Joseph L. Moyer

A meta-analysis evaluation of supplementing dried distillers grains plus solubles to cattle consuming forage-based diets 1

Data from 20 (13 pasture grazing and 7 confinement-fed) forage-based growing studies utilizing 790 steers and heifers supplemented dried distillers grains (DDGS) were analyzed using mixed models to determine the response to supplementing different levels of DDGS on gain and forage intake. Thirty-eight treatment means (442 cattle) were from grazing cattle supplemented DDGS (range: 0.00 to 1.03% BW/d). Twentyeight treatment means (348 cattle) were from confinement-fed cattle supplemented DDGS (range: 0.00 to 1.27% BW/d). Outcomes of interest were the effect of DDGS intake on forage intake (confinement studies), final BW, and ADG. In pasture grazing studies, final BW increased linearly (P < 0.01) and tended to increase quadratically (P = 0.07) with increasing DDGS supplementation. Daily gain increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increased DDGS supplementation. Results from confinement-fed studies indicate that final BW (P < 0.01) and ADG (P < 0.01) increased quadratically with increasing DDGS supplementation. Intakes measured in the confinement studies suggest that increasing DDGS supplementation increases total DMI (P < 0.01) quadratically, even though forage intake decreases (P < 0.01) quadratically with increased DDGS supplementation. Results from all studies indicate that increasing DDGS supplementation increases ADG and final BW, and supplementation of DDGS replaces some forage in forage-based diets fed to growing cattle.

Effects of Gathering Time on Weight and Shrink of Steers Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures

Two studies having 4 × 4 Latin square designs were conducted to quantify the effect of different gathering times on weight of steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures. Initial and final weights were measured following a 16-h removal from feed and water. An intensive weighing period followed 3 to 4 d after the initial shrunk weight in which all steers were weighed either at grazing initiation (T0; 0700 h in Exp. 1 and 0615 h in Exp. 2) and 1 (T1), 2 (T2), or 3 (T3) h later on 4 separate d with a 2- to 3-d interval between weighings. In Exp. 1 (September 24 to October 7, 1992), 37 steers were allotted into four replicates. Steers gathered at T3 weighed 7 kg more (P<0.05) than those gathered at T0. In Exp. 2 (June 24 to July 13, 1993), 72 steers from two sources [Kansas State University (KSU) and purchased (P)] were allotted into eight replicates. Two replicates within each source received a control mineral mixture and two received a mineral mixture containing lasalocid (1.3 mg/g). Gathering times were arranged in two Latin squares, one for each mineral mixture. Following the last assigned weighing, steers were held in pens without feed or water and weighed at 2- to 3-h intervals until 1500 h. Weights of KSU steers (calm disposition) were 6 kg higher at T3 than at T0, but weights of P steers did not differ (P<0.10) across gathering times. Steers gathered at T3 lost weight at a slower (P<0.05) rate (percentage per hour) during the first 2 to 3 h following gathering (P<0.05) and by 1500 h (P=0.05) than those gathered at the other times. Gathering time had significant impacts on live weight and shrink of grazing cattle in these studies.

Relationships Among Forage Yield and Quality Factors of Hay-Type Sorghums

Abstract Sudangrass [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and various sorghum lines are used for hay production because of their production potential. Most performance evaluations emphasize yield and agronomic characteristics, but seldom include forage quality. Hay-type sorghum cultivars were grown in five independent trials to test yield and forage quality. First-cut (boot stage to head emergence) forage was harvested for yield and subsampled for one or more quality components. The earliest trial tested forage crude protein (CP) and more recent trials included assays of leaf:stem ratio, and leaf, stem, and total forage concentrations of CP, neutral-detergent fiber (NDF), and acid-detergent fiber (ADF). Pearson correlation coefficients within trials and pooled correlations across trials indicated relationships of forage yield and quality factors. Forage CP was negatively correlated with yield in each trial, with a pooled value of -0.52 ( P < 0.001). Leaf:stem ratio was not strongly related to yield or laboratory quality. Stem components’ concentrations of CP and fiber were closely related to their concentrations in the total forage. Negative associations found between forage yield and quality factors emphasized the need to obtain quality as well as yield information for sorghum lines for hay production.

Response of tall fescue to fertilizer placement at different levels of phosphorus, potassium, and soil pH 1

Abstract Fertilizer application, particularly nitrogen (N), is important in cool‐season grass forage production. Subsurface (knife) placement of N often has resulted in higher forage yield and N uptake of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) compared to surface‐broadcast fertilization, but further studies were needed to indicate whether soil pH, phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) modifies the response. Experiment I tested responses of forage yield and N and P concentration to N, P, and K amount and placement. Two types of fertilizer placement ‐ broadcast and knife ‐ were used with 13, 112, or 168 kg N; 0 or 19 kg P; and 0 or 37 kg K/ha in a factorial arrangement. Yields increased by 53% as N fertilization went from 13 to 112 kg/ha and by 69% as N increased from 13 to 168 kg N/ha. Forage yield was increased 26% from knife compared to broadcast fertilizer placement. P application increased forage production by 13%, but K application had no effect on yield. Forage N concentrations increased by 25% as N fe...

Effects of Grazing System on Performance of Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Bermudagrass Pastures Interseeded with Wheat and Legumes1

Abstract A total of 96 fall-calving cows and 64 calves grazed Hardie bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] interseeded with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), ladino white clover (Trifolium repens L.), and lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.) during 1996, 1997, and 1998 in either a continuous or a rotational system stocked at equal rates. Grazing of wheat was initiated in early spring with cows and calves and terminated in late summer with cows grazing bermudagrass. Rotationally grazed units were subdivided into eight paddocks that were grazed for 3.5-d (1996 and 1997) or 2-d intervals (1998). Residual forage was removed as hay in late July each year and credited to the corresponding grazing system. Legume cover, available forage DM, residual hay production, gains of cows and calves grazing wheat, and gains of cows grazing bermudagrass interseeded with legumes were measured. Grazing system had no effect (P>0.05) on legume cover, available forage DM, BW gains of cows and calves grazing wheat, or BW gains of cows grazing bermudagrass interseeded with legumes. However, rotationally grazed pastures produced more (P

Effect of Energy Supplementation of Stocker Cattle Grazing Smooth Bromegrass Pastures on Grazing and Subsequent Finishing Performance and Carcass Traits

Grazing and subsequent finishing performance of 117 Angus stocker calves (Bos taurus; BW = 235.5 ± 1.22 kg) supplemented with 0, 0.82, or 1.64 kg/d of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) on a DM basis while grazing smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) pastures in 2002, 2003, and 2004 were evaluated. Cattle continuously grazed pastures at a stocking rate of 2 steers/ha from mid-April to early November of each year and were then finished for slaughter and collection of carcass data. Supplementation with 0.82 or 1.64 kg/d of grain sorghum resulted in 11.2% greater (P 0.05) on forage mass, finishing ADG, or DMI during the finishing phase. Cattle supplemented during the grazing phase maintained their weight advantage through the finishing phase, were heavier (P < 0.05) at slaughter, yielded heavier (P < 0.05) carcasses, and had greater (P < 0.05) overall ADG than those that received no supplement. Cattle supplemented with 0.82 kg/d of grain sorghum required less (P < 0.05) feed per unit of gain during the finishing phase than those that were previously supplemented with 1.64 kg/d. Supplementation with 1.64 kg/d of grain sorghum during the grazing phase resulted in a greater (P < 0.05) marbling score than feeding no grazing supplement. Overall ADG from the beginning of the grazing phase through the end of the finishing phase was greater (P < 0.05) for cattle that were supplemented with grain sorghum while grazing.

Legume and tillage effects on prairie soil nitrogen and penetration resistance

Abstract Legumes provide benefit in crop rotations, but data are limited on soil inorganic nitrogen (N) and soil strength responses to spring‐ or fall‐seeded legumes as green manures for grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on the prairie soils of the eastern Great Plains of the United States. With increased emphasis on conservation tillage, information is also needed on combining conservation tillage with the use of legume cover crops. This experiment was established to examine the effects of i) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) as previous crops to grain sorghum compared with continuous grain sorghum, ii) reduced or no‐tillage, and iii) fertilizer N rate on changes in soil inorganic N and soil strength. At two adjacent sites (Parsons silt loam; fine, mixed thermic Mollic Albaqualf) differing in initial pH and phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertility, soil nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N) was as much as fourfold higher following kill‐down of red clover o...

NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM EFFECTS ON GRAIN SORGHUM PRODUCTION AND STALK ROT FOLLOWING ALFALFA AND BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)], grown on the often infertile claypan soils of the eastern Great Plains, requires attention to soil fertility. Experimental objectives were to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertility levels, N application, and legume residual on grain sorghum production and stalk rot. Following alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil, first-year sorghum yield was 7 Mg ha−1 and not affected by N fertilizer. In subsequent years, yield increases due to N were less than 20%. Sorghum yield increased at low P and K rates, especially with nitrogen (N) fertilization and was greater following birdsfoot trefoil than following alfalfa. In 1995 when fertilized with N, lodging and stalk rot severity were increased by P and reduced by K. In 1996, stalk rot severity was reduced by K fertilization. Grain sorghum, grown after legume crops, required minimal levels of P and K, especially when N fertilizer was added.

SULFUR SOURCE AND PLACEMENT FOR NEWLY ESTABLISHED ENDOPHYTE-FREE TALL FESCUE1

Previous research indicated that tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) may respond to sulfur (S) fertilization. However, data are limited concerning S management options to improve yield and quality of newly-established, endophyte-free tall fescue. Thus, a field study was conducted from 1989 to 1991 to determine the effects of S source (ammonium thiosulfate [ATS] and ammonium sulfate [AS]); rate (17 and 34 kg S ha−1); and placement (broadcast, dribble [surface band], and knife [subsurface band]) on yield and quality of a newly-established, endophyte [Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and W. Gams) Glenn, Bacon, Price & Hanlin; syn. Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and W. Gams]-free, tall fescue. Compared to a no-fertilizer control, adding N alone more than tripled hay production to 6.09 Mg ha−1, but the addition of fertilizer S had little effect on early-season production and only a 6% increase in later hay yields with ATS. Sulfur fertilization increased tissue S concentration and lowered N/S ratios. Increasing the S rate from 17 to 34 kg ha−1 resulted in a small increase in S concentration and decrease in N/S ratio. Correlation analyses suggested that increasing S concentrations may reduce neutral-detergent fiber content and improve in vitro dry matter digestibility early in the season but not at hay harvest. Fescue sampled to simulate grazing in early spring yielded less but was higher in N/S ratios when S was knifed rather than surface applied. At hay harvest, knifing increased yield more than 10% and increased N concentration by 10 to 20% compared to surface application methods but had no effect on in vitro dry matter digestibility. 1 Contribution No. 00-233-J, Kansas Agric. Exp. Stn. Research partially supported by grant funds from the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation, Kerley Ag, Inc., The Sulphur Institute, and Allied-Signal, Inc.

Growth Performance by Stocker Steers Fed Magnesium-Mica During a Grazing and Feedlot Period1,2

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of Mg-mica supplementation on grazing and feedlot performance of stocker steers. In Exp. 1, eight groups of six steers were fed a basal diet of 80% ground grain sorghum, 15% corn silage, and 5% control protein supplement (DM basis) or a supplement containing Mg-mica (9% of supplement; 4.5 mg/kg diet DM) for 141 d. Marbling scores tended (P 0.10) higher marbling scores, and a higher percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice than steers fed the control supplement during the pasture phase. Therefore, adding Mg-mica to pasture supplements or feedlot diets appears to have no impact on grazing or feedlot performance, but may improve carcass quality.