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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191634
Title: REGISTRATION OF 'GOLDMINE' BIG BLUESTEM

Author
item Vogel, Kenneth
item Mitchell, Robert - Rob
item KLOPFENSTEIN, T - UNI OF NE
item ANDERSON, B - UNI OF NE

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2006
Publication Date: 9/28/2006
Citation: Vogel, K.P., Mitchell, R., Klopfenstein, T.J., Anderson, B.E. 2006. Registration of 'Goldmine' big bluestem. Crop Science 46:2314-2315.

Interpretive Summary: Goldmine big bluestem is a perennial warm-season grass cultivar that produces forage with moderately improved in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), protein concentration, and improved forage yields in some hay management systems and improved animal gains in comparison to its parent cultivar, Kaw, when utilized by beef cattle in well-managed grazing systems. It is adapted to lower USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5 and Plant Hardiness Zone 6 of the Central Plains and Midwest, USA. It was released by the USDA, Agricultural Research Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Goldmine was developed by three generations of breeding for improved forage yield and forage digestibility as measured by IVDMD. In field trials, forage of Goldmine had moderately greater IVDMD than Kaw when harvested before heading or as re-growth and its forage had greater crude protein concentration when harvested before heading. Forage yields of Goldmine were significantly greater than those of Kaw when hay was harvested after heading. Goldmine had greater forage yields and forage IVDMD averaged over all trials and harvests than the cultivars Pawnee, Rountree, and Niagara. In a grazing trial located near Mead, NE, cattle grazing Goldmine pastures had 7% greater average daily gain than cattle grazing Kaw pastures and Goldmine pastures produced 5% more beef cattle gains per acre than Kaw pastures. Foundation seed will be made available by the University of Nebraska Foundation Seed Division for certified seed production on a non-exclusive basis to seed producers who agree to produce and market the seed only as certified seed.

Technical Abstract: Goldmine big bluestem [Andropogon gerardii Vitman.] (PI 641702) is a perennial warm-season grass cultivar that produces forage with moderately improved in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), protein concentration, and improved forage yields in some hay management systems and improved animal gains in comparison to its parent cultivar, Kaw, when utilized by beef cattle in well-managed grazing systems. It is adapted to lower USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5 and Plant Hardiness Zone 6 of the Central Plains and Midwest, USA. It was released by the USDA, Agricultural Research Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Goldmine was developed by three generations of breeding for improved forage yield and forage digestibility. In field trials, forage of Goldmine had moderately greater IVDMD than Kaw when harvested before heading or as regrowth and its forage had greater crude protein concentration when harvested before heading. Forage yields of Goldmine were significantly greater than those of Kaw when hay was harvested after heading. Goldmine had greater forage yields and forage IVDMD averaged over all trials and harvests than the cultivars Pawnee, Rountree, and Niagara. In a replicated grazing trial located near Mead, NE, cattle grazing Goldmine pastures had 7% greater average daily gain than cattle grazing Kaw pastures and Goldmine pastures produced 5% more beef cattle gains per acre than Kaw pastures. Foundation seed will be made available by the University of Nebraska Foundation Seed Division for certified seed production on a non-exclusive basis to seed producers who agree to produce and market the seed only as certified seed.