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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Kimberly, Idaho » Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153228
Title: CATERING TO BOSSY'S SWEET TOOTH

Author
item Stevens, Kristen
item Mayland, Henry

Submitted to: Internet Web Page
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2003
Publication Date: 2/4/2003
Citation: Stevens, K.E., Mayland, H.F. Catering to bossy's sweet tooth. Available from: http://www.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov [2003].

Interpretive Summary: There are more than 10 technical papers showing animal preference for the afternoon cut forage. This preference is attributable to the increased concentration of sugars in the afternoon plants. These sugars are the first products of photosynthesis. The story is told in a language suitable for 5-14 year old children. It is accompanied with a glossary that may serve as a source of vocabulary or spelling words.

Technical Abstract: Technical research has documented the diurnal changes in soluble sugar concentrations in green photosynthesizing plants. Sugars increase during sunshiny days and decrease during darkness. Cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, and horses often prefer the afternoon cut to the morning cut hay. They will eat more of the late cut forage because of the extra sugar. Dairy cows eating the PM-cut hay will produce more milk. This story is told in language for 5-14 year old children. It is accompanied with a glossary that may serve as a source of vocabulary or spelling words.