J. H. Cherney

Low Intensity Harvest Management of Reed Canarygrass

forage K concentration was 12 g kg 1 (Brown et al., 1969). Timothy stands should persist over time with a High K grass forage increases risk of animal metabolic disorders, concentration of 15 to 18 g K kg 1 in headed spring and forage management of perennial grass grown under K-limiting soil conditions needs further study. Our objective was to evaluate growth and 12 to 16 g K kg 1 in regrowth, according to forage nutritive value, yield, and stand persistence of reed canarygrass Grant and MacLean (1966). Nitrogen fertilization of (Phalaris arundinaceae L.) under two-harvest management and low grasses initially increases forage K concentration if there availability of soil K. Three N and three K fertilizer treatments were is sufficient available soil K, but prolonged N fertilizaapplied to reed canarygrass for 5 yr at two sites in central New York tion of a grass stand will quickly deplete soil K and state with Niagara silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Aeric result in decreased forage K concentration (Cherney et Epiqualfs) and Williamson silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, active, mesic al., 1998). Typic Fragiudepts) soil types. Reed canarygrass persisted under all Management systems that result in low forage K contreatments throughout the experiment, although K deficiency sympcentration are a prerequisite for grass forage fed to toms appeared in the high N, low K fertilizer combination. At the nonlactating dairy cows (Cherney et al., 1998). Based high N fertilizer rate, dry matter (DM) yield increased linearly (P 0.05) with increased K fertilizer rate, while K fertilizer did not influon results of Goff and Horst (1997), animal scientists ence yield in the absence of N fertilizer. Recovery of K fertilizer was generally suggest that forage for nonlactating dairy cows low and increased linearly (P 0.05) with increased N fertilizer rate contain less than 25 g K kg 1 DM to reduce the risk of from 6 to 42%. Soil test K increased to 59.9 mg kg 1 with no N high dietary K on animal health. High dietary K can fertilization and decreased to 34.9 mg kg 1 with 224 kg N ha 1. Under predispose pregnant cows to a number of disorders, high N fertilization with no K fertilization, grass forage K concentraincluding ketosis, metritis, retained placenta, and distion averaged 12 g kg 1 in the spring and 8 g kg 1 in the fall. placed abomasums (Beede, 1996). Our objective was to Sufficient yields of grass forage with reasonable quality and low conevaluate the effects of extensive harvest management centrations of K were possible through high N, low K fertility manageand low availability of soil K on reed canarygrass forage ment in a two-harvest system. yield, nutritive value, and stand persistence. MATERIALS AND METHODS P grasses will absorb K in excess of plant requirements, depending on the quantity of availReed canarygrass was established in 1992 on a Niagara silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Epiqualfs) soil with able soil K and the availability of other elements, partic0 to 2% slope in Ithaca, NY (Site 1). A second site was ularly N. Regions of the world, such as Europe, that established in 1993 on a Williamson silt loam (coarse-silty, rely heavily on grazing appear to have few concerns mixed, active, mesic Typic Fragiudepts) soil with 0 to 6% regarding plant K, and K often is not discussed in their slope in Ithaca, NY (Site 2). Both soils are classified as having literature concerning grass management (Beever et al., medium K supplying power, based primarily on their clay 2000). In contrast, in the USA, where stored forage is content. the primary dairy forage source, concerns regarding K Site 1 was fertilized with three rates of N fertilizer: 0, 168, content of dairy cattle diets are high (Horst et al., 1997). or 336 kg N ha , split applied before each of three harvests Incidence of milk fever in dairy cows fed a low calcium in 1993 and 1994. Site 2 received the same fertilization/harvest (Ca) diet was 0% for a diet containing 11 g K kg 1 dry regime in 1994 and 1995. Both sites were fertilized with P and K during the first 2 yr following the establishment year matter (DM), 36% for a diet containing 21 g K kg 1 according to soil test recommendations. DM, and 80% for a diet containing 31 g K kg 1 DM In 1995 previous N fertilized plots were split into three (Goff and Horst, 1997). High concentrations of soil-test subplots (2.13 by 6.08 m), with 0, 56 and 112 kg K ha 1 applied K in perennial grass fields are common on many dairy annually from 1995 to 2000. Previous N-fertilized plots refarms in the northern USA owing to preferential appliceived 0, 112 or 224 kg N ha 1 annually from 1995 to 2000, cation of animal manure on these fields. split applied at spring greenup and immediately after first On prairie soil with low available soil K concentraharvest. The same management sequence was applied to Site tion, no yield increase resulted from K fertilization of 2, starting 1 yr later than Site 1. Potassium fertilizer was applied smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) (George as one annual early spring application from 1995 through et al., 1979). Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) yield was 1997, and then applied to both sites as one annual application following spring harvest in 1998 through 2000. significantly reduced under a 2-cut management when Broadleaf weeds were controlled by annual applications of either 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] at 0.14 kg J.H. Cherney, Dep. of Crop and Soil Sci., 503 Bradfield Hall, Cornell a.i. ha 1 in the spring or dicamba [(3,5-dichloro-2-methoxy) Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853; D.J.R. Cherney, Dep. of Animal Sci., Cornell benzoic acid] at 0.11 kg a.i. ha 1 in the fall. From 1995 to 2000 Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853; and M.D. Casler, USDA-ARS, U.S. Dairy for Site 1 and from 1996 to 2000 for Site 2, plots were harvested Forage Research Center, Madison, WI 53706-1108. Contribution from Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Received 10 May 2002. *Corresponding Abbreviations: Ca, calcium; CP, crude protein; DM, dry matter; IVTD, author (jhc5@cornell.edu). in vitro true digestibility; K, potassium; N, nitrogen; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; OM, organic matter. Published in Agron. J. 95:627–634 (2003).

TETANY POTENTIAL OF ORCHARDGRASS AND TALL FESCUE AS INFLUENCED BY FERTILIZATION WITH DAIRY MANURE OR COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to compare potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) utilization and grass tetany potential of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) fertilized with dairy manure or commercial fertilizer. The study was conducted from 1994 through 2000 in Willsboro, NY on a Kingsbury clay soil (very-fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Ochraqualf) of somewhat poor drainage. The design was a split-plot in a randomized complete block with two manure rates (16.8 Mg ha−1 and 33.6 Mg ha−1) and one fertilizer treatment (84 kg N ha−1 at spring greenup and 56 kg N ha−1 prior each regrowth harvest) as the main plots and grass species as subplots replicated six times. Potassium concentration and uptake increased after two years of manure application compared to commercial fertilizer treatment and residual effects of manure were large at least three years following manure application. Calcium concentration and uptake decreased after two years of manure application compared to the commercial fertilizer treatment, but there were no differences in treatments three years after manure application had ceased. Magnesium concentration and uptake at the high manure rate did not differ from fertilizer treatment in all years. Orchardgrass was more grass tetany prone than tall fescue as a result of dairy manure application. The K/(Ca+Mg) ratio in plant tissue was as high as 3.26 for orchardgrass and as high as 2.11 for tall fescue for spring harvests at the highest manure rate. The K/(Ca+Mg) ratio in plant tissue was in the range of 0.34–1.74 (below the 2.20 critical level) for all three years with no manure application. Soil K increased in manure treatments from an initial 76.8 kg ha−1 (1993) to 171.7 kg ha−1 (1997) in the highest manure treatment. After three years of no manure applications, soil K had been reduced to the initial level.

Inorganic nitrogen supply and symbiotic dinitro‐gen fixation in alfalfa

Abstract It may be desirable to minimize dinitrogen (N2) fixation in alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) when a source of inorganic nitrogen (N), such as manure, is readily available. Our objectives were to determine the N2 fixation response of eight alfalfa germplasms to inorganic N and to characterize plant‐to‐plant variation for this trait. Seed was sown in vermiculite and irrigated with nutrient solution in growth chambers. Herbage was removed at 71 d and treatments of 1, 3, 5, or 10 mM N were applied as 15N‐depleted ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). After 34 d of regrowth, herbage was removed and analyzed for dry mass, total N concentration, and N isotope ratio. Increased availability of inorganic N resulted in a linear increase in herbage weight, height, shoot number, and N concentration, and consistently decreased N2 fixation for all germplasms. Estimated N2 fixation was greater than zero at the highest rate of inorganic N, which we speculate was due, in part, to remobilized root and crown N, because nodules app...

Plant and soil elemental status as influenced by multi-year nitrogen and potassium fertilization

Abstract Forage management of perennial grass grown under potassium (K)-limiting soil conditions is not well understood. Our objective was to evaluate the elemental status of shoots and roots of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae L.) as well as the soil fertility profile (0–90 cm) after five years of differential nitrogen (N) and K fertilization in a two-cut management system. Three N (0, 112, or 224 kg N ha−1) and three K fertilizer treatments (0, 56, and 112 kg K ha−1) were split-applied to reed canarygrass on a Williamson silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, active, mesic Typic Fragiudepts) soil type in central New York State. At the Fall harvest in the fifth year, plant samples from low and high K fertilized plots all at the high N fertilization rate were cut at a 10-cm stubble height and sectioned into 10 segments vertically through the canopy. In addition, forage, root and soil samples were taken from all treatments to evaluate the distribution of elements under low soil K availability. Above ground biomass samples were separated into leaf blade, stem plus sheath, and dead tissue, if present. This assessment was repeated at the first cutting in the sixth year. That same year, soil cores were taken to a depth of 90 cm, sectioned into 15 cm increments, and analyzed for soil fertility parameters. Dry matter (DM) yield and proportion of DM yield at first harvest were both significantly increased by N fertilization, but not affected by K fertilization in 2001. Elemental concentrations observed vertically through the plant canopy followed patterns controlled primarily by (leaf blade):(stem + sheath) DM ratio and the difference in concentration between leaf blade and stem + sheath. Five years of N and K fertilization of reed canarygrass resulted in an accumulation of plant available K in the top 15 cm of soil under no N and high K fertilization, while the high N/no K fertilization combination greatly depleted soil K in the top 15 cm. Decline in K availability under high N and no K fertilizer was compensated for by an increase in root biomass, particularly in the surface layer. Except for soil K, N and K fertilization did not have an effect on the availability or distribution over depth of other nutrients in the soil.

Spectral Measurements of Alfalfa/Grass Fields Related to Forage Properties and Species Composition

ABSTRACT The relationship between plant canopy reflectance and plant nutritive value has not been extensively investigated. The goal of this study was to relate spectral canopy reflectance to plant nutritive value and species composition. Multiple grass/alfalfa fields were analyzed using a field spectrometer, and then species composition, forage nutritive quality, and plant biomass were determined. Derivative analyses of spectra as well as narrow-band vegetation indices were used to examine the relationship between canopy reflectance and plant biophysical properties. Derivative analysis found a high correlation between high-order derivatives at multiple wavelengths and some plant properties, which include species composition and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Wavelengths in the red region and between the red and near-infrared region of the spectrum showed the highest correlation in the derivative analysis. Analysis of whole canopy reflectance using spectroscopy may provide a quick, nondestructive method to determine plant characteristics.

Milk Production in High Producing Dairy Cows as Influenced by Corn Silage Quality

Greater milk production is the promised outcome for selecting corn hybrids with various traits that impact forage quality. Our objective was to select a set of hybrids most likely to exhibit differences in forage quality and evaluate milk production of cows fed a high forage diet. Four hybrids were selected for the feeding trial: a leafy hybrid (Mycogen TMF 100; Mycogen Seeds, Indianapolis, IN), a brown midrib (BMR) hybrid (Mycogen BMR F407), and two conventional hybrids varying in fiber digestibility (Pioneer 36B08 [Conventional 1 {CONV1}] and Pioneer 35P12 [Conventional 2 {CONV2}]; Pioneer Hybrid International, Inc., Des Moines, IA). Diets were formulated to provide 1.0% BW as forage NDF (approximately 32% NDF) and were balanced to meet or exceed NRC requirements. Fifty-six cows were fed for 56 d. The DMI of cows fed the BMR and the leafy hybrid total mixed rations (TMR) were greater than those of cows fed the other hybrids. Differences in milk production reflected the differences in intake. Cows fed the BMR (41.7 kg/d) and leafy hybrid (42.1 kg/d) TMR were not different from each other in milk production, but had greater (P≤0.05) milk

Free ferulic acid uptake in lactating cows

Ferulic acid (FRA), a phenolic compound with antioxidant and anticancer activities, naturally occurs in plants as a lignin precursor. Many veins of research have been devoted to releasing FRA from the lignin complex to improve digestibility of ruminant feeds. Thus, the objective of this research was to investigate the transfer of a given dosage of the free form of FRA into the milk of dairy cattle. Six mid- to late-lactation Holstein cows at the Cornell Research Farm (Harford, NY) were given 14-d adaptation to diet and stall position. Ad libitum access to a total mixed ration based on haylage and maize silage (31.1% neutral detergent fiber containing 5.52 mg of FRA/g) was provided during the study. A crossover design was implemented so that each cow alternated weekly between FRA-dosed and control. On d 1, jugular cannulas and urine catheters were placed in all cows. On d 2, FRA-dosed cows received a single dosage of 150 g of pure FRA powder at 0830 h via their fistula (n=4) or a balling gun for nonfistulated cows (n=2). Plasma, urine, feces, feed, orts, milk, and rumen fluid were sampled intensively for the next 36 h and analyzed for FRA concentration. On d 8, the cows crossed over and the experiment was repeated. When compared with the control, FRA administration did not have an effect on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, somatic cell count, or neutral detergent fiber content of orts and feces. The concentration of FRA in the feces did not change as a result of FRA dosage. As expected, FRA concentration increased dramatically upon FRA dosage and decreased over time until returning to basal levels in rumen fluid (4 h after dosage), plasma (5.5 h after dosage), urine (10 h after dosage), and milk (14 h after dosage). Baseline values for FRA in urine and rumen fluid were variable among cows and had an effect on FRA concentration in FRA-dosed cows. From this study, it is observed that orally ingested FRA can be transported into the milk and that the physiological transfer of FRA occurs from rumen to milk within 6.5 h or the first milking after dosage. Ferulic acid may affect the functionality of milk due to its antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. Future research will be required to elucidate whether FRA in milk is bioavailable and bioactive, and to evaluate the complete sensory and microbiological effects of increased FRA and FRA degradation products in milk.

Effects of Phenolic Compounds in Cell Walls of Orange and Artichoke By-Product Silages on In vitro Digestibility

Abstract Megias, M.D., Cherney, J.H. and Cherney, D.J.R. 1997. Effects of phenolic compounds in cell walls of orange and artichoke by-product silages on in vitro digestibility. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 12: 127–136. By-products of the canning industry are extensively used as ruminant fodder in some areas of the world Characterization of the phenolic content of these feeds and their influence on digestibility is lacking. Phenolic carbohydrate complexes were isolated from cellulose extracts of neutral detergent fiber from orange pulp (Citrus aurantium L.) and artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) pulp after 100 days ensiling. The effect of the byproduct phenolic compounds on fiber digestion of corn stover (0.25 g) was determined by the addition of extracts at levels equivalent to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g of neutral detergent fiber. Fiber digestion was inhibited (P>0.05), but only at the 2.0 g rate. Fiber digestion at this rate was more inhibited by orange pulp (79.3±1.44%) than artichoke extracts (23.12±1.5%). Ferulic acid w...

Orchardgrass versus Alfalfa for Lactating Dairy Cattle: Production, Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance

Abstract Jonker, J.S., Cherney, D.J.R., Fox, D.G., Chase, L.E. and Cherney, J.H. 2002. Orchardgrass versus alfalfa for lactating dairy cattle: production, digestibility and nitrogen balance. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 21: 81–92. Effects of forage fiber source on milk production, digestibility and nitrogen balance were studied for three hay forages: early bloom alfalfa (ALF), early bloom orchardgrass (OG-E) and late bloom orchardgrass (OG-L). Multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 3x3 Latin square design replicated four times (12 cows) for the production trial and replicated three times (9 cows) for in vivo digestibility and nitrogen balance. Cows were fed one of three isonitrogenous and isocaloric rations containing 9.5 g kg−1 NDF per kg BW from forage. Cows consumed similar quantities of NDF (14.7±0.8g kg−1 BW) and the ALF, OG-E and OG-L diets produced 29.1, 30.1 and 32.5 kg d−1 of milk, respectively. Apparent digestibility for NDF and DM was higher for the orchardgrass rations than the alfalfa based ration. Higher N intake resulted in higher N output in both urine and milk, but N excretion in feces was not different between diet treatments. Efficiency of conversion of N to milk was 25.9%. Home grown forage accounted for 78.8% of N in the ALF diets, while only 47.8% and 22.7% of N came from OG-E and OG-L, respectively. Balanced orchardgrass dairy rations can be well utilized by lactating dairy cattle and can clearly have a place in nutrient management systems, provided grass is harvested at a high yield and quality.

Alfalfa Composition and in sacco Fiber and Protein Disappearance as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

Abstract Cherney, D.J.R., Cherney, J.H. and Siciliano-Jones, J. 1995. Alfalfa composition and in sacco fiber and protein disappearance as influenced by nitrogen application. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 8:105–119. Nitrogen (0, 112, 224, 336 kg of N as ammonium nitrate/ha) was applied to field plots of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to evaluate its effect on forage quality. Two first-growth cuttings (bud stage; 1 wk apart) were harvested beginning in May. Alfalfa fertilized with 336 kg N/ha had slightly lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than alfalfa fertilized with 0 kg N/ha (32% vs. 33% NDF). Nitrate, crude protein, soluble crude protein (dry matter basis) and crude protein solubility increased with increased N fertilization. As expected, the later cutting of alfalfa was higher in NDF and lignin and lower in nitrate and crude protein (CP). In another study, alfalfa was ruminally incubated in nylon bags to determine the influence of N fertilization, harvest date and level of fat in cow diet on dry matte...