The Production of Winter Grass From a Row Crop of Cocksfoot and Lucerne

Abstract

A crop of cocksfoot and lucerne in alternate rows was subjected to various autumn treatments for winter pasture. The yield of grass in winter, and the effect of autumn and winter treatments upon yield and composition in the following spring, are reported and discussed. Maximum yield of winter grass was achieved by resting from an early date and applying nitrogenous fertilizer. The response to fertilizer applied in August and mid‐September for winter grass production was as good as that obtained on ordinary swards at other times of the year. To ensure an adequate yield in any year the crop would need to be rested from early August and to receive about 70 lb N per acre. The spring growth of cocksfoot was distinctly retarded by cutting twice in winter, i.e. in November and February. Cutting once only had no such adverse effect. Both cocksfoot and lucerne persisted satisfactorily. The use of nitrogenous fertilizer to promote autumn growth of grass did not greatly reduce the overall productivity of the lucerne. The two species were complementary in the sense that, in combination, they maintained a high aggregate yield of herbage under a range of weather conditions in midsummer and in winter.

Effect of autumn cutting regime on developmental morphology and spring growth of perennial ryegrass

“…6 indicate that growth during the cold winter months is appreciable, although much of the herbage produced remains unharvested and is lost. There is no evidence to support the view that this growth is made at the expense of the stubble (Cowling, 1962), so that it is evident that winter growth can proceed on the basis of current photosynthesis. When temperature and radiation increase in spring, crop growth rates increase very markedly.…”

Beef heifer growth and reproductive performance responses following two levels of fall stockpiled forage allocation

“…Rayburn and coworkers (1980) concluded that the best time to begin accumulating tall fescue depends on a variety of management considerations, such as the area of tall fescue, the amount of other available forages, and the nutritional needs of the livestock. Cowling (1962) noted that if the accumulation period of alfalfa and orchardgrass is too long, alfalfa will drop its leaves and rapidly decrease in quality. Collins and Taylor (1980) in Kentucky demonstrated that DM losses of alfalfa-orchardgrass began earlier for forage accumulated in August than forage stockpiled in September.…”