Changes of Nutritive Value and Productivity According to Stockpiled Period in Mixed Orchardgrass-Tall Fescue Pasture of Jeju Region

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different stockpiled periods on the nutritive value and productivity of mixed orchardgrass tall-fescue pasture (MOTP). This experiment was conducted at Jeju (island), South Korea, from Sep. 2012 to Nov. 2012. The DM yield of the MOTP had the highest in treatment in late August (2,983 kg/ha). The DM yields of swards were increased significantly by shortening the stockpiled period. The CP of the MOTP was 16.5% to 18.16%, and there did not appear to be a consistent trend in accordance with the duration of the stockpiled periods. The NDF and TDN content of the MOTP increased with the delay of the stockpiled periods, but there is a significant difference between the short- and long-stockpile periods; however, the ADF content of the MOTP decreased with shortened stockpile periods, but again, there is a significant difference between the two periods. In addition, P, Ca, Mg, Na, and Zn of MOTP increased by delaying the stockpile period, but Mn and Cu of MOTP decreased. As shown in the results of this research, the yield of MOTP was not increased by the atrophy of the growth of MOTP due to high temperatures in case where the MOTP was stockpiled from the beginning of August. The stockpile period of MOTP should therefore be started at the end of August to yield a stockpile of MOTP in the autumn.