages - perennial

bermudagrass, native grasses

legumes - annual

crimson clover, hairy vetch

legumes - perennial

ladino clover, alfalfa, red clover

key principles of grazing management

don’t depend on one forage species - easy to maintain but isn’t sustainable

use both warm & cool szn forages for year-round grazing

include both grasses & legumes

forage species

species adaptation/production becomes primary issue

use perennials as base forage & interseed legumes

use annuals to supplement

factors that affect ADG

grazing management - forage availability controls wt gain

forage species - amt of CP, digestible nutrients

grazing management - plant health

persistence, weed control

grazing management - animal health

nutrition, toxins, parasites

grazing management - soil health