116 Comprehensive comparison of alternative cool-season forages for the Texas high plains

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract In the Southern Great Plains, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a popular forage crop primarily utilized for grazing stocker cattle and silage production. Winter wheat is commonly utilized as a graze-out crop in stocker operations, with animals generally grazing from late fall through mid-to-late spring. Although annual forage crops such as winter wheat can provide high quality forage, the establishment cost is generally expensive and can be highly variable from year-to-year. Additionally, variable and often below average fall rainfall has led to lesser forage production and an increase in failed crops. The inherent risk associated with establishing annual cool-season forages makes alternative perennial cool-season forages an appealing alternative. Therefore, this research focuses on comparing alternative perennial cool-season forage crops to determine potential species that can be used in combination or as a to substitute for wheat in the Southern High Plains region of Texas. To do so, two introduced perennial species, “Gala” brome (Bromus stamineus) and “Temora” tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), the native cool-season perennial Western Wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), and conventional winter wheat were planted in October 2023 at New Deal Farm near Idalou, TX. Planting was performed using a randomized complete block design using two 2-ha pasture blocks. Assessment of biomass and cover and nutritive value parameters are being assessed once in the fall and twice in the spring beginning in the spring of 2023. In the establishment year, wheat had the greatest biomass followed by brome, fescue, and wheatgrass, 2165, 650, 499, and 499 kg/ha, respectively. Preliminary nutritive assessments suggest a variety in nutritional quality amongst species, with wheat having increased fibrous constituents relative to brome. Further production and nutritional analyses will be completed to better understand forage nutritive value and potential use in the region. This project will potentially advise producers in the Southern High Plains region on the viability of cool-season perennial forages in production settings.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.