Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) stover is used globally as winter feed for livestock but the nutritive value is low, requiring supplementation. A 2-year randomized complete block study with three replicates at New Mexico State University’s Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center compared sweet maize (Zea mays var. rugosa; maize-alone) with sweet maize relay intercropped with oat (Avena sativa L.; maize-oat) or turnip (Brassica rapa L.; maize-turnip). Relay intercropping had no effect (p > 0.05) on sweet maize stover dry matter (DM) yield and there was no difference in aboveground biomass DM yield of the intercropped species. Turnip aboveground biomass had greater crude protein concentration and 48-h in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) than oat aboveground biomass. Relay intercropping with turnip improved sweet maize stover IVDMD (443, 439, and 515 g IVDMD kg−1 for maize-alone, maize-oat, and maize-turnip, respectively, p < 0.0001). Intercropping increased animal gains compared to maize-alone (0.36, 0.52, and 0.59 kg/day for maize-alone, maize-oat, and maize-turnip, respectively, p < 0.02), likely due to provision of additional crude protein. Relay intercropping oat or turnip into sweet maize is viable for improving sweet maize stover for fall forage. In addition turnip, specifically, had a positive effect on stover nutritive value.
Highlights
IntroductionFarmers seek options to sustain their livelihood in the face of increased input costs while protecting soils and other natural resources [2]
Improved productivity of available land resources is a global concern [1]
This study demonstrated the feasibility of relay intercropping oat or turnip into sweet maize as a nutritional management scheme for grazing beef calves after weaning
Summary
Farmers seek options to sustain their livelihood in the face of increased input costs while protecting soils and other natural resources [2] Crop residues, such as maize stover, help to protect the soil, and have been used as an economical winter feed source for livestock in many parts of the world, either grazed in situ [1,2,3,4] or as stored feed ex situ [2,5,6]. Agriculture 2018, 8, 103 energy and/or protein may be limiting, except possibly for non-lactating cows or calves, especially in irrigated fields [4,7] Cover cropping is another management option to conserve water and soil and to reduce the cost of applied inorganic fertilizer. Interest is increasing in grazing cover crops or harvesting them as stored feed
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