Forage Availability and Quality of No-till Forage Crops for Grazing Cattle

Authors

Alex H. Titlow, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Karla H. Jenkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Matt K. Luebbe Luebbe, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Drew J. Lyon, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Comments

Published in 2012 Beef Cattle Report (2012) p. 47-48. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

No-till forage crops were planted to determine forage quantity and quality for grazing cattle. Seven combinations were evaluated using different mixtures containing forage peas, oats, winter triticale, turnips, radishes, clover, vetch, and sunflower. The cover crops were planted April 9 and sampled three times (day 54, 70, and 86 after planting) to determine forage mass and nutrient content. Mixtures containing forage peas and oats yielded the greatest quantity of DM/acre. The NDF and CP content of the mixtures are comparable to native range during the growing season. When used in place of fallow in crop rotations, grazing cover crops may provide an alternativeto native range.