Abstract
Dualpurpose wheat (Triticum aestivum L) can be used for cattle grazing while producing grain from the same crop. In a two-year study, wheat forage production, grain yield, and growth performance of beef cow–calf pairs grazed on wheat pasture for 2–3 weeks in spring was compared with the conventional wheat grain production system and stockpiled tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb) pasturing. Grazing wheat resulted in grain yield (4.1 vs. 4.6 t ha−1) and test weight (65.9 vs. 66.7 kg hL−1) similar to the conventional grain production system. Wheat accumulated significantly lower forage dry matter yield (0.9 vs. 1.9 t ha−1) in spring with higher crude protein (190.2–290.2 vs. 122.0–151.0 g kg−1) and low fiber contents compared to the stockpiled tall fescue pasture. Wheat pasture presented risk for the development of grass tetany with regard to N, K, Na, and Mg contents. Calves grazed on wheat gained 1143–1370 gd−1 body weight compared to the 826–879 gd−1 in the stockpiled tall fescue pasturing. Cows had inconsistent and mixed body weight change response. With warmer temperatures and adequate precipitation controlled grazing of wheat in spring by beef cow–calves offered weight gain benefits exceeding the stockpiled tall fescue pasturing and grain production similar to the conventional wheat grain system.
Highlights
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can have a dual use as a forage for livestock grazing and produces grains from the same crop [1,2]
With the influence of plant maturity, wheat forage harvested in the spring can have low crude protein (CP) concentration and high fiber contents [5] that are suitable for cattle grazing
Given the similar initial soil fertility in the tall fescue and dual-purpose wheat grazing fields (Table 1) and similar management history of the two fields, we considered any growth performance difference between the two cow–calf groups was attributed to the grazing pasture type effect [14]
Summary
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can have a dual use as a forage for livestock grazing and produces grains from the same crop [1,2]. A dual use of wheat can generate unique economic benefits both for grain production and the added value of body weight gain of pastured cattle. Wheat pastures have high moisture levels, soluble constituents, and crude protein (CP) concentrations exceeding 30% of dry matter (DM). The low fiber content of wheat forage may limit the ability to provide daily dry matter requirement for cattle (Bos taurus L.). With the influence of plant maturity, wheat forage harvested in the spring can have low CP concentration and high fiber contents [5] that are suitable for cattle grazing. Several studies reported that winter wheat pasturing beyond the joint growth stage severely reduced wheat grain yield, on the other hand grazing succulent growth
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