Yield and Quality of Forage Soybean

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) are the predominant forage legumes grown in the north central USA. Frequently these legumes are established with a companion crop to increase establishment year forage yield, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds. Information comparing forage yield, quality, and legume establishment using traditional companion crops of oat (Avena sativa L.) and oat+field pea (Pisum spp.) S. s. annual ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and festulolium (Festulolium braunii K.A.) companion crops is limited. This study was conducted to evaluate establishment year forage yield, quality and legume establishment success using five establishment methods. Four companion crops (oat, oat + field pea, annual ryegrass, festulolium) were sown with either alfalfa, red clover, or birdsfoot trefoil at two Wisconsin locations in 1993 and 1994. Each legume species was also established alone. Plots were harvested initially based on companion crop maturity and additional summer harvests were made when legumes reached midlate bud stage ofgrowth. Establishment year forage yields were higher when a companion crop was used than when the legume was solo seeded. At Ashland, WI, oat + field pea companion crop-legume mixtures were highest yielding in both years, averaging 0.60 ton dry matter (DM)/acre more than solo seeded legumes in the establishment year. At Marshfield in 1993 annual ryegrass and festulolium companion crop-legume mixtures yielded 0.65 ton DM/acre more than oat or oat + field pea companion crop-legume mixtures and 1.05 ton DM/acre more than solo seeded legumes. All companion crop-legume mixtures were equal, but higher yielding than solo seeded legumes in 1994 at Marshfield. Birdsfoot trefoil plots were consistently lowest yielding at both locations, except Marshfield in 1994 when alfalfa growth was suppressed due to excess moisture. Forage quality was directly related to the legume content of the harvested forage. Among the companion crops, annual ryegrass and festulolium were most frequently the highest in CP and lowest in acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Using annual ryegrass or festulolium as a companion crop for legume establishment may enhance the overal quality of forage harvested in the seeding year as compared with oat companion crops, and will increase yield over solo seeded legumes. In years that favor aggressive ryegrass growth, legumes may establish more slowly and may not produce as much forage in the year after establishment.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has potential for use as an alternative forage crop, however, little is known about the effects of cultural practices on forage yield and quality. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cultivar, row spacing, plant density, and harvest maturity on the yield and quality of soybean forage. The study was conducted at the Univ. of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI on a Plano silt‐loam soil (fine‐silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Argiudoll) in 1987 and 1989. The cultivars Corsoy 79, Pella, and Williams 82 were grown at 20‐ and 76‐cm row spacings at planting rates of 280 000 and 890 000 seeds ha−1 and were harvested at the R1, R3, R5, and R7 stages of development. Harvest maturity had the greatest effect on soybean forage yield and quality of the management practices evaluated. The yield of soybean forage increased from 2.4 Mg ha−1 when harvested at R1 to 7.4 Mg ha−1 when harvested at R7, but quality declined between stages R1 and R5 then increased from R5 to R7 as pods developed and seeds filled. Late maturing cultivars (Maturity Group III vs. Maturity Group II) produced greater forage yields but lower quality forage when harvested at the same stage of development. The 20‐cm row spacing produced 1.2 Mg ha−1 more forage than the 76‐cm row spacing, but crude protein concentration was 8 g kg−1 less. The results of this experiment indicate that soybean can produce forage similar in quality to alfalfa and that management practices typically used for grain production are suitable for forage production.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different harvest periods on the ensiling characteristics of maize-forage legume mixtures. Sole maize (Zea mays L.), sole common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), sole lablab (Lablab purpureus), maize + common vetch, and maize + lablab intercrops were harvested on different days after planting (DAP). The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with a 5 (forage systems) x 3 (harvest periods) factorial treatment arrangement and three replicates. Forage samples were ensiled at early, medium, and late harvest maturity: 50, 75 and 100 DAP. After ensiling in a laboratory mini-silo, samples were collected to determine chemical composition, microbial populations, and fermentation quality. Early harvest demonstrated lower contents of dry matter (DM) and crude protein, with values of 16.99 and 15.84% DM, respectively, in sole forage silages. High water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations and low fibre values (p 0.05) were recorded when ensiled forage mixtures were harvested at the medium maturity stage. In mixed silages, the medium harvest time resulted in significantly lower populations of enterobacteria, yeasts and moulds, and higher populations of lactic acid bacteria, with values of 3.61, 4.83 and 5.17 log10 cfug-1, respectively. Lower pH values, NH3-N content, and greater lactic acid production (p 0.05) were observed when the ensiled mixture and sole forages were harvested at the medium maturity stage compared to early and late harvest periods. Mixed silages from the medium harvest produced lower butyric acid and higher acetic and propionic acid concentrations (0.19, 1.07 and 1.25% DM, respectively) in the medium harvest, followed by silages from the late and early harvests. A medium harvest for ensiling mixed forage has the potential to produce high-quality silage for ruminant feeding.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different seed sowing rates (25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of the recommended pure stand of the species) and harvesting stages (early harvest, late harvest) of annual ryegrass, barley, and berseem clover used as companion crops on the forage quality in the sowing year of standard perennial pasture mixture [alfalfa (15%) + white clover (15%) + perennial ryegrass (20%) + orchard grass (20%) + tall fescue (30%)]. The experiments (Experiment I:2019, Experiment II:2020) were conducted in randomised complete blocks with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The treatments with berseem clover as a companion crop had higher herbage quality than the treatments with barley and annual ryegrass as companion crops and gave forage quality equivalent to the control treatment without companion crop. Although a significant decrease was observed in the forage quality of the mixture with the advancement of the harvesting stage of the companion crop, the sowing ratio of the companion crop did not significantly affect the forage quality of the mixture. It was concluded that berseem clover can be used as companion crop in the establishment of the pasture under conditions of the Mediterranean climate in terms of forage quality and that the harvesting stage should not be delayed.

The recommended sowing rate of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is about 10 kg pure live seed ha−1, but it is debated if increasing the sowing rate enhances forage yield and quality in the sowing year. This study was conducted to: (i) determine the optimal sowing rate to maximize forage yield; and (ii) determine the relationship between plant and stem density with forage yield and nutritive value. Experiments were conducted at three sites in North Dakota between 2013 and 2016. Six sowing rates [1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kg ha−1 pure live seed (PLS)] were evaluated. Results indicated that total forage yield in the sowing year was lower only with the lowest sowing rate. Maximum total forage yield in the sowing, first, second, and third production years was obtained with 73, 52, 37, and 36 plants m−2 and 575, 495, 435, and 427 stems m−2, respectively. In the sowing and first production year, both plant and stem density predicted forage yield similarly. In older stands, stem density predicted forage yield slightly better. Forage nutritive value was similar among sowing rates indicating an increase in sowing rate does not enhance forage nutritive value. In conclusion, increasing the sowing rate above the recommended rate (10 kg PLS ha−1) does not increase forage yield or quality.

Selenium (Se) biofortification in triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) was evaluated under Mediterranean conditions to address livestock Se deficiency. Different foliar application of sodium selenate dose (0, 10, 20, and 30 g Se ha − 1 ) were assessed on triticale forage yield, quality, and nutrient accumulation over two growing seasons (2017/18 and 2018/19) in Badajoz, Spain. Selenium application significantly increased forage yield by 14% compared to the control, but had varying effects on nutrient content and removal, with 20 g Se ha − 1 producing the highest Mg and Zn accumulation. Forage Se content increased proportionally with application rates (2–4 times higher than control), meeting livestock’s recommended intake of 0.05–0.10 mg Se kg − 1 . However, the highest dose (30 g Se ha − 1 ) had some negative effects on forage quality, such as increased acid detergent fiber and decreased organic matter digestibility. This suggests that the intermediate application of 20 g Se ha − 1 may be an optimal application rate that balances increased Se content with overall forage quality.

Studies were conducted at one location in 1997 (W97) and in two locations in 1998 (E98 and W98) near Garden City, KS, to evaluate the impact of Palmer amaranth at densities of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 plants/m of row on forage yield and quality of irrigated corn and to determine if harvesting Palmer amaranth–infested corn for forage rather than for grain would reduce losses. Weed-free corn, Palmer amaranth alone, and corn–Palmer amaranth harvested together were evaluated for forage yield and quality. Forage quality was determined by evaluating in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP). Corn grain and forage yield declined with increasing Palmer amaranth density. However, decline in forage yield ranged from 1 to 44% of the weed-free yield at Palmer amaranth densities of 0.5 and 8 plants/m of row, whereas decline in grain yield ranged from 11 to 74% of the weed-free yield at the same densities. Digestibility of weed-free corn forage, expressed as IVDMD, was significantly higher than that of Palmer amaranth alone at W97 and W98. The CP of weed-free corn forage was similar to that of Palmer amaranth forage at W98, but it was lower at the other two locations. In contrast, CP did not differ between corn–Palmer amaranth harvested together and weed-free corn. The IVDMD of weed-free corn forage was greater than that of corn–Palmer amaranth mixture at W98, but no differences were observed at the other two locations. The relative feeding values of weed-free corn and corn–Palmer amaranth mixture were similar, and greater than that of Palmer amaranth in monoculture. These results indicate that Palmer amaranth interference in corn may not affect forage quality but can cause a decline in yield. This decline in yield is less when harvesting corn and Palmer amaranth together for forage rather than for harvesting corn grain alone.Nomenclature: Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats. #3 AMAPA; corn, Zea mays L.Additional index words: Forage quality, weed density, yield loss.Abbreviations: ADF, acid detergent fiber; CP, crude protein; DM, dry matter; IVDMD, in vitro dry matter digestibility; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; RFV, relative feed value.

<abstract><title>Abstract.</title> Series of batch anaerobic digestion tests were carried out to determine the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of corn stovers harvested at three different times and ensiled for three different periods. Corn stover was harvested 0 d (early harvest), 5 d (middle harvest), and 10 d (late harvest) after full ripeness. The BMP assay test was performed with three different feed to inoculum (F/I) ratios (i.e., 0.7, 1.0 and 1.5) under mesophilic condition (35±1 °C). The results showed that the F/I ratios significantly affected the methane yields for all the fresh and ensiled corn stover samples. Fresh corn stover at early harvest resulted in the highest methane yield of 344 mL/gVS. Methane yields of fresh and ensiled corn stovers at early and middle harvest were generally higher than that at late harvest. It was also found that the average methane yield of fresh corn stover was higher than that of ensiled corn stovers. This may be caused as the ensiling process was carried out under practical conditions.

SUMMARY: The concentration of eight free amino acids, total nitrogen, amino‐acid fraction nitrogen, and nonamino‐acid‐fraction nitrogen in the juices of 26 red‐ and 23 white‐wine varieties of grapes was determined at early and late stages of fruit maturity. Proline was the most prominent amino acid in 31 of the varieties at early harvest and in 45 of the varieties at late harvest while arginine was the main amino acid in 16 and 3 varieties at early and late harvest, respectively. “Salvador” and “Scarlet” were the only varieties in which α‐alanine was the predominant amino acid. The concentration of total nitrogen in the juices of the various varieties ranged from 44 to 256 mg/100 ml and the amino‐acid fraction nitrogen ranged from 26 to 171 mg/100 ml juice. The amino acid fraction and nonamino acid fraction nitrogen in the juices ranged from 53 to 76% and 23 to 56% of total Kjeldahl nitrogen respectively. Alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, serine and theronine accounted for 29 to 72% of the total nitrogen and 47 to 96% of the amino acid fraction nitrogen. Arginine contributed the most nitrogen of the amino acids, accounting for 6 to 44% of the total nitrogen in the juices of the various fruits.

Two 2×3 factorial design experiments were conducted during 1985 to compare the effect of treating grass at ensiling with a silage inoculant (Imperial Chemical Industries plc) or formic acid with an untreated control, on fermentation, in‐silo losses, intake and performance of finishing cattle.In experiment 1, three covered concrete‐walled silos were each filled with approximately 70 t of primary growth, unwilted herbage at each of two cutting dates, 20–21 May (early harvest) and 3 June 1985 (late harvest). In experiment 2, the above procedure was repeated for second regrowth grass with two cutting dates, 30 September‐1 October (early harvest) and 16–21 October 1985 (late harvest). The water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents of the herbage were low in both, being 130–160 and 121–137 g kg−1 DM for the first and second experiments respectively. In both experiments the formic acid‐treated silages attained lower temperatures than the inoculant‐treated and untreated silages. At both harvests in experiment 1 the pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3N) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents of the inoculant‐treated and formic acid‐treated silages were significantly lower than those in the untreated silage. However, at the early harvest in experiment 2 the pH and NH3N contents of the inoculant‐treated silage were significantly higher than those in the two other silages. At the late harvest in experiment 2 the inoculant‐treated and the formic acid‐treated silages had significantly lower pH and VFA contents than the untreated silage.After 126 d and 98 d storage periods in experiments 1 and 2 respectively, each of the six silages was offered to twelve 475 kg steers throughout a 70‐d period (experiment I) and a 63‐d period (experiment 2). In experiment 1 there were no significant effects of additive on silage DM intake, liveweight gain or carcass gain with the mean carcass gains being 0·49, 0·51 and 0·52±0·024 kg d−1 for the untreated, formic acid‐treated and inoculant‐treated silages respectively. In experiment 2 the mean silage DM intakes were 6·34, 7·33 and 6·60±0·151 kg d−1 and carcass gains were 0·27, 0·35 and 0·26±0·026 kg d−1 for the untreated, formic acid‐treated and inoculant‐treated silages respectively, formic acid treatment thus gave the most consistent results.

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 &lt; 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.

BackgroundSpinach is a nitrogen (N) demanding crop with a weekly N uptake of up to 60 kg ha–1. Consequently, a high N supply is required, which can temporarily lead to high quantities of nitrate (NO3–) being at risk of leaching.AimsThe objective of this study was to develop a N fertilization approach to reduce the risk of NO3– leaching in field‐grown spinach production without adversely affecting crop yield and quality at an early and late harvest stage.MethodsTen fertilization trials were conducted to compare different base fertilization rates and splits of top dressings. For top dressings, granulated fertilizers or foliar sprays were used. In a further treatment, N supply was reduced by withholding the second top dressing of 50–70 kg ha−1.ResultsNitrate concentration at risk of leaching was considerably reduced by decreasing the base fertilizer rate as well as by splitting the top dressing. However, at an early harvest stage, total aboveground dry mass was reduced by, on average, 6% by these measures across all seasons. In contrast, at a later harvest stage, spinach was less affected by the fertilizer schedule. Urea foliar sprays proved to be insufficient in promoting plant growth and caused leaf necrosis. A reduced N supply led to impaired plant growth and yellowish leaves in both spring and winter.ConclusionsBase N fertilization of spinach is only required in spring, but not in other seasons. Despite slight yield reduction, the top dressing should be split to reduce the risk of NO3− leaching after an early harvest.

Whole-crop peas. II. Digestion of early- and late-harvested crops in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs

Optimizing nitrogen fertilization and planting date is essential for improving forage maize productivity under semi-arid conditions. This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen application rates and planting dates on growth, forage yield, and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) in Upper Egypt. A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Assiut University using a strip-plot design arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Four planting dates (15 April, 15 May, 15 June, and 15 July) were assigned horizontally, while three nitrogen rates (167, 238, and 309 kg N ha−1) were applied vertically. Growth traits, fresh and dry forage yield, dry matter percentage, crude protein content, and protein yield were recorded at 60 days after sowing. Results showed that planting date, nitrogen rate, and their interaction significantly affected most measured traits in both seasons. Sowing in mid-May consistently produced the highest plant height, chlorophyll content, fresh and dry forage yield, and protein yield. Increasing nitrogen application enhanced biomass production and forage quality, with the highest values generally recorded at 309 kg N ha−1. The strongest yield response to nitrogen occurred when maize was sown at the optimal planting date, indicating that nitrogen utilization was closely linked to favorable environmental conditions. Phenotypic correlation and multivariate analyses revealed strong associations among vegetative growth traits and forage yield, with a single dominant factor explaining more than 91% of the variation in yield-related traits across seasons. Overall, the results demonstrate that synchronizing planting date with appropriate nitrogen fertilization is critical for maximizing maize forage yield and quality under semi-arid conditions. Mid-May sowing combined with adequate nitrogen supply represents an effective management strategy for forage maize production in Upper Egypt, while further research is needed to optimize nitrogen-use efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Information is scarce on sampling techniques for field studies of alfalfa forage quality. Standard formulas are available for estimating the number of samples needed for reducing error in a study, but little is known about the impact of plot sampling on forage quality. Our objectives were to compare the strategy of manual harvesting from small areas within plots with that of grab sampling mechanically harvested forage, and to determine whether the within-plot location of sampling affected forage quality in any systematic way. Alfalfa forage was sampled from swaths of mechanically clipped forage (grab samples) and from hand-clipped areas within field plots (area samples). Systematic sample location within a plot had no discernable effect on forage quality. Calculations of predicted standard errors and required sample numbers indicated that one area or one grab sample per plot with three replicates would provide an acceptable standard error for comparison of alfalfa entries for protein and fiber concentration. Within-plot variability was greater at late-summer harvests than earlier harvests, but at all harvests one sample per plot with three replicates gave adequate precision for forage quality comparisons. Higher forage quality from grab samples than from area samples at spring harvests suggested the need for caution when comparing forage quality studies done with different harvest methods; however, there were few entry × sampling strategy interactions, which suggests that relative performance of entries would be similar regardless of the method of sampling. Key words: Alfalfa, forage quality, Medicago sativa L.; field sampling, bootstrap