Animal Science, Department of
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports
Accessibility Remediation
If you are unable to use this item in its current form due to accessibility barriers, you may request remediation through our remediation request form.
Date of this Version
2023
Citation
2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report
UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the effect of species and maturity on yield and nutritive value of winter-hardy small cereal grains used for silage. Three species were evaluated: cereal rye, winter triticale, and winter wheat at four different stages of maturity: boot, pollination, milk, and soft dough. As species matured, yield increased across all stages, but crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM) decreased, except at soft dough where there was a slight increase in DOM. Crude protein was greatest at the boot stage at 17.7% and least at soft dough at 9.8%. When comparing species, rye and triticale resulted in greater nutrient yield per acre. If high quality forage is the goal, harvesting at pollination appeared to increase yield without sacrificing a significant amount of nutritive value compared to boot. For maximized yield, harvesting at soft dough is a better option.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons