Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #364202
Research Project: Multifunctional Farms and Landscapes to Enhance Ecosystem Services (Bridge Project)

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Forage brassicas as an alternative forage for fall grazing systems

Author
item Billman, Eric
item LEANNE, DILLARD - University Of Auburn
item Soder, Kathy

Submitted to: Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2019
Publication Date: 11/11/2019
Citation: Billman, E.D., Leanne, D., Soder, K.J. 2019. Forage brassicas as an alternative forage for fall grazing systems[Abstract]. Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, Soil Science Society of America Meeting. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary: No Interpretive Summary is required for this Abstract Only. JLB.

Technical Abstract: Commonly cultivated cool and warm-season forages experience reduced biomass production during the fall. Lack of forage during this time can severely impede livestock productivity, and often necessitates feeding conserved forages such as, hay, baleage, or stockpiled material. However, alternative forages such as forage brassicas potentially provide fresh, high quality forage and allow for extending the grazing season later into the fall. This study determined forage productivity and nutritive value of three different forage brassicas, and compared them to a common cool-season annual forage, annual ryegrass [ARG (Lolium multiflorum L.)]. Entries included ‘Barsica’ rapeseed [RAP (Brassica napus L.)], ‘Inspiration’ canola [CAN (B. napus L.)], ‘Appin’ turnip [TUR (B. rapa L.)], and ‘KB Supreme’ ARG. Four replications of four 5.5 × 9.1 m plots (16 total plots) were seeded in August of 2015 and 2016, and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Three harvests occurred in 2015 and four occurred in 2016, with two-week intervals between each harvest. Brassica dry matter yields (734 – 861 kg ha-1) were greater than ARG (344 kg ha-1). Nutrient yields of the brassicas for crude protein (176 – 204 kg ha-1), net energy of lactation (1200 – 1500 Mcal ha-1), and net energy of gain (690 – 905 Mcal ha-1) were all greater than ARG (CP = 88 kg ha-1, NEL = 555 Mcal ha-1, NEG = 333 Mcal ha-1). The greater biomass produced by the brassica species directly impacted available nutrients for livestock consumption. The increased DM yield would increase the number of available grazing days, and the greater nutrient yields of the brassica species could allow for greater animal productivity than an equivalent area of ARG. These factors would could reduce the need for stored forage, saving producers time and money.