Valuating Nutritive Value of Alfalfa with Meadow Fescue Varieties for Optimal Quality in Dairy Production Systems

Presented at 2020 Virtual Cornell Nutrition ConferenceDairy forage production in New York State is unique because over 85% of alfalfa sown in the state is done in combination with a perennial grass. Introducing a grass species into the alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stand can increase the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), an important forage quality to support high milk production yields. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) (MF) has recently been reintroduced into the United States, offering an opportunity for a high-quality grass to be mixed with alfalfa stands intended for dairy cow forage. The objective of this study was to achieve the highest possible quality for the grass, whilst maintaining a 20-30% grass mixture. Nineteen meadow fescue varieties, almost all developed in Europe, were sown in pure stands and evaluated for forage quality and the rate of change in quality during spring growth. Meadow fescue varieties also were sown with alfalfa on a range of dairy farms throughout New York State to evaluate their compatibility with alfalfa and to assess differences in nutritive value among varieties in the various regions.Department of Animal Scienc

Meadow Fescue Grass Varieties for Optimal Forage Quality in Dairy Production Systems

Achieving optimal forage quality on dairy farms is key towards supporting high milk production. In New York State, over 85% of alfalfa sown is done in combination with a perennial grass, a unique practice in dairy production systems. Inter-seeding a grass species into the alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stand can increase the neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), an important forage quality to support high milk production yields. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) (MF), a grass species originally from northern Europe and well established as a high-quality forage for lactating dairy cows, has recently been reintroduced into the United States. The objective of this study was to achieve the highest possible quality at harvest for the grass at the optimum harvest date for alfalfa, and to compare over the two growing seasons of 2020 and 2021. Pure stands of nineteen meadow fescue varieties were evaluated for forage quality and the rate of change in quality during spring growth

2021 Cornell Nutrition Conference - complete proceedings of manuscripts

Department of Animal Scienc

2020 Cornell Nutrition Conference Proceedings

Complete proceedings of manuscripts written for the 2020 Cornell Nutrition ConferenceDepartment of Animal Scienc