PSII-4 Effects of Rye or Triticale with or without Crimson Clover on Forage Yield and Quality, and Gestating Beef Female Performance

Abstract

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of rye or triticale with or without crimson clover on forage yield and quality, and gestating beef female performance. In experiment 1, four cover crop treatments (trt) were randomly assigned to plot (0.49 ha/plot; 6 plots/trt) in a 2×2 factorial design. Treatments included cereal rye or triticale with or without crimson clover. Plots were seeded mid-September (rye or triticale: 101 kg/ha; crimson clover inclusion: 84 kg/ha cereal and 9 kg/ha legume). Treatments were mechanically harvested for haylage at the end of May. Plot yield was determined by total forage mass collection. Prior to ensiling, samples (12/plot) were composited within plot to evaluate forage quality. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Forage yield was greater (P < 0.01) with inclusion of crimson clover than without (3,208 vs. 2,654 kg/ha, respectively). Forage yield was not different (P = 0.17) between cereal type. Crimson clover inclusion reduced dry matter (P < 0.01). Between cereal types, rye had greater (P < 0.01) DM than triticale. Crimson clover inclusion increased CP (P < 0.01; 9.6% vs 8.6%, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were greater (P < 0.01) in rye compared with triticale. In experiment 2, spring-calving cows and heifers (n = 105; BW = 633 ± 100 kg; gestation = 198 ± 17 days) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment diets in a 42-day feeding trial to determine feed value of cover crops. Four diets were based on cover crops (60% inclusion) from experiment one with an additional control diet (CON; 85% alfalfa hay and 15% modified wet distillers grains). All treatments were limit fed (11.3 BW∙animal-1∙d-1/). Body weights (BW) and body condition scores (BCS) were assessed at trial initiation and conclusion. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Female final BW and BW change were greater (P < 0.01) in cover crop treatments compared with CON. Body weight change did not differ (P ≥ 0.21) between cereal type or with inclusion of crimson clover. Initial BCS was not different (P ≥ 0.47); however, final BCS was greater (P < 0.01) in cover crop treatments compared with CON. Crimson clover inclusion increased (P = 0.02) BCS change. In summary, inclusion of crimson clover increased forage yield, CP, and female BCS. Although rye cover crops had decreased quality prior to ensiling, there were no differences in cow performance compared with triticale. Substituting cover crops for alfalfa hay resulted in increased cow BW and BCS, suggesting the cover crops evaluated have greater feed value than alfalfa hay.