Hay Crop Research Articles

Mechanism for Decline in a Woodchuck Population

The number of woodchucks (Marmota monax) on an army ordnance depot in south central Pennsylvania decreased by 80% from 1955 to 1970. The depot contained 4,000 ha of former agricultural land that provided excellent sites for burrows. The birth rate was initially low (1.3), but increased and remained high (1.7) after 1958 due primarily to an increase in the percent yearlings pregnant. The death rate of adults changed little, but the loss of young during summer 1964-67 and during hibernation 196267 was high. Movements increased after 1962. Changes in habitat after 1960 resulted from cessation of leasing land for crops of corn, wheat, and barley. A drought occurred from 1961 to 1969, and decreased the quantity of natural vegetation. Thus, a great decline in food supply occurred after 1962. The mechanism for the decrease of woodchucks was failure of young to gain the weight necessary to survive the hibernation period and subsequent emergence. During 1957-60, 50% of young males and females reached a weight considered adequate for survival, compared to only 1-10% during 1962-66; during 1967-70, 50% of males and 80% of females achieved adequate weight. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 45(3):658-668 A population of woodchucks declined drastically from 1955 to 1970 on the Letterkenny Ordnance Depot near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Analysis of the data permits identification of the mechanism of population regulation. The methods have been reported in detail in papers that give results of certain aspects of the research (Davis 1962, Davis et al. 1964). This paper interprets the sequence of events that resulted in an 80% decline in woodchucks, and thereby provides an excellent example of the effect of habitat. This research was conducted by persons whose names appear in the Literature Cited, through grants from the National Institutes of Health. The recent data are from Ludwig (1975). The study site consisted of 4,000 ha of agricultural land. Earthen bunkers, constructed in 1942, and distributed throughout the depot, created excellent sites for burrows. Agriculture consisted of grain and hay crops from 1955 until 1960, when the Army stopped leasing cropland. From 1960 to 1970 these fields were in advancing stages of old-field

Use of Agricultural Lands by Waterfowl in Southwestern British Columbia

The distribution, abundance, and food habits of overwintering pintails (Anas acuta), mallards (A. platyrhynchos), and American wigeon (A. americana) in agricultural lands in a portion of the lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia, were investigated in response to proposals to improve land drainage and flood protection. Numbers of birds in fields were strongly influenced by numbers along an adjacent estuary and by the amount of standing surface water in the fields. Pintails and wigeon preferred pastures to other land-use types, and wigeon generally avoided hay, cereal, or vegetable crop fields. Mallards showed no measurable preferences among types of land use. Pintails made extensive use of weed, grass, and sedge seeds and invertebrates in pastures, and also fed on decaying potatoes. Wigeon were predominantly grazers of green leafy and uprooted vegetation. Mallards were generally nonselective in their food habits in the fields. Waterfowl appeared to use agricultural lands on an opportunistic basis, as an extension of traditional coastal winter habitats. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 45(2):454-462 The Fraser River Delta and associated tidal foreshores along the eastern side of the Straits of Georgia, British Columbia, provide important winter habitat for Pacific Flyway waterfowl (Bellrose 1976). Leach (1972) identified Boundary Bay, Mud Bay, Roberts and Sturgeon banks, the Fraser River islands, marshes of the Pitt River (tributary to the Fraser), and the Fraser Valley farmlands as key components of available habitat. From 40,000 to 50,000 dabbling ducks are estimated to occur in Boundary and Mud bays and along Sturgeon and Roberts banks from mid-November through December (Vermeer and Levings 1977). Maximum numbers at the height of the southward migration are estimated at 100,000-200,000. Numbers decline in January, but approximately 10,000-15,000 dabblers typically remain through the winter along the tidal foreshores (Vermeer and Levings 1977). Waterfowl numbers in the area during the summer are low, and are limited to suitable breeding habitat within small refuges. Farmlands adjacent to Boundary and Mud bays are used extensively by pintails, mallards, and wigeon throughout the winter. A key factor in the use of farmlands appears to be the high incidence of surface-water accumulation resulting from heavy winter rainfall, high groundwater levels, and occasional flooding from coastal creeks and rivers. This study to quantify waterfowl use of farmlands was undertaken in response to proposals to improve farmland drainage and protection from flooding. Funding for the study was provided by a grant to the British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch under the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act. B. J. Clark provided assistance with fieldwork. J. P. L. Savard and D. M. Skead reviewed the manuscript. 1 Present address: Environmental and Socio-economic Services Department, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, 555 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 4T6, Canada. 2 Present address: Range Division, British Columbia Forest Service, 540 Borland Street, Williams Lake, B.C. V2G 1R8, Canada. 454 J. Wildl. Manage. 45(2):1981 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.248 on Thu, 28 Jul 2016 06:14:37 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms WATERFOWL USE OF LANDS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA* Hirst and Easthope 455

Composition and Cost of Dairy Cow Rations with Varying Hay Crop Quality

Researchers and extension personnel interested in dairy systems recognize the importance of high quality hay. It is generally assumed that feeding a higher quality hay should result in increased quantities of hay in the least cost balanced ration and thereby reduce total ration cost (Chase). The objective of this article is to quantify the direction and magnitude of changes in dairy cow ration composition and cost with increased hay crop quality.

Effects of Dry or Ensiled Feeds and Protein Percent on Milk Production and Nitrogen Utilization by Lactating Cow

In two 2×2 factorial experiments, 28 cows in first and later lactation (Trial 1) and 28 cows in second and later lactation (Trial 2) were fed rations containing either dry (low nitrogen solubility) or ensiled (high nitrogen solubility) feeds with low (14%) or high (16%) concentrations of crude protein. Rations were formulated with hay or hay crop silage and dry shelled corn or high moisture shelled corn in a 50:50 ratio (Trial 1) or 40:60 ratio (Trial 2) of forage to concentrate in the dry matter. Soybean meal was used to alter the protein content.Protein percent had no effect on milk yield or milk composition in either trial, although nitrogen digestibility was greater on high protein diets. Solids-corrected milk yield and milk fat percent were lower when nitrogen solubility of the ration was increased in Trial 2 but not in Trial 1. Analysis of nitrogen balance data indicated higher conversion of nitrogen of feed to nitrogen of milk for low solubility diets in Trial 1 and high solubility diets in Trial 2.

EFFECTS OF FEEDING MONENSIN TO HOLSTEIN STEERS

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of monensin on feed intake, rate of gain and feed efficiency of a total of 198 Holstein steers. In experiment I, 72 steers were fed ground ear corn and corn silage diets containing 0 (treatment 1), 22 (treatment 2) and 33 (treatment 3) g/tonne DM monensin for 112 days. Treatments 2 and 3 received 11 g/tonne DM monensin for the first 28 days. Daily gains were not significantly different (P > 0.05) throughout the trial and intake was slightly reduced (P > 0.05) with monensin addition. Feed efficiency in treatments 2 and 3 were improved 5.5 and 8.8% respectively, but only treatment 3 was significantly (P < 0.05) better than treatment 1. Rumen fluid from steers fed treatment 3 contained a higher proportion (P < 0.05) of propionic acid and a lower (P < 0.05) A:P ratio than did rumen fluid from treatment 1. Levels of acetic and butyric acid were reduced (P > 0.05) by monensin inclusion. In experiment II, 46 steers were fed hay crop silage and shelled corn diets containing 0 (treatment 1) and 33 g/tonne DM (treatment 2) monensin for 112 days. Gains were slightly (P > 0.05) higher and intake slightly (P > 0.05) lower on treatment 2. Monensin improved (P > 0.05) feed efficiency by 8.5%. In experiment III, 40 purchased and 40 station-reared steers were assigned by origin, in pairs, to 40 Calan electronic headgates. A 23 factorial experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of diet with or without monensin used separately and in combination with progesterone-estradiol implants. Steers were fed a high moisture ear corn and corn silage diet for 84 days. No 3-factor interactions (P > 0.05) were detected. Implant treatments gained significantly (P < 0.05) faster than either control or monensin alone. Intake was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in treatments fed monensin. Feed efficiency was improved (P < 0.05) 16% with both monensin and implant, 10% (P < 0.05) with monensin alone, and 6% (P > 0.05) with implant alone over control.

Crop Identification in a Parkland Environment Using Aerial Photography

SUMMARYThe estimation of crop production using remote sensing techniques first requires a correct identification of the crops found in a given area. In Western Canada, the identification of field crops is hampered by the occurrence of confusion crops such as spring grains. These follow crop calendars and/or possess spectral signatures similar to each other. The results of an interpretation test using color and color infra-red photography show a higher percent correct identification of spring grains with the color photography. This is attributed in part to the differences in visible colors often noted in the field during the vegetative period between darker green wheat crops and lighter green oat and barley crops. A higher percent correct identification of fallow fields was attained with the color infra-red photography. Relatively high percent commission errors were made for grain and hay crops with both types of photography.

The Economic Impact of Improved Drainage on Northern New York Dairy Farms

Nearly level terrain, heavy soils, and impermeable subsoil horizons commonly cause poor drainage in Northern New York. Forty-five percent of the cropland in this region is classified as poorly drained (Lucey). The soils in this area dry slowly, consequently restricting the effective length of the growing season. Production of corn is marginal and the establishment of legume seedings is prevented by poor drainage. Poor drainage is only a single characteristic of a farm's soil resource, but it has multiple effects. Farm managers have adjusted to poor drainage by using grass hay crops as a forage base and by adopting other management practices which utilize land more extensively.

EVALUATION OF TWENTY GRASS POPULATIONS AS IRRIGATED HAY CROPS FOR SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN

Twenty grass populations were evaluated for dry matter yield, N content, P content, organic matter content, organic matter digestibility and winterhardiness. Of these populations, Agropyron intermedium was most suitable for a hay crop on a well-drained irrigated soil. Agropyron trichophorum, Bromus inermis, and Phalaris arundinacea were lower-yielding alternatives that had a satisfactory N content and good digestibility. Elymus angustus shows promise as an irrigated hay crop and should be evaluated further. The usefulness of the following populations was limited by one or more of these factors: low yield (Y), low N content (N), low digestibility (D) and lack of winterhardiness (W): Dactylis glomerata ’Kay’ (Y,N,D), Dactylis glomerata ’Chinook’ (Y,N,W), Elymus sibiricus (Y), Festuca arundinacea ’Kenmont’ (Y,N,W), Festuca elatior ’Trader’ (Y,N), Phleum pratense (Y,N,D), Poa ampla ’Sherman’ (N,D), Poa bulbosa cv. P4874 (Y,N,D), and Poa pratensis (Y,N,D).

An Economic Comparison of Hay Crop Forage Systems For Milk Production in the Northeast

Hay crop forage systems for milk production are compared using the budgeting technique for four feeding plans containing hay (90% dry matter) or hay crop silage (40% dry matter) only and in combination with corn silage as 50% of the forage dry matter. Investments, labor requirements, purchased feed, and cropping program differences are calculated for each hay crop forage system. Hay crop silage-corn silage systems are low cost systems for all herd sizes analyzed. Improved nutrient quality of the hay crop when harvested as hay crop silage is a major factor determining the annual cost ranking.

Studies on the epidemiology of bovine parasitic bronchitis

In the West of Scotland the epidemiology of parasitic bronchitis in grazing calves was studied over a two year period with the aid of tracer calves and herbage examinations for Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae. The observations of both years emphasised the importance of overwintered lungworm larvae as a source of disease. In the first year it was shown that the ingestion and development of these overwintered larvae were, by themselves, directly responsible for severe morbidity, high faecal larval counts and deaths. In the second year it was shown that pasture ungrazed during the winter and spring and from which a hay crop was removed in mid-summer was still capable of producing clinical parasitic bronchitis in susceptible calves within three to four weeks of their introduction in later summer. In both years there was some evidence that the outbreaks appeared to be associated with the sudden availability of infective larvae on the herbage. The possibility that such larvae may have survived for many months in the soil is discussed. Despite the heavy challenge with lungworm larvae experienced by the grazing calves in the first year those vaccinated with lungworm vaccine survived, their clinical signs were mild and of short duration and their faecal larval output was greatly reduced.

Variables associated with peripartum traits in dairy cows. II. Interrelationships among disorders and their effects on intake of feed and on reproductive efficiency

Daily individual voluntary intakes of dry matter (DM % of body weight) and estimated net energy (ENE, Mcal/100 kg) by 89 Holstein cows were compared between day 220 of gestation and day 30 postpartum over a 21-month period. The purpose was to compare effects of diet and health status (control vs. abnormal) on intakes of DM and ENE. The cows were fed either chopped hay, hay crop silage (HCS) or corn silage (CS). Compared to controls, voluntary intakes of DM and ENE were decreased (most to least) in cows with fat cow syndrome (FCS), parturient paresis (PP), mastitis (MST), retained fetal membranes-metritis (RFM-M), and displaced abomasum (DA) prepartum and FCS, DA, PP, RFM-M and MST peripartum. Cows fed hay had a lower incidence of RFM-M (28%) than cows fed HCS (57%) and CS (47%) as well as superior reproductive efficiency subsequently (89% conceived vs. 72% and 78%, respectively).

Variables associated with peripartum traits in dairy cows. I. Effect of dietary forages and disorders on voluntary intake of feed, body weight and milk yield

Daily voluntary intakes of feed by each of 89 Holstein cows were compared between day 220 of gestation and day 30 postpartum over a 21-month period. Diets designed to meet NRC requirements and which contained either chopped hay (29 cows), hay crop silage (HCS; 30 cows) or corn silage (CS; 30 cows) were compared prepartum (27 to 0 days), peripartum (1 day before to 3 days after calving) and postpartum (days 4 to 30 postpartum). Mixed rations, fed during lactation, were 60% forage and 40% concentrate dry matter (DM). Cow management was similar to commercial operations. The experimental hypothesis was that pre-disposition for partum and postpartum disorders (abnormal) could be related either to voluntary intake of different diets or to physical traits. Intakes (DM or estimated net energy) across diets decreased 30% between days 7 and 1 prepartum and averaged 18% and 20% lower peripartum and postpartum, respectively, in abnormal cows than in control cows. Seasonal effects on intakes were significant. In general, changes in body weight and condition and differences in udder edema and milk yield reflected intakes. The results support the original hypothesis.

Variables associated with peripartum traits in dairy cows. III. Effect of diets and disorders on certain blood traits

BLood samples were collected from 89 Holstein cows on days 220 and 250 of gestation, within 24 hr prepartum and postpartum and on day 30 postpartum. Balanced diets which contained either chopped hay (29 cows), hay crop silage (HCS; 30 cows) or corn silage (CS; 30 cows) were fed from day 220 of gestation to day 30 postpartum. The purpose was to determine if variations in certain blood traits were indicative of peripartum and postpartum disorders. The blood traits evaluated were concentrations of plasma total protein, whole blood hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and white blood cells, and serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), glucose, urea nitrogen, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium. No blood trait was useful to predict a disorder prior to its visual signs with one possible exception. Serum glucose and calcium were lower and SGOT and magnesium were higher peripartum which was prior to death of three cows from fat cow syndrome.

Complete Ration-Group Feeding Systems for Dry and Lactating Dairy Cows

In three experiments, complete rations based on silage were fed ad libitum to Holstein cows in groups.In Experiment 1, a corn silage ration supplemented with nitrogen and mineral was compared with a ration of corn silage plus alfalfa meal for dry cows. There were no differences in energy intake or weight gains during the dry period nor in health disorders or milk production following calving.Eighty lactating cows (40 per group) were fed a ration containing 34% hay crop silage:ll% sudan silage:55% concentrate (dry matter) either once or twice daily in Experiment 2. Frequency of feeding had no effect on intake of dry matter or milk yield. Average production for both groups was 15.2kg milk/cow per day.In Experiment 3, 45 first-lactation and 78 older cows were fed one of three rations for the entire lactation. The rations were 35:47:18 (H), 47:35.5:17.5 (M), and 60:23.5:16.5 (L) forage:high moisture ear corn concentrate dry matter. Intakes of dry matter were similar for all three treatments. Average milk yields were 20.7, 19.8, and 18.1 kg/cow per day. Weight gains of first lactation animals fed diets M and L were less than those fed diet H. Cows on diets lower in energy density (M and L) appeared to regulate energy balance primarily by decreased milk production rather than increased feed intake.

Chemical Additives and Hay Attributes

ABSTRACT EXPERIMENTS were conducted at the Pennsylvania State University to evaluate the application of chemical preservatives to high-moisture hay crops. The chemicals used were: acetic acid, propionic acid, propionic-acetic acid mixtures, propionic-formic acid mixtures, isobutyric-propionic acid mixtures and ammonium isobutyrate (AIB). The levels of application ranged from 0.5 to 2.25 percent of the wet forage weight. Hay moistures at packaging time were in the 28 to 35 percent range. Application locations studied were: (a) at the mower conditioner, (b) at the rake, and (c) at the baler. Evaluations of hay quality included hay tem-peratures in storage, chemical and biological analyses, and animal acceptability and feeding trials using brood cows and mature ewes. Dry matter losses were measured for treated and untreated rectangular bales, large round bales and stacks from mowing through raking, har-vesting, storage and feeding. Results of chemical and biological quality estimates indicate that some acid-treated high moisture hays maintained quality and feed efficiency comparable to heat-dried hay. Acid-treated hay was better in many respects than field-cured hay. Dry matter losses were significantly less (P < 0.05) for chemically-treated hay than for untreated field-cured and high moisture control hays. An average yield increase of 650 kg DM/ha was obtained from treated hays over untreated hays harvested as rec-tangular bales, round bales and stacks. This is equiva-lent to an increase of more than 100 kg of protein/ha and is indicative of potential returns for treatment costs.

ECONOMICS OF FARM DRAINAGE IN ONTARIO

The benefits of on-farm drainage improvement to soil physical properties include higher soil temperature for seed germination, improved soil aeration and greater water holding capacity, improved soil structure, less soil erosion and greater soil bearing capacity. Benefits associated with farm management are earlier dates of planting and timeliness with all farm operations. Machine use is more efficient. Disease and weed control is easier. Crop quality is greatly improved and crop yields are increased on the average of 50 percent for grain crops and 33 percent for hay crops. There are secondary benefits associated with a livestock farm operation. The crop production system is complex and it is difficult to estimate the value of land drainage on single parameters. Drainage benefit is an integration of all factors in the crop management system.

Influence of Environment and Clipping on the Seed‐Yield Potential of Three Red Clover Cultivars1

Seed yields and components of seed yield of ‘Alaskland’ (single‐cut), ‘Kenland’ and ‘Sapporo’ (double‐cut) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivars were evaluated under clipping vs. no clipping treatments, at Prosser, Washington and at Shafter and Tehachapi, California to determine the influence of different environments on three different cultivars. These cultivars were grown in rows of 45 or 50 cm row width and irrigated when needed. Seed yields from undipped plants of these cultivars did not vary greatly at Prosser, whereas Kenland was superior at Shatter and Tehachapi. Clipping the first spring growth at 1/10 to 1/2 bloom significantly reduced seed yields and number of heads per m2 for all cultivars except Kenland at Prosser. Clipping significantly increased the number of florets per head for Sapporo and Kenland at all locations except Shafter, while reducing the number of florets for Alaskland at Tehachapi. Clipping increased the number of seeds per head for Sapporo and Kenland at Prosser but not at Shafter and Tehachapi. Clipping decreased the number of seeds per head for Alaskland at all locations. Clipping reduced the weight of 1,000 seeds except for Alaskland at Shatter. We conclude that in western environments removing a hay crop in red clover resulted in reduced seed yields of all cultivars in all locations, and that cultivars tended to perform better in environments similar to their origin. The environment at Shatter tended to influence components of seed yield in a manner unlike that of the other two environments.

Relationship of Feed Intake and Ration Digestibility to Estimated Transmitting Ability, Body Weight, and Efficiency in First Lactation

Abstract Forty-nine Holstein cows in first lactation representing a wide range of estimated transmitting abilities were fed complete feeds ad libitum from calving to 305 days of lactation. Rations included equal parts (dry matter basis) of corn silage and hay crop silage mixed with sufficient concentrate to provide 60% of the digestible energy estimated for the ration during the first 180 days and 40% thereafter. Feed intake was correlated .3 with estimated transmitting ability during mid-lactation (days 91 to 180) but about half of that during other periods or over the whole lactation. Intake of dry matter during the total lactation, days 91 to 180, and days 181 to 305 was correlated with lactation yield of solids-corrected milk .81, .78, and .82. During early lactation (days 1 to 90), feed intake was associated more closely with body weight than with other traits (r = .44). Gross efficiency of lactation as the ratio of solids corrected milk to dry matter intake was correlated .6 with intake of dry matter. Metabolism trials on 24 cows at an average of 232 days of lactation indicated no association between ability to digest ration and estimated transmitting ability. We conclude that estimated transmitting ability is not a useful predictor of lactation intake of feed or ration digestibility.

All Silage Forage Programs for Dairy Cattle. I. Heifer Performance from Birth to Eighteen Months of Age

Abstract Corn silage, blended corn silage, and hay crop silage (60:40 dry matter) or blended corn silage and chopped hay (60:40 dry matter) were each fed ad libitum as the sole forage to 15 Holstein-Friesian calves from birth. Calves were fed 150kg whole milk and an average of 150kg calf starter during the initial 16 wk individual feeding. After 16 wk, heifers were fed by age group and treatment. Animals on corn silage treatment received .5kg per head per day of protein supplement, and all treatments received additional concentrate according to body weight. Breeding commenced at the first estrus after 13 mo and 350kg bodyweight. No differences in intakes of forage or total dry matter, growth, age at first breeding, or conception occurred between treatments up to 18 mo. Dairy heifers can be raised as successfully to 18 mo on corn silage as the only forage as compared to combinations of corn and hay crop silages or corn silage and hay.

No Associative Effects Between Corn and Haycrop Silages Fed to Lactating Dairy Cows

Four first-lactation Holstein cows were used 65 to 177 days postpartum in a 4×4 Latin square trial to evaluate possible associative feeding effects between corn and haycrop silages. Nutrient digestibility and nitrogen and energy balances were studied. Diets were concentrate mixture, urea-treated corn silage, and early-cut, wilted haycrop silage in dry matter ratios of 55:45:0, 55:30:15, 55:15:30, and 55:0:45. Rations were offered just below energy balance in each 28-day period. Ration components were fed separately, concurrently, and twice daily. Crude protein in concentrate, corn silage, and hay crop silage dry matter was 16.9, 11.1, and 12.5%. Milk yield (18 to 19kg) and ration dry matter intake (2.61% body weight) were not significantly different among diets. Apparent digestibility of gross energy, dry matter, protein, and fiber was not different among diets, but fat was more digestible in corn silage. Partition of ingested energy and nitrogen was not affected by treatments except that urine nitrogen was higher in corn silage. No associative feeding effects were significant. The two silages were equivalent in supporting milk production when fed in equal dry matter amounts.