Theme 22: Grazing Management
Description
Studies were conducted to determine ways to extend grazing season with forages adequate to meet the needs of grazing animals and to reduce the cost of livestock production. Perennial grasses were swathed, windrowed and left in the field until they were winter-grazed with bred heifers. Corn (Zea mays L.) was stockpiled for winter grazing with lambs and ewes. Windrowed grasses increased in acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared with stored hay, but crude protein content, heifer weight gain and body condition change was similar for both forages. An economic value of $218 ha-1 from initial grazing of corn with lambs, followed by grazing with bred ewes, without supplementation, provided a net income over expenses of $75 ha-1. Leaving windrows of perennial grasses in the field and stockpiling corn for winter grazing have potential for reducing reliance on stored forages.
Citation
Koch, David W.; Lux, C. M.; and Flake, J. W., "Forage Management for Extending the Grazing Season" (2021). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 14.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/22/14
Included in
Forage Management for Extending the Grazing Season
Studies were conducted to determine ways to extend grazing season with forages adequate to meet the needs of grazing animals and to reduce the cost of livestock production. Perennial grasses were swathed, windrowed and left in the field until they were winter-grazed with bred heifers. Corn (Zea mays L.) was stockpiled for winter grazing with lambs and ewes. Windrowed grasses increased in acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared with stored hay, but crude protein content, heifer weight gain and body condition change was similar for both forages. An economic value of $218 ha-1 from initial grazing of corn with lambs, followed by grazing with bred ewes, without supplementation, provided a net income over expenses of $75 ha-1. Leaving windrows of perennial grasses in the field and stockpiling corn for winter grazing have potential for reducing reliance on stored forages.
