Effect of grazing simulation on forage hay and grain yields of spring barleys in a low rainfall environment

Abstract

SummaryA 4–year experiment was conducted at two sites in each year to evaluate some of the effects of five harvesting treatments on the forage and grain production and quality of four spring barleys sown in November and grown under rainfed conditions. A single harvest during the growing season at the milk stage of grain produced the highest herbage drymatter and digestible yields.One harvest at tillering reduced significantly the plant height, grain production and dry-matter yields of straw and hay, while the digestibility of the organic matter in the dry matter (D-value) and the crude-protein content of straw, crudeprotein content of grain and the number of tillers were not affected. The weighted mean of D-value and crude-protein content of herbage was increased when a ‘grazing’ cut was taken prior to harvest. In addition lodging was eliminated. Three or four harvests during the growing season resulted in very low forage yields of otherwise excellent quality.