Carotene Content of Native Nebraska Grasses

The carotene content of twenty-four grasses native to Nebraska were determined at approximately monthly intervals from June to November. While the carotene concentration of most of the grasses was moderately high during the growing season, it declined to a rather low point by late November. With the exception of Switchgrass, Hairy Grama, Little Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed, all of the grasses contained enough carotene to supply the needs of range cattle until late November. However, only eighteen of the grasses still contained enough carotene by the latter part of September to furnish the carotene required by dairy cows. Even as early as July the Northern reedgrass, Buffalo grass, Bluejoint and Lovegrass were unsatisfactory as a source of carotene for dairy cows. While the carotene values observed during the periods of greatest concentration varied from 511.6 ppm (Sandhill bluestem) to 122.6 ppm (Northern reedgrass), these values ranged from 60.7 ppm (June grass) to 1.6 ppm (Little bluestem) during the periods of lowest concentration