Project Number: WVA00383
CRIS Number: 0170407
Multi-State Project: NE-132
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON DAIRY FORAGE SYSTEMS
Investigators: Prigge, E. C., Bryan, W. B.
Performing Department: Animal & Veterinary Science -- 1877
Start Date: 10/01/1999
Termination Date: 09/30/2004
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
In order to minimize the negative associative effect of concentrate supplementation on fiber digestion and forage intake of grazing cattle, an experiment was designed to examine the influence of timing of supplement feeding in relation to grazing activity on forage intake and digestibility. In a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial design, a concentrate supplement was fed to lactating beef cows to represent approximately 35% of DM intake. The supplement was offered at 700 or 1900 hours. Grazing was allowed for a 12 (700 to 1900 hours) or 24 hour period each day. Sward height on the plots was maintained at either 4-8 cm or 10-12cm. Actual mean sward heights for the experiment were 6.0 and 9.9 cm for the low and high pastures respectively. Pasture quality was influenced by sward height with the high sward height being greater (P
Publications:
Gekara, O. J., E. C. Prigge, W. B. Bryan, M. Schettini, E. L. Nestor and E. C. Townsend. 2001. Influence of pasture sward height and concentrate supplementation on intake digestibility, and grazing time of lactating beef Cows. J. Anim. Sci. 79:745-752.
Gekara, O. J., E. C. Prigge, W. B. Bryan, M. Schettini and E. L. Nestor. 2001. Influence of sward height, concentrate supplementation and season on grazing activity of beef cows. In. Proc. XIX Intl. Grassland Cong. Brazilian Society of Animal Husbandry, Sao Padro, Brazil. pp. 305-306.
Impact:
Milk yield and efficiency of production can be improved if timing of supplement feeding of cattle on pasture is adjusted for sward conditions and available grazing time.