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Transcript of Forage Quality: Making Sense Out of Your Alphabet Soup Dennis Hancock, PhD. Extension Forage...
Forage Quality: Making Sense Out of Your Alphabet
Soup
Forage Quality: Making Sense Out of Your Alphabet
Soup
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Outline
•What is forage quality?
•What do all those terms mean?
•Can you give me one number to look at?
•How do I use forage quality data?
•What affects forage quality?
Which is the better hay?Which is the better hay?
Which is the better hay?Which is the better hay?
How good is this hay?
Crude Protein = 13.5%
How good is this hay?
Crude Protein = 13.5%
Crude Protein and Hay Quality
Crude Protein and Hay Quality
• CP is the most overrated measure of quality! Total N x 6.25 = CP, %
• Tells you nothing about the form nitrogen is in Protein (AA), Bound Protein, Nitrates etc.
• Protein requirements are (typically) easily met
• Somewhat related to maturity
• Tells you very little about energy content
• Important- just overemphasized
• CP is the most overrated measure of quality! Total N x 6.25 = CP, %
• Tells you nothing about the form nitrogen is in Protein (AA), Bound Protein, Nitrates etc.
• Protein requirements are (typically) easily met
• Somewhat related to maturity
• Tells you very little about energy content
• Important- just overemphasized
How do we get enough energy in the animal?
How do we get enough energy in the animal?
• The animal eats more forage. What is the physical limit? Can a cow eat enough straw to meet her energy
needs?
• What forage the animal eats must be high in energy. High digestibility -> High energy
• Bottomline: Every bite has to count!
• The animal eats more forage. What is the physical limit? Can a cow eat enough straw to meet her energy
needs?
• What forage the animal eats must be high in energy. High digestibility -> High energy
• Bottomline: Every bite has to count!
The Relationship between Fiber (NDF) and Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
The Relationship between Fiber (NDF) and Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
Fiber (NDF) Level
Inta
ke
Intake toMeet Needs
Intake is Physically Limited
Dry Matter Intake (DMI)
Dig. Energy Intake
Low Digestibility High Digestibility
What is high quality forage?What is high quality forage?
• Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) and large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI).
= High Quality Forage
• Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23
• Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) and large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI).
= High Quality Forage
• Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
Cell Contents
Cell Wall
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
PectinsHemicelluloseCelluloseLigninSilica
ProteinOilMineralsSugarsOrganic Acids
Easily Digestible
Neutral Detergent FiberCell Contents
Cell Wall
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
HemicelluloseCelluloseLigninSilica
Neutral Detergent FiberCell Contents
Cell Wall
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
CelluloseLigninSilica
Cell Contents
Cell Wall Acid Detergent Fiber
Acid Detergent Lignin
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
Silica (& Minerals)Cell Contents
Cell Wall
Ash
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
PectinsHemicelluloseCelluloseLigninSilica
ProteinOilMineralsSugarsOrganic Acids
Easily Digestible
Neutral Detergent FiberCell Contents
Cell Wall
3 Primary Components• Cellulose
“Concrete Blocks”
• Hemicellulose “Red Bricks”
• Lignin “Rebar and the Mortar”
Fiber = Cell WallFiber = Cell Wall
Neutral Detergent Fiber
Acid Detergent Fiber
Lignin
It is the relative amount of each that is important.
Fiber = Cell WallFiber = Cell Wall
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
HemicelluloseCelluloseLignin
Amt. & Ratio of Each
Total Digestible NutrientsRelative Forage Quality
(RFQ)Metabolizable Energy
Dry Matter Intake
What can you make out of Crude Fiber?
• Crude fiber makes no allowance for the ratios of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin (relative to one another).
• Crude fiber makes no distinction between forage species and different fiber types.
• Crude fiber makes no allowance for the ratios of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin (relative to one another).
• Crude fiber makes no distinction between forage species and different fiber types.
Feeding the Dairy Herd:http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI0469.html
• Section: Feed Nutrientshttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/components/DI0469-03.html
What can you make out of Crude Fiber?
• Crude fiber is not an accurate measure of total fiber Much of the lignin and hemicellulose
(and some cellulose) is lost during the analysis.
1890s technology!
• Most testing labs no longer report CF. It is required on tags of purchased
feeds.
• Crude fiber is not an accurate measure of total fiber Much of the lignin and hemicellulose
(and some cellulose) is lost during the analysis.
1890s technology!
• Most testing labs no longer report CF. It is required on tags of purchased
feeds.
Feeding the Dairy Herd:http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI0469.html
• Section: Feed Nutrientshttp://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/components/DI0469-03.html
What is high quality forage?What is high quality forage?
• Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) and large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI).
= High Quality Forage
• Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23
• Forage that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) and large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI).
= High Quality Forage
• Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23
RFQ Simplifies ComparisonsRFQ Simplifies Comparisons• Relative Forage Quality
Predicts energy based on fiber quality and intake
• Combined into a single value RFQ of 100 is ~ = full-bloom
alfalfa Could simplify marketing RFQ allows comparisons to be
made across forage species Allows hay to be easily assigned
to appropriate physiological stages
• Relative Forage Quality Predicts energy based on fiber
quality and intake
• Combined into a single value RFQ of 100 is ~ = full-bloom
alfalfa Could simplify marketing RFQ allows comparisons to be
made across forage species Allows hay to be easily assigned
to appropriate physiological stages
Range in Appropriate
RFQs
Range in Appropriate
RFQs
Common Questions about Interpreting and Using Forage
Quality Data
Reading Forage Quality Data
Reading Forage Quality Data
1
2
3
Price
4
Let’s Do Some Comparisons
A
B
C
Nutrient Requirements: 1200 lb cow*
Nutrient Requirements: 1200 lb cow*
Req.
TDN 58.1%
CP 9.6%* First 3-4 mo postpartum,
prep to rebreed
Comparing One Lot of Hay To Another
Lot ID A B C
Kind of Hay Tift 85 TF/OG Coast
RFQ 96.2 109.7 118.5
CP, % 10.7 14.6 14.3
NDF, % 65.8 58.5 56.1
ADF, % 40.6 36.2 32.7
Lignin, % 7.0 6.6 4.8
TDN, % 52.8 56.9 61.2
Which lot is best for our lactating beef cow?Which lot is best for our lactating beef cow?
Req.
TDN 58.1%
CP 9.6%* First 3-4 mo postpartum,
prep to rebreed
Comparing One Lot of Hay To Another
Lot ID A B C
Kind of Hay Tift 85 TF/OG Coast
RFQ 96.2 109.7 118.5
CP, % 10.7 14.6 14.3
NDF, % 65.8 58.5 56.1
ADF, % 40.6 36.2 32.7
Lignin, % 7.0 6.6 4.8
TDN, % 52.8 56.9 61.2
Price, $/ton 140 140 135
Which lot is best for our lactating beef cow?Which lot is best for our lactating beef cow?
Req.
TDN 58.1%
CP 9.6%* First 3-4 mo postpartum,
prep to rebreed
What is the value of forage quality?
What is the value of forage quality?
$65/1000 lb roll51% TDN
$70/1000 lb roll58% TDN
A)
B)
Scenario: Lact. Cows• Bale A cost:
No supplement; $70/bale
• Bale B cost: 180 lbs of supplement/1000 lb
bale $15.75 supp. + $65 =
$80.75 + labor
In this case, the feeding of one bale paid for the forage
test.
Thou Shalt Test Your Forages
Thou Shalt Test Your Forages
NIR CuvetteNIR Cuvette
Cost Comparison (UGA)Cost Comparison (UGA)
Measurement NIR Wet Chemistry
CP, NDF, RFQ, TDN, NEm, NEg, NEl, Moisture
$8 $21
+ Nitrate $10 $23
+ Minerals $20 $28
+ ADF No charge $38
+ Lignin No Charge $53
What Affects Forage Quality?What Affects Forage Quality?
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
The Paradox of Forage Quality and Quantity
Days of Growth
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
For
age
Mas
s(d
ry lb
s/a
cre
)
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000Growth Curve
Digestibility & Palatability
Bermudagrass Harvest Interval
Effects on Protein and Digestibility
McCollough and Burton., 1962DMI 11.9, 8.8, 9.5 lbsADG 1.2, .9, 0 lbsOat straw = ~ 43 TDN
15.8
6.3 5.3
55.049.0
45
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Crude Protein Digestibility
4 weeks 8 weeks 13 weeks
The Effect of Maturity on the Bottomline: Supplementing a
Lactating Cow
The Effect of Maturity on the Bottomline: Supplementing a
Lactating Cow
Crop Maturity CP TDNSuppleme
nt Cost
-- % -- -- % -- lbs/hd/day $/hd/day
Bermudagrass
4 weeks 10-12 58-62 0 $0
6 weeks 8-10 51-55 4.8 $0.45
8 weeks 6-8 45-50 7.5 $0.72+ ~$2.00/hd/d
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species
Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species
40
50
60
70
80
Dig
estib
le D
M, %
Trop
ical Annual
Grasses
Cool S
eason P
erennial
G
rasses
Cool S
eason A
nnual G
rasses
Leg
um
es
Trop
ical Peren
nial
Grasses
Maint.
Mod. Production
High Production
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Factor Recommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in the boot or early head stage.
Forage Species Use the highest-quality grass species that will persist in your environment.
Bale Storage Protect bales from rainfall and weathering during storage (i.e., barn, tarp, etc.)
Rain During Curing
Avoid cutting if significant rainfall (> 0.50 inches) is predicted during curing.
Moisture at Baling
Allow forage to dry to the appropriate moisture (Round: 15%; Square: 18%)
Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on soil test recommendations
Variety Use varieties that have proven to be higher in quality.
What is New?What is New?
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
VarietiesVarieties
• UF Riata Improved bahiagrass, similar to Tifton 9 Better cold tolerance, longer growing
season Seed production beginning in 2009 (in GA).
• New Novel Endophyte Tall Fescues Arkansas releases UGA, UK, and Noble Foundation
• UF Riata Improved bahiagrass, similar to Tifton 9 Better cold tolerance, longer growing
season Seed production beginning in 2009 (in GA).
• New Novel Endophyte Tall Fescues Arkansas releases UGA, UK, and Noble Foundation
HerbicidesHerbicides
• OutRider (previously known as Maverick) Johnsongrass control
• Prowl H2O Label expected in July 2009 PRE crabgrass control (applied in Feb./early
Mar)
• DuPont has 2 good ones in the pipeline ‘Pastora’ label in late 2009?
Ryegrass and broadleaf control in bermuda Another for crabgrass/johnsongrass control
• OutRider (previously known as Maverick) Johnsongrass control
• Prowl H2O Label expected in July 2009 PRE crabgrass control (applied in Feb./early
Mar)
• DuPont has 2 good ones in the pipeline ‘Pastora’ label in late 2009?
Ryegrass and broadleaf control in bermuda Another for crabgrass/johnsongrass control
Current Research Overview
Current Research Overview
• N volatilization study (Calhoun/Eatonton)• Ryegrass baleage feeding trial (Calhoun)• Rye-Ryegrass growth curves
(Athens/Tifton)• Growth of forage brassicas (Athens)• Drying rates of SA grasses (Athens)• Pearl millet planting date (Athens)• Teff N response (Athens)• Switchgrass agronomics (Athens/Midville)• Clover management zones (Eatonton)
• N volatilization study (Calhoun/Eatonton)• Ryegrass baleage feeding trial (Calhoun)• Rye-Ryegrass growth curves
(Athens/Tifton)• Growth of forage brassicas (Athens)• Drying rates of SA grasses (Athens)• Pearl millet planting date (Athens)• Teff N response (Athens)• Switchgrass agronomics (Athens/Midville)• Clover management zones (Eatonton)
Current Research Overview
Current Research Overview
• DuPont herbicide trials (1: Calhoun; 4 Eatonton)
• On-farm Research on MiG Dairying (Wrens and Quitman) Forage species growth under IRR and MIG
Quality, Yield, and Distribution IRR scheduling for MIG Fate of N on MIG
• DuPont herbicide trials (1: Calhoun; 4 Eatonton)
• On-farm Research on MiG Dairying (Wrens and Quitman) Forage species growth under IRR and MIG
Quality, Yield, and Distribution IRR scheduling for MIG Fate of N on MIG
Current Research Overview
Current Research Overview
Variety Trials• Alfalfa (Athens, Midville, Tifton)• Cool Season Perennial Legumes (Athens,
Calhoun, Eatonton)• Cool Season Perennial Grasses (Athens,
Blairsville, Calhoun, Eatonton)• Chicory (Athens)
Variety Trials• Alfalfa (Athens, Midville, Tifton)• Cool Season Perennial Legumes (Athens,
Calhoun, Eatonton)• Cool Season Perennial Grasses (Athens,
Blairsville, Calhoun, Eatonton)• Chicory (Athens)
Strategies for Tight Budgets and Minimal Risk
Regional Forage Trainings - 2009
Across Georgia (4) and South Carolina (3)
Strategies for Tight Budgets and Minimal Risk
Regional Forage Trainings - 2009
Across Georgia (4) and South Carolina (3)
www.georgiaforages.com
Hay ProductionSchool 2009
April 21 UGA – Griffin Campus
Hay ProductionSchool 2009
April 21 UGA – Griffin Campus
www.georgiaforages.com
Corn Silage and Conserved Forage Field Day
June 18 UGA-Tifton
www.georgiaforages.com
Grazing School 2009September 22-23
UGA-Athens Livestock Arena
Grazing School 2009September 22-23
UGA-Athens Livestock Arena
www.georgiaforages.com
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?
www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1
www.georgiaforages.com1-800-ASK-UGA1