Adaptability of Miscanthus Cultivars for Biomass Production

In 2016, miscanthus dry matter production (DM) averaged 8,890 lb DM/a and did not differ between the two cultivars in production at the Mound Valley Unit of the Southeast Agricultural Research Center. Total three-year production for the cultivars was also similar, averaging 35,050 lb/a

Evaluation of Tall Fescue Cultivars

Spring 2016 yield of tall fescue was higher for ‘NFTF 1051’ than for 12 of the 19 other cultivar entries. Summer production of ‘PBU-B2’ was greater than summer production of the three lower-yielding entries. Fall production of ‘BarOptima PLUS E34’ was higher than that of 12 other cultivar entries, but total 2016 production was greater for PBU-B2, ‘PBU-B7’, and NFTF 1051 than for eight other cultivars

Evaluation of Tall Fescue Cultivars

Spring 2015 yield was higher for ‘Ky 31 EF’ than for nine of the 19 other entries. Summer production of ‘PBU-B7’ was greater than for five lower-yielding entries. Total 2015 production was greater for ‘PBU-B1’ and Ky 31 EF than for seven other cultivars

Forage Production of Sorghum Cultivars

Total production from three cuttings of eight hay-type sorghum entries was greater from ‘Sweet Sioux WMR,’ ‘Cadan 99B,’ and ‘Trudan Headless’ than from ‘SDH 2942BMR’ and ‘AS6402.’ A separate test of 15 forage sorghums was conducted to assess dry matter (DM) production and other characteristics. Yields of ‘SPX-28313’ and ‘1990’ exceeded yields of 11 other entries. Production of ‘SPX3952,’ ‘AF7102,’ and ‘Atlas’ was less than that of six of the higher-yielding entries. Sorghum production tests were also conducted at Ottawa and Hutchinson (see KAES Research Reports, Vol. 1, Issue 2, Kansas Field Research)

Seeded Bermudagrass Cultivar Evaluation

A year after seeding, the stand of ‘F.K.#1’ appeared better than stands of 10 of the other 13 seeded entries. By fall, 2014, stands of ‘KF-13A,’ ‘KF-13B,’ and ‘SWI-800’ along with ‘F.K.#1’ were better than stands of four of the other seeded entries. Late-summer production was higher for KF-13A and ‘Midland 99,’ the sprigged check, than for five of the other entries

Including Legumes in Bermudagrass Pastures

Use of legumes in bermudagrass pastures did not affect summer cow gains in 2016. Forage availability was also similar where ladino clover was used in the Legume system compared with where Nitrogen (N) alone was used. Estimated forage crude protein (CP) was greater for the Legume than the Nitrogen system in early summer, but was similar by mid-summer

Effects of Cultivar and Distillers Grains Supplementation on Grazing and Subsequent Finishing Performance of Stocker Steers Grazing Tall Fescue Pasture

Four hundred thirty-two yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation during the grazing phase on available forage, grazing gains, subsequent finishing gains, and carcass characteristics. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ and low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ Steers were either fed no supplement or were supplemented with DDG at 1.0% body weight per head daily in 2009 or 0.75% of body weight per head daily in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 while grazing. Steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ gained significantly more (P \u3c 0.05) and produced more (P \u3c 0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ ‘HM4,’ or ‘MaxQ’ were similar (P \u3e 0.05). Subsequent finishing gains were similar (P \u3e 0.05) among fescue cultivars in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014; however, steers that previously grazed high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ had greater (P \u3e 0.05) finishing gains than those that had grazed ‘HM4’ or ‘MaxQ’ in 2010 and greater (P \u3c 0.05) finishing gains than those that grazed low-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31’ or ‘HM4’ in 2011. Supplementation of grazing steers with DDG supported a higher stocking rate and resulted in greater (P \u3c 0.05) grazing gain, gain/a, and overall daily gain and reduced the amount of fertilizer needed by providing approximately 60 lb/a, 50 lb/a, 50 lb/a, 30 lb/a, 40 lb/a, and 40 lb/a of nitrogen (N) in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively, primarily from urine of grazing cattle

Effects of Supplementation with Corn or Dried Distillers Grains on Gains of Heifer Calves Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures

Thirty heifer calves grazing smooth bromegrass pastures were used to compare supplementation with 0.5% of body weight per head daily of corn or dried distillers grains (DDG). Daily gains of heifers supplemented with corn or DDG were similar (P \u3e 0.05)