Progress report for ONC21-083
Project Information
Currently, forage shortages are a major challenge. Polar vortices and inconsistent snow cover have resulted in several years of alfalfa winterkill. Furthermore, frequent and heavy rains have delayed corn silage planting and harvest, creating forage quality and quantity issues. To restore lost feed inventory, there has been an increase in planting of winter rye and winter triticale after corn silage and sorghum or other crop species to replace damaged alfalfa fields. For the purposes of this grant, they will be called “alternative forages”. There is a unique window of opportunity to study best feeding practices, while also supporting continuous soil cover throughout the year. We will also study the economic implications to help farmers make financially sustainable decisions. Compared to the limited window for grazing, mechanical harvesting and storage allows farms to feed many more acres. This project builds on two years of pilot research. Funding will allow us to greatly expand our numbers and get more statistically valid data. Our previous focus group research found that dairy nutrition consultants and farms need research-based feeding recommendations. Changing the mentality that alternative forages are inferior forages is an innovative way to increase acres covered and adoption of year-round soil cover.
- Collect and analyze alternative forage samples from 30 farms across Wisconsin
- Collect farm data including planting date, harvest date, yield (if available), estimated expenses to calculate cost of production, and forage inclusion in rations
- Compare yields and forage quality from these on-farm data samples to studies under controlled conditions
- Develop feeding guidelines for dairy and beef animals based on forage quality data and computer modeling software program
- Develop presentation(s), fact sheet(s), article(s), videos, and/or online learning module
- Organize field days (planting, harvesting, and feeding), that may include online options (webinar, videos)
Cooperators
Research
Extension colleagues were contacted to determine their interest to participate of project and help project team to identify farms willing to participate.
Briefly, 15 farms had samples collected and others were identified for collection this year.
Farms that participate:
- Coordinate with Extension personnel
- Provide farm, crop, and animal data
- Participate in end of project interview/evaluation
Forage samples were collected at the time of harvest and two times throughout the feed out period. Samples were analyzed for nutrient composition and silage quality. Yield is measured or estimated. Ration information is requested. A survey is requested for future economic analysis.
For some of these farms the feedout period samples were collected lastFall.
Samples collected and analyzed were added to a database. The goal of this database is to understand variation of various cover crops used as forages in Wisconsin. This database was (And will be after more results are compiled) used for ration simulations and extension programming.
Our initial results showed lower CP concentrations for triticale (13%) than rye (15.9%) and ryegrass (16.1%). However, fiber digestibility was similar between all three cover crops, averaged 72.0% of NDF. Compared to traditional forages (corn silage and alfalfa), all three crops had greater fiber digestibility.
In addition, samples were analyzed for fiber rates of degradation. This information provides a more unique perspective do diet formulation and will be used for extension programming focused on ruminant nutritionists.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Consultation was considered any email, phone call or in person discussion which required the use of any information generated by this project.
Preliminary data of this project was utilized for one in person and two online presentations. Another presentation is schedule for this semester.
Lippert, M. 2024. Cover crops, alternative crops - how well do they feed? University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Badger Insights Webinar Series. (06/19)
Ferraretto*, L. F. 2024. Feeding cover crops to dairy cattle. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Focus on Forage Webinar Series – Focus on Annual Forages. (03/06; 80 attendants)
Ferraretto*, L. F. 2022. Research update – cocktail mix silage fermentation. Badger Dairy Insights Series – Ins and outs of cocktail forage mixes for dairy rations” (03/01; 28 attendants; online presentation)
Ferraretto*, L. F. Research update – from silage fermentation to feeding behavior. Ag Partners Coop Meeting. Goodhue, MN. (02/09; 40 attendants; in person presentation)
Furthermore, it was used to update material utilized for teaching undergraduate students (nutrition module of DY SCI 233 Fall 2022). This material will be used again this upcoming Fall. The new data describing degradation rates will be shared as teaching material with graduate students (AN SCI 825).
Diet formulation analysis and any remaining sample analysis will be utilized to update teaching material, factsheets and future online and in person presentations.
An abstract is in preparation and will be submitted to the 2025 International Silage Conference (Deadline for submission is Fall 2024).