Progress 04/01/14 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:During the University of Wyoming's Sheridan Research & Extension Center field day on 7 July 2017 the grass plots were shown to attendees (ag producers, extension and other ag professionals), they were provided a hand-out with results which were discussed. In addition, information about the project was included in the 2017 UW Agricultural Experiment Station Field Days Bulletin. A poster about the project includingresults was presented on 13 December 2017 at the University of Wyoming Connecting Extension and Research Conference in which the target audience was Extension and Research (Ag Experiment Station) personnel. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As noted previosuly, results were presented at a Field Day and at a conference. Results will be presented in the near future to agricultural producers and professionals in ag publications and workshops. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Irrigation level among all the grasses appeared to have little to no effect on hay yields in 2016 and 2017.April precipitation may be the biggest contributing factor to mid- to late June hay yields and ifitis at least four inches than an additional three to four inches of moisture (precipitation and/or irrigated water) would appear to be sufficient to obtain four to five tons of hay. More moisture than this would appear to not be utilized by these grasses for growth.Note: Four to five tons of grass hay generally requires 150 lb of actual nitrogen per acre applied in late fall or early spring (soil not frozen). 'Carleton' smooth brome and 'Paddock' meadow brome produced significantly more hay in 2016 compared to 2017, whereas 'Profile' orchardgrass, 'Fawn' and 'Texoma MaxQ II' tall fescue, and 'Tuukka' timothy produced more in 2017 compared to 2016 (P level > 0.05). It is not clear why the two bromes produced less in 2017 compared to 2016 but the reason the other four grasses produced more in 2017 compared to in 2016 most likely was due to a thickening of the stands. 'Latar' orchardgrass 2017 hay yield appeared to be greater than in 2016 but the difference was not statistically significant (P level < 0.05). The intermediate and pubescent wheatgrasses produced more total hay (2016 + 2017) compared to the other grasses (P level < 0.05). Irrigation level had little to no effect on hay quality of the grasses. The wheatgrasses and 'Paddock' meadow brome generally contained the least amount of crude protein (CP), Net Energy maintenance (NEm), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) among the grasses. The wheatgrasses also generally contained the least amount of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). As with the hay yields, irrigation level had little to no effect on the late summer/early fall regrowth forage yields. However, 2016 yields were significantly greater compared to 2017 yields for all grasses.The nine more inches of total moisture in 2016,especially the four more in September, compared to in 2017 may be the main reason that forage yields were much greater in 2016. In addition,the much cooler September temperature in 2017 compared to in 2016 may have also caused the lower 2017 yields.Although the 2017 yields for 'Latar' orchardgrass were half that compared to its 2016 yields, it averaged almost 1100 pounds per acre more dry matter forage compared to the other 13 grasses in 2017. Unlike quality components of the hay, quality of the late summer/early fall regrowth was effected by irrigation level. The lower amount of irrigation water generally resulted in higher quality forage, except for K and Mn. As with the hay the wheatgrasses and 'Paddock' meadow brome generally contained the least amount of CP, NEm, K, S, Mn, Zn, and Cu; and Mg with regard to the wheatgrasses. With regard to CP, NEm, and the macro-minerals, hay and regrowth forage of the grasses generally contained a sufficient amount of these nutrients to satisfy livestock needs. However, with regard to the micro-minerals the hays generally were deficient in these nutrients, especially Cu. Regrowth forage was also deficient in the micro-minerals, except for iron (Fe) and to some degree Mn. Iron content of the hays was generally insufficient to meet livestock needs. It is not clear as to why the Fe content of the 2015 hay of the bromes and 'Manska' pubescent wheatgrass was two+ to six times greater than in 2016 and 2017. Net returns of forage production still to be determined.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Ranchers (hay producers), agricultureprofessionals, and University and Industry scientists that attended the Forage Field Day held at the UW AES Sheridan Research & Extension Center where the project is being conducted. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?2015 and 2016 UW AES Field Days Bulletin; 2015Sheridan R&E Center field day; 2016 Forage field day at the Sheridan R&E Center; and through the UW Northeast Extension Area newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Harvest late spring/early summer hay yields and analyze for forage quality, request an extension of project through the end of the year (2017) in order to obtain regrowth yield data in October and have forage analyzed for its quality. Begin preparation for a journal article on the results.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Late spring/early summer hay yields were obtained in 2015 and 2016, under full and limited irrigation in 2016; Forage quality (crude protein, energy, and minerals) obtained for above; Regrowth yields were obtained in Oct 2015 and 2016; and Forage quality of the 2015 regrowth (2016 regrowth waiting analysis).
Publications
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Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Agricultural producers, small acreage owners, and Ag professionals (University and Industry) that attended the Sheridan Research & Extension Center field day. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Results of the 2015 season will be reported in the University of Wyoming AES 2016 Field Days Bulletin.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Of the 14 grasses in the study eight were established at the beginning of the growing season soa harvest of them was taken in late June and early July to assess their dry matter yields. Anotherharvest was taken in early October of the regrowth of these grasses as well as two othersthat became established over the summer to assess their dry matter yields. Forage quality analysis (crude protein, energy, and minerals)was performed on samples from all grasses that were harvested in the summer and fall. Due to the wet spring and early summer no irrigation was needed. Irrigation during the summer and early fall was the same for all grasses to help those that had not established well to do so. No economic anlaysis was performed on this data at this time.
Publications
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