Theme 2-2: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions
Description
Alfalfa is a very important forage for livestock feeding. In particular, due to the high crude protein content, it is widely used as a dairy cattle feeds. However, the cultivation of alfalfa is quite limited and main source is imported hay in Korea. There are many reasons, but most importantly, low productivity due to lack of boron in the soil. This experiment was conducted to expand domestic production and use of alfalfa. Alfalfa was sown in the fall of 2018 at 30 kg/ha seeding rate. Alfalfa was harvested four times (3 May, 2 July, 11 September and 13 October) in 2019 with three different cutting height (5, 15 and 25 cm of stubble height) and investigate productivity, quality and regrowth. The plant height was the highest at the 3rd harvest (108 cm) and the dry matter content was the highest at the 1st harvest (28.78 %). The yield of fresh and dry matter was the highest at the first. Annual fresh and DM productivity was significantly higher in 5cm cutting height. CP was highest at the 4th harvest and lowest at the 3rd. The higher the cutting height, the higher CP content. ADF and NDF contents decreased significantly with increasing cutting height (p< 0.05). TDN content was highest at the 4th harvest and lowest at the 3rd harvest. It was also found that the higher the cutting height, the higher the TDN content. The relative feed value (RFV) of alfalfa was highest at the 4th fourth harvest (mean 164) and lowest at the 3rd harvest (mean 85). The RFV value increased with increasing cutting height and 25 cm cutting height plot was 152. Regrowth after cutting was good at 15cm and 25cm height and 5cm treatment was slightly lower. In conclusion, the possibility of alfalfa production in Korea is sufficient and a cutting height of 5 cm or more is recommended and requires constant observation.
Included in
Effect of Cutting Height on Productivity and Quality of Alfalfa in Northern Area of Korea
Alfalfa is a very important forage for livestock feeding. In particular, due to the high crude protein content, it is widely used as a dairy cattle feeds. However, the cultivation of alfalfa is quite limited and main source is imported hay in Korea. There are many reasons, but most importantly, low productivity due to lack of boron in the soil. This experiment was conducted to expand domestic production and use of alfalfa. Alfalfa was sown in the fall of 2018 at 30 kg/ha seeding rate. Alfalfa was harvested four times (3 May, 2 July, 11 September and 13 October) in 2019 with three different cutting height (5, 15 and 25 cm of stubble height) and investigate productivity, quality and regrowth. The plant height was the highest at the 3rd harvest (108 cm) and the dry matter content was the highest at the 1st harvest (28.78 %). The yield of fresh and dry matter was the highest at the first. Annual fresh and DM productivity was significantly higher in 5cm cutting height. CP was highest at the 4th harvest and lowest at the 3rd. The higher the cutting height, the higher CP content. ADF and NDF contents decreased significantly with increasing cutting height (p< 0.05). TDN content was highest at the 4th harvest and lowest at the 3rd harvest. It was also found that the higher the cutting height, the higher the TDN content. The relative feed value (RFV) of alfalfa was highest at the 4th fourth harvest (mean 164) and lowest at the 3rd harvest (mean 85). The RFV value increased with increasing cutting height and 25 cm cutting height plot was 152. Regrowth after cutting was good at 15cm and 25cm height and 5cm treatment was slightly lower. In conclusion, the possibility of alfalfa production in Korea is sufficient and a cutting height of 5 cm or more is recommended and requires constant observation.
