Cumulative Effects of Cutting Management on Forage Yields and Tiller Densities of Tall Fescue and Orchardgrass¹

Abstract

When tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were cut each week after the first harvest, forage yields before flowering increased when first harvest was delayed and decreased as stubble height increased. Neither stubble height nor time of first harvest affected yields after flowering in the 1st harvest year. In the 2nd and 3rd years, yields after flowering decreased as stubble height increased. In the 3rd year they also decreased when the first harvest was delayed, so much that total forage yields were similar for all dates of first harvest, even though preflowering yields differed. The decrease in post‐flowering yield was associated with a decrease in stand density. Although increased stubble height decreased total forage yields, it increased yields of forage plus stubble, indicating higher total dry‐matter production. However, production was still higher when the grasses were cut closely every month instead of every week. This treatment gave the maximum forage production, because less of the total production was left as stubble.

Yield, persistence, and nutritive value of autumn harvested tall fescue

“…Matches et al (1973) suggested that forage accumulation should begin after the removal of the spring reproductive growth if high yields are to be achieved. Others have shown yield and population losses in grasses with infrequent harvesting (Hart et al 1971;Berry and Hoveland 1969). Ocumpaugh and Matches (1977), however, reported that harvest frequency did not affect the nutritive value of tall fescue accumulated in autumn and had little effect on autumn yields.…”

Meadow Fescue, Tall Fescue, and Orchardgrass Response to Defoliation Management

“…temperate , perennial grasses are the principal component of pasture and hay lands throughout the United States (Burns and Bagley, 1996). Because ruminant livestock agriculture depends on productive, persistent grasslands, their response to frequency and extent of defoliation has been the focus of numerous studies from the perspective of yield and quality (Burns et al, 2002; Holden et al, 2000; Volesky and Anderson, 2007), or crop morphology and persistence (Brummer and Moore, 2000; Dobson et al, 1978; Hart et al, 1971; Horrocks and Washko, 1971). Although these studies have typically used clipping to impose treatments, which may inflate yield response compared to grazing (Bryant and Blaser, 1968), the results provide important information about fundamental growth processes and species differences.…”

The effects of height of stubble left after simulated rotational grazing on regrowth of star grass

“…This indicates that the growth habit of a grass may influence the height of stubble that should be left after grazing because P. maximum is a tufted grass whereas the other two are prostrate grasses. Hart, Carlson and McCloud (1971) experimenting with Festuca arundinacea and Dactylis glomerata and Knievel, Jacques and Smith (1971) with Bromus inermis and Phleum pratense, found that total herbage yields of these grasses were greater when stubbles of 4 to 5 cm were left after clipping than where taller stubbles were left.…”