Wednesday, November 7, 2007
271-10
Forage Quality Improvements Using Nutripak Supplements.
Indi Braden, Southeast Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State University, One University Plaza Ms 6100, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Forage growth is an important part of livestock production. Establishment of forages for cattle production depends on many factors, which include nutrients, moisture, and light. Preliminary results in pastures were difficult to quantify because of limited precipitation and a high cost of fertilizers. This study is designed to provide factors limited in pastures to compare the affect of adding supplements to improve forage productivity and quality. Eight plant species were evaluated for the affect of supplements on forage productivity when added to forage species [8 plant species: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), bluegrass (Poa spp.), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.)]. Each plant species received four treatments of nutrient supplements. In addition to Nutri-Pak supplement, a control with no fertilizer or supplement, a dry fertilizer treatment and a fertilizer + Nutri-Pak treatment were included in the study. Plant biomass can only be measured by above-ground biomass in pastures, but it is not feasible to analyze root biomass. Root development is essential for proper plant growth and development. In order to evaluate the affect of this nutrient supplement on forage productivity, it is necessary to collect data on above-ground and below-ground plant biomass. Results include information on forage productivity, forage quality and plant biomass (above-ground and below-ground). Preliminary results showed crabgrass and bermudagrass with the most above-ground and below-ground biomass and bluegrass with significantly less. For all species, fertilizer and fertilizer + Nutri-Pak resulted in a significantly higher amount of biomass collected. Efficient improvements in forage growth can help area farmers produce high quality forage for livestock production, which is often the economic goal of forage producers.