Evaluation of berseem clover in diets of ruminants consuming corn crop residues.

Abstract

Berseem clover hay was compared to alfalfa hay provided at 0, 25, and 50% of the diet DM in mixtures with corn crop residues to wether lambs. Berseem clover hay had lower (P < .05) concentrations of NDF, ADF, and CP than alfalfa hay. The digestibility of DM, DMI, and N balance did not differ (P > .05) between diets containing alfalfa hay or berseem clover hay. To evaluate stockpiled berseem clover as a supplement for grazed corn crop residues, berseem clover and oats were incorporated into a corn-corn-oat/berseem clover crop rotation for 3 yr in replicated 6.1-ha fields. Two cuttings of oat-berseem clover hay were harvested each summer before forage was stockpiled for winter grazing. After corn grain harvest, multiparous and primiparous crossbred cows in midgestation were allotted to each field at 1.01 ha/cow to strip-graze corn crop residues with or without stockpiled berseem clover or allocated to replicated drylots for 98 to 140 d. Each group was offered alfalfa-grass hay as large bales to maintain a mean body condition score of 5 on a 9-point scale. Mean rates of total and digestible OM disappearance from grazed and ungrazed field areas of berseem clover and corn crop residues did not differ over the 3 yr. In vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) tended to decrease more rapidly (P = .13) and NDF and ADF concentrations increased more rapidly (P < .05) in berseem clover than in corn crop residues. Seasonal BW change did not differ (P > .05) between winter management systems in any year, and seasonal body condition score changes did not differ (P > .05) between cows grazing corn crop residues and berseem clover and those maintained in a drylot in yr 2 and 3. Cows grazing corn crop residues with or without berseem clover required less (P < .05) hay than those maintained in drylot. Although the effects of berseem clover hay supplementation on the intake and digestibility of corn crop residues do not differ from alfalfa hay, the nutritional value of stockpiled berseem clover decreases rapidly during winter, limiting its value as a standing supplement for corn crop residues in late winter.

Ensiling characteristics, ruminal nutrient degradabilities and whole tract nutrient utilization of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) silage

“…Data on chemical composition of BCS are not available in the literature. However, the NDF and ADF levels reported in this study for BCS are higher than those reported by Shrestha et al (1998) (369 to 423 g kg -1 for NDF and 257 to 316 g kg -1 for ADF) and Karsli et al (1999) (320 and 220 g kg -1 NDF and ADF, respectively) for first-cut berseem clover hay. Our CP values for BCS are in good agreement with the values reported for first cut berseem clover hay (Shrestha et al 1998;Karsli et al 1999).…”

“…Information on the nutritive value of berseem clover for ruminants is limited. Karsli et al (1999) reported that the effects of berseem clover hay supplementation on intake and digestibility of corn residues by sheep are similar to those of alfalfa hay. Ensiling forages has several advantages relative to harvesting as hay.…”

Evaluation of the Quality of Two Different Artificial Pastures and Their Effects on the Performance of Grazing Beef Animals

“…The IVDMD was decreased throughout the grazing season in grazed and non-grazed areas of P 1 and P 2 (Figure 7). Similar results were reported by Horney et al (1996), Hitz and Russell (1998), Karsli et al, (1999). The reason for this decrease in digestibility of plants is the increase in the lignin content (Jung and Vogel, 1992;Van Soest, 1982).…”

An integrated approach to crop/livestock systems: Forage and grain production for swath grazing

“…Protein production is an important factor in crops that are used for winter swath-grazing livestock 16 . In 1999, protein production for total dry matter, grain and straw/stover were not different within each crop among IP, R and L treatments (Fig.…”