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STOCKPILING COOL-SEASON GRASSES FOR WINTER GRAZING By Dan Undersander and Janet Riesterer University of Wisconsin-Madison

Importance Grazing provides forage for 5 to 6 months Stored winter feed is one of grazier’s largest expenses Stockpiling forage can reduce need for stored feed.

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Topics to be covered Grasses best for stockpiling Management for greatest yield Animal management on pasture

Materials and Methods Research conducted at Arlington, Lancaster, and Marshfield, WI Forage was accumulated after Aug 1 We examined 7 grass cultivars, 2 N rates (O and 62 lb/a), and 3 fall and winter harvest dates. Data was collected during the fall and winters of 1996-97 and 1997-98

Materials and Methods 7 stockpiled grasses included: Orchardgrass, late, ‘AC Nordic’ (Ol) Orchardgrass, early, ‘Benchmark’ (Oe) Quackgrass, ‘Roseau’ (Q) Reed canarygrass, ‘Palaton’ (RC) Smooth bromegrass, ‘Alpha’ (SB) Tall fescue, ‘Barcel’ (TF) Timothy, ‘Colt’ (Tim)

Materials and Methods : Harvest Treatments First harvest taken just after the first killing frost (October). Second harvest taken in early-winter (December). Third harvest taken in early spring prior to the greenup (March).

Over-winter yield change of 7 grasses at Marshfield.

Over-winter intake changes of 7 stockpiled grasses at Lancaster.

Effect of nitrogen on forage yield over winter at Marshfield.

Effect of nitrogen on forage yield over winter at Arlington

Effect of nitrogen on forage yield over winter at Lancaster

Yield response of 7 grasses to N at Marshfield

Effect of N on biomass distribution of 7 grasses at Arlington and Marshfield.

Over-winter change of % forage above 3 inches at Arlington and Marshfield.

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Over-winter decrease in NDF of 7 stockpiled grasses averaged over 3 sites

Over-winter change in digestibility of stockpiled forage averaged over 3 sites

Over-winter decrease in digestibility of 7 stockpiled grasses averaged over 3 sites

Over-winter change in crude protein of stockpiled forage averaged over 3 sites

Over-winter decrease in crude protein of 7 stockpiled grasses averaged over 3 sites

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on crude protein content of 7 grasses averaged over 3 sites

"October to December" October to December tall fescue and early-maturing orchardgrass would carry 2.2 animal units per acre smooth bromegrass and quackgrass would carry 1.3 animal units per acre other species in between

"January though March" January though March tall fescue and early-maturing orchardgrass would carry 1.1 animal units per acre. smooth bromegrass and quackgrass would carry 0.7 animal units per acre. other species in between

Summary Forage yield responses decreased ~ 50% from December to March.

Summary Forage yield responses decreased ~ 50% from December to March. Tall fescue and early-maturing orchardgrass were  highest yielding species.

Summary Forage yield responses decreased ~ 50% from December to March. Tall fescue and early-maturing orchardgrass were  highest yielding species. Smooth bromegrass and quackgrass were the lowest yielding species.

Summary Forage yield responses Nitrogen fertilization responses Nitrogen increased yield and CP.

Summary Forage yield responses Nitrogen fertilization responses Nitrogen increased yield and CP. No carryover from spring-applied N.

Summary Forage yield responses Nitrogen fertilization responses Forage quality declined over winter. CP decreased from 11.8 to 10.7%.

Summary Forage yield responses Nitrogen fertilization responses Forage quality declined over winter. CP decreased from 11.8 to 10.7%. IVOMD decreased from 73.4 to 65.5%.

Summary Forage yield responses Nitrogen fertilization responses Forage quality declined over winter. When to graze different species Timothy, smooth bromegrass, and quackgrass most suitable for fall grazing. Late-maturing orchardgrass is best utilized by December. Tall fescue, early-maturing orchardgrass, and reed canarygrass suitable for grazing fall and winter especially late winter grazing.

1997-98 winter defoliation effect on 1998 spring forage yield.

Pounds grain needed for livestock grazing stockpiled forage over winter

Pounds grain needed for livestock grazing stockpiled forage over winter

Pounds grain needed for livestock grazing stockpiled forage over winter