Forage Potential of Summer Annual Grain Legumes in the Southern Great Plains

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and perennial warm-season grasses are the primary forage resources for grazing yearling stocker cattle (Bos taurus) in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, low nutritive value of perennial grasses during mid to late summer limits high rates of growth by stocker cattle. In response, there has been a continued search for plant materials with the potential to provide forage high in crude protein (CP) and digestibility during August through September. A broad range of under-utilized legume species that are grown as grain crops in Africa, India, and South and Central America may have some capacity to serve as high quality pasture or harvested forage in the SGP. However, any crop selection must account for limitations related to unpredictable summer rainfall amounts and patterns, and the frequent occurrence of prolonged drought. Further, any selection should not create water deficits for following winter wheat, the primary forage and grain crop in the region. This article summarizes a small subset of the broad range of underutilized grain legumes (pulses) which exist worldwide and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that may have capacity to serve as high quality forage for late-summer grazing. Bringing these crops into forage–stocker production systems could improve the overall system effectiveness, in addition to providing other ecosystem services (e.g., ground cover, grain crops)

Forage Potential of Summer Annual Grain Legumes in the Southern Great Plains

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and perennial warm-season grasses are the primary forage resources for grazing yearling stocker cattle (Bos taurus) in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, low nutritive value of perennial grasses during mid to late summer limits high rates of growth by stocker cattle. In response, there has been a continued search for plant materials with the potential to provide forage high in crude protein (CP) and digestibility during August through September. A broad range of under-utilized legume species that are grown as grain crops in Africa, India, and South and Central America may have some capacity to serve as high quality pasture or harvested forage in the SGP. However, any crop selection must account for limitations related to unpredictable summer rainfall amounts and patterns, and the frequent occurrence of prolonged drought. Further, any selection should not create water deficits for following winter wheat, the primary forage and grain crop in the region. This article summarizes a small subset of the broad range of underutilized grain legumes (pulses) which exist worldwide and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] that may have capacity to serve as high quality forage for late-summer grazing. Bringing these crops into forage–stocker production systems could improve the overall system effectiveness, in addition to providing other ecosystem services (e.g., ground cover, grain crops)

Soil respiration from winter wheat-based cropping systems in the US Southern Great Plains as influenced by tillage managements

This study compared soil respiration (SR) fluxes from winter wheat-based cropping systems in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP) under reduced and conventional tillage. The study consisted of four sets of paired paddocks assigned to conventional or reduced tillage with a four-year crop rotation applied over time. During the 2016–2017 study year, four sets of paired paddocks were planted to: winter wheat managed for grazing, dual-purpose (grazing and grain production), and grain-only systems of production, and winter canola. Heterotrophic SR fluxes were measured using a plant and root exclusion method on eight permanently deployed PVC cores per paddock. Fluxes from the cores were measured manually using a closed chamber connected to an infrared gas analyser on 12–13 dates during the winter wheat growing season (October through May). There were strong seasonal patterns of SR flux, with lower rates during dry and cold periods, and higher rates during warm and wet periods. Large rainfall induced pulses of SR flux were observed for both tillage systems. There was no consistent large-scale difference in SR flux between tillage treatments applied to paired paddocks. Results from this study indicate SR fluxes from winter wheat-based cropping systems are controlled more by soil environmental conditions than form of tillage

Adaptability and Forage Characterization of Finger Millet Accessions in U.S. Southern Great Plains

Low forage quality of available perennial warm-season grasses during mid-summer through late summer affects the production of stocker cattle in the U.S. Southern Great Plains (SGP). Finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn L.), which is a drought tolerant annual grass, could be a promising forage for the SGP. This field study assessed the adaptability and forage characteristics of 11 finger millet accessions originally sourced (1964–1981) from different parts of the world. Results of this study suggested that finger millet can generate forage yields ranging from 5.0 to 12.3 Mg ha−1 165 days after planting. Finger millet forage contained 105 to 156 g kg−1 crude protein, 598 to 734 g kg−1 neutral detergent fiber, 268 to 382 g kg−1 acid detergent fiber, 597 to 730 g kg−1 in vitro true digestibility, and 387 to 552 g kg−1 neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Ten of the 11 accessions flowered and produced grains with yields varying from 60 to 1636 kg ha−1. Overall, finger millet has the potential to serve as an alternative crop for the production of forage and possibly grain in the SGP. Further research needs to be focused on developing strategies for agronomic management and evaluating the capacity of finger millet under different grazing and hay production settings in the SGP