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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156958
Title: FEED VALUES FOR ANNUAL FORAGES IN WESTERN NEBRASKA, 2004 BEEF CATTLE REPORT

Author
item WEICHENTHAL, B - UNI OF NE
item BALTENSPERGER, D - UNI OF NE
item Vogel, Kenneth

Submitted to: Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2003
Publication Date: 12/15/2003
Citation: Weichenthal, B.A., Baltensperger, D.D., Vogel, K.P. 2003. Feed values for annual forages in western nebraska. IANR, Uni of NE, Lincoln. 2004 beef cattle report. Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin. p.16-19.

Interpretive Summary: Annual forages grown in western Nebraska were evaluated for their feed value for cattle. Included in the forages evaluated were spring sown cereals and legumes including barley, oats, triticale, peas, soybeans, and vetch. Also evaluated were summer annuals including forage sorghums, sudangrass, pearl millet, and foxtail millet. When the annual grass-type forages were harvested after seed heads had emerged, crude protein concentration was more than 8% and total digestible nutrients (TDN) was more than 63% of dry matter. Annual legumes had 12 to 18% crude protein concentration and more than 63% TDN. These results indicate that these forages if properly managed could provided substantial portions of diets for growing beef cattle, dry or lactating beef cows, and growing or mature bulls.

Technical Abstract: Annual forages grown in western Nebraska were evaluated for their feed value for cattle. Included in the forages evaluated were spring sown cereals and legumes including barley, oats, triticale, peas, soybeans, and vetch. Also evaluated were summer annuals including forage sorghums, sudangrass, pearl millet, and foxtail millet. When the annual grass-type forages were harvested after seed heads had emerged, crude protein concentration was more than 8% and total digestible nutrients (TDN) was more than 63% of dry matter. Annual legumes had 12 to 18% crude protein concentration and more than 63% TDN. These results indicate that these forages if properly managed could provided substantial portions of diets for growing beef cattle, dry or lactating beef cows, and growing or mature bulls.