Stocking Rate Effects on Forage Nutrient Composition in Early Summer Pastures

Authors

Jared V. Judy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jacki A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
L. Aaron Stalker Stalker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
K. H. Jenkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

2015 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, University of Nebraska—Lincoln Extension, MP101.

Comments

Copyright © 2015 University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Nebraska Sandhills upland range pastures were used to measure the effectsof stocking rate on forage nutrient content in early summer pastures. Stocked pastures had lower CP, in vitroorganic matter digestibility, forage availability, and higher NDF compared with ungrazed pastures. Clipped samples of current year growth had greater CP and in vitro organic matter digestibility than diet samples. Observed results indicate early season grazing decreasesdiet nutrient content and forage availability compared with ungrazed pastures, suggesting that cattle were consuming both current and previous year growth.