Publication Date
1997
Description
Two studies were carried out to examine the role of initiation date, utilization date, grass species, and nitrogen application on the yield and quality of stockpiled pasture. Experiment 1 involved 5 grass species managed under two pre-stockpiling harvest systems in replicated small plots harvested at each of three dates in autumn. Experiment 2 involved two summer initiation dates and two rates of N application on mixed swards grazed by sheep. Both experiments showed that stockpiled forage yields decreased by 52% to 75% as stockpile initiation date was delayed from early July to mid-August. Forage crude protein content increased by 1.7% to 6.5% and acid detergent fibre decreased by 3.6% to 4.4% as stockpile initiation was delayed. Forage quality declined as stockpile utilization date was delayed from September 01 to November 01. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) had lower ADF levels at the time of stockpile utilization than any other grass species tested. Under grazing conditions, nitrogen fertilizer applied at 50 kgN/ha did not have a significant impact on yield, but forage quality was improved. It should be possible to develop stockpiling recommendations to achieve a certain level of forage quality or to provide a specific carrying capacity.
Citation
Johnston, J E., "Stockpiling Systems: Evaluation of Management Strategies Under Clipping and Sheep Grazing" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 13.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/13
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Stockpiling Systems: Evaluation of Management Strategies Under Clipping and Sheep Grazing
Two studies were carried out to examine the role of initiation date, utilization date, grass species, and nitrogen application on the yield and quality of stockpiled pasture. Experiment 1 involved 5 grass species managed under two pre-stockpiling harvest systems in replicated small plots harvested at each of three dates in autumn. Experiment 2 involved two summer initiation dates and two rates of N application on mixed swards grazed by sheep. Both experiments showed that stockpiled forage yields decreased by 52% to 75% as stockpile initiation date was delayed from early July to mid-August. Forage crude protein content increased by 1.7% to 6.5% and acid detergent fibre decreased by 3.6% to 4.4% as stockpile initiation was delayed. Forage quality declined as stockpile utilization date was delayed from September 01 to November 01. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) had lower ADF levels at the time of stockpile utilization than any other grass species tested. Under grazing conditions, nitrogen fertilizer applied at 50 kgN/ha did not have a significant impact on yield, but forage quality was improved. It should be possible to develop stockpiling recommendations to achieve a certain level of forage quality or to provide a specific carrying capacity.
