Description
The primary forage species used by cow-calf producers in grazing systems in Tennessee is tall-fescue. Tall fescue is considered an excellent cool-season perennial forage crop due to its high quality, production, and extended growing season. However, most of these tall fescue grazing systems are composed of tall fescue cv. Kentucky 31, which is known for containing a fungus endophyte that can be toxic to animals. Alternatively, orchardgrass is also a vastly used and important perennial cool-season forage in the United States. It can be used as a pasture, hay, and is a high-quality forage that is desirable for most livestock producers, especially dairy, beef and equine industries. The goal of this project was to compare four different cool-season forage species under grazing pressure while increasing productivity and persistence of the paddocks. The project assessed herbage mass, botanical composition, morphological composition, along with persistence of four different cool season grasses. While no statistical difference was seen among treatments within a single year for herbage mass, year did influence herbage mass. Additionally, botanical composition was noted as being significant on the year by treatment interaction.
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Tall Fescue and Orchardgrass Productivity and Persistence Under Grazing Systems in Tennessee
The primary forage species used by cow-calf producers in grazing systems in Tennessee is tall-fescue. Tall fescue is considered an excellent cool-season perennial forage crop due to its high quality, production, and extended growing season. However, most of these tall fescue grazing systems are composed of tall fescue cv. Kentucky 31, which is known for containing a fungus endophyte that can be toxic to animals. Alternatively, orchardgrass is also a vastly used and important perennial cool-season forage in the United States. It can be used as a pasture, hay, and is a high-quality forage that is desirable for most livestock producers, especially dairy, beef and equine industries. The goal of this project was to compare four different cool-season forage species under grazing pressure while increasing productivity and persistence of the paddocks. The project assessed herbage mass, botanical composition, morphological composition, along with persistence of four different cool season grasses. While no statistical difference was seen among treatments within a single year for herbage mass, year did influence herbage mass. Additionally, botanical composition was noted as being significant on the year by treatment interaction.
