|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
I hope that this issue of the Ranch Hand finds each of you in the spirit of the season. This month's issue includes the second part of Kevin's slough hay article, as well as an update on the canola regrowth issue which we discussed previously. We have also included a monthly listing of articles which appeared in the Ranch Hand this year. We hope you find this to be a useful reference. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Greg Lardy Feed Quality of Slough HayKevin Sedivec Rangeland Management Specialist The last issue of the Ranch Hand looked at the palatability of slough hay. In this issue, we continue that discussion and explore nutritional quality and recommendations for feeding. Alternative methods may be used to increase the palatability or use of wetland vegetation. Mixing wetland forage with high quality forages may be desired to increase usage. Direct mixing with a tub grinder or a high capacity grinder can be performed. This will bring down the palatability and digestibility of the high quality forage, but increase palatability of the lower quality feed. A second option is period feeding of wetland hay with a higher quality forage. Set up a feeding chart using alternative days for feeding wetland forages and high quality forages. By alternating feeds, livestock continue to receive high quality feed at regular intervals and use of wetland forages as roughage is obtained. Rotation will vary, depending on availability of high quality feed. An example rotation sequence is as follows: Week 1
Week 2
Nutritional Quality Although a feed or forage may have high palatability, nutritional quality must be adequate to maintain performance or body condition of your brood cows or whatever class of livestock you are feeding. Many wet meadow and wetland plants are as nutritious as the upland vegetation; however, digestibility drops off dramatically as the plants mature, even when crude protein (CP) remains high. Many wetland plants have a laxative effect when grazed or fed as hay.
The table above lists many types of wetland and wet meadow plants found in North Dakota and surrounding states. This table shows the percent CP and dry matter (DM) digestibility of these plants in the vegetative and maturing stage of growth development. This data is a summary of research conducted by NDSU [Green (1987), Christensen et al. (1947)], SDSU [Hubbard et al. (1988)], and the Canadian Department of Agriculture [Clark and Tisdale (1945)]. Crude protein content of all these plants declined over time; however, many remained above the requirement levels of dry, pregnant cows when put up as hay in early to mid August. Since this hay will be fed as part of a winter ration, CP values need to remain about 7% during the 1st trimester, 8% during 2nd trimester, and 9% during 3rd trimester if dry. The biggest downfall to wetland forages is the low digestibility once it matures in August. Digestibility should range from 48-54%, depending on stage of pregnancy. Only slough sedge and northern reedgrass remained above 45% in August. Wetland vegetation or slough hay are commonly used for winter feed in the Northern Plains. Use these tables as a guide to understand what you are feeding. Make sure you balance your rations to adjust for the low digestibility of these forages and recognize their value as a feed. Also remember, although some of these plants may have sufficient protein value, palatability must be factored in when feeding these forages. Note: always test your forages to provide the most accurate feed value. Index of Articles - 1997January, Vol. 4, No. 1 Ideas Sought for Controlling March, Vol. 4, No. 2 Cool-Season Grass Production and Nutrient Project Update 1 May, Vol. 4, No. 3 New CRP Seed Mixes - Think Before Planting 1 July, Vol. 4, No. 4 Greetings From Greg Lardy 1 September, Vol. 4, No. 5 Feeding Newly Harvested Barley 1 October, Vol. 4, No. 6 Performance of Calves on Cornstalks 1 November, Vol. 4, No. 7 ND Range Plant Book Released 1 December, Vol. 4, No. 8 Feed Quality of Slough Hay (continued from November) 1 Canola Regrowth Determined Free of Prussic Acid and NitratesGreg Lardy Extension Beef Cattle Specialist In October's issue of the Ranch Hand, we discussed a possible problem with canola regrowth in Canada. Initially, veterinarians and provincial agriculture officials believed the problem may have been related to the presence of prussic acid and/or nitrates in the canola. However, after testing numerous samples of canola regrowth for the presence of prussic acid and nitrates, no detectable levels were found. Further investigation eventually revealed that the cattle which died in the canola fields following harvest actually found and consumed a pile of treated canola seed. It now appears that the individual doing the seeding (in one case a custom hire and in another an individual farmer) cleaned out the seeder in a grassy strip near the canola field when they had finished seeding. The canola seed had been treated with Counter® and, consequently, the cattle died of organophosphate poisoning. In one herd, 25-30 cows died and the remaining 30 are in tough shape. In the other herd, the cows were placed back on the fields following the initial death loss and more deaths occurred. Following the second round of deaths, the treated canola seed was found. The take-home message from this incident is that while canola regrowth won't kill cows, many other things can. Please be aware of the potential problems with treated seed products. If a custom hire performs services for you or your producers (seeding and other services) be sure that they are aware that livestock may graze the stubble in the fall. Any treated seed or other chemical products which are left over should be properly disposed of. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
