Project Number: WVA00390
CRIS Number: 0173598
THE UTILIZATION OF COOL-SEASON FORAGES FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
Investigators: Prigge, E. C., Bryan, W. B.
Performing Department: Animal & Veterinary Science -- 1877
Start Date: 10/01/1996
Termination Date: 09/30/2002
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
The productivity of a rotational versus a continuous grazing for cow-calf production within a buffer grazing system were compared over a three year period. The pastures and buffers were comprised of naturalized cool-season grasses and legumes. The area used for grazing only was rotationally grazed for the rotational system for the first 10 to 12 weeks of the grazing season. After one hay harvest and a 3 to 4 week recovery period the buffer, along with the grazing only area were continuously grazed for both systems. No differences (P>0.10) between systems in total herbage mass or ADF and NDF content of the sward were evident. No differences (P>.10) in average cow or calf weight gains were observed. Because of increased stocking rate the rotational system produced 17% more calf gain/ha/year than the continuous system. In another study, the influence of ruminal mass on DM intake of steers fed concentrate and forage diets were examined. Five ruminally cannulated steers were fed a 70% concentrate or all hay diet in a 5 X 5 latin square design. Mass of ruminal contents were altered by adding varying weights of modified tennis balls to the rumen. Treatments consisted of 0 balls added to the rumen of steers fed the concentrate diet (C), 75 balls with a specific gravity (SG) of 1.1 fed C, 75 balls with a SG of 1.4 fed C, 75 balls with a SG of 1.1 fed hay and 75 balls with a SG of 1.4 fed hay. Results showed that increasing weight of inert mass added to the rumen depressed DM intake (P0.10) by treatment. Increasing ruminal mass decreased (P
Publications:
Schettini, M. A., E. C. Prigge and E. L. Nestor. 2001. Influence of mass of ruminal contents on voluntary intake of steers fed concentrate and forage diets. J. Anim. Sci. 79, Suppl. 1:234.
Bryan, W. B., E. C. Prigge, E. L. Nestor, O. J. Gekara and M. A. Schettini. 2001. Sward height; visual estimate compared with plate meter height. In Proc. XIX Intl. Crassland Cong., Brazilian Society of Animal Husbandry, Sao Padro, Brazil. pp. 1044-1045.
Impact:
Productivity of cow-calf production systems can be enhance greatly with minimal inputs in grazing management. The implication of density of ruminal contents as a factor influencing voluntary intake of high concentrate diets could lead to diet formulations and grain processing methods to enhance feed efficiency of ruminants fed high concentrate diets.