Bermudagrass Pasture 2011 Breakdown of Projected Costs per Acre
$243.59/acre
Slide 3
$96.81 per ton (65% of vc) (12% of vc) $583.29 per acre
Bermudagrass Hay Production 2011 Breakdown of Total Costs
(Projected) per Acre
Slide 4
Slide 5
The False Economy of Shortcuts Cost of Production Compared to
Average Yield (t/ac)60%75%90%100%110%125% 8$56$71$85$94$103$118
7$64$80$96$107$118$134 6$75$94$113$125$138$156
5$90$113$135$150$165$188 4$113$141$169$188$207$235
3$150$188$225$250$275$313 Adapted from R.C. Lacy, 2008
Slide 6
Soil Test and Follow Fertility Recommendations Sample 1/3 of
your pastures each year and hayfields every year.
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Slide 8
Forage Quality has High Value Now CropMaturityCPTDNSupplement
Cost -- % -- lbs/hd/day$/hd/day Bermudagrass4 weeks10-1258-620$0 6
weeks8-1051-554.8$0.48 8 weeks6-845-507.5$0.75 Tall FescueLate
boot14-1666-700$0 Early head11-1360-630$0 Dough8-1050-545.3$0.53
Assuming 50:50 corn gluten:soyhulls supplementation for forage
quality on low end of the range. Approximate price = $200/ton
(current as of 3-18-2011). Supplementing a Lactating Beef Cow +
$2.00/hd/day in hay fed
Slide 9
SMALL INTESTINE RUMEN Sources of Energy FiberStarch
Slide 10
Effect of Increasing Corn on Hay Intake and Digestibility Corn,
lbs/day None2.24.46.6 Hay DMI lbs19.318.014.111.2 DOMI,
lbs7.58.47.17.3 Hay OM Digest, %36.535.123.618.9 Oklahoma State,
1987 JAS 65:557
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Effect of Increasing Soybean Hulls on Hay Intake SH, lbs/day
None2.24.46.6 Hay, OMI, lbs21.422.321.619.9 DOMI,
lbs10.611.812.312.7 OM Digestibility, %45.846.246.648.6 Oklahoma
State, 1990 JAS 68:4319
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www.ugabeef.caes.uga.edu/tools
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www.georgiaforages.com
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What is high quality forage? Forage that is highly digestible
(i.e., high TDN) Large amounts of the forage can be consumed (i.e.,
high DMI). Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23 Forage
that is highly digestible (i.e., high TDN) Large amounts of the
forage can be consumed (i.e., high DMI). Relative Forage Quality
(RFQ) = TDN * DMI/1.23
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Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) 75100125150175200225 Heifer,
18-24 mo. Dry cow Mature horse, lt. work Heifer, 12-18 mo.
Lactating beef cow Lactating mare Mature horse, mod. work Dairy,
last 200 days Heifer, 3-12 mo. Stocker cattle Weanling horse Mature
horse, int. work Dairy, 1 st 120 days Dairy calf Quality Required
Adapted from Ball et al., 2008.
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Proposed Southeastern Forage Quality Categories a CategoryRFQ
Supreme> 185 Prime160-185 Choice140-160 Select110-140
Standard90-110 Utility< 90 a Adapted from the AFGCs Hay Market
Task Forces standards (1988), with RFQ ranges approximated from
RFV, NDF, ADF, and DMI ranges. Note: no consideration is given to
CP content.
Slide 17
How Are Samples Currently Distributed in this Categorization
System? Frequency of Quality Grades of All Samples Submitted
between July 1, 2003 February, 2011 Percent of the Samples -
Utility - Standard - Select - Choice - Prime - Premium
Slide 18
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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.
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The Paradox of Forage Quality and Quantity Digestibility &
Palatability
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Fescue Maturity- Digestibility Majority of hay harvested at
hard seed stage Only truly applicable with spring harvest JUST MORE
MANURE!!!
Slide 21
Bermudagrass Harvest Interval: Effects on Protein and
Digestibility McCollough and Burton., 1962 DMI 11.9, 8.8, 9.5 lbs
ADG 1.2,.9, 0 lbs Percent, %
Slide 22
Harvest Timing Recommendations Hybrid Bermudagrass - 1st cut at
12-16 inches - Subsequent cuttings at 3.5-5 week intervals Tall
fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc. - Spring cut at early flower
stage - Mid to late boot stage for higher quality - Subsequent
cuttings at 10-12 inches (better quality) Alfalfa - Spring cut at
when 10-20% of plants are blooming - Cut at late bud 10% bloom
stage Hybrid Bermudagrass - 1st cut at 12-16 inches - Subsequent
cuttings at 3.5-5 week intervals Tall fescue, ryegrass,
orchardgrass, etc. - Spring cut at early flower stage - Mid to late
boot stage for higher quality - Subsequent cuttings at 10-12 inches
(better quality) Alfalfa - Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are
blooming - Cut at late bud 10% bloom stage
Slide 23
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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.
Slide 24
Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species Maint. Mod.
Production High Production
Slide 25
Typical Range in Quality of Common Forages
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Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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.
Slide 27
14 inches
Slide 28
Moisture distribution of mixed grass- legume round bales stored
on the ground Shinners, University of Wisconsin Twine Wrapped %
Moisture Net Wrapped
Slide 29
Moisture distribution of mixed grass- legume round bales stored
on the ground vs. elevated Shinners, University of Wisconsin Twine
Wrapped % Moisture On a Pallet
Slide 30
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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.
Slide 31
The Effect of Rainfall on DM Loss DM Loss, % Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005
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Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass DM Loss, %
Rainfall, in. Scarbrough et al., 2005 76% Moisture, Not
Significant. 40% Moisture 13% Moisture
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Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass NDF, %
Rainfall, in. Scarbrough et al., 2005 76% Moisture, Not
Significant. 40% Moisture 13% Moisture
Slide 34
The Effect of Rain on Tall Fescue Hay Turner et al., 2003
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Slide 36
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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.
Slide 37
Heat Damage to Crude Protein Heat Protein Useable Protein
Heat-Damaged Protein DM Intake
Slide 38
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to
be higher in quality. Variety Use varieties that have proven to be
higher in quality.
Slide 39
Yield and Digestibility of Bermudagrass Hybrids
Slide 40
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to
be higher in quality. Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on
soil test recommendations
Slide 41
CP in Bermudagrass Forage as Effected by N Fertilization
Source: Dr. Bill Anderson, USDA-ARS Tifton
Slide 42
Effect of N Rates on Bermudagrass CP & Digestibility Burton
et al.
Slide 43
Does fertility or harvest timing affect quality more?- Crude
Protein Colovos et al. 1961 (4X as much N) Bromegrass
Slide 44
(3.8 X as much N) Colovos et al. 1961 Bromegrass Does fertility
or harvest timing affect quality more?- Digestibility
Slide 45
Primary Factors Affecting Forage Quality FactorRecommendation
Plant Maturity Cut bermudagrass every 4-5 wks; cut tall fescue in
the boot or early head stage. Forage Species Use the
highest-quality 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%) Variety Use varieties that have proven to
be higher in quality. Fertilization Provide fertilizer based on
soil test recommendations
Slide 46
Be Careful of Cutting Height
Slide 47
Write this down in BIG BOLD letters! GRASS GROWS GRASS.
Slide 48
Parting Thoughts RFQ is chiefly defined by digestibility and DM
intake Plant maturity trumps ALL other factors -Even more important
than forage species Rain damage is a problem, but letting a plant
get overly mature to avoid a inch rain is even more problematic
Avoid cutting the forage too short -It reduces quality and slows
the rate of regrowth