Stockpiling Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Forage for Winter Pasturage¹

Abstract

The main objective of these experiments was to study the effect of three levels of N fertilizer on the quantity and quality of late‐summer and autumn‐produced ‘Kenblue’ Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., and ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., forage left standing in the field during fall and winter. Information is needed on the extent to which stockpiled pasturage can serve as a reliable cheap source of feed for beef brood cows, dry dairy cows, and growing stock. Factorial experiments were conducted for three successive years. The trials involved two grasses, three N levels, and six stockpiling periods. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied in mid‐August, and the standing stockpiled grass crops were harvested in early October, November, December, February, and March. Regrowth herbage was harvested in May, July, and mid‐August, after which the experiments were terminated. Production from 15 Aug. to I Dec. on plots receiving 0, 50, and 100 kg/ha of N was 800, 1,800, and 2,300 kg DM/ha for Kentucky bluegrass and 1,900; 3,100; and 4,400 for tall fescue, respectively. At the high level of N tall fescue continued to accumulate dry matter at a significant level (17.7 kg/ha per day) during November. From December to March accumulated dry matter of the standing crops decreased, apparently owing to unfavorable growing conditions, weathering, and leaf drop. Swards of both grasses were high enough in crude protein and P throughout the winter to meet the requirements of non‐lactating beef brood cows. Generally, tall fescue contained more total sugar in late autumn and early winter than did bluegrass. Sward sugars of both grasses declined sharply as the winter advanced. Phosphorus concentration was high in October, November, and early December, but declined markedly during late winter. Estimated nutritive value indices of the standing forage decreased as the autumn and winter advanced. Fall and winter harvesting of stockpiled forage resulted in little or no yield reduction of the spring crop.

Yield, persistence, and nutritive value of autumn harvested tall fescue

“…With the lengthening of the accumulation period after Sep. 01, the CP concentration decreased to a value of 120 g kg -1 DM (Table 4), which is similar to the concentration obtained by Wedin et al (1966) and Taylor and Templeton (1976), while Fribourg and Bell (1984) reported concentrations between 80 and 100 g kg -1 DM. The ADF concentration, however, changed very little (313 to 300 g kg -1 DM) during autumn even though this change was significant.…”

Can Festulolium, Dactylis glomerata and Arrhenatherum elatius be used for extension of the autumn grazing season in Central Europe?

“…Taylor and Templeton (1976), Archer and Decker (1977) or Baron et al (2004) claim that the quality of green and dead material remains relatively constant in winter. Thus, the differences in forage quality result from the proportion of live and dead material in the forage.…”

“…Festuca arundinacea Schreb. belongs among species that were tested to fulfil the requirements as shown by Taylor and Templeton (1976) referring to USA continental locations and by Opitz von Boberfeld and Wolf (2002) in German continental locations. It is a tolerant, long green species with the pronounced erectophile growth (Stählin and Tirtapradja 1974); its greater use is however limited by the poor intake of the fresh forage by herbivores (Opitz von Boberfeld and Wolf 2002).…”

A review of summer-active tall fescue use and management in Australia's high-rainfall zone

“…Kentucky-31) in August due to insufficient moisture being available to support plant growth. The effect of applying N in autumn to stockpiled (autumn-saved) tall fescue has been widely researched in the USA (Taylor & Templeton 1976;Archer & Decker 1977;Rayburn et al 1979;Collins & Balasko 1981;Gerrish et al 1994). Stockpiling involves deferring pastures from grazing in autumn to provide an accumulated source of pasture for grazing in winter.…”