Simulated Grazing Effects on Triticale Forage Yield

Field trials were conducted in 2001 and 2002 to evaluate the effect of simulated grazing on the yield of autumn‐seeded triticale (×Triticosecale spp). Grazing was simulated with a flail‐type harvester. In Trial 1, defoliation was initiated at four starting maturities in spring and repeated at 2‐week intervals. In Trial 2, defoliation was initiated at pre‐jointing and repeated at intervals of 1, 2, 3 or 6 weeks. Yields were obtained at each simulated grazing. Following the simulated grazing, the triticale was allowed to mature to the flower stage when it was cut a final time to simulate a cutting for hay. Maximum total production, 9.5 tons/acre, occurred with a single clipping at 6 inches of growth, which was similar to no clipping and only hay production, 9.0 tons/acre. Delaying the initial defoliation from 6 inches to 12 inches increased forage for grazing by 0.73 ton/acre. Increasing the number of defoliations increased the amount of forage for grazing by 0.20 ton/acre for each clipping, but reduced subsequent hay yields and total combined yield. The increase in forage for grazing was small compared to the reduction in hay yield. A single early simulated grazing resulted in the highest overall combined forage yield, but managers should select the maturity at initial grazing and frequency of grazing based on their relative needs for grazable forage versus hay.