Complementary Forage Programs Paul Beck Department of Animal Science SWREC, Hope

Complementary Forages Managing or adding forage resources to complement base forages.Managing or adding forage resources to complement base forages. –Extend grazing season Reduce hay requirementsReduce hay requirements –Increase forage quality Reduce supplemental feedReduce supplemental feed Graze animals with higher nutrient requirementsGraze animals with higher nutrient requirements

Southern Arkansas Most forage is warm-season grassesMost forage is warm-season grasses Most cow herds are spring calvingMost cow herds are spring calving –Matches forage resource –Best production (quality & yield) = Highest need Need cool-season grass to complement.Need cool-season grass to complement.

Spring born cows in N Arkansas Cool-season grass is forage baseCool-season grass is forage base Grass contains toxin that decrease forage intake and limit productionGrass contains toxin that decrease forage intake and limit production –Toxin highest when cow needs are greatest. Not a great fit for spring calving herdsNot a great fit for spring calving herds

Adding Warm-Season Grass Research from 1990’s in Arkansas Spring calving cows Bermuda only, Tall Fescue only, or Rotation (June-Oct; Nov-May) Stocked at 2 acres/cow 200 lb Ammonia Nitrate applied Bermuda May & July Tall Fescue March & October

Effect of Complementary Forage on Calf Performance BermudaFescueRotation Calving Rate 89%75%87% 205-d weight WW/cow exposed

Current AR Research - NE+ fescue appear to be a viable solution to tall fescue toxicosisappear to be a viable solution to tall fescue toxicosis adoption of NE+ technology has been slowadoption of NE+ technology has been slow –expense –soil limitations –insufficient economic information –insufficient persistence information –other alternatives???

Treatments Spring calving – all E+ pastureSpring calving – all E+ pasture Spring calving – 75% E+, 25% NE+ pastureSpring calving – 75% E+, 25% NE+ pasture Spring calving – all NE+ pastureSpring calving – all NE+ pasture Fall calving – all E+ pastureFall calving – all E+ pasture Fall calving – 75% E+, 25% NE+ pastureFall calving – 75% E+, 25% NE+ pasture –based on total pasture acreage

Method groups with 25% NE+groups with 25% NE+ –moved to NE+ in mid-April –grazed until early to mid-June Spring 25% NE+Spring 25% NE+ –bulls added in early May while grazing NE+ –moved to NE+ again in mid-September for 3 to 4 weeks –calves weaned in mid-October

Method Fall 25% NE+Fall 25% NE+ –calves weaned in mid-May –moved to NE+ again in October –bulls added in late November immediately after removal from NE+

Calf performance Fall Calving Fall Calving item100E+25NE+ Weaning Wt, lb Preweaning ADG Wean value $/head$572$581

Calf performance Spring Calving Spring Calving item100NE+100E+25NE+ Weaning Wt Prewean ADG Weaning Value per head $549$490$493 per head $549$490$493

Calving Rates, %

WW per cow exposed

Adding Complementary Forages Increase in cow and pre-weaning calf performance.Increase in cow and pre-weaning calf performance. Save additional feeding costsSave additional feeding costs Allows additional areas that can be used for retained ownership of calves.Allows additional areas that can be used for retained ownership of calves. –Current economic conditions Increased feedlot cost of gain increases value of heavier calvesIncreased feedlot cost of gain increases value of heavier calves

Interseeding winter annual pasture into warm season grass sod P. Beck, S. Gunter, M. Phillips, and B. Stewart University of Arkansas, Southwest Research & Extension Center, Hope

Establishment  Sod-seeding is the most common method of planting legumes and other cool season annuals.  This can be accomplished by broadcasting or no-till planting  Grass sod must be grazed as short as possible to remove canopy.  Interseed cool-season annuals in early to late fall

Interseeding Cool-Season Annuals Most annuals are interseeded into warm season grass pastureMost annuals are interseeded into warm season grass pasture To decrease competition b/t WSG and CSA seedlingsTo decrease competition b/t WSG and CSA seedlings –Delay planting date until mid-October Reduces fall growthReduces fall growth Delays stockingDelays stocking –Force WSG into dormancy by spraying with paraquat or glyphosate

Effect of Roundup at planting WithoutWith On test BW Off test BW ADG Total gain

Effect of Planting Date EARLYLATE On test BW Off test BW ADG Total gain

Species Comparisons Wheat, Rye, and Oats were planted with ryegrassWheat, Rye, and Oats were planted with ryegrass Interseeded into bermudagrass sod October at 2 bu small grain and 20 lb ryegrass/acreInterseeded into bermudagrass sod October at 2 bu small grain and 20 lb ryegrass/acre

Winter and Spring ADG Effect of species interseeded into grass sod

Tall Fescue Toxic Kentucky-31 does not fit stocker programsToxic Kentucky-31 does not fit stocker programs –Persistent & High Quality Forage! –Poor Livestock Performance –Native toxic fungal endophyte Novel Endophyte Tall FescueNovel Endophyte Tall Fescue –Persistence and High Quality –Good animal performance –Selected non-toxic fungal endophyte

Average Daily Gain

Conclusions There are various options availableThere are various options available DependsDepends –labor, machinery, soil types, animal requirements, and management ability Be sure overall herd management and marketing plans and forage program fits with forage resourcesBe sure overall herd management and marketing plans and forage program fits with forage resources