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Superintendent
David Davis
21262 Genoa Road
Linneus, MO 64653
Phone: 660 895-5121
FAX: 660 895=5122
Email: DavisDK@missouri.edu

Forage Quality

Because no quadrats were clipped to measure forage availability in 2000, forage quality was also not measured. The data presented are the four-year means for 1996-1999. As a main effect stocking rate affected both crude protein and net energy content of the forage in all four years. Both crude protein and net energy content increased as stocking rate increased (Figures 28-31). This response is highly correlated with the lower amounts of dead material present in the sward at higher stocking rates and in rotationally grazed pastures. The tendency for higher legume content in the higher stocking rate pastures would also likely contribute to higher crude protein level at higher stocking rates.

Grazing method did not affect crude protein level of the forage in all years, but affected net energy content in all years with rotationally grazed pastures consistently having significantly higher net energy levels compared to continuously grazed pastures. As a general rule, net energy is considered to be a greater limiting factor to animal production from cool season forages compared to crude protein content.

Figure 28. Four-year mean crude protein content of continuously and rotationally grazed pastures at 300 lb-liveweight/acre stocking rate.

Figure 29. Four-year mean crude protein content of continuously and rotationally grazed pastures at 600 lb-liveweight/acre stocking rate.

Figure 30. Four-year mean crude protein content of continuously and rotationally grazed pastures at 900 lb-liveweight/acre stocking rate.

Figure 31. Four-year mean crude protein content of continuously and rotationally grazed pastures at 1200 lb-liveweight/acre stocking rate.

Figure 32. Four-year mean net energy for maintenance content of forage in continuously grazed pastures at four stocking rates.

32.

Figure 33. Four-year mean net energy for maintenance content of forage in rotationally grazed pastures at four stocking rates.

Figure 34. Monthly net energy for maintenance levels in continuously and rotationally grazed pastures.

Figure 35. Monthly net energy for gain levels in continuously and rotationally grazed pastures.

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