Quality of Stockpiled Pasture and Hay Forages

Abstract

Stockpiling characteristics of tall fescue and orchardgrass have been widely reported, but potential of other forages in the Intermountain West is less well known. Therefore, research was conducted 2002 through 2004 to evaluate nutritive value and DM yield of thirteen grasses and legumes. Stockpiled DM yield at the beginning of the deferred‐grazing period (1 October) was recorded and forages were sampled at intervals of 9 to 22 days during the deferred‐grazing period and crude protein (CP) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined. During the deferred‐grazing period DM yield was measured in 2003 and 2004. Best suited for stockpiling, based on average available DM yield on 1 October and ability to maintain forage quality, were tall fescue (3.96 Mg/ha), orchardgrass (3.64 Mg/ha), and meadow bromegrass (3.60 Mg/ha). Meadow foxtail was also suitable for stockpiling, although it accumulated less dry matter (2.72 Mg/ha). Smooth bromegrass was not suited for stockpiling because stockpiled DM yield (2.78 Mg/ha) declined rapidly with the onset of inclement weather. Reed canarygrass required a double application of N (348 kg/ha) to prevent extreme chlorosis and thus was economically unsuited for stockpiling. Among the legumes evaluated only birdsfoot trefoil (3.11 Mg/ha) was suitable as stockpiled forage.