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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387818
Research Project: Improving Nutrient Use Efficiency and Mitigating Nutrient and Pathogen Losses from Dairy Production Systems

Location: Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research

Title: 15 years of cereal-grain forage research in Marshfield

Author
item Coblentz, Wayne

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2021
Publication Date: 9/1/2021
Citation: Coblentz, W.K. 2021. 15 years of cereal-grain forage research in Marshfield. Meeting Abstract. September 1, 2021.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of cereal-grain forages in livestock operations is longstanding, but has increased substantially in recent years. In part, this has occurred in response to environmental concerns, but also can be a routine part of overall forage programs for livestock operations. Many factors, such as vernalization, growth characteristics, and maturity rates can vary substantially, both within and across species. These considerations greatly affect nutritive value, but can also be manipulated to best fill the forage inventory and nutritional requirements of livestock operations. Unlike most perennial grasses, the effects of dilution associated with the accumulation of sugar in response to some cold events, as well as grain fill, further complicate management decisions. This presentation provides an overview of 15 years of cereal-grain forage research, conducted (mostly) in Marshfield, WI, and describes both opportunities and cautions for use of these forages in forage-livestock operations.