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Diurnal Changes in Forage Quality Affects Animal Preference, Intake, Performance. Hank Mayland, Dave Mertens and Bret Taylor USDA-ARS Kimberly, ID; Madison, WI; Dubois, ID Pablo Gregorini, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina Joe Burns, Dwight Fisher, Tony Ciavarella,
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Diurnal Changes in Forage Quality Affects Animal Preference, Intake, Performance Hank Mayland, Dave Mertens and Bret Taylor USDA-ARS Kimberly, ID; Madison, WI; Dubois, ID Pablo Gregorini, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina Joe Burns, Dwight Fisher, Tony Ciavarella, Kevin Smith, Glenn Shewmaker, Tom Griggs Dec 2005
Diurnal Cycling of TNC • 1. In forages • 2. Animal preference PM-AM cut hay • 3. Animal production PM-AM cut hay • 4. Animal production: strip grazed pasture • 5. Economic response to PM-cut hay • 6. Other benefits
Photosynthesis = CO2 + H2O chlorophyll O2 + Sugar Day Night TNC Sunup Sundown Time
Variety Differences in TNC. TNC Sunup Sundown Time
Preference Testing • Forage species • Fescue, p/a ryegrass, orchard grass, bromegrass oat hay, etc. • Corn, switch grass, sudangrass. • Legumes: alfalfa, several clovers • Animal species • Ruminants – cattle, sheep, goats • Non Ruminants – horses, rabbits
Preference for PM/AM-cut Hay • Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits sense hays differing by 0.5% sugar concentrations
Growth Study • Lambs at USSES being conditioned for fall breeding were fed TMRs containing 50% PM- or AM-cut alfalfa. • Lambs adapted more quickly to the PM-than AM- TMR by consuming more of the stem material. • No overall difference in DMI, feed efficiency, or weight gains.
Protein Degradation & Ensiling • Alfalfa and red clover (Owens et al) • TNC increased throughout the day • Silage pH decreased and starch increased with cutting time • Success in ensiling forages like alfalfa
When Do I Cut? TNC Sunup Sundown Time
Impact on ½ of Crop on Western US Alfalfa and Dairy Industry • 5% increased forage value = $100,000,000+ • Reducted NDF: $2.40-3.40/ton for each 1% = $44 to 62 m annually. • Increased RFQ: $0.90/ton for each 1% = $127 m annually. • Increased milk production 5% at $13/cwt = $276 m annually.
Benefits of Feeding Afternoon vs. Morning Cut Forage • > Rate of passage • > DM intake and digestibility • > Efficiency of forage utilization • > Efficiency of protein utilization • > Increased energy intake for production --------------------------------------------------------- < Ammonia excreted < Manure excreted
Summary • Sugars increase during day in plants • Herbivores can detect sweeter forage • Expect 5%+ increased milk production in western U.S.
Isn’t it astonishing that all these secrets have been preserved for so many years just so that we could discover them.Orville Wright, 17 Dec. 1903