Small Grains for Forage

Two cultivars each of four species of cereals were harvested at head, milk, and dough stage. In each of 2 yr the yield and content of DM, NDF, and ADF, lignin, CP, and in vitro DM disappearance were quantified. There were large differences in yield and chemical composition due to year, species, and harvest date. Yield varied from a low of 3.0 metric tons dry matter per hectare for Norwin barley at head stage in the 1st yr to a high of 10.6 for Mariner oats at milk stage in the 2nd yr. Overall average yield was 6.6 with yearly averages of 5.4 and 7.8 metric tons of DM per hectare. Dry matter yield increased as the crop matured, averaging 4.8, 7.4, and 7.6 metric tons per hectare at the three successive harvest dates. Fiber and lignin increased with each harvest date but CP decreased from 13.6 to 8.1% and in vitro DM disappearance decreased from 66 to 56%. Differences among cuttivars and species allow forages to be chosen that will be suitable for various animal species and available on calendar dates needed.