The evaluation of cool-season grasses for fall stockpiling

Stockpiling fall growth of cool-season grasses for deferred grazing during the late fall and early winter is a common practice throughout much of the United States. The amount and quality of stockpiled forage obtained through this practice is dependent on forage species utilized, with tall fescue, Festuca anundinacea Schreb., being the most commonly used species. Genetic differences among cultivars with respect to yield distribution and forage quality can affect the success of a stockpiling program. This study was designed to evaluate the yield distribution and fall-stockpiled forage quality of 'Matua' bromegrass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth,), 7 orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and 12 tall fescue cultivars. Treatments consisted of 1) harvesting forage each time the growth reached a height of 8 in.; or, 2) at the boot stage of development, at the beginning of August and immediately following the first killing frost in the fall. Tall fescue cultivars produced the most fall-stockpiled growth of the three species evaluated. Both crude protein(CP)and acid detergent fiber (ADF) levels were greater in the fall-stockpiled than in the boot-stage forage. There were significant differences among the cultivars of each species for fall-stockpiled yield and forage quality, This indicates that cultivars can be selected for superior fall-stockpiling characteristics.