Grazing Evaluation of Annual and Perennial Cool‐Season Forage Systems for Stocker Production in the Lower Transition Zone

Abstract

Cool-season forages provide high-quality forage throughout the cooler months, which can reduce winter feed and hay consumption by extending the grazing season in the Southeast. Limited research has been conducted to simultaneously evaluate common annual and perennial cool-season forage options during this time period. A 2-year grazing trial was conducted to evaluate annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), mixtures of cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) and annual ryegrass, and novel endophyte tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Shreb.) Darbysh.] seeded with annual crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), perennial white clover (Trifolium repens L.), or treated with spring-applied N fertilizer. Parameters evaluated were timing and length of grazing season, forage nutritive value, forage dry matter (DM) availability, animal performance, and economic returns. Economic analysis evaluated monetary returns per acre. In Year 1 (2013-2014) annual treatments provided 68 days of grazing while perennial treatments provided 75 days. In Year 2 (2014-2015) mixtures of cereal rye and annual ryegrass provided 57 days, while annual ryegrass and novel endophyte tall fescue treatments provided 85 and 84 days, respectively. Animal average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW) gain/acre was greatest for ryegrass and tall fescue and least in treatments containing cereal rye. No differences in animal performance were observed between legume and N fertilizer within forage base. Novel endophyte tall fescue treatments had positive returns per acre compared with negative returns for annual treatments. These results indicate that under conditions of similar animal performance and forage production, novel endophyte tall fescue systems may provide a more economical option for producers in the lower transition zone of the Southeast. Cool-Season Forage Systems for Extended GrazingHigh-quality, cool-season forage systems have forage production characteristics that complement annual production in warm-season grass-based forage systems common to the southeastern stocker industry (Beck et al., 2008;Gunter et al., 2012). In this region, cold weather limits winter forage production, so cattle

Diversifying corn production systems with living mulches in the southeastern United States

“…The grazing of WC can also lead to greater milk production when compared to red clover and grasses (Johansen et al., 2017). Meanwhile, cereal rye can extend the grazing season and, when mixed with legumes, can generate an average daily gain (ADG) equal to that from pastures without legumes and with 45–67 kg ha −1 of added synthetic N fertilizer (Mckee et al., 2017). In addition, the consumption of LM species, such as cereal rye, can provide sufficient forage very early in the growing season, because it is the most cold‐hardy of all forages, with ADG greater than 0.8 kg day −1 (Mckee et al., 2017).…”

“…Meanwhile, cereal rye can extend the grazing season and, when mixed with legumes, can generate an average daily gain (ADG) equal to that from pastures without legumes and with 45–67 kg ha −1 of added synthetic N fertilizer (Mckee et al., 2017). In addition, the consumption of LM species, such as cereal rye, can provide sufficient forage very early in the growing season, because it is the most cold‐hardy of all forages, with ADG greater than 0.8 kg day −1 (Mckee et al., 2017). Therefore, there is a need to determine the benefits of grazing and corn production in LM production systems.…”

Grazing cover crops in continuous corn production in east‐central Mississippi

“…In the southeastern United States, cool‐season forage crops are utilized as the primary feedstuffs for stocker cattle ( Bos spp. ; Beck et al., 2008; Gunter et al., 2012) and winter‐feeding systems for beef cattle production (McKee et al., 2017). Examples of cool‐season annual forage crops include grasses (cereal rye [ Secale cereale L.] and oats [ Avena sativa L.]), legumes (crimson [ Trifolium incarnatum L.] and arrowleaf clover [ T. vesiculosum Savi]), and forbs (radish [ Raphanus sativus L.] and rape [ Brassica napus L.]).…”

Registration of ‘Plainsmen’ tall wheatgrass

“…Previous research has found grazing to be more profitable than feeding hay (Adams et al., 1994; Schoonmaker et al., 2003). In addition, grazing cool‐season perennial grasses versus cool‐season annual grasses can be more profitable for beef cattle production (Beck et al., 2008; Islam et al., 2011; McKee et al., 2017). Perennial systems that cover the soil also reduce soil erosion and provide other environmental benefits versus annual systems (Karlen et al., 2006).…”