Summaries of Forage Research

Identification of alternative crops capable of producing high quality forage in conditions not conducive for alfalfa or perennial grass production would be desirable. The production of high quality forages in large quantities is the basis of any successful dairy enterprise. This will reduce the necessity of purchasing expensive supplemental grain and protein sources. Certain warm-season annual grasses and legumes, when harvested at the proper stage of maturity, are capable of producing high quality forage in large quantities where conditions are not suitable for alfalfa production. The objects was to evaluate the forage production and chemical composition at two cutting dates of four warm-season annual grasses and two annual legumes at two locations. Four grasses (German millet, Siberian millet, Sudangrass, and teff) and an annual legume (cowpea) were grown at two locations (Brookings and Highmore, SD) in the summer of 1986. Forage were harvested at two dates, 36 and 57 days after planting at Brookings and 41 and 57 days after planting at Highmore, to evaluate changes in nutrient composition as affected by maturity. Forage material was harvested, weighed, and analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), acid-detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Chickpeas were also included in this study, but plots were completely destroyed by Ascochyta blight