Nitrogen Fertilization and DDGS Supplementation Reduces Annual Weeds in Pastures

Authors

John A. Guretzky, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Laura K. Snell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John C. Soper Soper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Walter H. Schacht, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry Klopfenstein, Universitiy of Nebraska--LincolnFollow
Stephanie K. Pruitt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report.

Comments

Copyright © 2013 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Ongoing research has found body weight (BW) gains of steers supplemented with corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on unfertilized smooth bromegrass pasture (SUPP) to be greater than unsupplemented steers on N fertilized (FERT) and unfertilized, control (CONT) smooth bromegrass pasture. In the seventh year of the study, annual weeds increased to 20%, 9%, and 2% of relative cover within CONT, SUPP, and FERT pastures, respectively. Supplementation of DDGS on unfertilized pastures improves steer BW gains and reduces N inputs while providing intermediate resistance to annual weed invasion. AnnualN fertilization maximizes forage yield and minimizes annual weeds in pasture.