Nutritional properties of windrowed and standing basin wildrye over time

Abstract

windrows. Crude protein was consistently greater in the windrow, and rapidly decreased in the standing crop. The ADF content was consistently lower in the windrow. Phosphorus was lower in the windrow in July, maintained that level, becoming greater in subsequent months than in standing forage in 2005. The NDF/ADF ratio was consistently greater in the windrow. Neutral detergent fiber, manganese, and sodium showed no difference between standing crop and windrow. Magnesium and calcium decreased in the windrow compared with standing crop. Potassium, zinc, iron, and copper were greater in the windrow. Standing crop production was 5 to 6 times greater in the burned area in both sample years (2005 and 2009). In prescribed burn areas, standing crop yields were increased over nonburned areas, and windrowed basin wildrye provided greater nutritional quality over time than standing basin wildrye forage.