Hay Nutritional Quality and Grassland Bird Nesting: Impact of Delaying First Hay Cut on Dairy and Beef Production in Ontario

Paul G R Smith,Maria Ramirez Giraldo,John P Cant,Tom Wright,Matthew Wells,Peter Roberts,Jack Kyle

doi:10.5539/sar.v11n2p14

Paul G R Smith, Maria Ramirez Giraldo + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/sar.v11n2p14

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Abstract

Perennial forage production exists in Ontario to support the livestock industry, but also provides nesting habitat for grassland birds such as the threatened Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Delaying hay harvest until July 15 or later allows most nestling birds to leave the nest, but the nutritional value of hay decreases substantially. This project estimated the nutritional and economic impact of delaying the first hay cut until after July 15 on beef and dairy production in Ontario, Canada. Forage crops were sampled across Ontario, analysis of nutritional value performed, and effects on production and economics modelled. 634 samples were collected over 13 weeks at 16 sites from May 21 to August 14 during 2014 and 2015. As expected, nutritional quality declined over the season. Crude protein decreased by 5.2%, total digestible nutrients by 7.7%, neutral detergent fibre digestibility (NDFd48) by 20.1%, while lignin increased by 3.5%, neutral detergent fibre by 13.1%, and acid detergent fibre by 9.9%. Estimated yearly milk production decreased 10.9 kg or C$7.87/dairy cow for each day of delay in harvest (2017 values). Estimated growth of backgrounding beef steers decreased 1.56 kg or C$5.49/head for each day of delay in harvest. This translated into lost revenue per acre for backgrounding steers of C$31 per acre and C$45 per acre for over wintering beef cows for a delay from mid-June to mid-July. Some agri-environmental incentives in Canada, US and Europe offset the reduced revenue due to lower quality forages. This analysis informs farmers about the cost of practices to benefit grassland birds and provides empirical data on how to structure stewardship incentives for these practices.

Highlights

1.1 The Dilemma of Forage Production Economics and Grassland Bird ConservationPerennial forage production, both hay and pasture, is an important agricultural industry estimated in value at C$650 million in Ontario of a total C$5.1 billion in Canada in 2012 and supports livestock agriculture, including beef, dairy, sheep, horse, and other sectors (Brookfield, 2016; Yungblut, 2012; Fisher, 2008)
Crude protein decreased by 5.2%, total digestible nutrients by 7.7%, neutral detergent fibre digestibility (NDFd48) by 20.1%, while lignin increased by 3.5%, neutral detergent fibre by 13.1%, and acid detergent fibre by 9.9%
Most variables associated with positive nutritional value decline significantly through the season including Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fibre Digestibility (NDFd48) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)

Summary

Introduction

1.1 The Dilemma of Forage Production Economics and Grassland Bird ConservationPerennial forage production, both hay and pasture, is an important agricultural industry estimated in value at C$650 million in Ontario of a total C$5.1 billion in Canada in 2012 and supports livestock agriculture, including beef, dairy, sheep, horse, and other sectors (Brookfield, 2016; Yungblut, 2012; Fisher, 2008). Hay and pasture area has declined dramatically (Smith, 2018, 2015), as it has across North America (Stanton et al, 2018), and many developed countries in recent decades (OECD, 2019). Grassland birds, such as the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), commonly nest in tame pasture and hay production fields in many parts of Ontario (Ethier, Koper & Nudds, 2017; McCracken et al, 2013), while occupying native prairie and rangeland in other parts of North America http://sar.ccsenet.org. Populations of grassland birds increased in Ontario with European-style agriculture during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially large areas of pasture and hay to support horses and ruminants (Smith, 2018, 2015; McCracken et al, 2013). Today the nesting of many grassland-nesting species depends on the shrinking area of pasture and hay on working agricultural lands with its concomitant grazing and harvesting, east of the extensive prairie ecosystems (Renfrew et al, 2019)

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