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CORRELATING NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF GRASSES, LEGUMES, AND BROADLEAF WEEDS

Applied Research

William Shockey
EXTENSION AGENT
West Virginia University
KINGWOOD

Abstract

\r\n Most pastures contain grasses (gr), legumes (leg), and broadleaf weeds (blw). Each class of forage has unique nutritional characteristics both in terms of plant composition and animal utilization. In the Appalachian region, gr are the dominant forage species. The growth stage of most gr, which can give an indication of its nutritive value, is easily identified. Experiments were conducted to measure the correlation of nutritive components of gr compared to leg and blw at similar stages of re-growth. Sixteen pastures were sampled between May and November during a three-year period. After clipping, 40 samples were hand-separated according to botanical composition then analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and total digestible nutrients (TDN). Correlations between gr and leg or between gr and blw for each parameter were CPleg = -0.09CPgr 2 + 3.31CPgr -6.88, R2 = 0.52; CPblw = 1.10 CPgr  + 0.19, R2 = 0.66; NDFleg = 0.53NDFgr + 8.02, R2 = 0.33; NDFblw = 0.67NDFgr + 2.83, R2 = 0.33; ADFleg = 0.89ADFgr – 1.62, R2 = 0.54; ADFblw = 0.75ADFgr + 7.16, R2 = 0.52; TDNleg = 1.27TDNgr – 16.31, R2 = 0.45; and TDNblw = 1.17TDNgr – 11.16, R2 = 0.36. Thirty-three to 75% of the variation in the nutritive components in leg and blw was accounted for by measuring the measurements in gr at the same stage of re-growth. Results suggest implications for assessing the nutritive value of pasture swards by analysis of the gr only.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: W.L. Shockey, E.B. Rayburn, B.D. Smith, D.A. Seymore, T Basden
  1. Shockey, W. Extension Agent, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26537
  2. Rayburn, E. Forage Extension Specialist, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26506
  3. Smith, B. Extension Agent, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26847
  4. Seymore, D. Extension Agent, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26807
  5. Basden, T. Nutrient Management Extension Specialist, West Virginia University, West Virginia, 26506