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Value of Irrigated Bromegrass-Alfalfa and Orchardgrass-Alfalfa Pastures for Lactating Dairy Cows¹

Departments of Dairy Husbandry, Agricultural Engineering, and Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

ABSTRACT

Bromegrass and orchardgrass, each seeded with a low and high rate of alfalfa, were compared under irrigation during two seasons as pastures for lactating cows. The experimental grazing period averaged 80 days per year. Daily strip-grazing was practiced.

The orchardgrass pastures yielded significantly (P < 5%) more TDN/A (2,186 vs. 1,796 lb) than the bromegrass the first year after seeding. TDN yields were similar the second year. The orchardgrass pastures also produced more FCM/A (5,619 vs. 5,296 lb); however, differences were not statistically significant. TDN and FCM production data appeared closely related to cow-days of grazing, which averaged 158 for the orchardgrass and 141 for bromegrass mixtures. Persistence of the orchardgrass in the stand during midsummer was better than for bromegrass.

Forage dry matter was consumed at a higher daily rate (P < 5%, 1959) from the bromegrass (2.16 lb/cwt) than from the orchardgrass pastures (1.82 lb/cwt). Persistence of milk production also averaged higher for bromegrass pastures (81.1 vs. 77.6%), but the difference was not found significant. Cows lost body weight on all pastures; however, losses were less for the bromegrass mixtures.

No significant differences (P < 5%) were found between the alfalfa seeding rates in pasture production on lactation persistency. An interaction of grass and seeding rate was suggested by the higher average FCM yields, both years, for orchardgrass seeded at the low, compared to the high, rate.

Forage dry matter digestibilities averaged 62.4% and were similar among pastures and grazing periods.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as paper No. 1275, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.